The Yankees have succeeded early despite not making big offseason moves…
It is early and much can change, but I like living in a World where the Yankees are succeeding, and the Mets are not. At the end of the day, I do not really care what the Mets do. The great revelation is that Uncle Steve’s money is not the sole cure for the New York Mess of Queens. GM David Stearns seems to be in everybody’s crosshairs, so we shall see if the owner believes Stearns is the problem. Regardless of the outcome, Manager Carlos Mendoza seems like a likely casualty. It would not surprise me to see Alex Cora as the next manager of the Mets.
Early on, GM Brian Cashman showed that ‘standing pat’ was the right choice. I wish he had put more effort into the bullpen, but the starting pitching has been great. It will only get better with the return of Carlos Rodón, and hopefully soon, Gerrit Cole. It will be a great time when the Yankees have difficulty deciding who comes out of the rotation. Hard decisions to be made, but it is better than pitching Carlos Carrasco or some other scrub arm until the big guns can return. The Yankees’ focus on minor-league pitching in recent years is starting to bear fruit. I would love to see old names like Chase Hampton succeed, but it is fun watching the younger guys step up.
Cam Schlittler is the ace I never knew I needed. That is more about me not knowing much about Schlittler on his way up, but I am glad he came to The Show on a mission. I am glad he is a Yankee. We need more like him.
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| Cam Schlittler (Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta/Imagn Images) |
It remains hard to believe that last offseason, there was some doubt if the Yankees would re-sign Cody Bellinger. It felt like the two were made for each other, but until Cody’s signature was on the dotted line, there was doubt. In retrospect, he was a must-sign given how well he has performed this year. Aaron Judge is awesome, but he needs protection. Thankfully, Cody Bellinger returned to provide the necessary protection.
I am glad the Yankees optioned Anthony Volpe to Triple-A after he completed his rehab assignment. While I do not think Jose Caballero is the long-term answer, he is the better short-term option. He has seamlessly meshed with the Yankees lineup to make short a strength. I prefer his play over Volpe’s. I feel bad for Volpe. A local (New Jersey) product with many local fans. It would have been fantastic for him to grab the position and make it his own. Sadly, it did not happen, and it will not. I am not opposed to Volpe as next year’s second baseman in place of pending free agent Jazz Chisholm, Jr. I like Jazz, but I do not think he is coming back. The tea leaves have been strong. George Lombard, Jr., has emerged as the next great Yankees shortstop. In no universe should he be forced to play third base because Volpe is the starting shortstop. I am attending a Yankees game in July. It would not surprise me if Lombard, Jr. is the starting shortstop for that game. He is close. If not this year, then 2027. George Lombard, Jr is to George Lombard, Sr, what Ken Griffey, Jr is to Ken Griffey, Sr. The sons are better than their Major League Baseball fathers. Better to be Ken Griffey, Jr than Pete Rose, Jr. Bottom line, the Yankees shortstop hand-off should be Caballero to Lombard, Jr (while Volpe continues to enjoy the surroundings of Eastern Pennsylvania). If the Yankees find a trade they like involving Volpe, so be it. I am done with Volpe as the Yankees’ shortstop.
I love that the Yankees are playing with a greater sense of urgency this season. Nobody is rolling over to hand the championship to the Los Angeles Dodgers. The hardware is for the best team at the end of October. This is the strongest I have felt about the Yankees in a few years. I wish they had a better manager than Aaron Boone, but if the guys on the field are getting the job done, the manager is of less importance. Addressing the bullpen remains a high priority, and it will mean the difference in October.
The Philadelphia Phillies’ decision to fire manager Rob Thomson and replace him with Don Mattingly brought mixed feelings. I feel bad for Thomson, the long-time Yankees coach. I thought he did a great job in relief of former Yankees’ and Phillies’ manager Joe Girardi. It would be nice if the Yankees could find a way to bring Thomson back into the organization. Fire Brad Ausmus and hire Thomson to replace him. Sure. It works for me. Glad to see Don Mattingly get another managerial opportunity. Despite his son Preston’s presence as the team’s GM, it seems like this is a one-and-done role for Donnie Baseball. If he does well enough to earn the job long-term, it is good for him, but it is always tough to see Mattingly wearing anything other than Yankees pinstripes. Given that Managers are hired to be fired, it is probably a good thing that Mattingly has never gotten a managerial chance with the Yankees.
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| Don Mattingly (Photo Credit: Derik Hamilton/AP) |
The Los Angeles Angels should trade Mike Trout to the Phillies. They missed an excellent opportunity to trade Shohei Ohtani before his contract expired. With Trout having a great year, they need to cash in, and the Phillies would be the best place to send Trout because it would be sending him home.
Given the Yankees are a winning team with needs, they seem like strong buyers at the deadline. It is tough. They will part with quality young talent in the farm system. Hopefully, they will choose the right ones to trade and keep the right ones for the organization. George Lombard, Jr., should not be part of any discussion.
I apologize for the brevity of the post. I lost a family member this week to mental disease. She made a decision that has adversely affected close family and friends. Mother’s Day will be a void, and my grandson will miss his mother, a key family member, for his first birthday next week. Never underestimate the burdens others carry. Be the helping hand. The listening ear. The hug provider. Life is short enough. Sometimes, a few of us need assistance to get through it.
As always, Go Yankees!
