Old Friends Reunited: The Yankees & the ALCS…

 

The Yankees celebrating ALDS Success (Photo Credit: NY Daily News)

Yankees Advance to Next Round by Royally Winning…

The Yankees are back where they belong…the American League Championship Series. The Yankees have made more ALCS appearances than any other American League club. Their total of nineteen appearances leads the Boston Red Sox, the team with the second most, by seven. The team is 11-7 in the eighteen completed championship series. They have won fifty total ALCS games, leading Boston by eighteen wins. Unfortunately, the Yankees have not won the ALCS since 2009 despite appearances in 2010, 2012, 2017, 2019, and 2022. The sixth time is a charm!

Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Judge, & Jazz Chisholm, Jr (Photo Credit: NY Post/Charles Wenzelberg)

The Yankees now await the winner of the deadlocked ALDS battle between the Cleveland Guardians and the Detroit Tigers. On Saturday, they will play their winner-take-all ALDS Game 5 finale in Cleveland, Ohio. If the Tigers advance (likely…considering Tarik Skubal will be on the mound), the Yankees will get a chance to avenge the ALCS sweep by the Tigers in 2012. Cleveland last advanced to the World Series in 2016 before they made Anthony Rizzo and his then-Cubs teammates immortal in Chicago for the rest of their lives.

I do not care who the Yankees face. To be the best, you beat the best, so let the best team emerge from the final ALDS, whichever team that may be. Not that facing an awakening Jose Ramirez would be fun, but trust the men in Pinstripes. If the Yankees are the best team, they will beat whoever shows up for Game 1 of the ALCS in the Bronx.

With no disrespect to Captain Aaron Judge, the Yankees are in the ALCS, thanks primarily to Giancarlo Stanton, Gerrit Cole, Gleyber Torres, Luke Weaver, and Jon Berti. Berti’s name looks like an outcast in this group, but he stepped in and did an admirable job at first base for a non-first baseman. He could have quickly (and excusably, without experience) butchered the position. Clay Holmes was dominant in his new bullpen role. I am happy that he has rediscovered magic, but it does not mean that I would want him to reclaim his old job as the closer. I am 100% behind Luke Weaver and his quirky personality, zany sense of humor, and electric arm as the team’s designated closer. I was a little surprised in the offseason when the Yankees re-signed Weaver. I had no complaints about his work last year, but I thought the pitcher and the team would part ways in the offseason. There was nothing special about his 2023 performance, at least not what stood out to make him a “must sign” player. Yet, he stepped up to fill a tremendous void in the bullpen, first through setup and, lastly, through the back end of games. People say the Yankees should sign Kenley Jansen this winter through free agency. I like Kenley, even if he has many miles on his arm, but Weaver should be the man until he proves he cannot sustain the position. In other words, I would rather have Weaver over Jansen or virtually any other potential replacement. If the Yankees had a chance for an elite closer, Weaver should not stand in their way, but I do not believe the current Yankees regime will pay top dollar for the bullpen like they once did. So, the combination of the team’s current fiscal conservatism in the bullpen and Weaver’s emergence led me to believe Weaver was the right man at the right time.

Oswaldo Cabrera & Luke Weaver (Photo Credit: AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

It is too early to talk about next season, but I hope the Yankees can find it in their budget to sign Gleyber Torres to a new contract. He took so much heat early in the season, and a poll of Yankees fans would have favored letting him go in free agency. But his placement atop the batting order later in the regular season coincided with a resurgence that has made him a vital player for October. He will always botch a routine play now and again, but even the great and legendary Derek Jeter was not immune from making those. The hustle concerns are correctable, and he has shown improvement. Players like Aaron Judge help to elevate Gleyber’s play and performance. The body of work, at least what Gleyber showed over the second half of the season, warrants his return.

Gleyber Torres (Photo Credit: Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

Caleb Durbin may be an All-Star second baseman one day. Good for him. He has yet to prove it at the Major League level. Gleyber is playing like he wants to be the team’s starting second baseman today, tomorrow, and next year. Let him. If he suddenly becomes Daniel Jones after he gets the big money, that is the risk you face with anybody. If it happens, the team will have to deal with it at that time, but it should not stop the team from bringing him back based on what he currently means to the organization and the players he has gone to war with. Juan Soto will be a Yankee next season if the team pays him the most money in free agency, yet I think how they treat other players, like Gleyber, in the offseason will draw Soto’s attention. If Gleyber is treated poorly, it could be a deciding factor if, for example, the Yankees and Mets offered the same amount of money, causing Soto to jump to Queens. That might be an unlikely scenario, but Soto cares about his friends.

There were times this season when Gerrit Cole disappointed me. His late start out of the gate for health reasons (not his fault) was the primary cause. He certainly was not the ace he was in 2023 when he won the AL Cy Young Award, but he showed up for the series clincher against the Kansas City Royals. That is why he is paid big bucks. I always fear a Doctor Jekyll and Mister Hyde performance by any pitcher, ala Carlos Rodón, but Cole brought his “A” game (despite tiring late) when it mattered most. I am sure I will have anxiety in his upcoming starts, but he did what he needed to do against the Royals. I hope it continues when he faces either the Guardians or the Tigers.

I hope we get the best of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto for the ALCS. I am happy when the team wins, regardless of who makes the necessary hits, plays, and pitches, but the world is a better place when Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are the Kings of the World. For Judge’s Yankees legacy, I want to see him come up huge in the postseason. Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Bernie Williams, Andy Pettitte, and Mariano Rivera will forever be remembered for what they did in October. Judge will never match their number of rings, although I certainly would not complain if he did, but he can make a name for himself in the franchise’s long history of postseason success.  He is in a position that the great Don Mattingly could never reach. I loved Mattingly as a Yankee and feel the same about Judge. I do not want to see Judge come up short and never experience the feeling of being a World Champion in Pinstripes.

Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: NY Daily News)

Is this the year we can quit talking about 2009? I hope so. Keep it going, guys. Eight more wins to your destiny.

As always, Go Yankees!

Congratulations to the First-Place New York Yankees...

 

Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: New York Daily News)

Yankees win AL East; what’s next? ….

The New York Yankees won the American League Eastern Division Championship in a year that many had expected the Baltimore Orioles to win the division. After the division clincher, I saw a few Yankee fans on social media trying to collect receipts from fans who did not think the Yankees would win this season. I thought the Yankees would finish second to the Orioles before the season started. I am happy the Yankees proved me wrong, but I still think the O’s might have emerged victorious if their pitching had remained healthy. Sure, they had Corbin Burnes, one of the game’s best, but it was not enough. They also lost one of the game’s finest closers, Felix Bautista (Tommy John surgery in September 2023), and tried to replace him this season with the since-released Craig Kimbrel. I am not trying to deflate the Yankees’ success, and I know they also dealt with their share of injuries. I just realized the Orioles could not play with the whole deck, and the Yankees could take advantage of it. Baltimore will be back strong in 2025, regardless of how this season plays out.

But today is 2024, and the New York Yankees, possessing the best record in the American League, are your AL East Champions, with a first-round bye and home-field advantage through the American League Championship Series (assuming they make it that far). If there was ever a year to kick the Houston Astros to the curb, this is it, and I hope the Yankees do it. Beating the Royals, Guardians, Tigers, or Orioles will be enjoyable, but beating Houston would be fantastic. I would savor every moment of it.

I am pleased the Yankees took care of business after the long stretch this summer when they played like the league’s worst. Indeed, there is no underestimating the power of the Juan Soto/Aaron Judge tandem in the lineup. Soto made everyone around him better. Jazz Chisholm, Jr changed the clubhouse's vibe and attitude upon his arrival. After whispers pre-trade that he was a lousy clubhouse influence, the exact opposite turned out to be true. Those are critical differences as to why the Yankees won this season.

Juan Soto (Photo Credit: Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)

Anthony Volpe stepped back, but I remain committed to him as the team’s starting shortstop. I am hopeful and optimistic about his improved performance next season. If it does not happen next season, it will be time to find Plan B, but that is the least of our concerns in October 2024. It is not like a reincarnated 21-year-old Derek Jeter, possessing all the vast knowledge and experience of the original version, will show up in Aaron Boone’s office, ready to take the field.

Gleyber Torres, for as much hate as he took early in the season, found a home atop the batting order, and his detractors were hard to find late in the season. I have never said I am anxious to see the Yankees replace Torres, eligible for free agency after the season. I know the Yankees need to drain the vault for Juan Soto, but I hope they can find a little extra to bring Torres back. I am not ready to turn the page with him. It is easy to point out his faults, but sadly, perfect ballplayers are rare. If Gleyber leaves, somebody else with “warts” will take his place.

Clay Holmes, thanks for the All-Star nomination and closing out the 2024 regular season with an easy save, but I wish you well in free agency, and I hope the Yankees close the door behind you. Luke Weaver showed enough to prove that he can become the next Yankees closer. Maybe the Yankees try to make a splash in the offseason (not sure who…signing an aged Kenley Jansen does not exactly excite me, regardless of the respect I have held for Kenley over the years). Still, Weaver can be the guy if given the opportunity. In recent years, the Yankees have proven they can grow talented pitchers in the farm system, and maybe the next great closer is just a call-up away. Who knows. Yankees VP Michael Fishman probably knows since he clearly knows everything (there is no air of seriousness in that sentence, I can assure you). The Yankees have proven a solid ability to build a good bullpen, so it should be the least of anyone’s concerns in building their offseason plans.

I have enjoyed Anthony Rizzo’s time as a New York Yankee. He may not have given us the years or the memories like some of the great Yankees first basemen who preceded him, but Rizzo saved us from Luke Voit’s iron glove at first base, and I will be forever grateful. His worth extended well beyond his glove. He has been a great teammate and a tremendous Yankee. I am glad he spent a few years in the Bronx, even if he will forever be remembered as a Chicago Cub. The fractures he suffered in his hand this weekend could spell the end of his Yankees career. The Yankees kept the door open by not placing Rizzo on the Injured List when they called up Ben Rice to replace him at first base for Sunday’s season finale. No word if Rizzo will be able to play in the ALDS, but fortunately, the team has a few days before any decisions must be made. If it is genuinely a ‘pain tolerance thing’ as we have heard, then maybe Rizzo plays and gives us one of those iconic victories despite injury performances like Kirk Gibson once did for the Los Angeles Dodgers. If not, thank you for your time in Pinstripes. While the Yankees will not pick up Rizzo’s option, the $6 million buyout is enough that the Yankees could negotiate a one-year deal for Rizzo to return next season. I am okay with whatever happens. If he leaves, he has been great. If he stays, wonderful…let’s try to get him a ring in Pinstripes if that does not happen this year.

Anthony Rizzo (Photo Credit: USATSI)

Like Clay Holmes, Alex Verdugo finished the last regular season game strong with a bases-loaded two-run single that gave the Yankees a 6-4 lead and an eventual win on Sunday over the Pittsburgh Pirates, which allowed the Yankees to finish 94-68, three games up on the Baltimore Orioles, 91-71. Sorry for the long run-on sentence, but one season of Alex Verdugo is enough. I liked him better than I thought when the Yankees first acquired him from the archrival Red Sox last offseason, but the Yankees can do better. Jasson Dominguez needs to work on his left-field defense this winter, but I prefer a matured Dominguez bat in left next season over a return engagement for Verdugo. Watch Verdugo become a major postseason star for the Yankees, making it impossible for them to part ways. Okay, I do not believe it would happen, but if it did, it would mean good things for the playoffs. Note to Hal Steinbrenner, please keep your money aimed at Juan Soto.

I think Trent Grisham can help teams win, but the Yankees needed to play him more for us to find out. For Grisham’s sake, he would get more playing time elsewhere. He remains arbitration-eligible in 2025, but the Yankees should do him a favor and move him to a team that needs him. I am unsure when Everson Pereira will be ready following UCL surgery earlier this year, but he should be making noise for Major League playing time when he is healthy again (or at least I hope he is).

The Yankees will have decisions to make regarding their starting rotation next season. I am sure any offseason plan for the Yankees (at least those by Yankee fans) will include a starting pitcher capable of shouldering the load behind Gerrit Cole. I do not believe Cole will opt out. The Yankees would be foolish not to extend his deal by one year. The Yankees need to build around Cole, not build toward replacing him. Clarke Schmidt and Carlos Rodón will be there, and Luis Gil showed much growth. Nestor Cortes, Jr seems like a wild card. He could stay. He could go. The over/under seems to favor his departure, even if he was the most consistent starting pitcher this season. There will be offseason pressure on the Yankees to upgrade the rotation despite their massive attention on Juan Soto’s impending free agency. Need to find the next Tarik Skubal or Paul Skenes if they can be seen without becoming the worst team in baseball to get the best draft position.

Like it or not, Aaron Boone will return next season regardless of how October plays out. I do not dislike the guy. I get frustrated with his decisions sometimes, but there seemed to be fewer of those occurrences as the season wore on. Maybe he is starting to get it. I had thought before the season that having an experienced bench coach in Brad Ausmus would help him, and I think it has. Granted, his former bench coach has done well as the manager for the New York Mets. My issue with Carlos Mendoza was never about his knowledge, experience, or ability to relate to players on their level. I had always thought he was too much like Boone to effectively help Boone.

It is a little early to discuss the offseason. Sorry. The current focus is the American League Divisional Series and determining who the Yankees will play next. The Yankees are well positioned for a deep run, and if the team gets hot, they can put the memories of ‘they have not won since 2009’ to rest. No team stands out as the prohibitive favorite. It is as simple as playing the best and being the best. The field is open.

On a side thought, I did not like the post-game celebration for just making the playoffs. I know the team missed the playoffs in 2023, and it is an honor to make the dance. Yet, the celebration of participating in the Wild Card series seems premature to me. Winning the division championship was an accomplishment, even better when the Yankees secured home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs. It was bad enough the Yankees played one game with a champagne hangover, but they did it twice in September. Two games they played at less than their best. It could have cost them home-field advantage. Thankfully, it did not, but I will never understand why you celebrate playing a Wild Card game. Win the short three-game series and then celebrate. The ALDS/NLDS are rounds more worthy of celebration…in my humble opinion.

The season has thankfully ended for the Chicago White Sox and their historically bad 121-loss season. I could not help but think what it must be like for Andrew Benintendi. Not that I want Benintendi today, but at the time of his free agency, I had hoped for his return to the Yankees despite the flaws in his game. But he desired a Midwest location and signed a contract that surprisingly was one of the largest ever handed out by the Chicago White Sox (if not the largest, if memory serves correctly). I hope the money was worth it for Benintendi while he watched those losses mount this season. I am sure the White Sox’s offseason plan will start with how to unload Benintendi and his contract. I do not pine for a return to the Yankees, regardless of what the Yankees do with Alex Verdugo, Jasson Dominguez, and left field.

Craig Counsell is a good manager, but it must have been tough to finish ten games behind his old club. Congratulations to the Milwaukee Brewers on their division championship, which leaves Counsell and the Chicago Cubs in the dust.

The San Diego Padres impressed me down the stretch, and so did the Detroit Tigers. Both teams can make some noise in October. I feel bad for the fans of the Minnesota Twins because of their team’s late-season collapse. As a Vikings fan, I know how much they have suffered with the NFL. While the Twins have at least won some championships in their history, late-season collapses are never fun. I am sure Yankee fans hated to see the Twins miss the playoffs, given the Yankees' success over the Twins through the years.

The season was filled with so much more than what I have covered with this random post. These were just a few thoughts at the end of another MLB regular season. February always brings so much excitement for the upcoming season, and the season, from the view of February, seems so long, yet quickly, we are at the end. It has been a fun season, even if it has been frustrating. I feel good about the 2024 Yankees despite their weaknesses. The team is cohesive, and they strive to pick each other up. They may not win it all this season, but I am confident they will give it their all.

As always, Go Yankees! 

Headed to Cleveland in Search of Wins...

 

Aaron Boone / Photo Credit: Seth Wenig, AP

Momentum favors the Game 3 Winner…

And then they were tied… So much for home field advantage. The New York Yankees lost ALDS Game 2, disappointingly and with way too many men left on base (eleven), as the Cleveland Guardians tied the series at one game apiece with the 4-2 victory.

Whether you believe bringing Jameson Taillon into the game in the tenth inning was right or wrong, he was not the reason the Yankees lost the game. I really thought the stage was set in the eighth inning when Giancarlo Stanton walked, and the Yankees inserted Tim Locastro to run for Stanton. A stolen base by Locastro, and subsequent walks of Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa sandwiched around a strikeout by Oswaldo Cabrera had the bases loaded with two outs. Kyle Higashioka had the opportunity to be the star of the show (really wanted Spring Training Higgy in that moment), but he lined out to end the threat.

I get the decision to pull Stanton for the speedy Locastro in that situation, but Manager Aaron Boone’s decision to allow Locastro to bat against Guardians closer Emmanuel Clase in the bottom of the tenth, trailing by two runs, was a bonehead move. As much as I have been down on Aaron Hicks, this was the time I would have preferred Hicks to take the swings against Clase. Not one of Boone’s finer moments. It felt like a ‘tossing in the towel’ moment.

Oh well, the Yankees need to regroup quickly for Game 3 in Cleveland later today. The Yankees need to win at least one of the two games in Cleveland to get the series back to Yankee Stadium for a potential Game 5, but I would prefer a sweep in Cleveland to end it there. A sweep by the Yankees, not the Guardians, as if I needed to say that.

Friday was not a good day for any of the favorites. Both NL’s remaining 100+ win teams lost. The defending champions, the Atlanta Braves, were hammered by newly named permanent manager Rob Thomson’s Philadelphia Phillies, 9-1, and the Los Angeles Dodgers (who won 110 games in the regular season) lost a close one to the San Diego Padres, 2-1. Their circumstances are more dire than the Yankees as both of those teams trail their respective series, two games to one. The Phillies and Padres could advance to the NLCS today with victories. For the Dodgers, it would be 110 wins and all they got was this lousy t-shirt.

Hopefully, the Yankees can win today so they do not have their proverbial backs to the wall. Luis Severino is on the mound, but he will face Cleveland’s outstanding young Triston McKenzie. It does not seem like there will be very many runs scored today. If the Yankees can cross the plate more times than the Guardians, all will be good in the Yankees Universe. A loss will most certainly send anxiety through the fanbase.

The booing of Aaron Judge does not help. I realize some fans may be frustrated with Aaron Judge. Seven strikeouts in eight plate appearances can lead to nicknames like Mr. May, but after Judge’s season, he deserves the benefit of the doubt. I would rather take my chances with than without Judge. If anything, Judge needs our support and our belief that he can produce when the stakes are the highest. The boos at Yankee Stadium and the rips on social media serve no purpose. If you want to create an environment where Judge feels he might be better appreciated in other markets and fan bases, keep it up. We need Judge today, tomorrow, and next year.

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Frank Franklin II, AP

As for Judge’s pending free agency, Jon Heyman of The New York Post polled four agents this week, and they predicted Judge’s next contract will be:

• $350 million, $400 million maximum.
• $315 million to $360 million.
• Eight x $37.5 million for $300 million.
• $300 million ($277 million with deferrals).

I do think the contract will be north of $300 million but the question will be how high the Yankees will go. I cannot say I am overly confident the Yankees will retain Judge. They need him, he needs the Yankees, and I do believe that his legacy would be the strongest by staying in Pinstripes. Somehow, the thought of Judge playing in San Francisco with games playing when most of the East Coast is headed for bed will leave him as an afterthought in the minds of many. Judge’s value to the Yankees cannot be underestimated. I hope the Yankees ensure he remains a Yankee and he becomes the next Captain. The NFL has the franchise tag they can place on pending free agent superstars. The MLB may not have one, but it is clear Aaron Judge is the franchise player for the current New York Yankees and deserves to be paid like it. I am excited about the Yankees playing October baseball, but it is hard to deny the sickening feeling that these may be Judge’s final days wearing baseball’s greatest uniform.

Hal, pay the man.

Better news on the injured front. It is premature to think about the ALCS since the Yankees need to win the ALDS first, but it was promising to hear Aaron Boone say Andrew Benintendi, Frankie Montas and Ron Marinaccio will be working out in Tampa under live game conditions to prepare their potential readiness for the next round.

A healthy, producing Benintendi may have been the difference-maker in yesterday’s game. Watching Matt Carpenter strike out in his pinch-hit appearance yesterday shows that return does not always result in immediate success, but I am hopeful Benny can help next round if the Yankees make it. I know Oswaldo Cabrera has done a superb job, but I would rather see the Yankees re-sign Benintendi to play left field next season and use Cabrera in the super-utility role. But I digress, I think Benny can help this year if he is given the opportunity.

Andrew Benintendi / Photo Credit: Sarah Stier, Getty Images

I am indifferent about Montas. He will not start, and I am not certain how effective he can be as a reliever. He seems like a ‘better luck next year’ candidate.

The Yankees need a healthy Marinaccio. Using starters in unfamiliar relief roles underscores the current state of the Yankees pen. Getting back one of their best relievers would be huge for the Yankees in the next round…if they make it.

Hall of Fame Closer passes away. I was saddened to hear the news of Bruce Sutter’s passing yesterday, While Sutter, 69, is probably best remembered for helping the St Louis Cardinals win the World Series forty years ago, I will always think of him as a Chicago Cub. Growing up in the Midwest in the 70’s meant watching a lot of Cubs games on TV, and Sutter stood out with his split-fingered fastballs.

Bruce Sutter

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred issued the following statement: “I am deeply saddened by the news of the passing of Bruce Sutter, whose career was an incredible baseball success story. Bruce ascended from being a nondrafted free agent to the heights of baseball by pioneering the split-fingered fastball. The pitch not only led him to the Major Leagues, but also made him a Cy Young Award winner with the Cubs and a World Series champion with the 1982 Cardinals. …Bruce will be remembered as one of the best pitchers in the histories of two of our most historic franchises. On behalf of Major League Baseball, I extend my condolences to Bruce’s family, his friends and his fans in Chicago, St. Louis, and Atlanta and throughout our game.”

Sutter always makes me think of the late Bobby Murcer since both were my favorite Cubs on those late 1970s teams. Not sure why I was never a Cubs or Cardinals fan, but the pull of the Yankee Pinstripes was too strong. Nevertheless, Sutter’s loss hurts. May he rest in peace.

The end of Aroldis Chapman’s Yankees career. Good riddance. I cannot say that I have ever seen a player bail on his teammates like Chapman did when he missed a mandatory workout prior to the start of the ALDS and the announcement of the team’s roster for the series. I was ready for the Yankees to designate Chapman for assignment in September as I had lost any trust or confidence in him despite some sporadic success. However, his behavior prior to the ALDS was inexcusable and unacceptable. Just when you thought Chapman could not set the bar lower, he does.

Aroldis Chapman

The Yankees took a chance on Chapman when other teams, including the Los Angeles Dodgers, would not. Despite their efforts, Chapman bailed on the Yankees because his feelings were hurt over the possibility of being left off the ALDS roster. In a way, I am glad Chapman made the decision easy for the Yankees. While there is a chance that he could be activated for the ALCS…if they make it…I hope not. I am done with Chapman and look forward to the end of his Yankees contract soon.

Scott Effross, we hardly knew ye. Unlike Chapman, I was saddened to learn Scott Effross would not make the ALDS roster but was stunned by the further news he needs Tommy John surgery. A torn ulnar collateral ligament most likely means that we will not see Effross on the mound again until 2024. He is under Yankees control until 2028 so it is not like we will never see him in Pinstripes again, but this is a sad way to lose Effross for the near future. Here is hoping for a quick and successful return to good health for Effross and his arm.

Scott Effross

I wonder if this means the end for Chad Green. He is scheduled to become a free agent at the end of the year. The Yankees historically do not wait around for Tommy John recipients on expiring contracts. Nathan Eovaldi and Michael Pineda stand out as recent examples. Someone will sign Green to a two-year minor league contract to allow time for recovery. Maybe it is the Yankees, maybe it is not. The Yankees cannot tie up multiple 40-man roster spots for guys out for extended periods.

As always, Go Yankees!

 

“We play today, we win today, das it…”

--Former Yankees second baseman Mariano Duncan

Aaron Judge, MVP...

 

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: LM Otero, AP

Judge homers his way to the record books…

It has been a few days, but I would like to express my gratitude that Aaron Judge was able to hit his 62^nd home run in the regular season’s final series in Texas. Admittedly, I had begun to have thoughts Judge would conclude the 2022 season in a tie with Roger Maris for the American League and Yankees franchise home run record. It has been an incredible season for Judge, and the ultimate ‘betting on yourself’ event we have witnessed in Sports in recent memory.

There is sadness Judge will be free to sign with any team in a few weeks. Like Derek Jeter, Judge’s best legacy is to remain in Pinstripes as the team’s next Captain. The thought of him in Boston, Queens or San Francisco is horrific. Hopefully, the Yankees can reach an agreement on a contract with Judge shortly after the season and bring back the team’s best player for the 2023 season and beyond.

I do not understand those who bash Judge and try to belittle his accomplishments by trying to empathize that his home run total fell short of the MLB mark by eleven home runs. I personally never took the approach that Judge’s total represented MLB’s best. I recognize Barry Bonds as the MLB single season record holder with 73 home runs. Or that Mark McGwire held the mark before him, and Sammy Sosa had a few dinger seasons in the sixties. The difference and great distinction about Judge’s accomplishments is that he did it cleanly, without the assistance of performance-enhancing drugs. The home runs by Bonds, McGwire, and Sosa will always be tainted by their involvement with steroids. I would have liked to have seen what Bonds could have accomplished without the drug-induced assistance. In his younger days, I always marveled at his tremendous hand/eye coordination, and I believe he would have/could have been great without the PEDs. Sadly, we will never know. Nevertheless, Bonds holds the MLB record so we can only look suspiciously at his numbers.

Setting everything aside, celebrate Aaron Judge for having one of the most historic seasons in Yankees history. To walk among Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Roger Maris, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, and others is truly special and assures Judge will always be remembered for his Pinstriped accomplishments regardless of what the future may hold.

For everyone who believes that Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Angels should be the AL MVP, there is no denying he is a special talent. His elite performance as both a pitcher and hitter is unlike anything we have ever seen. But despite his greatness, the Angels finished third place in the AL West, thirty-three games behind the division champion Houston Astros. They were thirteen games behind the last Wild Card team, the Tampa Bay Rays. Judge’s performance lifted his team to the AL East championship, and a bye for the first round of the playoffs. It was an incredible year for Judge who was the most valuable in leading his team. Maybe they should create a new award for two-way guys like Ohtani to recognize his greatness, but this season belongs to Aaron Judge.

Cheers to the apparent 2022 AL Most Valuable Player!

Aaron Judge and wife, Samantha Bracksieck / Photo Credit: Getty/Gotham

The Yankees will soon announce (or set) the 2022 ALDS roster. I have never really found the need to predict a roster. Those decisions will be made by Yankees leadership, and they have far greater insight than any of us. Therefore, I will roll out the projected roster presented by Yankees beat writer Kristie Ackert in this morning’s New York Daily News (for no other reason than it is a reasonable representation of what to expect).

CATCHERS

Jose Trevino, Kyle Higashioka

No surprises here.

INFIELDERS

Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Josh Donaldson, DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza

LeMahieu scares me. If his toe is still bothering him, he is a liability on the roster. Hopefully, he is better even if he was uninspiring during his late season return. I would be happy to see the young Peraza make the roster. We know IKF’s yips can be damaging at times, and there are situations I would feel much better with the steady glove of Peraza at short. Assuming he is not traded in the offseason, Peraza will fill a much larger role for the Yankees next season, and the experience he is gaining this October is invaluable.

OUTFIELDERS

Aaron Judge, Harrison Bader, Oswaldo Cabrera, Tim Locastro

It is funny how a player who was in the minor leagues (and more notably “not” an outfielder) when the season began is now a huge part of the outfield crew. Testament to the athleticism, energy, and commitment to excellence demonstrated by Cabrera who has made himself indispensable to this team. He has been a revelation and has forced the Yankees to make room for him on the big-league roster for the years to come. The surprise here is clearly the omission of the much-maligned Aaron Hicks. The Yankees need speed which makes Locastro the better option, and of course with Bader and Cabrera, there is no longer a starting role for Hicks. I hope the Yankees have the same vision as Kristie with the outfield.

DESIGNATED HITTER

Giancarlo Stanton, Matt Carpenter

I am happy to see the return of Matty Mustache, but the challenge will be to find playing time for both him and Stanton in the same lineup. Stanton was starting to heat up as the regular season winded down, and he is capable to carrying the team to greater heights so he must play. Carpenter’s continued recovery from the fractured foot makes him an unlikely prospect for the outfield. So, it seems he will be the pinch hitter extraordinaire. Maybe he can have one (or more) of those Kirk Gibson-like moments.

STARTERS

Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes, Luis Severino, James Taillon

Although Cole goes into the ALDS as the likely Game 1 starter, there is no question (in my mind) that Nestor Cortes, Jr is the best starter on the staff. Those are words I never thought I would type. Yet here we are. On the bright side, if Cole falters in Game 1 like Max Scherzer of the Mets did last night, Cortes is ready to pick him up in Game 2. Funny that I have greater trust and confidence in the Game 2 and 3 starters (Cortes and Luis Severino). Maybe Cole can finally have his Yankees signature moment to propel himself to October success. I hope so. Masahiro Tanaka always seemed to elevate his play when the stakes were higher. For the record, I wanted the Yankees to trade for Frankie Montas at the trading deadline after they lost out on Luis Castillo over someone like Jose Quintana, however, watching Quintana shove yesterday showed that, at least for this season, Quintana would have been the better (and cheaper) option. As the saying goes, Hindsight is 20/20.

BULLPEN

Domingo German, Clarke Schmidt, Lou Trivino, Scott Effross, Jonathan Loaisiga, Clay Holmes, Wandy Peralta, Lucas Luetge

I support a decision to exclude Aroldis Chapman. He was my favorite DFA candidate toward the end of the regular season. He has served his time in Pinstripes and the end is near. There is no way the Yankees re-sign him when he hits free agency in a few weeks. It was a rapid fall from one of the best closers in the game to an in-game liability. There is no trust with Chapman, and his presence on the roster would only reinforce the possibility of a meltdown like one experienced by Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley in yesterday’s loss to the Phillies when he gave up four runs to blow a 2-0 lead in the ninth inning. I wish I had greater confidence in Holmes, but I do not. I miss first-half Holmes. The Guardians showed the value of a lockdown closer yesterday with Emmanuel Clase saving the impressive performance by Shane Bieber to beat the Rays by one run. There is not one pitcher in the Yankees bullpen that one can say is “lockdown.” There is potential with a couple of them, but there is also the potential for disaster. I hope the pen does not become the team’s Achilles Heel in the days ahead.

MANAGER

Aaron Boone

Dammit! Okay, I am just kidding on this last one. Boonie has a chance to change perceptions in the coming days…or not. His moves will be openly criticized by the fan base. If he is right, he will be legend. If he is wrong, he will hear boos that have not been heard since Joey Gallo. With the Yankees fan base, there is nothing in between. Total success or into the depths of hell with defeat. No pressure, Boonie. There may be days I have felt the Yankees would be better under the leadership of a different manager, but not right here, right now. Boone has the respect of his clubhouse, and he has a chance to lead his team beyond the ALDS. He needs our support. We can reevaluate after the season.

Aarons Boone and Judge / Photo Credit: Jason Getz, USA TODAY Sports

I am hopeful that Andrew Benintendi will be ready for the ALCS if the Yankees make it, but first things first. The Guardians can book their travel for New York if they beat the Rays today. Triston McKenzie gets the call for the Guardians and will be opposed by Tyler Glasnow. It should be another great pitching performance by both sides like yesterday’s 2-1 game. Whether it is the Guardians or Rays, the Yankees will have a challenge in the ALDS. Can they succeed? They have the talent, and I am certainly hopeful, but the games must be played on the field so time will tell. For now, we wait.

Tired of Wading. Tyler Wade left the Yankees organization again but this time without a whimper. He did not make any appearances on the active big-league roster for his second go-around in the organization. I believe he may have traveled with the team once as an emergency player but was never activated. The Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders announced Thursday that Wade elected free agency.

I bet he watched Oswaldo Cabrera thrive in the Bronx and wondered what could have been for him if he had been able to succeed with his limited opportunities. Oh well, I wish him the best for his next destination and hope it proves more fruitful for him than his time this season with his hometown Angels and the reunion with the Yankees’ farm system.

Tyler Wade / Photo Credit: Christopher Dolan, The Citizen's Voice

As always, Go Yankees! 

The Battle of Petco Park...

 

New York and Tampa Bay take the war to San Diego…

Yankees-Rays. I suppose this was inevitable when the Rays used their season series against the Yankees to provide the necessary separation to win the AL East. By taking 8 of 10 games, the Rays cruised to the division title by seven games over the Yankees. What does it mean? Absolutely nothing. Let the Rays celebrate the end of the Yankees’ one-year run as division champions following Boston’s reign of superiority. In the end, I’d rather have a team that is ready and prepared to play post-season baseball. I am not saying the Rays are not prepared, but I feel team-to-team, the Yankees are better. Wins against the Rays may have been difficult in the regular season but this no longer the regular season. Win or lose, I will take the Yankees over the Rays anytime, anywhere.

Speaking of anywhere, it will be weird to watch the ALDS played at Petco Park in San Diego, CA. A beautiful park, without question. I’ve been there a few times and have always enjoyed the look and ambiance of the park. A nice cool ocean breeze makes for a nice setting to play baseball. It’s not quite San Francisco, for me anyway, but an awesome stadium in its own right. Day and night in comparison to Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, FL, the warehouse the Rays call home. I like the idea of the Yankees and Rays playing their series on neutral ground. Sure, I’d love to see playoff baseball in Yankee Stadium but it’s not going to happen this year so it will be fun to watch the games next week in sunny Southern CA. At the end of the day, I’d much rather win the AL Division Series than the AL East title, even if the games had to be played in Tokyo, Japan. 

Photo Credit: Bryan Hoch, MLB.com

Giancarlo Stanton said it best, “They won the division, so they’ve got that. The full bragging rights chance is here. Shirts and hats, that doesn’t mean anything”.

In winning the AL Wild Card series with the Cleveland Indians, the Yankees impressed me with their ‘never-say-die’ attitude. I wish the team’s pitching had not put the Yankees in the position of requiring a rally to advance, but they did, and the hitters delivered. I had felt more confident and comfortable with Aaron Boone as Yankees manager in his second year than the first but, in my opinion, he regressed in this third season. When Zack Britton walked two in the crucial Game 2 of the Indian series, I didn’t like the decision to pull Britton in favor of Jonathan Loaisiga. I know, it’s easy to be a Monday morning quarterback but I didn’t like the move while it was happening. Britton, who had arguably one of the greatest relief seasons ever in 2016 with the Baltimore Orioles, remains a very trusted veteran. Despite the walks, Britton has proven time and again that he is a ‘bend but not break’ type of pitcher. For as talented as Loaisiga is or could be, he is not better than Britton in that spot. Loaisiga promptly gave up two runs which allowed the Indians to tie the score. Maybe Britton would have given up the same runs (or more), maybe not. I just know that Britton would have been my choice to finish the inning. Loaisiga’s appearance did prove one thing, there is zero confidence in Adam Ottavino right now. Bummer, I had really hoped Otto would get his act together before the playoffs to be the dominant reliever we know he can be. I want to see his wicked stuff tantalizing hitters rather than a reliever with control problems.

I am not sure the first year of pitching coach Matt Blake has been much of an improvement over the long tenure of Larry Rothschild. Rothschild was the coach the fans loved to hate, but he is the pitching coach for a team that blanked the St Louis Cardinals last night to push the San Diego Padres into a NLDS battle against their NL West rival Los Angeles Dodgers. Rothschild’s team is dangerous, loaded with good, young pitching, and ultra-talented players to back the pitching which starts with the incredible Fernando Tatis, Jr (sorry Manny).  I am sure Larry is not crying about his ejection from the Yankees at this point. The question is whether or not Blake has been better. At the moment, I’d have to say “inconclusive; results pending”. Gerrit Cole was going to be good regardless of the coach. It’s how the other pitchers perform and if there is a weakness for the Yanks heading into the ALDS, it is the starting pitching behind Cole.  If the Indians had managed to win AL Wild Card series Game 2 to push the series to a third and final game, the starting pitcher would have been J.A. Happ or Jordan Montgomery. I love Gumby but I am sorry, he doesn’t inspire great confidence and regardless of the few good games Happ has had lately, he is still, in my mind, a mediocre starting pitcher at best. I so wish the Yankees had either James Paxton or Luis Severino for the Rays series. But it is not to be, so hopefully Blake can earn his stripes by coaxing superior performances out of everybody not named Gerrit Cole.  We already know Cole will deliver. 

Photo Credit: The New York Post

The Rays feature a formidable front three with Blake Snell, Tyler Glasnow, and Charlie Morton. As great as Gerrit Cole is or as dominant as Masahiro Tanaka has been in October (excluding the Indians series), the Rays’ rotation is better. Nonetheless, the Yankees showed putting the likely 2020 AL Cy Young Award winner Shane Bieber on the mound meant nothing when the Yankees cruised to the ALDS Game 1 win over the Indians, scoring seven runs against the young ace. Kevin Kiermaier can talk as tough as he wants to, the Yankees’ offense is simply better. The Yankees are certainly not afraid of the Rays and I think the talent will be the great separator in this series. The Yankees have momentum, they’re hungry and they know what is at stake. ‘Never say die’ will continue to resonate with this team. 

My prediction: The Yankees in five games. 

I think my biggest disappointment in the playoffs so far is that the Minnesota Twins did not give the Houston Astros a greater challenge. The Twins proved their inability to win in October is not isolated to when they are playing the Yankees. Minnesota’s thunderous bats were a concern if they had advanced to the next round but I would have preferred to see them in the ALDS over the lying, cheating Houston Astros. I am hopeful the AL West champion Oakland A’s can send the losers home early. The ALCS is too far ahead to think about, we need to worry about the ALDS and nothing more. The sooner the Astros pull off their jerseys for the final time this season, the better, regardless of who kicks their asses out the door. 

In the NL, the biggest surprise, despite the incredible play of Tatis Jr and the Padres, is the Derek Jeter, Don Mattingly led Miami Marlins. The Marlins beat the Chicago Cubs in the NL Wild Card Series and will play the Atlanta Braves this week. I do not expect the Marlins to beat the Braves, but it is a great testament to Jeter and company that they tore the Marlins down and now have them playing competitive baseball again in just a few years. It feels like they are ahead of schedule.

I’ve always admired Don Mattingly so I am glad he is at the helm as the team’s skipper for the resurgence. He has certainly paid his dues. I am sure it was very hard for him to watch superstars like Giancarlo Stanton, Marcell Ozuna, and Christian Yelich depart after the Jeter-led ownership group took over but he has persevered and is now reaping the rewards of success. I enjoyed Mattingly’s time as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers and was not ready to see him depart when Dodgers ownership let him go. I think Mattingly’s presence on the Dodgers solidified them as my favorite NL team and second favorite overall (I also happen to live in the LA area even if I am closer to Angels Stadium these days). I remain a Dodgers fan and think Dave Roberts has done a fine job as manager (some may disagree) but I will always wonder if Mattingly could have won a championship in LA if he had been given more time. Not that I want to see the Marlins win the World Series, but I admit I would quietly be thrilled to see Mattingly celebrating a championship. 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

Here are my predictions for the AL/NL division series:

Yankees over Rays in five games.

Athletics over Astros in four games.

Dodgers over Padres in five games.

Braves over Marlins in three games.

If the Rays do overcome the Yankees (sorry, it is a possibility regardless of how much we love the Bronx Bombers), I wonder if the Yankees would consider parting ways with Aaron Boone. I didn’t think it was possible before the season and while I don’t think this weird, tragic pandemic year should be held against anyone, Boone’s regressions are troubling. I am not sure who is a better choice out there. I am not advocating change. I like Boone and I’d certainly be happy to see him return for the 2021 season. I only raise it as a possibility if the team is unable to advance. 

I think Dave Roberts might be in the same boat. If the Dodgers underperform again, it’s going to look unfavorably upon their manager given the plethora of talent on his teams in recent years. The Padres are showing the end of the Dodgers’ dominance in the NL West is coming. This may be the best opportunity the Dodgers have to win a championship in the foreseeable future. 

A’s manager Bob Melvin continues to show why Brian Cashman wanted him as the team’s manager to replace Joe Girardi. The A’s weren’t cooperative and Melvin was never an option, but he is perhaps the best manager left in the playoffs. 

Hal Steinbrenner, this is your weekly plea to please re-sign DJ LeMahieu.

As always, Go Yankees!

Ford v Voit...

Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac, Getty Images

The Battle for First Base…

I guess you could call ‘Ford v Voit’, the prequel or sequel to the upcoming movie, Ford v Ferrari, starring Matt Damon and Christian Bale. The only difference is that the stars of Ford v Voit are Mike Ford and Luke Voit. I know, when the playoffs start, D.J. LeMahieu will be the first baseman for the New York Yankees. Undoubtedly, Voit will be on the playoff roster but the question on every Yankee fan’s mind is whether Ford is more deserving.

Since he returned from the Injured List on August 30th, Luke Voit has hit 2 home runs with 8 RBIs. He has 16 hits in 90 plate appearances with .208 batting average, .322 OBP, .351 SLG, .297 wOBA, and 83 wRC+. His strike-out percentage is 30.0%.

Given Mike Ford has not had the same number of plate appearances over the same time period due to limited play, let’s take Ford’s view back to August 11th, which gives him 91 plate appearances for comparable comparison. Since that time, Ford has 26 hits, 9 home runs and 17 RBIs, and has scored the same number of runs as Voit (11).  His batting line is .310 batting average, .363 OBP, .690 SLG, .427 wOBA, and 171 wRC+. His strikeout percentage is only 14.3%. 

Photo Credit: Tony Gutierrez, AP

Based on numbers alone, Ford seems to be the guy. He has shown a knack for the big hit and I don’t think I’ve seen many guys who are as appreciative of being a big leaguer as Mike Ford. I suspect the Yankees will go with Voit over Ford based on the larger body of work, but there’s no doubt in my mind they would be better off with Ford, especially with his proven ability to pinch hit successfully. I am not convinced Voit is completely healthy. Look, I wish Voit was tearing the cover off the ball and making the first base competition a non-issue like he did with Greg Bird. But he’s not, and right now, at this moment in time, Ford is the better player. Regardless of the choice made by the Yankees, I am glad we have LeMahieu to cover first. Gio Urshela at third is better than having Voit or Ford at first, allowing the Yankees to use D.J. at the position of need. I don’t envy the Yankees for the upcoming roster decisions. I am sure they will make the right choices to put the Yankees in the best possible situation as we move into October.  

Like many, I was disappointed with the lackluster play by the Yankees this past week when they dropped both games of the two-game set in Tropicana Field in St Petersburg, FL to the Tampa Bay Rays. I bet the Cleveland Indians were disappointed as well as it gave the Rays the Wild Card advantage and set the stage for the Rays to eliminate the Indians last night when the Rays beat the Toronto Blue Jays and Cleveland fell to the Bryce Harper-less NL Wild Card Washington Nationals. With their pitching staff, the Indians would have been a threat in a short series but now we’ll never know. Meanwhile, there could be playoff baseball at the ugly warehouse known as Tropicana Field. The Oakland A’s lost last night so the Rays and A’s have the same record at 96-64. The A’s hold the tie-breaker with the season series advantage, but with two games left, the Rays have the potential to top the A’s by at least one game which would bring post-season baseball to the junk tank that no one attends. If for no other reason than the teams’ respective fans, I hope the Oakland A’s beat the Rays in the Wild Card game next week. I think the A’s have the best chance of defeating the Houston Astros which, if the Yankees can advance past the ALDS, would give them home field advantage.  

Despite the hate he receives on Social Media from Yankee fans, I am glad Giancarlo Stanton is a Yankee. He’s finally healthy, and was 3-for-3 last night with a monster home run and a couple of walks. He can be an October difference-maker. We should appreciate what Stanton can be for this team. The one-time NL MVP can carry a team on his back. His presence helps those around him. There’s nothing wrong with a guy that can force pitchers to throw better pitches to Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez. I am content watching Stanton’s bat shut up the haters. He remains one of the game’s best and most feared players.

Photo Credit: Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

I was a little concerned when the Yankees pulled James Paxton after an inning last night but the team doesn't seem concerned about the tight glute that caused the Yankees to protect their ace. Hopefully this won't be a recurring problem as the Yankees clearly need Paxton to be successful.

Photo Credit: Tony Gutierrez, AP

The Yankees took the team home run lead over the Minnesota Twins last night, with six bombs compared to Minnesota’s two dingers in a weather-shortened game. The Twins had entered the day with 301 home runs, and the Yankees were two behind at 299. The day ended with the Yankees ahead, 305 to 303. This is probably a stat the fans want more than the players, but still, it’s fun to watch. It seems like when the Twins extend the current MLB record for team homers, people act like the Twins won the seventh game of the World Series. When the Yankees surge ahead, it is the quiet rumble of a late March spring training game. It’s amazing to think when the Minnesota Twins travel to Yankee Stadium next week, the ALDS will feature teams that have combined for over 600 home runs.  

I admit I was one of Brett Gardner’s biggest detractors last off-season. I was ready to move on and give the backup outfield role to younger players. I certainly never expected Gardy to hit 28 home runs. He’s been so invaluable this season with the plethora of injuries. As a result, I’d like to see the Yankees bring Gardy back next year on another one-year deal. As a team leader, he brings so many intangibles to the clubhouse. There’s no way to expect another 28 home runs next season, but his leadership is invaluable, especially with CC Sabathia soon stepping away. Last off-season, I was ready for Clint Frazier to be the fourth outfielder. This off-season, I will be anxiously awaiting the deal that puts Frazier in another uniform. Moving forward, I do feel Mike Tauchman will be the fourth outfielder but there’s room on the team for Brett Gardner too, especially with active rosters increasing from 25 to 26 next season.  

Photo Credit: Tim Heitman, USA TODAY Sports

Maybe when the Yankees ship Frazier away, they should include Chance Adams. He’s been such a disappointment. He was handed an 11-run lead last night in the bottom of the 9th, and he proceeded to give up four runs on a couple of homers until he was mercifully replaced by Nestor Cortes, Jr, who only needed three pitches to record two outs and close out the game. I have no trust in Adams and I think I’ve seen enough. Hopefully the Yankees have too. I feel much better with Michael King and Deivi Garcia as the arms of the future. Adams has had his chance and he’s failed.   

It’s hard to believe that this is the final regular season weekend of the year. It seems like we were just in Spring Training with Troy Tulowitzki pimping the home run off his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays. But 103 wins later, the regular season is over in less than 48 hours. I can’t say that I would have ever envisioned how this season would play out or that the Yankees would have more than 100 wins with the record-setting number of injuries the team has suffered. But here we are. Last season, our social media feeds were overflowing with Red Sox posts but they’ve been largely silent for most of this season. Note to the last man out of Fenway Park tomorrow, please shut out the lights. The stadium’s services are no longer needed this year and that feels great to say. 

I am very proud of the 2019 New York Yankees, and I look forward to next week’s ALDS against the Minnesota Twins. I don’t buy the claims the Yankees own the Twins. All bets are off, and I am sure the Twins will come to play. Hopefully the Yankees emerge from the series with three wins and an invitation to play the Houston Astros, Oakland A’s or Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Championship Series. But first, Mission Beat Minnesota is the focus. Hopefully the Twins continue the Minnesota tradition of my beloved Vikings, the failure to win the big games.   

Let’s Go Yankees!