Can the Yanks Make the Necessary Halftime Adjustments? ...

  

Max Fried (Photo Credit: Jason Szenes/New York Post)

Hanging on to AL East second place by a thread…

When the season started, I was cautiously optimistic. Despite losing their ace, Gerrit Cole, to Tommy John surgery, they had signed Max Fried as a free agent in the offseason. It looked like a great 1-2 punch at the time of the signing. As it turned out, Max would take the throne as the rotation’s ace. I thought Max would be good, but he turned out to be better than expected.

You cannot hold the blister issue in Fried’s last start when he lasted only three innings, giving up six hits, four runs (three earned), and three walks, in the 5-2 loss to the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. Despite the struggles against the Cubs, Fried finishes the first half with an 11-3 record in twenty starts. His WAR is 3.3, and his ERA still sits below 3 at 2.43.  He racked up 113 strikeouts in 122 innings pitched. I cannot imagine where the Yankees would be without Fried. For as much as we have trashed GM Brian Cashman, the decision and the ability to sign Fried was one of the best moves of Cashman’s lengthy career. It helps that Carlos Rodón answered the bell to provide a substantial number two for Fried. Every pitcher occasionally throws a clunker, so I will not hold Rodón’s poorer games against him. Overall, he has been effective and is what the Yankees need.

I digress when the point was early-season optimism, with some caution. The Yankees are 53-43, after their struggles since May have caught up with them. They are two games behind the Toronto Blue Jays after holding down first place for most of the first half until the recent sweep by the Blue Jays. They can make up ground in the second half with the correct deadline moves. The Yankees MUST fix their weaknesses. The failure to address third base in the offseason is a colossal mistake. It has cost them several potential wins converted to losses through errant play or trying to play players out of their normal positions. I have no doubts the Yankees would be ahead of the Blue Jays at the half if Cashman had not stopped short, leaving the gaping hole at third. Jazz Chisholm, Jr. is a talented guy who did not embarrass himself but is a better second baseman. As much as I loved DJ LeMahieu early in his Yankees’ career and as gifted as he was with a glove at second base, it was too obvious he was not the player he once was. His misplays at the position would have been easy outs for Chisholm had he been the team’s second baseman. I am glad the Yankees finally did the right thing by moving Jazz back to second base.

As for LeMahieu, I am saddened his Yankees career ends with a designation for assignment, followed by his release the next day. Saddened, but it was the right move. Watch LeMahieu sign with the Blue Jays or the Los Angeles Dodgers and make a game-winning hit in the World Series for his new team. I enjoyed his time in New York, but all good things must end. I wish LeMahieu the best in the future, but regardless of how he plays for his next team, Cashman made the best move for the 2025 Yankees (as it relates to LeMahieu).

DJ LeMahieu (Photo Credit: New York Yankees/Getty Images)

If you had told me the Yankees would be 53-43 at the All-Star Break before the season, I would have welcomed it. After the miserable play of the last month and a half, it does feel like the Yankees were exposed as an early-season fraud.

The past month/month-and-a-half events prove the Yankees do not have the right combination of players on the roster. They need a third baseman (Oswald Peraza is not the answer). I have given up hope for a player like Eugenio Suarez. I do not feel the Arizona Diamondbacks will trade him, and if they do, they are looking for an overpay. Do not give up Spencer Jones or George Lombard, Jr., for a rental player. Ryan McMahon of the Colorado Rockies rates my best-case scenario, although I would gladly take Ke'Bryan Hayes for his glove. I wish Hayes had a better stick, but he can help the Yankees. I have moved from Nolan Arenado. The Cardinals were foolish for not offloading him last offseason. In retrospect, I am glad they did not.

The Yankees need a starter with Clark Schmidt’s Tommy John surgery this past week. Given that they needed one before Schmidt’s injury, they need two unless they believe Cam Schlittler can contribute at the back end of the rotation. No aces or near aces will be available for trade, so solid number three is the best the Yankees can hope for. A strong third would help enhance chances to reach October and provide a solid third for the duo of Fried and Rodón. The tricky part is how much prospect capital will cost to secure a strong starter. It is a double-edged sword. You must believe that you have a chance to reach the Fall Classic to let go of elite talent. If there is doubt, tough decisions must be made, which may not bode well for the immediate future.

Again, I keep digressing. To get back on course, I feel the Yankees have had a successful first half of the season, albeit tinged with disappointment. They are within striking distance, which is all you can ask. The Boston Red Sox are doing well, winning ten consecutive games, and they sit just one game behind the Yankees. The Yankees are the better team, but this reinforces why they need to address their weaknesses now.

I appreciate the job that JC Escarra has done for the Yankees as a backup catcher, but trading him makes sense given Ben Rice’s ability to catch. Roster Construction is the key. Opening Escarra’s roster spot allows the Yankees to strengthen the bench in other areas. Escarra is also a late bloomer and does not represent the future. The Yankees have strong young catchers coming up in the farm system. They are better with Austin Wells and Rice as the catching tandem because they can build a stronger bench.

I am glad that Cody Bellinger has proven to be a reliable Yankee. I never lost patience with him in April when he got off to a slow start. He is not Juan Soto, but he fits the Yankees' roster. I hope the Yankees see his long-term worth and work to secure him for a longer tenure. He wants to be a Yankee and has performed at the level necessary to ensure his fan support. Hopefully, Cashman and his cast of nerds are watching.

Cody Bellinger (Photo Credit: Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)

We have established that the Yankees need a third baseman and a starter. Lastly, they need bullpen help. A managerial change is a need, but regardless of how we feel, Aaron Boone will be the Yankees' manager throughout the 2025 season and most likely longer. I had hoped that a seasoned manager as a bench coach would help Boone, but while Brad Ausmus may be good at what he does, Boone has not noticeably improved. Yet, the calls to fire Boone, even though he is not my favorite, lead to the question of who is available and who is better? The options are limited. This season is Aaron Boone, whether we like it or not.

As for the bullpen, the Yankees have proven to be bullpen wizards in recent years, but they have had their challenges this season. Devin Williams got off to a horrific start as the Yankees' closer and lost his job until a Luke Weaver injury put him back at the end of games. He has performed better and is starting to play like a guy the Yankees should consider re-signing at the end of the season.

I do not know what to think about Jonathan Loaisiga. He was always at risk of injury, but has been awful this year. He has become a guy, and I cringe when he enters games. I am not sure the Yankees can turn him around. Given his injury history, is he worth holding onto to find out? I am starting to lean to the side of letting him go.

The Yankees should have made a small deal by now as a prelude to the coming days leading up to the deadline. So far, nothing but crickets. Is this the year the Yankees shock us with their moves, or will it be another deadline that passes with an underwhelming feeling?

If the Yankees do nothing, fail to make the playoffs, or get bounced in the early rounds, if they do, Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner must finally stand up and make a change in the general manager and manager seats. He has the money; he needs to bring the brightest and the best to the team’s most sacred managerial roles (the general manager and the field general).

I am not sure what to think about the second half. There will be more disappointing games if we stay with the status quo. Making a return trip to the World Series seems like a long shot without shoring up the team’s weaknesses.

I am grateful Aaron Judge is a New York Yankee. Seattle’s Cal Raleigh is having an incredible (and historic) season, but Judge remains a step ahead.

Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: Brad Penner/Imagn Images)

Sunday’s only run was on a Giancarlo Stanton home run. It would be nice if he found his groove for the second half. The Yankees need him.

Like the first half, I go into the second half cautiously, emphasizing what the Yankees do at the trade deadline to determine whether optimism becomes pessimism. If the Yankees can add a strong starter, a reliable bullpen weapon ( a Circle of Trust kind of guy), and an elite defensive third baseman, the AL East can be the Yankees if they choose to take it.

No pressure, Brian Cashman. You, sir, are on the clock.

The MLB Draft has finally arrived. Congratulations to Eli Willits, the Washington Nationals' first selection of the 2025 MLB Draft. Willits, 17, a shortstop from Fort Cobb-Broxton (OK) High School, is the son of the former Yankees first base coach Reggie Willits. I did not like watching the pitcher with the highest upside fall to the Boston Red Sox for the fifteenth selection when they chose Kyson Witherspoon, RHP, Oklahoma.

The Yankees did not have a first-round selection. With the thirty-ninth (compensatory) pick, the Yankees have chosen shortstop Dax Kilby, Newnan High School (GA). A polished bat, according to the guys on MLB Network. They also said Dax was Buck Showalter’s favorite during the MLB Combine. After all the shortstops taken in recent years, I would have gone in a different direction. The Los Angeles Dodgers got an intriguing prospect in LHP Zach Root, Arkansas, immediately after the Yankees’ pick. I would have chosen Root over Kilby because you can never have too much good pitching. Nevertheless, welcome to the Yankees family, Dax!

Dax Kilby

Back to the Yankees: Brian Cashman is the key to the second half. Can he fix the roster and give the Yankees their best chance of success in the October race? I wish I had better confidence that it would happen. Color me a skeptic. I want the Yankees to win, and I hope they win. The current roster says otherwise, so make the moves. Ensure the lights of Yankee Stadium shine brightly deep into October.

As always, Go Yankees!

The Magnified Lows of a Long MLB Season...

 

Oswald Peraza, Luis Rengifo, and Anthony Volpe (Photo Credit: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

After sweeping the Royals, the Yanks have lost six straight…

Just when you thought the Yankees were getting a good mix of pitching, hitting, and defense, they forgot how. The team's hitting slump has been a primary culprit, but Friday night’s error by Anthony Volpe in the eighth inning that botched a potential inning-ending double play, allowing the winning run to score for the Los Angeles Angels, was the poster child of what ails this team. It is blowing the key moments of games. It seems like baseball always comes down to a few key plays and how you perform during the game’s most intense moments.

Anthony Volpe is what he is. He is a decent player on a team with championship aspirations. He is not a superstar and will never be. Being a good player on a great team is not a terrible thing. Great teams need good complementary players to support the elite guys on the roster. My only request is for Volpe, or anyone on the team, to make the routine plays.

Losing six straight games is certainly not solely Volpe’s fault. This has been a team effort, or lack thereof.

Every season has its highs and lows, and this losing streak will end. Will the Yankees be in first place in the AL East when they start winning again? Maybe, maybe not, but there are still more than three months left in the season. In other words, there is time to turn the ship around and point it in the right direction despite the recent lackluster play.

The sting of the losing streak is playing so pathetically against the team’s most hated rival, especially since the Boston Red Sox had been playing so poorly until they ran into the Yankees (or rather, ran over the Yankees). Then, an inferior baseball organization like the Angels has taken advantage of every mistake, every gift handed to them by the Yankees. These are two teams the Yankees should easily beat, and they would have earlier in the season. When the season ends, the Yankees will have a better record than either the Red Sox or the Angels. It is time for the team to wake up and start playing baseball to the best of their abilities. Hopefully, it starts today.

My biggest frustration with the Yankees in recent years is how they always leave a hole or two in the roster construction. For the longest time, it was left field after Brett Gardner’s career had ended. This past offseason, third base was such a glaring and obvious hole to even the most novice fans, yet the Yankees did nothing but try to patch it with converted in-house second basemen. There was a time that I loved DJ LeMahieu, but he is not helping this roster, and while Jazz Chisholm may have the heart to play third base, his highest and best use is his work at second base. Arizona’s Eugenio Suarez is the current name most often mentioned for the Yankees. The Diamondbacks are currently 36-37, nine games behind the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers, and three games out of the Wild Card chase. It is the distance to the Wild Card that will determine if the D-Backs are buyers or sellers at the deadline, and whether Suarez will be available. I do not care if the Yankees acquire Suarez or another experienced third baseman; I just want a good third baseman to manage the position. Getting an elite player is unlikely, but the Yankees would be improved by putting people at their best positions…not asking them to play out of position.

If the Yankees were contemplating designating LeMahieu for assignment last year, it is something they need to consider in the coming weeks, especially if they can get Chisholm back to his natural second base. Oswald Peraza is another guy who needs to go. His spot on the roster can be upgraded. The former top prospect, who turned twenty-five last week, is not going to be a star, and the Yankees would be better served by getting a better infielder who can provide stronger support for Volpe at shortstop. No doubt if the Yankees dropped Peraza, he would get picked up by Boston and become a star. That is how it works these days as the Red Sox continue their rebuilding through the effective play of multiple former Yankees. Oh well, I have seen enough of Peraza, and I am ready for other options.

I am always amazed at how Boston can get itself out from under heavy contracts, and the Yankees never can. Boston stunned the baseball world following their recent sweep of the Yankees when they sent their best hitter, Rafael Devers, to the San Francisco Giants in a surprising trade. When I first saw the trade reports, I thought it was just another one of those hypothetical trades with a clickbait title. The Red Sox had strained their relationship with Devers, and regardless of whether it was Devers’ fault or the team’s fault, it was starting to look like an irreparable situation. The Red Sox made their bed when they signed former Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman, pushing Devers off third base. The breakdown was how poorly the situation was handled. Better communication with Devers would have helped ease the transition, but there was probably much behind the scenes that we may never know. Still, shipping Devers away when the Red Sox had just started to build some momentum after a slow start does not seem like the best move for October aspirations. I would not say the Red Sox only got a bag of balls for Devers. There is talent in the young players they acquired. One (James Tibbs III) was a first-round pick in last year’s draft. The worst aspect of it is the talent acquired is not ready for the Major Leagues, outside of Jordan Hicks. Boston may get some value this year, but more than likely, the incoming players (most notably Tibbs and Kyle Harrison) will help in future years, not this year unless the Red Sox can reignite the hard-throwing Hicks to the potential he once held. Boston seems to get more out of their young players than the Yankees, and I expect the Red Sox will do more with their recent acquisitions in time. However, in any way you slice it, losing Devers from their lineup hurts this year.

Rafael Devers (Photo Credit: Jeff Chiu/AP)

It is funny that Boston will immediately find out what life is like watching Devers from the opposing dugout when they travel to San Francisco this weekend. I hope Devers gives Boston the taste of some of those clutch late-inning home runs. Let them feel the pain and aggravation that we have suffered over the years. Devers was the biggest Red Sox thorn on the Yankees’ side since David Ortiz. I am glad the Yankees will rarely see him now that he resides in the Bay Area. He is the Dodgers’ problem now.

My biggest fear with Boston’s salary relief is that they will become a major player for Kyle Tucker when he hits free agency after the season. I know Tucker would be great in Yankee Stadium, but my preference is for him to wear the famed Pinstripes, not the Boston Road Gray uniform. It is hard to get excited about a potential superstar free agent signing, considering the Yankees have rarely been the winning bidder for the game’s best players in recent years. Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge, plus the brilliant signing of Max Fried, are the notable exceptions, but the Yankees have generally lost out on the game’s best talent. I assumed the Los Angeles Dodgers and Tucker’s current team, the Chicago Cubs, would be major bidders for his services later this year, but we can now add the Red Sox to the list of teams with stupid money to burn. Well, the Dodgers might be out with the news that their owner is purchasing a majority stake in the Los Angeles Lakers for ten billion dollars. Well, not out, but enough to give some pause about adding another high-dollar contract.

For all the negative comments on social media about Yankees manager Aaron Boone, I thought it was a class move on his part to add Joe Torre as an honorary coach for the American League squad during next month's All-Star Game in Atlanta. 

Joe Torre (Photo Credit: Corey Sipkin/New York Post)

Torre, as a former Braves player and manager, will be well received by local fans, and his presence next to Boone brings back so many warm feelings about those great Yankees teams under Torre.  Boone also added Cleveland Guardians manager Stephen Vogt to his All-Star coaching staff.

The trade deadline is a little more than a month away. It is time for Brian Cashman and company to start cooking. Fix what ails the team. I am not overly optimistic they will, but we can always hope. Go ahead, Brian, make our day.

Today is a good day for the start of a winning streak.

As always, Go Yankees! 

Just When It Was Safe To Feel Good Again...

 

Will Warren and Austin Wells (Photo Credit: Harry How/Getty Images)

Yankees make the best of a bad weekend…

A series loss is a series loss; any way you slice it. I am trying to find the positives in the weekend thrashing by the Los Angeles Dodgers, who took two of three games from their World Series rival and our beloved men in Pinstripes. Winning the getaway game on Sunday at least gave the team some sliver of hope after Saturday’s massacre and Friday’s loss despite an ace on the mound. It is not enough to make up for losing two of three games, but it is something. The downside is the injury news related to Luke Weaver and his hamstring, which could potentially land him on the Injured List, and the contusion on the left thumb of Jasson Dominguez.

The Yankees cannot afford to lose Luke Weaver for an extended period. The severity of the injury will obviously dictate the length of his absence so we can only hope and pray for the best. His absence would put Devin Williams back in line for his original Closing role. Williams has much to prove to give us any optimism that he can be the great Airbender he was in Milwaukee. I would like to see him succeed, but I am not confident he can. Some guys are not made for New York, and so far, Williams seems to be one of those guys who shy away from the brightest lights. I would like to be wrong, and maybe his Pinstriped start was just a product of learning life on America’s greatest stage. I want him to succeed, but it seems to me that he will exit the stage for a new and smaller city as soon as his contract expires this Fall, and free agency opens. Nevertheless, he gets another opportunity to prove he can finish what he starts.

Devin Williams (Photo Credit: SI.com)

I am concerned about losing Dominquez, but not as much as Weaver. To back up Dominguez, the Yankees could call up Everson Pereira, who certainly deserves another opportunity. Now twenty-four, Pereira is batting .275/.355/.504 with .859 OPS. He has nine home runs and twenty-three RBIs. He has swiped five bags while getting caught stealing only once. If Dominguez misses any time, I will have no qualms about bringing up Pereira to replace him. Pereira is one of those guys. He has nothing left to prove in the minors.

I was feeling good about the Yankees until the Dodgers series. Losing two games in early June is not really a big deal in the grand scheme of things, but after all the trash-talking the Dodgers did about the Yankees after the World Series, I did want a better outcome. At least the Yankees took the last game to prevent a sweep. I like challenges such as that series because it helps the Front Office identify clear and present needs (as if they do not already know). It shakes the belief to just stand pat with the present hand. The Yankees do need reinforcements and effective ones at that. Too often, GM Brian Cashman’s deadline acquisitions underwhelm. They proved they were not worth the cost. Every now and then, he hits a winner, but he errs more than he succeeds.

I know the Yankees will soon see the return of Giancarlo Stanton. It will be good to have him back, but it is hard not to wonder how the roster will be constructed when they must make room for him on the active roster. I am worried that the loser will be Ben Rice, who has proven he is a Major League baseball player. Long term, I would rather have Rice over Stanton,  so I do not want to see Rice suffer because of Stanton’s return. We are within the last few years of Stanton’s Yankees career. He is getting older…it happens…and he is not suddenly going to become an injury-free player. Stanton will get hurt and he will miss time (lots of it). I love the guy’s home runs, but with all sincerity, I would rather have a younger player (Rice) who has played consistently since the start of the season.

Ben Rice (Photo Credit: Newsbreak.com)

When the Yankees signed Ryan Yarbrough in the offseason, I thought it was just another scrap heap move. Of course, I thought the same when the Yankees signed Luke Weaver, but it is nice when Cashman and his cast of cronies catch lightning in a bottle with one of their low-risk signings. I hated it when Yarbrough pitched against the Yankees. I did not look back at the stats, but it seemed like he was always keeping the Yankees away from reaching home plate with his soft pitches. The guy who looks like he should be hittable but is not. There is no scenario I had pictured Yarbrough in the starting rotation, and yet, I do not want him to lose his current spot. He cannot sustain his effectiveness, but I am not sure the Yankees can do better at the deadline. It is not like frontline aces will be available for hire. Credit to Max Fried and Carlos Rodon for easing early concerns about the starting rotation. Fried, despite his disappointing start against the Dodgers a few days ago, has been a Godsend. Gerrit Cole is irreplaceable, yet Fried has held the door. Fried is, by far, my favorite free agent signing of the past few years, and the most unexpected.

I like Yankees manager Aaron Boone despite frustrations with him at times. I continue to see posts on social media that say the Yankees cannot win with Boone as the manager. I am not sure that I agree. I think, surrounded by the right players, Boone can lead the Yankees to the promised land. When people bash him, I always think, who is out there who could do better? I am sure Buck Showalter would get a few votes, but if he were so good, why is he not currently managing? Same with Joe Girardi. I like Joe, but I do not feel he is better than Boone. Rob Thomson has proven to be a better manager than Girardi in Philadelphia. If anything, the Yankees should have given Thomson a stronger chance for the Yankees' post before he left after Boone was hired.

Ironically, I feel better about the coaching staff on my favorite NFL team, a team that has NEVER won a championship, the Minnesota Vikings, than the Yankees. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell is an offensive genius, and defensive coordinator Brian Flores is an elite defensive mind. I wish I had that confidence with the Yankees coaching staff. Outside of pitching coach Matt Blake, there is not really anyone who stands out. I temper it with who is out there (available) that can do better? I cannot find the answer to the question.

DJ LeMahieu had a nice game on Sunday. Thank you. But I am not buying into the belief that he will be a difference-maker. His age and his recent challenge with injuries place him in a high-risk category, and I do not want to pin any hopes on his health and ability to succeed. It sucks because I really liked LeMahieu when he was younger, but sadly, age happens. It does not help when a recent history of injuries accompanies it. It only gets worse from here. The talk is that Jazz Chisholm will be the third baseman upon his return, which would keep LeMahieu at second base. I do think second base is the best place to maximize LeMahieu’s talents, but for no other reason than age, I would prefer Jorbit Vivas. If the market dictates the availability of a better second baseman than third baseman who can help at the trade deadline, I think the Yankees should move on from David John LeMahieu. Heck, even if they did land a third baseman who can be a difference-maker, pushing Jazz to second, I would move on from DJ.

Why do people still talk about Juan Soto? He is a Met and will be for an exceedingly long time. I have moved on from him, and I do not care what he does (or does not do) with the Mets. Soto is not a Yankee, and he does not deserve any discussion in the Yankees Universe. That ship has sailed. It was Soto’s decision to leave. I have read people saying Hal Steinbrenner failed to keep him. Hal made an incredibly competitive offer, and Soto would have been a very wealthy man by staying with the Yankees and putting his name among the game’s all-time greats. It was his choice to leave. C’est La Vie.

I am a little annoyed that the Yankees keep giving the Boston Red Sox valuable pieces for their roster. Catcher Carlos Narvaez is obviously the latest example. I like JC Escarra, but I would have stayed with Narvaez as the backup for Austin Wells. I am old enough to remember when the Yankees would send talented catchers to the Pittsburgh Pirates. I wish they had done that with Narvaez (or just kept him). The Red Sox have benefited more from Yankees-developed talent than the Yankees have from Red Sox natives.

Hopefully, the Yankees can shake off their Dodgers series and return to their winning ways. The last thing the Yankees should do is let the Red Sox reignite hope in their lost season. Hopefully, every Yankee can bring their A game this weekend when the Yanks face their dreaded rival.

As always, Go Yankees!

The Hairy Long Overdue Policy Change...

 

Thurman Munson (Photo Credit: New York Post)

Hal Steinbrenner shocks the baseball world w/hairy announcement…

I have been saying that neatly groomed beards and goatees on Yankee players would be fine for years. I never fully understood the traditionalists who felt the facial hair restrictions should remain to support team professionalism, tradition, and integrity. No sooner than Hal Steinbrenner had made the announcement on Friday morning about the relaxed policy, fans on social media were screaming that there would quickly be names on the back of jerseys and Yankee Stadium would be renamed after a commercial entity. Those comments are absurd (and unrelated to a facial hair policy).

Here is Hal’s announcement:

Some guys just do not look right with clean-shaven faces. I had felt closer Devin Williams looked more intimidating with a beard than his reluctantly shaved face. Carlos Rodón is another player who looks more menacing with a beard. Gleyber Torres has completely changed his appearance with his beard at the Detroit Tigers spring training facility. You can go down the list with the names of players who will benefit from the allowance for facial hair. For those who remain clean-shaven, fine. The new policy is not a mandate that one must trash his razor.

Devin Williams (Photo Credit: Elsa/Getty Images)

The only weird thing about the policy change is its timing. All beards had to be removed before players reported to camp. If the topic was under consideration for change, the Yankees should have told the players that there was a temporary stay to allow neatly groomed beards until a final decision had been made. It would have allowed Williams to retain a beard he had groomed for six years. I am sure it will be back in game-ready shape by Opening Day.

With the policy change, Hal Steinbrenner successfully distracts the fan base from its discontent about the current state of third base. At this point, the Yankees may see if Oswald Peraza can take the position. I have no hope DJ LeMahieu can stay healthy enough to hold down the position throughout a long season. Oswaldo Cabrera is a better super-sub than a regular player. That leaves Peraza as the last hope until the Yankees go outside the organization to find help. Unlike LeMahieu, Peraza at least has some pop in his bat. If the rumors are true that LeMahieu was under DFA consideration last year, the Yankees probably feel the same way about him that we do. The only difference is they are contractually liable for him and cannot publicly state true feelings if they run counter to the player. Well, they could, but the damage would be hard to unwind, and it would devalue the player in the trade market (as if LeMahieu has not done a good enough job devaluing himself). So, I am on Team Peraza until further notice.

Oswald Peraza

Given how much team hacks like Jack Curry have indicated the Yankees have no interest in St Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, there is still a small part of me that hopes the Cards decide to peddle him by paying down his contract to entice the Yankees. I get that he is on the decline, but he can still be a productive player for a few more seasons. Nolan will only be 34 in April. Give him a couple of years, and groom his replacement (someone like George Lombard, Jr, who will have to move off shortstop if Anthony Volpe stays there). I like Nolan, and his defense would be tremendous for the infield and pitching staff. He is still capable of productive at-bats. I know he makes too much money, but ultimately, we, the fanbase, are not paying salaries unless you count ticket sales and chicken buckets.

Nevertheless, there are no indications the Yankees are waiting on Nolan, so I will let it go. Hopefully, Oswald Peraza can take the position, run (and hit…and catch…and throw).

I am always disappointed when the Yankees make good moves in the off-season, only to fall short of doing a complete job. They always seem to leave a gaping hole somewhere in the roster. I get that you need young, cost-controlled players to step up, but tough decisions must be made to put the best product on the field when that talent potential is not readily apparent. You hear the position will be re-evaluated at the trade deadline, but July continues without action. I'm not trying to diss guys like Anthony Rizzo, but for the most part, the moves are Joey Gallo-like. Acquire the player…watch the player crash and burn. New York is not an easy place to play. I think guys who have the benefit of Spring Training have the edge of putting on pinstripes over guys trying to pull them on during the dog days of the summer when teams are jockeying for position.

I am glad Hal Steinbrenner was willing to revisit his father’s facial hair policy. I thought it would take an ownership change to make it happen. Times change, and I believe George Steinbrenner’s views may have changed. George wanted to win more than anything else, and attitudes and philosophies about facial hair have changed since 1976. Hal needs to continue making decisions that are in the best interest of the New York Yankees and not based on what he feels his father would have wanted. This is Hal’s team. George left us nearly fifteen years ago.

On another note, I have no problem with the Yankees’ decision to extend Manager Aaron Boone. It is only a two-year extension, so no long-term commitment is required. I value Boone’s ability to connect with his players. We may get frustrated with some of his in-game decisions, but the talent pool of available managers who are better than Boone is limited. I do not want to see Brad Ausmus elevated to manager or as much as I hate to say it, Don Mattingly, an all-time favorite of mine, did not prove anything in Los Angeles or Miami to indicate that he could do a better job than Boone. Would I love to see Mattingly as manager? Sure. But realistically, he does not offer more than Boone besides his name value in the organization. I like Buck Showalter, but he never won a World Series last time I checked. Joe Girardi? I think he is doing a superb job in the TV booth.

It may be time to make a change in two years. So be it. I will not complain about Boone in the interim, even if there is frustration. I might say ‘fire him,’ but realistically, I do not feel that “better” is out there. There are better Major League managers, but they are employed. A good manager has good coaches and players around him. The Yankees need to make sure they give Boone the best possible hand.

I would rather see Boone go to war armed with financial security than sit as a lame-duck manager. Is he going to bring us a World Series championship? Time will tell, as it often does. Ultimately, this lands on the Yankees’ Front Office and Ownership. “Do Better.”

Lastly, congratulations on the Yankees for making the long-overdue decision to move prospect Clayton Beeter to the bullpen. I know, calling a 26-year-old pitcher a “prospect” is a bit of a stretch, but it has long been cited that Beeter would need to move to the pen for his most significant effectiveness. I want to see him succeed, and I hope the new role will fast-track his path to the Major Leagues after spending years in the minors.

Clayton Beeter (Photo Credit: AP)

I am glad baseball is back. Today’s Spring Opener, a 4-0 victory over the soon-to-be Steinbrenner Field home participants, the Tampa Bay Rays, was an encouraging, albeit meaningless, start. Prop up Marcus Stroman’s trade value. I think that was the primary objective of today’s game. Mission successful. Now, we await the trade. Okay, it might not be that easy, but one can hope.

As always, Go Yankees!

A New Season, Are We Ready? ...

  

Devin Williams (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, NY Post)

The Yankees regroup for another run at the Dodgers…

Given the circumstances, this was one of the shortest off-seasons of recent memory. Of course, it would have been better to enter the shortened off-season with victorious feelings, but it was short, nonetheless. As a side note, f**k the Dodgers.

I am disappointed the Yankees were unable to sign Juan Soto, but conversely, I do not want players on the Yankees who do not want to be Yankees. Soto worshipped the almighty dollar, and it is his right. He wanted a team that he could be THE guy, and with no disrespect for the great (and future Hall of Famer) Francisco Lindor, he has it with the Mets.

I was pleased when the Yankees moved quickly to sign the former Atlanta Braves ace Max Fried (totally unexpected) and acquired a long-time favorite target, Cody Bellinger. Yeah, I kind of like the Clay to Cody connection with the Yankees, but the younger Bellinger earned his right to wear pinstripes. Unlike his father, Cody will be asked to play a significant role with the Yankees. His home run bat flips will soon become legendary in Yankee Stadium. I always go back to Darryl Strawberry in players that I loved to watch hit home runs, and I think Cody can elevate himself to Straw’s level, at least to my perspective. As much as I wanted Soto back, I am glad that Aaron Judge can return to right field, and I am equally stoked that Bellinger, rather than Jasson Dominguez, will roam the hallowed center field at Yankee Stadium. With no disrespect to young Dominguez, I think Belli in center is the highest and best use of his skills, with the occasional detour to first base.

Cody Bellinger (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, NY Post)

I am glad that Dominguez is finally primed for his Major League opportunity. Last year seems like a lost year for him, and I hope he can give us that ‘worth waiting for’ effect. I feel a little bad for Alex Verdugo, who was not asked back. I know he underwhelmed us, but I give him credit for changing my perception of him. I did not like him as a Red Sock, but he changed that image, and he embraced the pinstripes during his time in the Bronx. Of course, he will say and do things to make him a hated villain at his next stop, but for a year, he was ‘all-in’ as a Yankee, and I appreciate his effort. Dominguez deserves next so I have no problem with the change in left field. My only surprise was that the Dominguez chose #24 over the recently vacated #25. As a namesake of former Yankee first baseman Jason Giambi, I was certain he would take Giambi’s number if given the opportunity. Instead, he goes down the path of the legendary Tino Martinez.

Having one of baseball’s best closers, Devin Williams, at the back end of games is huge, but I am a little saddened because I think Luke Weaver was fantastic in his brief tenure as the team’s closer. The guy remains one of the key bullpen weapons and I am hopeful that his resurgence continues in 2025. Luke Weaver has an amazing personality to go with his talented arm, and I am glad he is a part of the pen, regardless of the role. I like the way Andrew Miller was utilized a few years ago as the best arm at the right time, regardless of the inning. Weaver can be that guy.

I am a little disappointed that Tommy Kahnle is now a Detroit Tiger, joining persona non grata Gleyber Torres. But I am cautiously optimistic that Fernando Cruz can be that key strikeout artist when it is needed the most. The Yankees know how to build effective bullpens, even if they like to punt other positions. I think Aaron Boone will be armed with multiple late inning options, and I think Devin Williams will have his greatest, if not most visible season, ever. Too bad the beard was not able to make the trip to the Bronx. One of these days, a player will stand up to the Yankees’ archaic facial hair policy. I was hoping…a little…that Williams would be that guy. At some point, Hal Steinbrenner needs to make his own decisions and forget about what Daddy wanted. I know the facial hair policy gives the Yankees an air of professionalism that other teams do not have, but I think they can keep rules in place to enforce neatly groomed facial hair, avoiding the Johnny Damon ‘Caveman’ look in Boston, or Justin Turner’s mass of redness flow when he was a Dodger. 

Third base. The source of my greatest disappointment this off-season. Look, I loved DJ LeMahieu earlier in his career. But even then, he was a second baseman with elite defense and limited power. An aged version that spends time on the Injury List that would rival Aaron Hicks does not excite me about the future of third base. You want power from your corner infielders, and you want elite defense. Maybe LeMahieu can provide the latter when/if he is on the field, but he has no power, and his best seasons are behind him. I see many fans who think Oswaldo Cabrera can be the breakout star. I am not convinced. I think he is a great super-sub at best. As for Oswald Peraza, I assume there is a reason the organization has not been high on him in recent seasons. I would love him to grab the position and never look back, but that is not a bet I care to make. I remain hopeful the Yankees will do better and make an acquisition before the end of Spring Training. I do not like the ‘let us re-evaluate the position at the trade deadline’ position. Too often, the trade deadline leaves us underwhelmed. For as many cons as there are against St Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, I would gladly accept him over the internal options. Nolan is a first-class guy with elite defense. The bat is not what it once was, but I think the pinstripes would reinvigorate him and he could give us a performance that helps position the team for October. I am not on a Nolan-only train. I will accept other alternatives so long as they are better than LeMahieu-Cabrera-Peraza.

So, the Yankees are discussing an extension with Aaron Boone. For as frustrated as I have been at times with Boone, the Yankees could do worse. I cannot think of anyone that is immediately available that would be substantially better. I was always hopeful that Don Mattingly would return to the Yankees as manager, but I am not convinced he would be far above Boone. Although I would support a managerial change, I will not be disappointed if the Yankees choose to add additional years for Boone. At the end of the day, it is the quality of the players on the field and the coaches around the manager that matter more. If Boone can foster an environment that helps the players find comfort in challenging situations, which of course he can do, he should stay.

I am anxious and ready for the season to start. The Dodgers have seemingly made the moves to ensure that they will be repeat champions in the Fall, but as they say, the games must be played on the field. There is no guarantee that the Dodgers, with their loaded roster of elite players and deferred contracts, will be victorious at season’s end.

I am getting ready to move to a non-Major League city. It sucks to have no immediate access to Major League Baseball, but I will have Triple-A at my disposal. I guess it means that ticket prices and concessions will be more affordable so that is a plus. I have always enjoyed watching minor league games involving future Major Leaguers. I remember once watching Cal Ripkin, Jr in Double-A (not trying to date myself but it is what it is) and it is a memory I have never forgotten.

Hopefully, I can get the YES Network in my new city. DirecTV should be an option since my new home has access to the southern skies. I will not miss California gas prices, or the overwhelming glut of people on the LA freeways. But sadly, I will miss the weather. I think California would be more enjoyable if I had Shohei Ohtani’s paycheck, okay with the deferrals that may be a bad example, so let’s go with Mookie Betts. For my new location, I will go with the quote ‘Tread Lightly.’  Time for new experiences, and most importantly of all, a home that will be seven miles from my first grandson, who joins this party in May.

As always, Go Yankees!

Gleyber Moves On...

  

Gleyber Torres (Photo Credit: AP)

Torres, once a prized Baby Bomber, departs via free agency…

 I suppose it was inevitable.

Gleyber Torres, the prize of the 2016 trade that sent Closer Aroldis Chapman to the eventual World Champion Chicago Cubs, is a Yankee no more. Only yesterday people were continually asking if he was only twenty-one. Now twenty-eight, he seems like a shell of the player we once thought he would be, but admittedly, I was saddened to hear Saturday’s news that Gleyber had signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers 2B

Given the Yankees have not done anything to address third base or provide the final and much-needed bat to the lineup, the best-case scenario would be to re-sign Gleyber if the plan is to keep Jazz Chisholm, Jr at third base. I know, the poor . He had 709 OPS produced last season and had an atrocious defense at times, but I have always felt he was capable of more (better). Sometimes, it is best to just cut bait rather than delay the inevitable. I was grateful last season when Gleyber improved his performance in the second half, and he did an admirable job batting lead-off. Alas, it was not enough to convince the Yankees he was worth bringing back.

Ironically, Gleyber will now play for the manager who led the Trash Can Astros and their cheating ways. Oh well, I hope Gleyber does well enough on his one-year deal to justify a more lucrative contract next offseason. I will always be disappointed it did not work out and wish there had been a different outcome. However, a change of scenery for both sides was needed. As such, it was the only viable outcome.

Gleyber finishes his seven-year Yankees career with 888 games played. In 3,673 plate appearances, he hit 138 home runs and drove in 441 runs. His batting line was .265/.334/.441 with .774 OPS. Unfortunately, he also accumulated 106 errors, including eighteen this past season. He had a career .967 fielding percentage with the Yankees. He is what he is. He can help you with his bat, but he will give a few runs away with his glove.

We move on.

Jazz Chisholm, Jr is a talented guy. With Gleyber removed as a second base option, Jazz becomes my favorite for the position opening third base. While Jazz did a decent job at third base, I want a tried-and-true third baseman who can effectively field and hit. Is that too much to ask? I have concerns that the Miami Marlins thought so well of Jazz’s abilities at second base that they moved him to the outfield. I am sure there were other factors at play. I do not doubt Jazz’s talent. Hopefully, the Marlins were just being the Marlins, the joke of a franchise that caused Derek Jeter to wash his hands of them.

Jazz Chisholm Jr and Aaron Judge

There was a time when I wanted DJ LeMahieu as the starting second baseman. Those days have passed. DJ has not been a reliable part of the lineup for several years. At his age, things will not miraculously get better. He has become a player that is best used sparingly, making him a prime candidate for the bench. I have seen people pencil in Oswaldo Cabrera, but he is not a championship-caliber everyday player. He is a talented, diverse player but a bench option. How the Yankees managed Oswald Peraza in 2024 told me enough about what they think about his future. He is not an option.

The Yankees should spend the money and sign free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. I think Bregman would be a strong player for the Yankees, but I do not feel his contract fits in the grand scheme. It is not my money; the Yankees have the money, but it is their decision. I like Nolan Arenado, even if most of the Yankees fan base does not. However, like Bregman, cash is prohibitive. I doubt the Cardinals will pay much of the freight, and the Yankees would need to part with quality prospects to make a deal happen. It seems like the obstacles are too significant. I have seen people throw out Alex Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies as an option. I know less about Bohm than Bregman or Arenado, but I favor any player who can hold third base at a level better than the league average.

I am not sure what the Yankees will do, but they need to do something. Going into training camp as the roster stands today is a mistake. It would just be another offseason in which the Yankees did not do enough to bridge the gap to a championship.

Waiting for the offseason plan to unfold sucks. Hopefully, there will be better days between now and the opening of the training camp in February.

In other moves, the Yankees need to finish their bullpen work. Bring back Tommy Kahnle, and sign either Tim Hill or Andrew Chafin. I am partial to Hill since he has shown he can help the Yankees, but I would not be disappointed with Chafin even if he lost his menacing beard. I would love to see the Yankees sign Jack Flaherty, but that seems like a pipe dream. Shipping out Marcus Stroman's contract is necessary for any significant moves. I wish Stroman could have proven himself to be upper-rotation material for the Yankees, but regardless, he can help…somebody.

I am pleased with the offseason additions of Max Fried and Cody Bellinger, even if the return of Juan Soto would have been more impactful. I am…optimistic…that the Bronx will reenergize Paul Goldschmidt. At worst, he will be an improvement over Anthony Rizzo (which is painful to say, given how much I loved having Rizzo as the team’s first baseman). Devin Williams, supported by Luke Weaver, will be a beast at the end of the games. Nice to have one of the game’s better closers again (which is not a knock against Weaver, who I thought was terrific in the role).

I am interested to see who the Yankees hire as Matt Blake's assistant pitching coach. The Yankees’ website still shows Desi Druschel, who departed earlier this offseason for the crosstown Mets.

Lots of work to do for Team Cashman. The only question is whether they will do it.

As always, Go Yankees!

And First Base is Covered...

 

Paul Goldschmidt (Photo Credit: Jeff Roberson/AP)

Yanks agree to a one-year deal with Paul Goldschmidt…

I was underwhelmed when I heard that the New York Yankees had signed free-agent first baseman Paul Goldschmidt. No offense to Goldy, but I hoped for a more youthful approach to the position. Now that I have had a day to think about it, a one-year, $12.5 Million deal is a solid investment to solidify the position for next season. Worry about first base after the 2025 season; it is not a concern now.

When Christian Walker signed with the Houston Astros, or when the Arizona Diamondbacks traded for Josh Naylor, or when the Cleveland Guardians signed Carlos Santana, or even today's trade of Nathaniel Lowe from the Texas Rangers to the Washington Nationals, Yankees fans on social media bemoaned those were prices the Yankees could have/should have paid. Regardless of how the Yankees landed on Goldschmidt, I am confident they examined every known possibility and looked at some that were not discussed. I hoped for a comparable Tino Martinez after Don Mattingly retired type of acquisition, but that move will wait another day. If the Yankees feel that Paul Goldschmidt is the best solution for the 2025 season, I will give them the benefit of the doubt. I am hopeful Goldy can rebound from his down year in 2024, but at age 37, he will not see his ceiling (NL MVP) again. That would be good enough for me if he could call himself a World Champion Yankee after the 2025 season.

I am sad to see the end of the Anthony Rizzo era in New York. He was quickly a favorite, even if injuries curtailed the last couple of seasons. He is a good guy, and he was once a valuable player. I only regret that we did not see Prime Rizzo in Pinstripes. Nevertheless, I am glad he was a Yankee and appreciated his time on the team. While I liked Luke Voit and his personality, not to mention his ability to go yard, his iron glove at first base was painful. Rizzo's glovework was a welcome relief, and even if Rizzo did not hit like he once did, his defense positively impacted him. While corner infielders should be strong run producers, bringing elite defense to first base is vast, given how active the position is during a game. Goldy is a good gloveman, so there should be no drop-off from Rizzo, or at least when Rizzo was on the field.

Anthony Rizzo (Photo Credit: Robert Sabo/NY Post)

I hope Rizzo stays in the game in some capacity. He is at the end of the road for his playing days. It will not be a long-term relationship, even if he signs on somewhere for next season. When Rizzo transitions to his post-playing career, I hope he stays as a coach. He is undoubtedly a Chicago Cub, and the Cubs may give him a coaching opportunity in their organization. If not, I hope the Yankees do.

As a person, I like Anthony Rizzo better than Paul Goldschmidt, but Goldy is the better player for 2025. Goldy seems like a great family who loves to play the game of baseball. He will have every opportunity to endear himself to the fan base, and I have no reason to believe he will not be successful. He is not a long-term option for the Yankees, but we can have a good run together. At the end of Goldy's run, we will be as grateful for him as we are for Rizzo.

Anthony Rizzo, thank you. The lost time was unfortunate, but you proved worthy of the Pinstripes. You wore them proudly, and we are thankful for your time. Our acceptance and embrace of Paul Goldschmidt as the new Yankees first baseman have nothing to do with your character's quality and desire to win. Sports is a continual changing of the guard. Father Time is undefeated.

When I think of his strength of character, Oscar Gamble will always stand out to me, given that I had the opportunity to meet him during his playing days with the Yankees. He is not a reason the Yankees won the World Series, and he was never the best player on his teams, but the quality of the man was elite. Rizzo passes the Gamble test, and I am hopeful Goldschmidt can, too.

We need to give Paul Goldschmidt a chance. Ben Rice has a good opportunity to back up first base and catcher while learning first base from one of the game's best players over the last decade. I hope Rice can use this time to elevate his game. If Goldy is injured, Cody Bellinger is fully capable of everyday work at first base. The Yankees have the most substantial safety net at first base that we have seen in a few years.

Now that the first base vacancy is solved, the next question is the third/second base. As much as I like Jazz Chisholm, Jr, I prefer him to return to second base. While I would like to see the Yankees re-sign current second baseman Gleyber Torres, Chisholm is the next best option if the Yankees move on from Torres, which is how the tea leaves currently read. I want strong defense at third base, especially after the massive investment in starter Max Fried. DJ LeMahieu can still provide good defense, but it is foolish to count on him as a starter, given his struggles with injuries the past couple of years. Jazz tries, but he is not a trained, experienced third baseman. I value experience and performance in the position. I am not opposed to acquiring St Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado. He is not the player he once was in Colorado, but he will not hurt you at third base. I prefer him over Oswaldo Cabrera, whom I view more as a role/bench player, or Oswald Peraza, a player I think will have a challenging time making the Opening Day roster.

I could accept Alex Bregman just to keep him away from Boston or from returning to Houston. I know some can never take the Houston cheaters, and while I will never forgive Bregman for his role in it, I can appreciate a current commitment to help the Yankees win. We have seen other villains put on the Pinstripes, and we have accepted them. Although you cannot get more villainous than Bregman and Jose Altuve, I believe in second chances. When players put on pinstripes, they value and appreciate it the most. It may not have been the case with Juan Soto, who valued the dollar above all else, but I sincerely believe that Alex Bregman would want to help the Yankees to win if he signed here, just like he will fight to be successful in Boston if he goes there. 

I prefer Arenado over Bregman, but then again, I lived in Denver during Arenado's prime and know what he meant to that city and his teams. Neither player is the player they once were, but who they are now can still help the New York Yankees win the World Series.

At the end of the day, I have no idea who will take third base on Opening Day. Regardless of the man who runs to the bag in the season's first game, I will know it was a decision that was carefully considered by the organization and a decision made in the best interest of changing the outcome of the most recent World Series. I know I have been critical of GM Brian Cashman, but only a fool would say that they do not understand the game of Major League Baseball. They have proven an ability to turn weaknesses into strengths. I will give them the benefit of the doubt on this one.

The best outcome for the Winter would have been to re-sign Juan Soto, but it did not happen. The alternative may not be as good, but it can be just as effective. I never dreamed that Max Fried would be in the starting rotation, yet there he is, right behind ace Gerrit Cole. We should head into the season with Luke Weaver as the team's closer (a role I accepted), but we will have The Airbender instead. If these are Brian Cashman's last years as the Yankees General Manager, he is focused on going out with a bang. I will never underestimate him.

The days ahead should be interesting. Some moves still need to be made, and I do not see the Yankees waiting until Spring Training to address the final holes. Multiple teams' rapid succession of moves quickly closed the first base window this week. The same situation could happen with the other current holes on the Yankees roster. Strike now while there is opportunity.

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is a team capable of beating all teams for the World Series in 2025. Please, make it happen.

As always, Go Yankees!

Sadly, the Season Ends or is it the Season Ends Sadly...

 

Carlos Rodon, Giancarlo Stanton, & Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: Jason Szenes/NY Post)

The Yankees botch their way out of championship dreams…

The World Series did not begin or finish as we would have liked, but I appreciate the 2024 New York Yankees making it to MLB’s Championship Series. Undoubtedly, much second-guessing and finger-pointing can be done, but it serves no purpose. The Yankees were beaten by the better team. A more deserving team? Maybe not, but ‘what will be, will be’. I congratulate the Los Angeles Dodgers, a franchise that has historically played second fiddle to the great Yankees teams over the last century.

The World Series loss does not need to define the current group of Yankees. We do not know who will take the field in 2025 outside of a select few, but I remember feeling as low as I have ever felt as a Yankees fan after the 1995 playoff loss to the Seattle Mariners in Don Mattingly’s final voyage wearing the famed Pinstripes. I think the next few years after that horrific loss ended well if memory serves correctly. The Yankees have much to do this off-season, but how they rebound will determine how history views them. There is time for Aaron Judge to prove that he can be a money player when the chips are on the line. I know his 2024 post-season was forgettable, and I have seen those who say it will define how they perceive him going forward, but why? I am more interested in watching Judge re-write his story next season.

There is no question the Yankees need Juan Soto. I am concerned. While I would like to think the Yankees made a strong, positive impression on the young slugger, I am sure he enjoyed the rock star reception he received at home and on the road as part of baseball’s most storied franchise. However, his agent is Scott Boras, and millions of dollars will be a more significant determinant of his next team than millions of Yankees fans.  Watching Soto go across town for the Mets or join the current World Series Champions will be tough. However, Soto’s final decision does not alter the fact that I love the New York Yankees.  I hope Hal Steinbrenner is actively involved in the negotiations and does everything he needs to ensure that Juan Soto and Aaron Judge are the keystone tandem for the immediate future. Soto’s presence helps Judge, and it helps everybody else in the lineup.  Soto’s return will help ensure the Yankees can return to the World Series with the right offseason moves. While I do not feel that Aaron Judge in center field and Juan Soto in right are the best alignments, the Yankees have an offseason to figure out the correct usage of the players if Soto returns. The Yankees are better with Judge in the right field, but Judge and Soto are more powerful together in the same lineup.

Juan Soto & Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: Alex Slitz/Getty Images)

As much as I loved Soto this season, it was hard to fully embrace him, knowing he was possibly a one-year rental. I so hope that does not prove to be factual. I will fully embrace Soto next season if he returns to the Bronx on a long-term deal.  I wanted the Yankees to sign Gerrit Cole. They did. I wanted the Yankees to sign Aaron Judge. They did. I want the Yankees to sign Juan Soto. They…to be determined.

I was sad to see the Yankees decline the mutual option on first baseman Anthony Rizzo, but I hardly fault the club's decision. I wish we had experienced a young Rizzo, and I am grateful that we experienced the time we did, but the Yankees can do better at first base. I cannot say that I would be enthused about signing Mets free agent first baseman Pete Alonso, but he would be an upgrade. Even if I like Rizzo better than Alonso, Alonso is clearly the better player at this point in their respective careers. Although the Yankees should (and most likely will) move on from outfielder Alex Verdugo, Verdugo proved I could get behind a player I formerly despised. Marcus Stroman is in that category, too. Stroman’s finish to the season was not good, but I thought he did well enough as a middle-of-the-rotation starter. If you placed higher expectations, of course, you would be disappointed. However, I genuinely believe that both Verdugo and Stroman valued wearing Pinstripes, and regardless of what their respective futures hold, I wish them the best as they move forward. I think the Yankees will move on from both players. Yet, if they return, I will support either one, or I hope they can make the adjustments to make 2025 better than 2024.

The Yankees’ decision to pick up the club option on reliever Luke Weaver might be the easiest decision the Cashman Administration has ever made.  Weaver proved that he could carry the closing torch in 2025 and that it was worth more than the Yankees were paying him. I hope they take care of him and reward him for excelling in the bullpen when his pay was structured for a starter.  As much as I wanted the Yankees to replace Clay Holmes as closer, I appreciate Holmes was better in a setup role. It was probably not enough to convince the Yankees to bring him back, but he is another player who is most likely out the door through free agency, yet I would support his return.  The Yankees need to improve their bullpen in the offseason, and there is comfort in knowing that Weaver has the back door covered. He will need guys who can bridge the gap from the starters to keep games in position to win in the final inning (or two). If not, I hope the Yankees can find someone who can consistently be the “good” Holmes before Weaver takes the mound. 

Anthony Volpe must go on a soul-searching expedition this offseason to find his better self and discover what it takes to elevate his game to the next level. Go spend a few weeks in Florida with Derek Jeter. Fortunately, youth and talent are on his side, so I am cautiously optimistic he will arrive in Tampa next Spring as a man on a mission. I am not ready to say the Yankees need to find a new shortstop, but next season will be our final answer. 

Anthony Volpe (Photo Credit: Vincent Marchietta/Imagn Images)

The season is over, and I want Gleyber Torres back. I know he was frustrating for the average Yankees fan to watch this season, particularly the first half. Yet, he showed enough later in the year that it is not time to part ways.  He excelled in the problematic leadoff position and would be hard to replace. I would be sad to see Gleyber playing for a division rival or the Kansas City Royals next year. Maybe Caleb Durbin is destined to be an All-Star second baseman. Volpe proved that it generally takes time with any young, talented player. I would rather go with the certainty Gleyber brings in 2025 than handing Durbin his training wheels. Some will be happy to see Gleyber leave but do not count me among that group.  The Yankees need Gleyber to reclaim the AL Championship in 2025. They can make the World Series without him, yes, but the path is more accessible with him.

Gleyber Torres (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post)

I have long respected DJ LeMahieu. For the years I lived in Denver, he might have been my favorite Rockie on the local team. Despite the injuries, I have appreciated his time as a Yankee, but it is time to move on because of the injuries and his age. I am tired of the Yankees playing players out of position. LeMahieu is a second baseman who can play third or first. It does not mean I want him as the team’s starting third or first baseman.  Maybe the Yankees will move out of position third baseman Jazz Chisholm, Jr to second base, his natural position if Gleyber leaves, but in his case, there is a reason the Miami Marlins decided to move him to the outfield.  Hard to explain or understand any decision by the Marlins, but as the saying goes, where there is smoke, there is fire. For LeMahieu, it is time to bite the bullet and eat his contract ala Josh Donaldson and Jacoby Ellsbury.  I am not interested in seeing if he can stay healthy next season, as he will be a year older and on the fast track in the age regression lane.  Bring me legitimate third and first basemen!

The Yankees must either commit to helping Jasson Dominguez become a valued left fielder for the team or move on. Dominguez did not show enough to prove he is a 2025 answer, but I will support the Yankees if they believe he will. If they believe he cannot overcome his flaws, move on and find a left fielder who gives us the confidence of Brett Gardner in the role. I am tired of the continued black hole in the position since Gardy left.

As for the coaching staff, Aaron Boone solidified his return with the World Series appearance, and Brad Ausmus was an effective bench coach. I like Luis Rojas, and I thought he was an improvement over Phil Nevin, but it is time for a new third-base coach. Did James Rowson excel as the team’s hitting coach? I am not so sure. I could go either way on his return. Matt Blake will be back, as he should, but there is work to be done with the starting rotation and bullpen.  Travis Chapman remains the coach I know nothing about.

Gerrit Cole exercised the opt-out in his contract today, but I would be shocked if the Yankees let him go. He is the team’s ace, and nothing is comparable on the free-agent market (despite Blake Snell’s opt-out in San Francisco). Gerrit Cole is a Yankee and will be one when April rolls around. I fully expect the Yankees to add the one year at $36 million to his contract that will void the opt-out.  If Weaver was an easy decision, this is the second easiest. Or maybe the easiest when you consider what Cole brings to the rotation. If Hal lets Cole leave over $36 million, the team is not serious about contending next season. 

It is hard to think about any moves while Juan Soto is free. I want a quick resolution, but I know this will be long and drawn out. I hope it does not prevent the Yankees from making the other necessary moves to eliminate the 2024 flaws that prevented them from enjoying champagne at the season’s end. 

The Yankees generally disappoint us every offseason, and I expect this year to be no different. They always do a little but need more. Cashman, please prove me wrong. You, sir, are on the clock…

As always, Go Yankees!