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!

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!

The Waiting Game...

Aaron Judge & Juan Soto (Photo Credit: NY Daily News)

Yankees make their initial offers for the most coveted free agent…

I wish I knew how these Juan Soto negotiations would turn out. I would like to say that my gut feeling is that he will be a Yankee for the duration of his career, but unfortunately, I do not have that sense. It has not felt to me that he will be a lifetime Yank. This is clearly one of those times where I hope, I pray that I am wrong. Like everyone else, I want the Yankees to sign Soto to a long-term deal. I do not care if he will make more money than the team’s Captain. I honestly do not believe the Captain cares either so long as Soto’s Yankees career continues. Judge wants to win, and he needs players like Soto to do it.

As much as I like Juan Soto, I could never truly embrace him this season despite his heroics and knowing he shared responsibility for Aaron Judge’s MVP season. The sole reason for the restraint was the potential for a one-and-done season with Soto. It was my self-protection against seeing Soto wearing Mets gear next season or some other team’s marginal fabric.

If Soto returns, I will embrace him as part of the team’s latest and most fantastic core. Aaron Judge is a better player with Juan Soto on the team, and Soto makes others perform to higher standards. I do not care if the Yankees must pay $700 million to sign Soto. It is not my money nor our job to protect Hal Steinbrenner’s pocketbook. The Yankees routinely drive the game’s most significant profits, and it is incredible to think how much they have made for other teams. Whatever it costs to keep Soto, it is worth it. He is a young, fantastic, generational player, and the Yankees can never draft these kinds of players because they keep winning too consistently (such a horrific problem!). Soto proved in his one season how much he means to Aaron Judge and the Yankees lineup. There is no Plan B. No combination of Alex Bregman, Cody Bellinger, Nolan Arenado, Willy Adames, or Ha-Seong Kim equals Soto.

I was surprised at how quickly Blake Snell came off the board when it was announced on Tuesday night that he had signed a five-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Especially since the Yankees had been mentioned among his suitors earlier in the day. Snell would have been nice, but I am not losing any sleep about his decision to take the Dodgers’ money and run. I like the early movement in the free agent market, which hopefully jumpstarts activity this offseason. Free agency has become such a slog through long and protracted negotiations, and waiting until February to see where the dust has settled has not been fun. Good or bad, it would be nice to see the acceleration of the Soto negotiations to bring resolution no later than the upcoming Winter Meetings. Even if Plan B does not equal Plan A (signing Soto), the Yankees need the time and the available talent to effect a quality backup plan. Not too many options left if Soto waits until January to sign.

As for Plan B, there are certain positions the Yankees need to restock regardless of whether Soto returns. The team needs a new first baseman. If you believe it can be Ben Rice, good for you. I do not feel the same. I want a more specific, proven commodity for the position. The Yankees need a new second baseman with the likely departure of Gleyber Torres through free agency. If Caleb Durbin wins the second base job, having both Durbin and Rice in the infield is too much youth (if there is such a thing). I would rather see one position learning to play the game at its highest level, not multiple positions. Anthony Volpe has proven you do not just turn on the light switch. It takes time. I have liked Cody Bellinger for the last few years, so I am certainly not opposed to his acquisition if it happens.

Conversely, I have long admired Nolan Arenado, but it does not mean I want to see Nolan as the team’s new starting first baseman. Arenado was a great third baseman, but he has reached the stage of his career where his best days are behind him. Bellinger provides insurance in center field and his proven ability to play first base. He is younger than Arenado, and it simply makes more sense. Arizona’s free agent first baseman Christian Walker represents the best option. I wish we could have gotten Anthony Rizzo earlier in his career. It is the best I have felt about first base in years. But, as Brett Gardner proved, age happens to everybody, and it has crept up on Rizzo. We need better, which can be provided by Walker or Bellinger.

Cody Bellinger

Christian Walker

As for second base, I would prefer Gleyber’s return. I know much of the fanbase would like to see him walk, but I like his job after he was moved to the top of the batting order. Realistically, however, I do not expect him back. If Caleb Durbin gets the job, I hope he proves the front office right. The other option is to move Jazz Chisholm, Jr. to second base (his natural position until the Miami Marlins thought otherwise). Moving Jazz just relocates the gaping hole from second base to third base. Given his recent injury history combined with his age, I have no confidence in DJ LeMahieu’s ability to contribute consistently and regularly. I think he is past his expiration date, at least in terms of wearing the Yankee pinstripes.

Corbin Burnes would be an excellent addition to play second fiddle for Gerrit Cole, but I do not believe the Yankees will pay top dollars for a starting pitcher. If anything, they will go after a young pitcher with potential. Not sure it is the best move, but the Yankees need more out of the other starting pitchers not named Cole. I wish I had faith in the farm system providing the next great arm, but this season did not give me confidence that one of the youngsters is ready to impress on the game’s biggest stage. The Yankees have proven to be very astute about building quality bullpens. It is time to show that level of expertise with the starting rotation.

Speaking of pitching, I was surprised to see assistant pitching coach Desi Druschel run across town to the Mets. There must be more to the story. If the Yankees had wanted to retain him, they would have. Maybe he became drinking buddies with Carlos Mendoza when they coached with the Yankees. Who knows? Matt Blake should bring in a replacement that will complement his daily work. Druschel is replaceable, so his departure is acceptable. If we have Blake, I feel better about pitching.

For as much good as Jose Trevino has brought to the Yankees, I was surprised the team did not non-tender him. It seems like the time for a changing of the guard is upon us, so I thought Trevino’s time was nearing an end. Perhaps it still is. I would be surprised if Carlos Narvaez were not the designated backup for Austin Wells when Opening Day arrives. Given how many catchers the Yankees have protected on the 40-man roster, it is an area of interest. Nothing against Trevino. I appreciate his work with the team; he has been a great Yankee, but time moves on, and it creates opportunities for better, younger players.

I want to avoid seeing the return of Alex Verdugo. I appreciate his ability to make me accept him as a Yankee this season after how much I despised him in a Red Sox uniform, but that aside, I am fine with one and done. He did not perform to the level that screams he needs to be a long-term Yankee. He was better than the circus of clowns the previous year, but the Yankees can improve. The improvement may be Jasson Dominguez. Maybe it is not. Dominguez deserves the opportunity to prove he can be the left-field answer. I'm not crazy about trying to develop a Major League second baseman while doing the same in the outfield, but Dominguez deserves the chance. Let the kid play.

Despite my frustrations during his time as a closer, I am saddened that Clay Holmes will depart. Good Holmes was great. Bad Holmes was awful. He did better when the closer role was lifted from him. If it were up to me, I would probably bring him back, but I think the Yankees will move on. Maybe they will surprise us. We shall see. As stated earlier, the Yankees are good at building bullpens, and I fully expect more of the same with or without Holmes.

I always look forward to the end of Thanksgiving weekend so that the actual Major League Baseball offseason can begin. I love the Winter Meetings even if I am disappointed more years than not. It is the highlight of the offseason. Then, we will wait for the gates to open in Tampa. Of course, this year, the Yankees will be holding Spring Training in the regular season home of the Tampa Bay Rays, the new…albeit temporary…tenant of Steinbrenner Field. It will be weird next season to see the Yankees play a “road game” at Steinbrenner Field and be forced to relinquish the home team’s digs to the Rays.

Oh well, it's time to sit and wait. I want to see the banner headline on MLB Trade Rumors read: Yankees To Sign Soto. C’mon, Hal, please make it happen.

Juan Soto (Photo Credit: @juansoto_25 via Instagram)

Daniel Jones finds a new home…

Many Yankee fans are Giants fans, so I routinely see the posts about the Giants on my X feed. I routinely saw negative posts about Jones while he was still with the Giants. After his release, my Minnesota Vikings surfaced as a potential landing spot, and I don't know how I felt about it. Sam Darnold has done okay as the Vikings’ starting QB after the free-agent departure of Kirk Cousins. How can you fault a man who has led his team to a 9-2 record? But Darnold is a one-and-done player (which seems to be a common theme in this post). He is on a one-year, $10 million deal with the Vikings, and he has increased his worth with his play this season. I do not expect him to return to the Vikings next season, not with young JJ McCarthy ready to hit the field again next year after he recovers from his season-ending injury this season. Nick Mullens is an excellent backup QB, but he is not someone I want to see starting consistently if the starter goes down. Brett Rypien is not his uncle, and despite how much he may know about football, he is replaceable. So, I am willing to take a shot with Daniel Jones.

Daniel Jones (Photo Credit: Cooper Neill/Getty Images/Jeff Speer/Icon Sportswire)

Jones will join the Vikings on Friday after it was announced today that he was joining their practice squad. I see the practice squad as a temporary measure, and Jones will be part of the active roster sooner than later. It is an excellent opportunity for Jones to prove he represents good insurance for McCarthy going forward. Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell, a former quarterback, has proven to be a QB-friendly coach, and if he can coax better performance out of Darnold, he can do the same for Jones. Maybe Jones has limitations that can never be fixed, but he is an NFL quarterback and has value, at least as a backup QB for a young, promising player. Players like Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and TJ Hockenson can make any QB look better.

I am willing to give Jones a chance. Everybody deserves a chance for redemption. It did not work out for Jones in New York, but it does not mean he is forever a failure. A different system. Different players. Different coaches, different schemes. Give it a chance. He will either succeed or fail. The upside is worth it. If it does not work out, move on. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. At this point, his Giants career is in the rearview mirror. Jones has the chance to rewrite the script. Let him.

Lastly…

I want to wish everybody a Happy Thanksgiving! We are thankful for the Yankees and Yankee fans everywhere. The Yankees Universe reigns supreme even if the trophy sits in Chavez Ravine.

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! 

The Yankees: Glass is Half-Empty...

 

Aaron Judge and Juan Soto (Photo Credit: The New York Daily News)

Yankees can win it all, but will they?...

The off-season move to acquire one season of Juan Soto was a huge move by the Yankees, but if the team had listened to its fanbase’s additional demands for a strong starting pitcher, it may have been the decision maker between parity and greatness. I know, the Yankees are leading their division, but they certainly do not feel like a team of destiny. The combo of Juan Soto-Aaron Judge is unmatched in baseball, and it could all go for a naught. 

The Yankees lead the American League East Division and will roll into September with at least a half-game lead if the Baltimore Orioles win their Saturday night contest in the Mile High City against the Colorado Rockies. The Yankees are lucky the Orioles have never been able to find their stride, given the strong young talent on their roster. Being the division leader this late in the season is great, but there is much baseball to be played before the final standings are confirmed.  Magic numbers are a few weeks away from media magnification.  The Orioles could still run away with the division if they managed to hit their machine into gear although they do not quite have the starting pitching to do it.

Cashman’s decisions (or lack thereof) are the deciding factors in this year’s pennant chase. The opportunity to build an elite contender was there, but they settled for ‘not quite enough’ under the perceived theory that October baseball is just a crapshoot. 

After Saturday’s game, the Yankees announced that 1B/C Ben Rice had been optioned to Triple-A, along with Saturday’s starter (and loser) RHP Will Warren.  This means the likely return of Anthony Rizzo. Everybody likes to speculate that the lane is opening for the callup of outfielder Jasson Dominguez, but the club continues to send out signals that we probably will not see The Martian roaming the Yankee Stadium outfield in September. I like Will Warren, but he is not ready for Major League Baseball. I had hoped this would be the year for Clayton Beeter to make his ascension to the Major Leagues, but injuries had other ideas. Warren had his opportunities, but he is not an answer for the final weeks of 2024. 

In the offseason, I had wanted the Yankees to sign Jordan Montgomery. In retrospect, that move would have been a disaster as demonstrated by his dismal performance in the Sonoran Desert for the Snakes that led to his recent demotion to the bullpen. But I also pitched for Blake Snell. “Second-half” Snell would have looked fantastic in Pinstripes. 

At this point, the cavalry rescue for the starting rotation will be the return of Clarke Schmidt which is looming. Otherwise, the Yankees need to focus on the bullpen. I am extremely disappointed in deadline acquisition Mark Leiter, Jr. I had high hopes for the return of a Leiter to Pinstripes, and I had hoped it would be a successful union between player and club.  He has only proven that Jazz Chisholm, Jr was the sole successful deadline acquisition. While I do not expect the Yankees to DFA Leiter, it would not surprise me if they did. The Yankees already jettisoned the other reliever acquired at the deadline (Enyel De Los Santos) so they may as well make it a deuce. The only hope is that at least one (or more) of the relievers on the Injured List can step up in a hurry and contribute in a big way. Back spasms recently derailed Ian Hamilton (at least temporarily). Hopefully, the other have better success working their way back.

I do believe the Yankees should take a mix-and-match approach with their bullpen rather than rolling with Clay Holmes as the designated ninth inning closer.  Forget about who accumulates the saves. Worry about who protects the wins. Look for the right matchups that favor the pitcher regardless of who is on the mound.  If I had greater faith in Holmes, I would feel differently, but given the makeup of the bullpen, the Yankees cannot afford the volatile Holmes to close out close games when every game matters.    

Austin Wells has made me a believer that he is the team’s starting catcher and deserves the lion’s share of starts behind the plate. This is not intended to disrespect Jose Trevino who has performed admirably as a Yankee. Wells can be a key player in the lineup, and he obviously needs to play to excel. Let Trevino be Gerrit Cole’s personal caddy.  It is nice to see Wells perform like we expected when the Yankees drafted him. So many of those high draft picks fade into oblivion. Well, unless your name is Aaron Judge. Wells brings the strength to the catching position that has been missing since Jorga Posada retired. 

Austin Wells (Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports)

The Yankees should designate Alex Verdugo for assignment. I am not worried about a competitor picking him up. He is not going to help anyone win in October. He might be a great defensive replacement for somebody, but his bat will scare no one. The Yankees will not re-sign him in the offseason, so he is not part of the future, and he is not helping the present. I would rather see Jasson Dominguez in left field. Dominguez can help now and in the future. This left field upgrade does not seem like rocket science to me. 

I have always been a fan of DJ LeMahieu, and I was happy when the Yankees re-signed him several years ago even if the contract was a little too long. But his performance this season continually raises the question “what have you done for us lately?”. The answer is nada. If a player is not helping, move him out of the way for someone who can. I would be surprised if the Yankees cut LeMahieu and I would love to see him rediscover the fountain of youth (and hitting). I just cannot say that I am optimistic he will. Loved Brett Gardner, but there is a time for everybody to go.  The time has arrived for LeMahieu. The Yankees should be preparing their exit strategy for LeMahieu rather than continually giving him at-bats. I would so love to see LeMahieu make a huge contribution in September to help the Yankees win and rub it in my face. As Sabrina Carpenter says, Please, Please, Please.

For a team that leads its division, I should be more optimistic. Sadly, I am not feeling it with the team as currently constructed. They have the potential of winning (every team this year is flawed), but I think the team’s weaknesses will be magnified and exposed in a short series playoff format. Another historic Aaron Judge season that will potentially end in failure.   

What coulda, shoulda been…if the Yankees fail, the blood will be on Brian Cashman’s hands.

Brian Cashman

For the record, I hope this is not the only season in Pinstripes for Juan Soto. His presence on the team has been a joy this year, even during his slumps. He makes those around him better, and the Yankees will be stronger with him on its 2025 roster. He never needed that magical moment when he truly became a Yankee. He made it happen on the first day he pulled the jersey on. In all my years as a Yankee fan, I do not think I have ever seen a superstar player transition so smoothly to the team from the day of his arrival.

Juan Soto, New York Yankees

I hope Hal Steinbrenner pulls out all stops to make Soto a Yankee for life. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge can win together. It may not happen this year, but if given the chance, it will happen in the future. I am confident. Maybe changes need to happen in the front office, and/or on the bench, but those two players are the cornerstone for greatness. Hal Steinbrenner has the money and the influence to find the right people to make it happen.

As always, Go Yankees!

Where Do We (Yankees) Go From Here? ...

 

Jazz Chisholm Jr (Photo Credit: New York Daily News)

Yanks-Orioles battle for first despite rough waters for both…

The New York Yankees (73-51) sit atop the American League Eastern Division, leading the Baltimore Orioles (72-52) by a half-game. The Orioles lost last night, 5-1, to the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards. But admittedly, the last thing I am concerned about is the Orioles' play, win or lose.

I am more worried about the Yankees.

With Gerrit Cole, the Yankees hold an advantage in Game 1 of any series. After that, it is a crap shoot. It is a roll of the dice backed by a bullpen that has yet to restore its superiority. In other words, it is hard to be optimistic about this team’s chances regardless of whether they win the division or snag one of the Wild Card spots. I know. Make it to October, and then anything can happen. True. But the realist in me knows that the Yankees will sabotage any forward progress with the usual weaknesses evident throughout the season.

The trade deadline is always viewed as an opportunity to build reinforcements. In retrospect, the Yankees’ Trade Deadline yielded nothing. I am not trying to be critical of the new Yankee Jazz Chisholm, Jr. I like the guy and the energy he has brought to the team. However, aside from those facts, he was brought in and immediately asked to play out of position (third base), and now, he is potentially lost for the season due to a UCL sprain in his elbow. Jazz seems to feel he will return this season (perhaps as soon as his 10-day IL stint is over), and maybe he will, but if the greatest need at the deadline was a third baseman, the Yankees should have traded for a third baseman. With Chisholm's injury, the window of opportunity, or the positive aspect of it, is the call-up…finally…of infielder Oswald Peraza, who, unlike Chisholm before his acquisition, has played some third base recently. Although it remains to be seen if he gets significant playing time, his home run this week was encouraging. I would like to see Peraza succeed. I firmly believe the Yankees need to allow him to play for the big-league club or trade him, although the latter point will have to wait until after the season if they go that route. I hope Chisholm makes it back because I believe the Yankees are better when he is on the field, but it does not negate my disappointment with the trade deadline.

Mark Leiter, Jr was a nice pickup for the bullpen, but other options could have provided more substantial, consistent results. Understandably, the cost would have been higher than that of minor leaguers Benjamin Cowles (SS) and Jack Neely (RHP). Yet, I would rather have Leiter over the departed Caleb Ferguson or the demoted Victor Gonzalez (sent outright to Triple-A after he was designated for assignment and waived). It is cool to have Leiter given the family legacy (his father, Mark, and his uncle, Al, played for the Yankees) and Anthony Volpe’s close friendship with Leiter, Jr’s cousin Jack, a top prospect for the Texas Rangers. He is a decent bullpen arm despite his familial connections.

Mark Leiter Jr (Photo Credit: Jason Szenes/New York Post)

I was a little surprised the Yankees traded Caleb Ferguson to a key rival, the Houston Astros, but it is not like Ferguson will bite us in the butt. If he gets critical outs in a playoff game against the Yankees, that potentially ends our season...so be it. Ferguson will remain addition by subtraction. I could not care less about whether Ferguson does well in hot, humid South Texas.

At the deadline, the big swing and miss was the acquisition of reliever Enyel De Los Santos, who performed horribly in pinstripes. He pitched in five games for the Yankees, covering six-and-a-third innings. He gave up thirteen hits and ten runs, yielding a homer and issuing three walks. His Yankees career will feature a 14.21 ERA, but hey, ERA does not matter, does it? Still, I was surprised the Yankees gave up on De Los Santos so quickly. He was designated for assignment this week and lost on waivers to the Chicago White Sox. So, all the Yankees have for trading minor league outfielder Brandon Lockridge, viewed as a rising outfielder, to the San Diego Padres is minor league RHP Thomas Balboni, Jr. Maybe Balboni will achieve his dream of playing in the Major Leagues with the Yankees. Or maybe he moves on, at which time we can revisit an old phrase with a new meaning…Bye-Bye Balboni. Regardless of how this turns out, it was not one of Brian Cashman’s better trades. Then again, he tends to have more deadline dogs than steals, so this is just another misfire to add to his resume. I would prefer a mutually beneficial trade but those seem rare in Cashman's universe.

De Los Santos' roster spot has been taken by former Toronto Blue Jays reliever Tim Mayza, whom the Yankees signed to a minor league deal in July after his release by the Blue Jays. Mayza's highest profile moment is his presence on the mound when Aaron Judge hit his sixty-first home run in 2022 to tie Roger Maris for the American League record. As we know, Judge would hit one more homer in his historic season to set the new AL high, but Mayza helped put him in position to set the new record.

Tim Mayza and Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: MLB.com)

This is when I hate to see the team pass on any opportunities to improve weaknesses in the offseason, with an apparent logic to see what the team needs at the deadline. Then, they cannot make any trades for impact players at the deadline because they are either unavailable or cost-prohibitive (player cost, not the green stuff).

Alex Verdugo at the start of the season to play left field made sense. To view him now as blocking the lane for Jasson Dominguez to receive a promotion to the Major Leagues is absurd. Verdugo should have been traded at the deadline for whatever the Yankees could have gotten for the soon-to-be free agent and ex-Yankee. I know Dominguez started slowly after his return to the field, but he is beginning to play better, and given the circumstances, he cannot be worse than Verdugo has played in recent months. I prefer Dominguez in left field, as a long-term factor for the Yankees, over Verdugo, who will be a one-and-done Yankee in a few months. It is a shame that Dominguez continues to toil in the minor leagues when he is fully capable of being a productive Major League player.

Look, I am not trying to be purposely negative about the Yankees. I am grateful they are battling for first place in the division with the Orioles and not playing leapfrog with the Toronto Blue Jays to avoid the division cellar or playing "mid" baseball with the Red Sox. If the Yankees make the playoffs, they will have my undying support. I only wish I had greater confidence about the potential of this year’s squad. Aaron Judge is the game’s best player, and Juan Soto is not far behind. This should be a magical year for those players. But they cannot win it all by themselves. They need help. Will the men that GM Brian Cashman chose for the roster this season be the right choices to slot around the dynamic duo? Well, as they say, time will tell. I wish I could say the answer is ‘hell, yes!’ but for now, it is just a ‘possible maybe.’ 

As always, Go Yankees!

We Play Today, We Win Today...

 

Juan Soto (Photo Credit: Godofredo A Vasquez/AP)

Mariano Duncan’s memorable quote ages like fine wine…

When former Yankees infielder Mariano Duncan uttered the now-famous words, “We play today, we win today…das it,” he was encapsulating the spirit of the 1996 Yankees. This team would clinch their first World Series championship since 1978, marking the beginning of the iconic 1990s Yankees Dynasty. Today, Duncan’s words continue to resonate with the Pinstripes. As we look ahead to the 2024 Yankees Season, the most crucial element is a team firing on all cylinders. While challenges like injuries and slumps are inevitable, an undeniable aura surrounds this year’s Yankees squad.

After triumphing in the first two games in San Francisco on Friday and Saturday nights, the Yankees could have easily let the Giants slip away with a win on Sunday. But this Yankees team is different. Trailing 5-3 in the top of the ninth inning, Gleyber Torres ignited the rally with a single to center. Jose Trevino hit into a force out to get Gleyber at second, but showing the grit of this year’s squad, Trevino, not known for his speed, sprinted to first base to beat the throw and keep a man on base. Continuing his stellar sophomore year, Anthony Volpe smashed a triple to center, scoring Trevino and narrowing the gap to one run. Then, the game’s premier free-agent-to-be, Juan Soto, stepped up. He added to his rapidly growing Yankees legacy with a two-run bomb to center field, propelling the Yankees into the lead.

Giancarlo Stanton's ground-rule double, following Aaron Judge's walk, added an insurance run, but the true heroes of the ninth inning were Trevino, Volpe, and Soto. Clay Holmes also deserves recognition for closing the door on the Giants in the bottom of the ninth. But as with all games, it was a team effort. Nestor Cortes Jr showed resilience, bending but not breaking under pressure. Alex Verdugo's clutch two-out, two-run double in the fifth inning tied the game, which helped to set the stage for Soto’s later heroics. The contributions could continue, but the Yankees emerged victorious, 7-5. This was a game that the 2023 Yankees would have lost. Team chemistry is crucial, and despite the criticism of GM Brian Cashman, he has assembled a team that thrives on playing together and, more importantly, winning.

Road trips generally mean more losses, yet this West Coast visit ended with the Yankees taking seven of nine games against the San Diego Padres, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, and the San Francisco Giants. No stopover at Dodger Stadium, but they will see the Dodgers in New York this coming weekend. Granted, there is not much to be scared about the Mike Trout-less Angels, but the Padres and even the Giants are competitive teams. To win at least half the games on a road trip is a success, so the Yankees were much better than that.

I am surprised at how quickly the AL East has become simply a two-team race between the Yankees and the Baltimore Orioles. The Boston Red Sox started strong, but they have faded. The Tampa Bay Rays seem to have an off-year, and the Toronto Blue Jays continue to play below their talent level. The Yankees lead the division by three games with a 42-19 record. Baltimore stands at 37-20. The Red Sox, Rays, and Blue Jays are at .500 or slightly below. There is a lot of baseball to be played, so the standings can and will change, but as a Yankees fan, it is delightful to be atop the division as the schedule breaks into the month of June.

The 2024 Yankees are fun to watch. I hope this wonderful ride continues throughout the summer.

The Yankees pitching took a hit when it was announced this past week that Clarke Schmidt had been placed on the 15-day Injured List with a right lat strain. He is expected to be shut down for four to six weeks, meaning when he resumes pitching and works his way back through minor league rehab, it most likely will be August before he takes a Major League mound again. 

Clarke Schmidt (Photo Credit: Brad Penner/Getty Images)

Everyone was worried about who would come out of the rotation when Gerrit Cole is activated off the Injured List. I know that Luis Gil will be under an innings watch, which probably made him the most likely to be pulled for Cole, but Gil’s performance has been so tremendous that the Yankees would be foolish to pull the plug now. Not that I think they would have or that it is time to think about it, but Schmidt’s absence takes the Gil decision off the table for now. The starter losing his spot will be Schmidt’s fill-in, Cody Poteet, regardless of how well he pitches.

I feel sorry for Schmidt. This has been a breakout year for him, and he looked like an integral part of the rotation. Thankfully, Schmidt’s condition was not worse than it was. When you hear a pitcher is injured, Tommy John Surgery is the first thing that always comes to mind. I am glad that Schmidt avoided surgery, and I hope rest allows him to recover and pitch at the same level as he did before the injury. For as much as I wanted the Yankees to sign Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell over the winter, Schmidt had proven to be the far greater investment by the Yankees. Maybe the Yankees will make a trade for a starting pitcher at the trade deadline, but, sorry for the old joke, Schmidt will be like a deadline acquisition when he returns. I look forward to his return, and I know the Yankees will need him in a few months. We hope for a full recovery and successful rehabilitation for young Mister Schmidt.

The Yankees do have a tough decision ahead with Jasson Dominguez. Dominguez has proven he can play at the Major League level, but there is no position as the team is currently structured. The easy answer would be to trade Trent Grisham and make Dominguez the starting centerfielder. In turn, Aaron Judge would have to move to DH, but then what do you do with Giancarlo Stanton? Putting a good defensive outfielder like Judge in a DH-only position also does not make sense. Trade Alex Verdugo to make room for Dominguez in left field, but then you are messing with the terrific team chemistry of this year’s squad and their ‘Dawg’ mentality. The most likely outcome seems to be Dominguez at Triple-A until an injury opens a spot on the active Major League roster. It is not ideal, but there is no clear answer with everyone healthy.

As much as I did not like Alex Verdugo before this season, he has solved the black hole in left that has plagued the Yankees since Brett Gardner departed. I genuinely like the guy now. He is an enthusiastic player, and you know he loves the Yankees as much today as he hated them last season. Everybody deserves a second chance, and he found his way to Pinstripes. It seems like he is most likely a goner after the season (via free agency), and I will be sad. I am excited about Jasson’s future, but it does not mean I will be happy to see Verdugo go. Of course, I will probably dislike him again after he is gone and wearing another uniform. Is it too much to want a future that includes Alex Verdugo, Juan Soto, Aaron Judge, Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones?

Alex Verdugo (Photo Credit: Charlie Neibergall/AP)

Oh well, as long as the Yankees keep winning, the World is ours!

As always, Go Yankees!

We (Yankees Fans) Were Wrong...

 

Clarke Schmidt (Photo Credit: Steve Nesius/AP)

The Emergence of the Team’s Best Pitchers…

For most of the past offseason, I was focused on the Yankees finding help for the upper echelon of the starting rotation. I was on board with the ‘Sign Jordan Montgomery or Blake Snell’ train and was prepared to see good prospects leave for then-Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Dylan Cease. I was concerned about a repeated dismal performance by Carlos Rodón in his second tour of duty. I was a little uneasy about having Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt as rotation dependents after ace Gerrit Cole landed on the Injured List to start the season.  I did not envision Marcus Stroman as “the” primary pitching acquisition (or rather the only one). With no offense to Marcus, who has been great both on and off the field, my sights were aimed at a solid number two starter.  Stroman is 100% a guy every team needs, and I am glad he is a Yankee, so I am not trying to diminish his value to the team. Yet, when the season started with Gerrit Cole on the shelf, I was concerned that the Yankees lacked an elite starter to make up for Cole’s absence. However, the team's resilience and the emergence of our current pitchers have given us hope and optimism for the season ahead.

Despite previous doubts, Brian Cashman and his team of strategists operate on a different level. They had faith in Clarke Schmidt, believed Luis Gil was a better fit in the starting rotation than the bullpen, and were convinced Carlos Rodón would return to the form he displayed for San Francisco in 2022. They were right on all counts. Meanwhile, I swung and missed with a strikeout on that trio of hopes, as I did not believe any of them would pan out. I was not alone. Many in the Yankees Universe shared my skepticism. Every time Luis Castillo shines in Seattle, Luis Severino shows glimpses of his former self in Queens, or Dylan Cease dazzles in his new San Diego uniform, the Yankees fan base yearns for what could have been. Yet, the most viable solutions were already on the Yankees roster.

It would not be fair to compare Jordan Montgomery's or Blake Snell's current stats with those of Schmidt and the others, considering that Monty and Snell did not benefit from complete spring training. But one thing is clear: Schmidt, Gil, and Rodón were precisely what the team needed, and regardless of what Montgomery or Snell achieved for the rest of the season, our guys are holding their own.

At age 28, Schmidt cemented his place in the rotation this season. I am grateful he was not included in the Juan Soto trade over the winter. As much as I hated to see Michael King go, losing Schmidt would have been worse. In nine starts, Schmidt is 5-1 with a 2.49 ERA. He has fifty-five strikeouts in 50 2/3 innings. He may not be Gerrit Cole, but he has given the Yankees a reliable rotation starter who gives the Yankees a chance to win every time he takes the mound. He continues to improve (much like his growth curve last season) and has rewarded the patience the Yankees have afforded him.

Luis Gil, 26, has posted remarkably similar stats. He is 4-1 with a 2.51 ERA in eight starts and has 48 strikeouts in 43 innings of work. Schmidt and Gil deserve much credit for the team’s strong 2024 start after last year’s disappointing 82-80 season.

Luis Gil (Photo Credit: @Yankees via X)

It can be argued that Nestor Cortes, Jr is the weak link in the starting rotation, yet he held the Chicago White Sox to only one unearned run over seven innings on Friday night. The starting rotation, collectively, has provided consistency, reliability, and dependability for the first two months of the season. It masked the slow starts by some of the team’s offensive stars. The bullpen gets tremendous credit, significantly Closer Clay Holmes, who has taken ‘bend but not break’ to a higher level; however, the Yankees would not be where they are without their starters.

I am proud of all five current starters, even with a few hiccups along the way. Determining who will lose their starting gig will be difficult when The Ace returns from the Injured List. This stuff has a way of working itself out, but as it stands today, I would move Nestor to the swingman role. Schmidt and Gil have proven their worth, and their highest and best use is starting pitching. Nestor shows he can be a strong rotation option (as he displayed on Friday night in the Yankees’ 4-2 win over the White Sox), but his talents are better suited for a swing role. Once upon a time, Ramiro Mendoza was one of my favorite Yankees in that role. Cortes can be as good, if not better. It is funny that it is the role I had envisioned Gil for before the season began, but like anything, opinions can change. We live in a ‘what have you done for me lately’ world.

I am glad I was wrong about the state of the Yankees’ starting pitching…or that WE were wrong as I do not recall hearing many Yankees fans who were screaming ‘Maintain the Status Quo!’ about the team’s starting pitching during the most recent session of the Hot Stove League a few months ago.

I am sorry for not believing in them during the offseason. I am incredibly proud of how most of the Yankees’ pitchers have delivered this year. It is too early to forecast a World Series, and the Yankees need to figure out a way to beat the Baltimore Orioles, yet I am excited about this Yankees team. This season has a unique feel, regardless of how it ends.

Pick up the phone, Hal…

If there was ever a player the Yankees should negotiate with in-season, Juan Soto is that guy. It has been easy to see how he plays the game on a higher level. Like any player, he is susceptible to slumps, but it is hard to find a more lethal player when he is right. He was exactly as advertised, only better. Fans clamored for years that Soto would be perfect for the Yankees’ lineup, and unlike the previous topic regarding starting pitching, the fans were correct.

Juan Soto (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

Soto looks like he enjoys life as a Yankee, and there is no doubt that we appreciate him. Hal Steinbrenner needs to proceed with an offer that entices Scott Boras to negotiate an extension for his prized client before the player reaches free agency. Scott’s history indicates that he will let the free agent wars decide Soto’s next contract, but I am hopeful there is recognition of how much Soto and the Yankees need each other. Regardless of when the next contract is written, Soto will be financially set for the rest of his life.

It is positive to hear Hal Steinbrenner openly discuss possible negotiations this week. Steinbrenner generally steers clear of that talk and avoids in-season negotiations. Again, Soto is the exception to the rule. Break the bank. Keep the guy in Pinstripes. He will wear those pinstripes to the Hall of Fame one day. Although it has subsided recently, I am tired of the Soto-to-the-Mets talk.

It is time for Hal to call Scott Boras. This is the first step to a powerful payday that hopefully ensures Juan Soto calls the Bronx home for years to come.

Help is on the way…

Oswald Peraza and Tommy Kahnle have been on rehab assignments and should be ready for activation before the month ends. I feel bad for Jon Berti, but he appears to be the odd one out when Peraza and DJ LeMahieu return to the active roster. LeMahieu began his rehab assignment on Friday to be ready to join the team in early June. I want to see Peraza spend less time in Triple-A. He needs to play at the Major League level, whether with the Yankees or another team. I prefer the Yankees, but for the player’s sake, he deserves a Major League opportunity if the Yankees will not play him.

Oswald Peraza (Photo Credit: Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

We have yet to see much of Kahnle on his latest tour in Pinstripes. I hope he stays healthy and becomes a force in the pen again. He has long been one of my favorites, and I want him to succeed. It is not like everybody in the bullpen is killing it right now. If Kahnle rebounds to form, there is room to push out guys not named Clay Holmes or Luke Weaver.

I am happy to see Peraza, Kahnle, and LeMahieu close to returning. The Yankees have some tough decisions ahead as they maneuver the active roster. There will be some hard choices to make. I have no idea where the Yankees will play Jasson Dominguez, who is also rehabbing. Before the season, it was easy to say Alex Verdugo should be the odd one out, but now I am unsure. Verdugo has done better than expected, and the formerly unlikable player has become likable. Dominguez can be the better player, and the Yankees have more extended control over him, so Dominguez makes the most sense to stay. Yet, trading Verdugo does not make sense, even if he will be a free agent at the end of the season. Maybe rethink it in July, but Verdugo is part of the magical chemistry the team has exuded this season. As much as I like Dominguez, I am trying to think about his return when it happens. I know I am not ready to part ways with Verdugo. I hope this sorts itself out to everyone's mutual satisfaction.

As always, Go Yankees!