The Season of Change is Upon Us...

 

Jasson Dominguez (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post)

Out with the old, in with the young…

Writing about the Yankees is no longer fun.

This has been such a disappointment of a season. Aaron Judge’s toe. I think the injury at Dodger Stadium was when the air started to deflate my enthusiasm.  While the play saved the game for the Yankees, many of the subsequent losses were the result of Judge’s absence. In retrospect, I would have rather lost the Dodgers game and kept a healthy Judge on the field. Nevertheless, I never expected the Yankees to go in such a tailspin, and I legitimately had hoped the Yankees would try to improve at the trade deadline.  When it did not happen, I lost hope for this season even if the Yankees have not been mathematically eliminated.

Even if the Yankees could make the playoffs, what would they do? They do not have the team built for October success. Any playoff series would be a one-and-done situation. 

The blame for the Yankees’ 2023 failure resides with General Manager Brian Cashman. I think the team’s Analytics Department is largely responsible for many of the misfires, but they report to Cashman. The failures occurred on his watch, and he should be held accountable. I will maintain my position that promoting Cashman to President of Baseball Operations is an acceptable alternative to his firing. Either way, the Yankees need a new general manager. The search should be external only. Tim Naehring may be a talented executive, but the Yankees need new ideas. There are many bright minds in baseball, and the Yankees should tap into other teams’ strengths. 

You always hear that Cashman would find another job in Major League Baseball immediately if the Yankees let him go. Fine, let him get started on his new job as soon as possible.  I could not care less about Cashman’s post-Yankees career. 

The first off-season firing by the Yankees should be Assistant GM Michael Fishman, the head of the Analytics Department. I know he is another long-tenured employee, but it is time for a new approach. We need new Nerds. I equally understand the need to bring a balance of analytics with old-school baseball.  The Yankees have the financial resources to find the right guys who can make a difference. 

If the Yankees fire (rather than promote) Cashman, they should also place Manager Aaron Boone on the chopping block. I reluctantly place blame on Boone for this dreadful season even if he shoulders some blame with his decisions.  2023 will always be about the horrific roster construction and the bad personnel decisions that were made in the years leading up to it. If Cashman is gone from the organization, the new GM should have the right to choose his own man for the team’s manager. My personal favorite is Willie Randolph. I think he would be a strong choice. I have always been supportive of Don Mattingly, but I have mixed emotions about him suiting up as the Yankees manager. Many fans are put off by his managerial records for the Dodgers and Marlins. There is also the aspect that I would hate to see my favorite Yankee player (when he played) fail for the organization.

Maybe Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner is finally listening to the fans. He told the Associated Press today that this year was obviously unacceptable. He promised there would be a deep dive into the organization and everything they are doing, and mentioned they may bring in an outside company to look at baseball operations and especially a closer evaluation of the team’s analytics. Hal needs to be the driver for frank and honest discussions and be prepared to make hard choices if the Yankees intend to recapture their winning ways in the immediate future.  The season may be unacceptable to Hal, but the front office is unacceptable to us, the fans. We demand change. We demand actions that will drive better performance in the seasons to come.   

It was frustrating to see the Yankees take no action at the trade deadline. I was on board with buying if the team believed the Wild Card was within reach or selling if the team felt they did not have the horses to succeed in October. But to do nothing was the worst possible outcome.  Subsequently, the Yankees have shown they should have been sellers. The recent nine-game losing streak effectively ended any aspirations of catching the teams ahead of them. There was value in several players without ripping the necessary core for 2024.  This week’s placement of Harrison Bader on irrevocable waivers was an example of getting nothing when they probably could have gotten a mid-range prospect. The Cincinnati Reds claimed Bader today which ended his Yankees career. Bader is sad and so are we. I do not blame the Yankees for parting with the free agent-to-be, only frustrated they let him go for nothing because of the trade deadline inaction. Maybe Bader will come back to the Yankees next year. Stranger things have happened, and I think there is mutual respect between the player and the team.  Maybe we have seen the last of him in Pinstripes. Either way, I wish him the best for the remainder of his professional baseball career. Baseball needs more players like Harrison Bader. 

Harrison Bader (Photo Credit: YES Network via X, fka Twitter)

The Yankees finally closed the book on one of the most highly controversial acquisitions in recent memory when they released third baseman Josh Donaldson. Donaldson is an excellent defender, but I am glad his Yankees career is over. For him, I do not blame the Yankees for letting him go for nothing. They are on the hook for the remainder of his contract, but I do not think I could have accepted seeing him on the field in Pinstripes again. I closed the book on him when he was placed on the Injured List and had no interest in his reactivation to the active roster. He was once a great player, a Most Valuable Player, but those days passed long before he pulled on the Pinstripes. Donaldson signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers today, so he will get a chance to prove he is worthy of a spot in Milwaukee’s active roster and is eligible to play in the postseason since he signed before September 1. Good for him. This is probably the last thought I will give Donaldson. I could never embrace him as a Yankee and would just as soon erase any memories of him. 

The Yankees also released the minor league trade deadline acquisition (Spencer Howard) after less than one month in the organization.

With much resistance, the Yankees finally gave way to the needed youth infusion. Although the statistics have not been great, outfielder Everson Pereira and infielder Oswald Peraza have been playing nearly every day. Although they have yet to hit like they did in Triple-A, Peraza has made highlight plays with his glove at third base. I am okay with their struggles. It is part of their maturation and growth as Major League Baseball players. At this point, wins and losses are irrelevant. The Yankees are building for 2024, and Pereira and Peraza can be part of future success. 

With new room on the 40-man roster, the Yankees are expected to promote outfielder Jasson Dominguez and catcher Austin Wells on Friday. I suspect we may see a pitcher as well. It seems that Clayton Beeter is the most likely candidate.  With many projecting Beeter to be a future reliever, I want to see if he can help fill the void in the bullpen with the move of Michael King to the starting rotation. I have mixed feelings about losing King from the bullpen, but he has the arsenal to start and if starting pitching is his passion, he should go for it. 

It would be tremendous if the youth infusion helps the Yankees catch the Boston Red Sox to saddle them with last place in the AL East. 

I do not know what the future holds. I am not optimistic about 2024. It seems like championship contention will not happen until 2025 at the earliest. The Yankees could surprise us. We have the right to be skeptical after years of underwhelming decisions. I want to write about the Yankees to be enjoyable again. I love the New York Yankees, and there is nothing better than a season that ends with the Yankees celebrating a World Series championship.  In 2017, the Yankees fell short, but the team was universally loved. I hope we can have that type of team again.  Well, one that does not have to face a cheating organization with the odds stacked against them, but regardless of why the Yankees did not win in 2017, I want a team with heart, passion, and determination like the Baby Bombers. Give us a reason to believe. The young players are our hope for the future. I am glad they are here.

Volpe has 20/20 vision…

Congratulations to shortstop Anthony Volpe for his twentieth home run today, a three-run shot in the ninth inning that tied the game with the Detroit Tigers. The Yankees went on to lose in extra innings due to a throwing error by Gleyber Torres, but it does not take away the historic achievement by Volpe to become the first Yankees rookie with twenty stolen bases and twenty home runs.

Anthony Volpe (Photo Credit: Carlos Osorio/AP)

I have been a little frustrated by fans who have complained about Volpe. He is a rookie. He is not going to be brilliant on the field every day. He is still growing as a Major League player and needs time to become the player he will be.  I am not fine with the Yankees losing season, but Volpe’s struggles are an acceptable cost of doing business. He WILL be better.

Although I once wanted Volpe as the starting second baseman and Oswald Peraza as the starting shortstop, times have changed. The commitment was made to give shortstop to Volpe, and he is gradually showing us the reason why. I have no intention of looking back. Volpe is the shortstop of the future.  Period…end of story.

Chad Green’s return…

I am saddened to see the news that the Toronto Blue Jays will be activating Chad Green tomorrow. Sad only because he is a Blue Jay, but I am happy that Chad will soon be on a Major League mound again. It will be Green’s first MLB appearance since May 2022 when he underwent Tommy John surgery.  I am glad his rehabilitation since surgery has led him back to the game even if he is wearing the wrong uniform.

Chad Green (Credit: sportskeeda)

All things considered, I wish Green was still a Yankee, but the combination of free agency and the surgery last year led to the parting of ways.  It happened to Nathan Eovaldi, and he has gone on to have a nice career. Hopefully, the same works out for Chad.  Well, with the usual caveat that it does not happen against the Yankees.  Chad is a good guy, and I wish him the best north of the border.

Final note…

I hope Bryan Van Dusen (@Bryan_TGP on X, formerly Twitter) writes his annual Game Plan for The Greedy Pinstripes blog. It is a piece that I look forward to every year, and I think the upcoming offseason is the biggest challenge the Yankees have faced in many years. Bryan puts so much thought into his plans, and I would like to see how he feels the Yankees can return to their winning ways sooner than later.

Bryan, this is your call out. 

As always, Go Yankees!

The Rise of the Cellar Rats...

Billy McKinney (Photo Credit: Mary Altaffer/AP)

The Yankees finally grab an elusive win…

The New York Yankees, thankfully, stopped their four-game losing streak with a narrow 5-4 victory over the lowly Kansas City Royals on Friday night. The Yankees and Clay Holmes did not make it easy, as the Royals nearly had the potential tying and go-ahead runs on the corners with two outs after Bobby Witt, Jr had hit a grounder to Anthony Volpe in the hole at short. Volpe fired the ball quickly to DJ LeMahieu at third as Drew Waters was sliding into the base. The on-the-field call ruled the runner safe. The Yankees had lost their challenge earlier in the inning when Waters had stolen second base under the tag of second baseman Oswald Peraza. However, video replay showed LeMahieu had tagged the runner before he reached third, and umpire review of the play overturned the call on the field, ending the game.

DJ LeMahieu tags out Drew Waters at third base (Photo Credit: Robert Sabo/NY Post)

The Yankees withstood two home runs by Royals second baseman Michael Massey (which represented 20% of his total career home runs), thanks primarily to a three-run jack in the fourth inning by Billy McKinney who also had several outstanding defensive plays in the game. McKinney was filling in for dinged-up Harrison Bader in centerfield. Franchy Cordero (second inning) and Gleyber Torres (fifth inning) hit solo home runs which accounted for the Yankees’ other runs.

Clarke Schmidt, pulled in the sixth inning after only sixty-four pitches, picked up the win. He is now 6-6 for the season with a 4.33 ERA. Not a great outing despite allowing only three runs, but it was enough to help give the Yankees the much-needed win. The taxed bullpen did enough to save the victory despite Massey’s second home run against the electric fan-hating Tommy Kahnle in the eighth inning.

The Yankees (51-47) remain in last place in the AL East, a half-game behind the Boston Red Sox. Boston’s game against the New York Mets at Fenway Park was suspended in the fourth inning due to thunderstorms. The game will resume today as part of a split-doubleheader, with the Mets leading 4-3. The Yankees are 8.5 games behind the Baltimore Orioles (59-38) and Tampa Bay Rays (61-40). They are three games out of the Wild Card chase.

Buyers, Sellers, or Both

Writing about the Yankees has become an arduous task. The team is no longer fun to follow. Sure, I will continue to follow the team, I have been a Yankees fan for most of my life and my fandom will never change. But the “fun” of being a Yankees fan is on temporary hiatus.

I am cautiously hopeful. I would like to say cautiously optimistic, but I am short on the reasons for optimism. The trade deadline is at the end of the month, and people are debating whether the Yankees will be buyers, sellers, or both. At the beginning of the month, selling would not have been an option. Given the Yankees do not have much to sell, it seems more likely they will make moves that can possibly help this year but might be more directed for 2024. If they legitimately took that approach, there would be no rental acquisitions. So, if the Yankees do acquire a rental, it should be an indication they remain “all-in” for making the playoffs this season.

The Yankees must solve the left field abyss. The failure to address the position last offseason with a legitimate left fielder after the Yankees lost Andrew Benintendi in free agency has proven to bigger mistake than we thought it might be in Spring Training. There have been moments of positivity, but nothing has proven sustainable. Franchy Cordero is not the answer, despite his home runs this week. Despite the dearth of left field production, the organization has no apparent plans to promote Estevan Florial and the impending returns of Jake Bauers and Willie Calhoun are far from exciting. Enough with trying to start fourth outfielder types (and infielders) as the starting left fielder. Bring in someone who can perform, every day, with solid offensive and defensive skills. Cody Bellinger has been mentioned by many as a good fit and lately the St Louis Cardinals outfielders, particularly Dylan Carlson and Brendan Donovan, have been linked to the Yankees. With the Cardinals, I wish we were talking about Lars Nootbaar instead of Carlson or Donovan, but it seems unlikely the Cards will trade him.

Brendan Donovan (Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports)

Starting pitching and relief help are clearly areas of need if the Yankees plan to snag one of the Wild Card spots. I am hopeful we will see an improved Nestor Cortes, Jr when he returns from the Injury List, yet the Yankees must be prepared that we may never see the “good” Luis Severino again this season. If Cortes is unable to find the 2022 magic and Sevy continues to struggle, the Yankees need help in the rotation. If the Yankees part with Clarke Schmidt or Domingo German in deadline deals, they will need arms to fill those vacancies. Lots of talk about Chase Hampton and Clayton Beeter but are they ready for the Major Leagues? I always worry about the initial starts for any rookie pitcher. There is generally a learning curve in the Major Leagues, and most guys do not “get it” right away. Rare are the Fernando Valenzuela’s of the world.

The failure of Yankees team hitting is GM Brian Cashman’s fault. I heard people blaming the players or Aaron Boone, but ultimately, the accountable resides with the man who made the decision to put those players, coaches, and manager on the field. This past offseason, even the average Yankees fan could see the team’s failures to address the areas of need beyond the signing of Carlos Rodón. I will never understand why we could see the problems and the team could not. I know Brian Cashman and his gang of nerds are smart people. They are smarter than any of us. That is why it is so baffling that they could not recognize and address the potential problem areas before the team stalled this season. Or did they see it, and chose to do nothing about it? I know…you do not need a $300 million payroll to compete. Every move seemingly reduces the bottom line, and we know that Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner wants to win the financial war more than the World Series.

In many ways, I feel sorry for Dillon Lawson. He was made the scapegoat for Cashman’s failures. I have always believed that managers and general managers have limited shelf life. The positions were not made for lifetime appointments. Sometimes the vision, the strategy, and the voice need to change. It is time for Brian Cashman to go. Stating this, elevating Cashman to President of Baseball Operations and hiring a new general manager serves the same purpose. The Yankees need a new general manager. The new general manager then needs to decide who will manage the team. It should not be Aaron Boone.

However, I digress. I am not advocating an in-season change. If the Yankees manage to make the right moves at the deadline and the team is successful in capturing a playoff spot, followed by post-season series wins even if it does not culminate in a World Series championship, I think it is unlikely the Yankees will make any changes with the current management structure.  If the Yankees miss the playoffs or make it, only to lose the Wild Card game, then change must happen.

I do not envy Brian Cashman. After the trade debacles of recent years, he needs a winning hand at this year’s trade deadline. Success is not defined by acquiring Shohei Ohtani or Juan Soto. I think both players are unrealistic options for the Yankees. It would be beautiful to see them as Yankees, but I cannot see the Yankees making those moves (or the Angels and Padres parting with their superstar players). So, the winning formula must be comprised of lesser players. Possible, but Cashman’s recent history does not inspire confidence.

August 1 will soon be here. The fate of the 2023 New York Yankees hangs in the balance.

Season-Ending Losses

When Josh Donaldson recently pulled up at first base with an apparent calf injury, it was inevitable he would miss time. I do not think any of us knew how much time he would need. By placing him on the 60-day Injured List, Donaldson’s career with the Yankees is seemingly over. His return for the final weeks of the season seems improbable. While you never want to see anyone get injured, Donaldson was not exactly Mister Popularity with Yankees fans. I wish Donaldson a speedy recovery, but on the other hand, I welcome the change. The injured calf has finally given Oswald Peraza his long-awaited Major League opportunity. I hope he takes the challenge and runs with it. He should have been with the big-league club since Spring Training and was only denied because of the emergence of Anthony Volpe as the team’s starting shortstop.

In retrospect, I wish the Yankees had played Peraza, a shortstop, at third base more while he was in Triple-A. He only played there for two games this season. I guess no one could have forecasted Donaldson’s injury, even if his production was putrid. Regardless of what happens, I hope Peraza is here to stay. He may not be a superstar and he does not have Volpe’s ceiling, but he can be an effective everyday starter for a playoff caliber team.

Oswald Peraza

Hopefully, the Yankees have a handshake deal with Donaldson to agree to part ways after the season. Donaldson will get paid for his 2024 option (nice retirement money), but there is no scenario that should include Donaldson in the famed Pinstripes ever again.

DJ LeMahieu is most likely the primary third baseman moving forward. He played there on Friday night against the Kansas City Royals after all three games in Anaheim, CA featured Peraza at third. Peraza was at second base last night. Ultimately, the hottest bat will determine who primarily plays at third. It would be nice if the Machine that we knew from the past few years would reappear, but conversely, I would not be disappointed if Peraza stepped up his game on baseball’s biggest stage to snag the position as his for the duration of the season.

It seems unlikely the Yankees will attempt to acquire a third baseman at the trade deadline. There are too many greater needs if the Yankees decide to buy. I am happy Donaldson is off the active roster, sad that it took an injury to do it, and grateful that Peraza has an opportunity to make his place in the clubhouse.

The other season-ending loss was a surprise. On Friday, there were reports that Triple-A catcher Ben Rortvedt had a locker at Yankee Stadium. There was speculation among the fanbase on social media that maybe Jose Trevino had been traded. I did not really expect any truth to those rumors since none of the professionals who follow the team were making those claims, but it was unclear what prompted the move. Very unlikely the Yankees would carry three catchers. It had been obvious in recent weeks that Kyle Higashioka was getting most of the time behind the plate and there was no word for why Trevino was not playing. I knew this season has not been quite as magical as his run last year, but I certainly did not expect to hear the news that he has a torn wrist. The specific injury is a tear of the triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) ligament in his right wrist.

Trevino has been placed on the 10-day IL but Trevino told reporters he is done for the season since the wrist requires surgery. It is a tough loss. Not as happy to see Trevino go as I was Donaldson (injury aside), but it does create an opportunity for Ben Rortvedt. I would like to see if Rortvedt can prove he belongs, and whether he can be an upgrade over Higashioka next season. Trevino mentioned that the wrist has bothered him since Spring Training so if his surgery and recovery prove successful, it would be exciting to see if Trevino and Rortvedt can form a strong catching tandem next season. Trevino expects to be ready for Spring Training.

Rortvedt’s promotion created an opportunity at Triple-A for Austin Wells, so the Yankees’ top catching prospect is getting closer. His Major League debut is probably right around the corner. He is only a phone call away (and placement on the 40-man roster) from the Bronx if anything were to happen to either Rortvedt or Higgy. Hopefully, Wells makes the most of his time with the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders before the inevitable promotion call arrives.

Here are wishes for full recoveries for both Jose Trevino and Josh Donaldson. Trevi, ‘see ya’ down at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa next Spring! JD, well…just ‘see ya.’ 

MLB Draft Signings

Congratulations to the Yankees for signing all their 2023 MLB Draft picks except for 2B Roc Riggio, taken in the fourth round. The Yankees have until Tuesday to sign Riggio.

I was most excited about the 20^th round selection, RHP Bryce Warrecker. Everything I had read seemed to imply that he would be a difficult sign. He has played three seasons at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo (CA). Playing in the Cape Cod League in 2022, Bryce was awarded the CCBL Most Outstanding Pitcher for his summer of work. This season for Cal Poly, his ERA was 2.08 with 0.87 WHIP. The 6’8” righthander struck out 35 batters in 39 innings. The Yankees will also pay for the remaining academic fees that Warrecker needs to receive his degree at Cal Poly. Hopefully, substantially more money awaits him in the Bronx one day.

Bryce Warrecker

In speaking to Nooshawk in Santa Barbara County, CA, Warrecker said, “Signing with the Yankees allows me to be in one of the best organizations with some of the most knowledgeable baseball minds in the world.” He went on to say, “I am really excited to see how I can grow with them.” Yes, Bryce, we are too.

I feel bad for the ninth and tenth selections. They got squeezed with the bonus pool allotment for the first ten rounds. The Yankees had a bonus pool of $5,299,400 which was the second lowest in the MLB. The pick values for the first ten rounds equal the Yankees’ bonus pool. If Roc Riggio does not sign, his pick value is subtracted from the bonus pool which is sad for Jared Wegner and Brian Hendry since they signed for much less than their assigned pick values. Better to be picked in the twentieth round than it is the ninth or tenth round. Honestly, they need to produce a better solution so that the higher draft picks do not get shortchanged (forced to take less money than guys drafted below them).

The Aaron Judge Watch

Aaron Judge continues to progress. He took batting practice and did field drills yesterday and will take pitches from Jonathan Loaisiga in a live bullpen session tomorrow. Hopefully, we will have a better idea when Judge might return after the bullpen session. It is a given that the torn ligament in Judge’s toe will not be fully healthy this season. My fear is an ineffective Judge when/if he does return. DJ LeMahieu was never right after his toe injury last year. The Yankees need Judge’s bat in the lineup if they intend to make up any ground in the Wild Card chase. Well, more than just the bat in the lineup. It needs to produce more than swinging strikes and fly outs.

When Judge ran the bases the other day, he looked strong. We obviously do not know the level of pain he is experiencing, or how much it will affect him on the field. I am cautiously hopeful he can help the team soon despite the toe. The activation of Aaron Judge will be the team’s best potential trade deadline transaction.

As always, Go Yankees!

Aaron Judge and the Honest Toe...

 

Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: John Minchillo/AP)

Judge comes clean on the severity of his injury…

I remember when New York Yankees baseball was fun.

On Saturday, Aaron Judge revealed that he had suffered a torn ligament in the ailing toe that had landed him on the Injured List earlier this month after the general belief was strained ligaments. The Yankees once again prove they are not transparent regarding player injuries, and it takes the player to divulge the severity of the injury. We went from wondering if Judge would be out a few days, then to a couple of weeks, and now, if he misses less than a month, it would be a miracle.  I am doubtful we will see the 2022 AL MVP until after the All-Star Break. We will soon be hearing words like ‘Judge is a great Trade Deadline acquisition’.   

Despite the heroics of Billy McKinney in recent games, the Yankees are not the same team without Judge in the lineup. Giancarlo Stanton may be in the lineup, but his bat must be on a European vacation. The loss of Judge would be eased if Stanton was hitting like we know he is capable of, but, unfortunately for us, he is not. The Yankees go into every game hoping they can hold the opponents to three or four runs to give their anemic offense a chance to come through. This Yankees club would not be able to compete in a slugfest. The Los Angeles Angels defeated the Colorado Rockies, 25-1, last night. The Yankees have not scored a combined total of 25 runs since they lost to the New York Mets in the second game of a two-game series nearly two weeks ago. 

After losing a disappointing game to the Texas Rangers on Friday night, the Yankees bounced back with a 1-0 victory yesterday behind a tremendous performance by Luis Severino (finally) and a bullpen that was bent but not broken. The shutout upheld Billy McKinney’s fourth-inning home run as the game-winner.  The Rangers, one of the best offensive clubs in the American League, could have easily taken the game away from the Yankees. Somehow, they failed to get a timely hit when they needed it (credit to Yankees pitching), and the Yankees, needing every win they can get, emerged victorious. 

Billy McKinney (Photo Credit: Robert Sabo/NY Post)

The win allowed the Yankees (42-35) to get back to single digits behind AL East leader Tampa Bay Rays at nine-and-a-half games. The Yankees trail Aaron Hicks and the Baltimore Orioles by five games. The Toronto Blue Jays are nipping at the Yankees’ heels, only a half-game behind the Bombers. Further missteps by the team could leave them fighting the Boston Red Sox for the cellar. 

In June, the Yankees are 8-11. Surprisingly, they have been holding onto third place in the division despite their struggling offense.  The Angels have the same record as the Blue Jays, so they are just behind the Yankees in the AL East Wild Card standings. The Angels lost oft-injured third baseman Anthony Rendon, who was placed on the Injured List a week ago with a left wrist contusion, and, an old friend, Gio Urshela, for the season with a fractured pelvis. The Angels did not sit back and take their chances with rookies or cast-offs for third base. They went out and acquired Eduardo Escobar from the Mets on Friday night, and Mike Moustakas last night (after he had witnessed the 24-run loss to the Angels as a member of the Colorado Rockies). Moustakas may not be the player he once was but credit the Angels for trying. No need to wait for the Trade Deadline. 

The Yankees get absolutely nothing out of Josh Donaldson and their best response is to simply sit him on the bench. I realize we are in the final days of Donaldson’s time as a Yankee. The question is not ‘if’ he will be released but rather ‘when’. It seems like it will happen around the All-Star Break, but how long does GM Brian Cashman go without trying to find players who can help today? If the Yankees are hoping for some sign of the 2015 AL MVP from Donaldson, they will be sadly disappointed. Donaldson is done. Time to let him go home and enjoy his young child.  Given DJ LeMahieu’s decline, the best hope for third base, Oswald Peraza, continues to bide his time in Eastern Pennsylvania. It would be fun to see the Yankees acquire Nolan Arenado from the St Louis Cardinals, but I have given up hope Cashman will make that type of move.  Arenado, 32, is hitting .272/.319/.477 (.796 OPS) with 15 home runs and 50 runs batted in. The Yankees will be in St Louis next weekend. It would be fantastic to see them depart the city with Arenado on the plane. The Yankees will not make the trade, but it is fun to think about. They need a jolt to the lineup and Arenado could provide it. I am ready for anything over Donaldson.

I hope the Yankees can continue to tread water until Aaron Judge returns. It would be nice if a few of the big-name vets on the active roster would chip in. No offense to the players but highlight reels featuring Jake Bauers and Billy McKinney do not inspire hope for post-season success.   

Rotation Upgrade Nears Return

Carlos Rodón is moving closer to making his debut in Pinstripes. Today, he starts the second of three expected rehab games before he will be activated on the Major League roster. In his first rehab start, Rodón pitched three innings, allowing a hit and a run, while striking out five (including a streak of four-in-a-row). 

Carlos Rodon (Photo Credit: Somerset Patriots)

His start today, for the Somerset Patriots, will be against the Toronto Blue Jays’ Double-A affiliate, the New Hampshire Fisher Cats.

After Domingo German’s implosion the other night, Rodón’s presence is sorely needed in the Yankees’ starting rotation. Hopefully, Luis Severino’s terrific outing yesterday is a sign of things to come, and Sevy and Rodón can help the Yankees build momentum in the season’s second half. It certainly helps that Clarke Schmidt has been pitching much better lately…Jhony Brito too. I am hopeful the positives coming from the rotation will spell the end of German’s time as a Yankee.    

Promotions

RHP Clayton Beeter, acquired last year in the trade that sent Joey Gallo to the Los Angeles Dodgers at the trade deadline, has been promoted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Beeter is 6-3 with a 2.32 ERA and 82 strikeouts in thirteen games started. The 24-year-old is positioning himself to help the Yankees later this season if his upward progression continues. 

I am excited to see what Beeter can do. When he first arrived in the organization, it sounded like his future was as a reliever, but confidence has grown in his ability to start. It would be nice if the Yankees could strike gold with Beeter after giving up so many talented prospects to get Gallo. 

Also promoted to Triple-A was third baseman, Max Burt. The right-handed Burt, 26, is hitting .267/.333/.481 (.814 OPS) with 7 home runs and 23 RBIs in 131 at-bats. There is always room in the organization for hard-working players. I would like to see Burt achieve his dream of reaching the Majors. Not sure if he will get the chance with the Yankees but who knows? Injuries on the big-league club (or the release of a certain aging third baseman) could open a path for Burt. Andres Chapparo should certainly be in that same conversation. It is time for some of the young guys to get opportunities over aging players in rapid decline.   

Aaron Hicks Resurgence

I am happy for Aaron Hicks. He has found a new life in Baltimore and has quickly become a key player for the second-place AL East rival. In 69 ABs for the Yankees, Hicks was .188/.263/.261 (.524 OPS) with one home run and five RBIs.  In 62 ABs for the Orioles, Hicks is .306/.403/.581 (.983 OPS) with four home runs and eleven RBIs. Like Estevan Florial in Triple-A, Hicks is seemingly making highlight plays every day in his new orange/black uniform and beard. 

Aaron Hicks (Photo Credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

As someone ready for Hicks to leave, I am not going to reverse course and say the Yankees should have kept him. He did not perform as a Yankee, at least not in recent years, and I am not sure he would have had this type of resurgence if he had stayed in the organization. Sure, consistent playing time makes a difference, and the Yankees were not giving it to him.  I saw former Oriole great Jim Palmer’s observation that Hicks was trying too hard in New York to live up to his contract, and it only made things worse, bringing down the wrath of the fans on him. He said that sometimes it is better to try “easier”.

Good for Hicks.  I remain convinced the Yankees made the right decision to part ways. The weight of the Pinstripes can be heavy and for Hicks, it was too much. 

As always, Go Yankees! 

Life Without Aaron Judge...

  

Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: Ashley Landis/AP)

Wanted: Miracle Toe Healer…

Life without Aaron Judge is not fun. Worse yet, it sucks. 

I know he is only away for a few weeks while his toe recovers from the dramatic play he made at Dodger Stadium earlier this month, but it is painful to watch the Yankees play without him. Without Judge in the lineup, the other weaknesses are magnified. It is frustrating that there is no timetable for Judge’s return.  I know the Yankees are conservative when it comes to injuries, and they do not want to set a date for return, only to face further delays, but I wish they were more transparent. Judge’s absence shows how devastating losing him in free agency would have been. Hopefully, the toe will improve with each passing day, and Aaron Judge will be roaming right field soon. 

I am not trying to play ‘I told you so’ but at the beginning of Spring Training, I felt Anthony Volpe should have returned to Triple-A for more seasoning and the Yankees starting shortstop should be Oswald Peraza. I held that opinion through most of Spring Training but finally acquiesced to support the decision to promote Volpe, pushing Peraza back to Triple-A when it appeared the Yankees were headed in that direction anyway. In retrospect, the Yankees should not have been seduced by Volpe’s strong Spring performance. We have seen too many players over the years enjoying stellar play in March, only to struggle once the gates of the regular season have opened. The ‘Greg Bird’ Syndrome. Most recently (before Volpe), it was Kyle Higashioka. 

I like Volpe, and I am excited for his long-term future with the Yankees, but maybe it is time for him to go to Triple-A to work on the finer aspects of his game now that he has had a taste of Major League life. He has a better understanding of what it takes to succeed at the game’s highest level, and it should provide a better blueprint for him to prepare to become a productive everyday starter in the Bronx.

Anthony Volpe (Photo Credit: Steph Chambers/Getty Images)

Through sixty-six games, Volpe is batting .187/.261/.347 (.608 OPS). He has 9 home runs and 26 RBIs. He is 14-for-14 in stolen bases but he only has one in the last 24 games.  While you cannot compare Triple-A pitching to the Major Leagues, Oswald Peraza is batting .311/.383/.597 (.980 OPS) in twenty-eight games. He has 10 home runs and 21 RBIs, plus 7 stolen bases.  Peraza has cooled off lately after his blazing month of May, and he did not appear in either game of yesterday’s doubleheader between the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders and the Norfolk Tides. I have not seen the reason for Peraza’s absence (he played Friday night), but if healthy, I would flip Volpe for Peraza. There is no denying Volpe has the higher ceiling, but Volpe would benefit from some further work in Triple-A while Peraza has nothing left to prove there.

I want Volpe to succeed, and he can be a disruptive force on the basepaths come October. A little time away to better his game is not an unreasonable request. Give Peraza a chance and be a stronger team later in the year when both players are on the Major League roster.   

Other players I am concerned about are DJ LeMahieu and Kyle Higashioka. The Yankees need LeMahieu to be the hitter he was before last year’s injury. LeMahieu will be 35 next month and admittedly, I am concerned he may never be the player he once was. For a while, I have wanted LeMahieu to take Josh Donaldson’s place as the starting third baseman. However, while I do not feel JD’s recent home runs scream ‘he’s back!’, LeMahieu’s struggles have lessened my desire to move on from Donaldson. I am about ready to rename LeMahieu “Oh Fer Three”. 

DJ LeMahieu (Photo Credit: Noah K Murray/AP)

Good pitching helped the Yankees on Saturday, but it is a tough ask for the pitching staff to consistently hold the other team to no more than one or two runs to compensate for an anemic offense. I am convinced this will be Higgy’s final year in Pinstripes, and I would not be disappointed if his time was up sooner than later. Ben Rortvedt was acquired to play catcher for the Yankees (not the RailRiders) and although the plan was derailed by injuries, I feel he can be an effective partner to support starter Jose Trevino. 

It will be tough for the Yankees to make trades in July. You cannot strip the farm system of multiple talented prospects every year without damaging the future. Last year’s trades seem like such a waste. The loss of many well-regarded prospects for multiple players who failed to make a difference for the Yankees. With the struggles of some of those prospects elsewhere, you can say the Yankees made the right calls. Yet, inevitably, there will be lost prospects who come back to haunt the Yankees. 

Despite the nice moments from Jake Bauers, Willie Calhoun and Billy McKinney, the Yankees still need a strong left fielder. I am not convinced the current lot is the answer. Bauers taking away a Rafael Devers home run on Saturday was a terrific highlight, but the Yankees can do better. Isiah Kiner-Falefa has performed better than expected as Harrison Bader’s replacement in center field, but the preference would be for him to remain in a utility role when Bader returns. For as much as fans have wanted the Yankees to promote Estevan Florial, the truth is the Yankees must make room for Bader and Aaron Judge when they are healthy, and at least one of Bauers, Calhoun, and McKinney will be sacrificed.  If the Yankees need a 40-man roster spot. Who loses? McKinney seems like the most expendable if Bader is healthy. If McKinney’s promotion had been Florial, it is likely Flo would be facing a second trip to the waiver wire with the Yankees losing him this time after his strong recent performance in Triple-A.   

It is a tough job for GM Brian Cashman and his team of nerds. They must reinforce the team with seemingly limited resources. The Yankees’ top five prospects according to MLB.com are three outfielders, a catcher, and a shortstop. I do not see the Yankees trading Jasson Dominguez or Spencer Jones. Everson Pereira is a talented future star, but he might be the most expendable of the group.  Austin Wells wants to stay at Catcher, but we have all heard the stories he will eventually need to change positions. With the profile of his bat, the Yankees will find room. I would be shocked if they traded him. Trey Sweeney, the shortstop, has always seemed like the future third baseman to me.  I do not want to lose any of the top five prospects.  Not so much prospect-hugging as it is concerned about the competitiveness of the team in future years. I know, win the World Series this year, and worry about next year…well…next year. 

The core belief is the twenty-six men who will take the field today at Yankee Stadium to play the series finale against the Boston Red Sox are average at best. This is not a championship squad. Sure, they will get better when Judge, Bader, and Carlos Rodón return. Maybe they can make a difference. Maybe they cannot. One thing is certain, they cannot do it alone. Better performances from Luis Severino, Giancarlo Stanton, and DJ LeMahieu, among others, are necessary for the team to accomplish its goals. Hoping for elite July reinforcements is akin to holding the winning ticket in Powerball. In other words, do not get your hopes up.

The Yankees need a left fielder and a starting pitcher. Bullpen help is always a plus. I am hopeful yet pessimistic that the Yankees can get the pieces they need. I will say it now that I do not believe the Yankees will acquire a player who moves the needle. I sincerely hope they prove me wrong. 

Mike Harkey, Pitching Coach

Yankees bullpen coach Mike Harkey, a former Major League pitching coach, was forced into duty yesterday as the fill-in for pitching coach Matt Blake.

It was a good opportunity for Harkey who led a successful mound visit with reliever Wandy Peralta late in yesterday’s 3-1 win over the Boston Red Sox that helped ice the game. Harkey always reminds me of Joe Girardi for no reason other than he is the last holdover from Girardi’s coaching staff. 

Blake and his family are dealing with the loss of his mother-in-law. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and his family. 

As always, Go Yankees!

A Sliver of Pinstriped Optimism...

  

Luis Severino (Photo Credit: Robert Sabo/NY Post)

Severino upgrades Starting Rotation…

No offense, but the Yankees have none (offense). Lately, the Yankees have been Aaron Judge or bust. 

The Yankees were fortunate that Luis Severino brought his “A” game on Saturday against Juan Soto and the San Diego Padres. Sevy pitched into the seventh inning and would have completed it if not for an error by Gleyber Torres that unnecessarily extended the inning. Sevy yielded only one hit over 6 2/3 innings, giving up two runs although the second one was unearned after Michael King, in relief of Sevy, gave up a hit following Gleyber’s error. By holding the Padres to only two runs, the Yankees were able to escape with the win, thanks to a clutch RBI single by Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the bottom of the tenth inning.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa & Greg Allen (Photo Credit: Bebeto Matthews/AP)

Yankee fans were able to take a break from the latest game of “What has happened to DJ LeMahieu?” LeMahieu’s home run in the seventh inning tied the game at two after the Padres had taken a brief one-run lead.  He was also responsible for the game’s first run when he doubled to left in the bottom of the first inning, scoring Aaron Judge. Almost two runs were driven in with that hit, but a perfect relay from left fielder Juan Soto to shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, covering third, to the catcher, Brett Sullivan, erased Anthony Rizzo at the plate. LeMahieu advanced to third but was left stranded.   For the game, LeMahieu was 2-for-3 with two runs batted in. He was intentionally walked in the bottom of the tenth when Padres Manager Bob Melvin wanted to take no chances with the suddenly hot LeMahieu. 

Credit to Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who has proven to be the team’s valuable utility player this season. For as much as I was down on him as the starting shortstop last year, he has proven he deserves a place on the Yankees’ roster. This season, he has embraced his role and it has been evident in his play. He is an optimistic player who values wearing Pinstripes despite the past wrath of the fans. 

For Severino, he made eighty-two pitches, striking out five batters. The only hit he surrendered was a fourth-inning home run by Fernando Tatis, Jr. It was a strong performance and exactly what the Yankees needed as the season progresses. After three consecutive losses, the Yankees needed a shot in the arm and Sevy delivered.

Nestor Cortes, Jr’s inability to pitch deep into games is getting magnified and despite his brilliant 2022 performance, the Yankees’ rotation has suffered from Nestor’s placement as the second starter behind Gerrit Cole. Thankfully, Nestor slides down the rotation order with Sevy’s return, and hopefully, he falls further when/if we see Carlos Rodón. It is not that I want to see Nestor fail. Just the opposite. However, something is not right. His Grade 2 hamstring strain in February disrupted his Spring Training and may be the likely cause. Hopefully, Nestor will persevere and get back to his old self.  It remains to be seen if he can do it without a trip to the Injured List. 

So long, Aaron Hicks

The Yankees officially severed ties with Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks when he was released on Friday. With two years remaining on his contract, it was unlikely any team would have placed a waiver claim. I will always wonder if the Yankees could have lessened the financial impact if they had traded Hicks in the off-season, paying part of but not all the dollars remaining. 

As much as I was down on Hicks in recent years, I appreciated his play at the end of the Joe Girardi era. When he was healthy (and productive), he was a fun player to watch. Part of me wishes he had embraced a part-time role like IKF has, but Hicks’ production in recent years leads me to believe a parting of ways was in the best interests of both the player and the club.

I hope Hicks can find a nice role with another team (one which he can embrace) to help extend his career for a few more years until he drifts off to the golf courses in Arizona. 

Aaron Hicks & Cheyenne Woods (Photo Credit: Beth Ann Nichols/Golfweek)

Hello, Domingo German

Domingo German is back. The Yankees activated him today after he served his ten-game suspension for the “sticky stuff”. 

I will never be a fan of German, but his presence is needed…at least until the Yankees can find a better option. Playing a man short was tough on the Yankees’ roster for the past week and a half since the Yankees were unable to fill the spot while he was suspended. There is too much uncertainty with Nestor Cortes, Jr (as previously alluded to) and Clarke Schmidt. German can give the Yankees a chance to win. I will be excited for the day he becomes the long man in the pen instead of a starter (or better yet, finds new residence in another city), but for now, if he can hold teams to two or three runs over six to seven innings consistently, sign me up. 

With the departure of Aaron Hicks, my list of least favorite Yankees has been updated.

1. Josh Donaldson
2. Domingo German
3. Jake Bauers
4. Albert Abreu
5. Kyle Higashioka

I did want Bauers to succeed, but he is what he is…which is not very good. With Estevan Florial tearing the cover off the ball in Triple-A, I would cut Bauers to give Florial a shot. Yet, it does seem likely Florial will have to go elsewhere to get a true shot. The Yankees seem convinced that Florial cannot hit Major League pitching. I am still surprised that no team took a flyer on him when the Yankees placed him on waivers earlier this season. It seems a given that Bauers’ time will end when Giancarlo Stanton is activated. If the Yankees upgrade left field between now and the trade deadline, Willie Calhoun should be the next to go. 

I am not sure why I am so down on Donaldson. Maybe last year was an aberration with the shortened Spring Training. We all know that Donaldson knows how to handle the glove at third base. If he can find a rejuvenated bat, he can serve a purpose. Yet, I have not missed Donaldson in the lineup. If the Yankees do not trade Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu is more than capable of handling third base with some assistance from Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Since Donaldson is currently on a rehab assignment, his return is imminent. He will have the next couple of months to prove his bat has not retired ahead of his playing career. If he continues to hit like last year (or rather, not hit), the Yankees should cut bait, just like they did with Hicks. I know I would prefer to have Oswald Peraza on the active roster over Donaldson. Not sure what Peraza has to do to earn a promotion since he should be playing in the Major Leagues right now.  Peraza is literally the team’s best fielding shortstop and he, like Florial, is playing very well in Triple-A. Not saying that he should start over Anthony Volpe, but Peraza should be on the MLB roster.  If given a choice, I would take the upside of Peraza over the ‘past-his-prime’ Donaldson. 

Oswald Peraza

Albert Abreu was once my favorite pitching prospect. While it seems likely the Yankees will demote Matt Krook when it is time to activate Tommy Kahnle, Abreu is the one who should go. We have seen enough. There are more deserving arms in the system, including Krook. The Yankees like Abreu so he continues to hang around, but it seems inevitable he will be bounced off the island at some point.

For as strong as Kyle Higashioka is behind the plate, the bat does not warrant a place on the roster. If the Yankees decided to replace Higgy with Ben Rortvedt after Jose Trevino returns from the Injured List, I would not be disappointed. Higgy has one more year of arbitration before he hits the open market, but the Yankees should move on from him this coming off-season if they do not part ways sooner. I like Higgy, but his performance does not match his rising salary (he is making $1,462,500 this season). Through eighty-one plate appearances, Higgy is hitting .173/.235/.333 (.250 wOBA) with seven home runs and eleven RBIs. If there is a player I would like to see turn it around, it is Higgy. Trevino’s injury gave him a chance to shine, but he has chosen to take the dull path. It would be nice if Rortvedt seized the opportunity, but his chances have been limited. 

The Yankees are 31-23, seven games behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East and three games behind the Baltimore Orioles. As the Yankees continue to get healthy, there is reason for optimism. Giancarlo Stanton’s return will take pressure off hitters not named Aaron Judge which will benefit everyone.  If the Yankees can get back to winning series consistently, they can make up ground in the division. Today is a good day to start.

As always, Go Yankees!

Reminder: Please Bring Your Bats...

 

Aaron Judge (Photo Credit: Robert Sabo/NY Post)

Yankees fall to Blue Jays as offense goes silent…

Inevitably, the New York Yankees will lose their first regular season series. I only hope it is not against the Toronto Blue Jays. The team I perceive as the greatest threat in the American League East to derail the Yankees’ drive to repeat as division champions were in the Bronx on Friday night, and sadly, thanks to an off night by the team’s bats, the Blue Jays took the first game, 6-1. 

The odds were seemingly against the Yankees when the controversial Domingo German took the mound. Starting the first game of a season series with a bitter rival with German is not exactly leading with your best foot forward. German had the Yankees in a hole they were never able to escape when he gave up a first-inning, two-run bomb to fan-not-so-favorite Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. 

Domingo German (Photo Credit: Corey Sipkin/NY Post)

Aside from Oswaldo Cabrera’s solo shot to the right field porch in the second inning that made it a one-run game, the Yankees were unable to record any extra-base hits, settling for four singles to go with the ‘Where’s Oswaldo?’ home run. Several inning-ending double plays removed any potential for rallies, including the game-ending DP by Gleyber Torres. 

Glad to see Oswaldo go yard, but I thought the Yankees would do better against Toronto’s Yusei Kikuchi. Oh well, on to the next game. The Yankees seemingly like to lose the opening game of a series before rising to the challenge.

With the loss, the Yankees and Blue Jays (both 12-8) are tied for third place in the AL East. They trail the Tampa Bay Rays by five games and are a half-game behind the Baltimore Orioles. It is still way too early to draw any conclusions about the division race, but it is always preferable to have more wins than your opponents at any given time.  The dreadful Boston Red Sox are only a game and a half behind the Yankees. 

The Yankees feature their best in today’s game at 1:05 pm ET when Gerrit Cole (4-0, 0.95 ERA) takes the hill. He will be opposed by Toronto’s Alek Manoah (1-1, 6.98 ERA) who has not gotten off to a strong start.  Of course, it probably means Manoah throws a no-hitter and Cole loses his first game of the year despite giving up only one run. Hopefully, Coles continues to shove like he has all season, and the Yankees bring their bats to play.  Inflating Manoah’s bloated ERA would be a wonderful way to spend the day.

Credit: @Yankees, via Twitter

Josh Donaldson Delayed

The Yankees had expected to activate Josh Donaldson this week, however, he suffered a setback when the tightness in his right hamstring resumed. He was diagnosed with a Grade 1-plus strain and is going to miss the next couple of weeks. Oswald Peraza probably would have been sent down if Donaldson had been activated this week, so Donaldson’s re-injury buys young Peraza more time to show his skills at the Major League level.

Oswald Peraza (Photo Credit: Mary Altaffer/AP)

If there was a current player I would love to see “Wally Pipped”, it would be Donaldson. I am ready to move on from the expensive, aging vet even if his glove continues to play at an elite level. He is no longer a feared hitter, and he is not going to miraculously find rejuvenation. The Yankees had Oswald Peraza at third base on Friday night. Despite his 0-for-3 performance, it would be tremendous for him to have more opportunities to play third.  Peraza has a far greater upside than Donaldson, at this stage of Donaldson’s career. Donaldson was once an elite performer and League MVP, but he is not that guy anymore. It is time to move on. If the Arizona Diamondbacks can swallow the remainder of Madison Bumgarner’s contract, the Yankees can easily do the same with Donaldson’s contract. 

Peraza has nothing left to prove in the Minor Leagues and should be on the big-league roster for the duration of the season. It would be fantastic if he could have a breakout game that propels him as a force in the lineup and makes it impossible for the Yankees to demote him. His energy and defensive prowess are already on display. A few dramatic home runs or timely run-scoring hits and we are off to the races. 

A Roll of the Dice

The Yankees have signed former Angels, Diamondbacks, and Rangers outfielder Kole Calhoun to a minor league contract. Calhoun, 35, was once a solid contributor for the Angels, but, like Donaldson, his best days are behind him. 

Kole Calhoun (Photo Credit: Alex Gallardo/AP)

Last year for Texas, he hit .196/.257/.330 (67 OPS+) with 12 home runs and 49 RBIs in 125 games. He was a free agent after a failed attempt to make the Seattle Mariners’ roster in Spring Training.

I am not expecting anything from this signing. I doubt he will make it to the Bronx. He seems more like a depth signing for Triple-A who will eventually seek an opt-out. I guess everyone thinks they can be the next Matt Carpenter. To their credit, they would not be professional baseball players without that mindset but there is no magic here.  I wish Calhoun the best but honestly hope the Yankees never need him. 

Rehab Assignments

The Yankees sent two notable players on rehab assignments on Friday.

Harrison Bader was assigned to the Somerset Patriots (Double-A) and is expected to be activated early next month. Bader is much needed, and it will be tremendous for the team to get Aaron Judge back in right field where he belongs. Hopefully, Bader can pick up where he left off last October. His dynamic personality, mixed with the energy and enthusiasm of the team’s younger players, brings a breath of fresh air to the Yankees. Being a gifted ballplayer certainly helps. 

The Invisible Man, a/k/a Ben Rortvedt, was assigned to the Tampa Tarpons (Single-A). Rortvedt will eventually head for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre and take his place as the next man up should anything happen to either Jose Trevino or Kyle Higashioka. Hard to believe but we may see Rortvedt play in Yankee Stadium this season. It will be nice to have actual proof he plays instead of photos standing outside of batting cages. 

Don Mattingly the Blue Jay

It is hard to see Don Mattingly wearing enemy colors. He was my favorite player throughout his Yankees career, and I respectfully followed his managerial career with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins.  Seeing him at Yankee Stadium with a bitter rival is understandably more difficult to accept.

I wish the Yankees had done more to bring him back into the organization. I would have moved Carlos Mendoza to a different coaching position and made Donnie Baseball the bench coach for Manager Aaron Boone. However, I realize there may be some animosity between Mattingly and the Front Office which worked against Mattingly and the belief that he does not embrace analytics. I think the latter point is overrated. Any coach who is not buying into today’s analytics is not long for this profession. I think Mattingly understands it, and the coaches who can balance old-school baseball with analytic insight are the best for the game. 

I hope Mattingly can find his way back to the Yankees one day. Maybe it will not happen until General Manager Brian Cashman decides to hang up his saddle. Regardless, Mattingly will always be a Yankee, and I hope he comes home before he decides to shutter his baseball career. 

Miguel Ramirez, Chef Extraordinaire

The Los Angeles Times had a great article this week about Yankee Stadium clubhouse food for visiting teams. The Los Angeles Angels were in town to face the Yankees, and the players were raving about the food offerings in the clubhouse. 

Miguel Ramirez (Photo Credit: LA Times, courtesy of the New York Yankees)

Miguel Ramirez has been a clubhouse chef for the Yankees since 2011, and the 44-year-old Dominican brings Latino food to the forefront. In the article, Angels infielder Luis Rengifo is quoted saying, “They just have a lot. They have Dominican food, like rice and beans, Concón (the crust of crispy rice formed at the bottom of the pot).” About Ramirez, Rengifo went on to say, “The guy who makes it is amazing.”

Ramirez drew praise from former Yankees infielder Gio Urshela and Red Sox manager Alex Cora. Cora referred to him as the best in the business. 

Ramirez takes requests from visiting teams and specializes in multiple types of food beyond his Dominican roots such as Italian, Japanese, and Mexican cuisines. Before he started working for the Yankees, Ramirez was a chef in Mariano Rivera’s former steakhouse, Mo’s New York Grill. 

It was fun to read about a hero of Yankee Stadium in an opposing city’s newspaper. I did not know about Miguel Ramirez, but the recognition from visiting teams is beautiful and I am glad The Los Angeles Times brought light to his accomplishments.

As always, Go Yankees!