Fasten Your Seatbelts for Turbulent Weather...

  

Ex-Yankee-to-be Joey Gallo / Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, NY Post

High-flying Yankees run into first extended slump of the season…

It was inevitable the Yankees would hit a rough patch over the course of the long season. The frustration is it happening when the Yankees are playing several series against the hated Boston Red Sox. Since they won the first two games of the four-game set in Boston last weekend, they dropped the subsequent two games, then lost two of three to the Cincinnati Reds at home, and blew a winnable game last night at Yankee Stadium against the Red Sox. For a team that has found so many ways to win games this season, they are briefly finding new ways to lose.

Wild Pitch Lover Xander Bogaerts / Photo Credit: Elsa, Getty Images

The Yankees still have the best record in MLB; however, the gap is closing. The Yankees are 62-28, twelve games ahead of the Tampa Bay Rays in the tough AL East. Meanwhile, the Houston Astros have picked up a couple games on the Yankees over the last ten games. They are 58-31 and lead their division by ten games. Based on ease of schedule, it seems more probable the Astros will finish with the best record in the AL and home-field advantage throughout the American League playoffs. Seattle, at 49-42, is the only AL West team with a winning record. Meanwhile, in the AL East, every team is .500 or better.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, who were previously in their own little mini funk, have won three consecutive games and nine of ten. They are 59-30 and certainly in range to overtake the Yankees for best record in Major League Baseball if the Yankees cannot snap out of this run of subpar play.

If GM Brian Cashman has any thoughts of standing pat at the Trading Deadline, he should think otherwise. Given his aggressiveness at the trading deadline last year when the Yankees were battling to get an opportunity to play a one-and-done Wild Card berth, you would think his aggressiveness would be on steroids this year with so much more at stake. It was exciting to watch Luis Castillo pitch at Yankee Stadium this week and think of what could be. I keep trying to temper my expectations to avoid disappointment. The fear is somebody will overpay. If Cashman can get Castillo at his price, it would be a beautiful thing, but the odds are against us. The Dodgers loom as a threat, particularly with a farm system ripe with attractive prospects. Tony Gonsolin, the Cat Man, has been a pleasant surprise for the Dodgers, but Walker Buehler is on the shelf, and the great Clayton Kershaw is a year older with a history of injuries in recent years. I fully expect the Dodgers to go hard after starting pitching over the next several weeks. For Castillo, if his hair is so valued to him, the Dodgers are more attractive if he wants his hair and a championship too.

Yankee-to-be? Luis Castillo / Photo Credit: Getty Images

It is a given that we are witnessing the final days of Joey Gallo’s pinstriped career. The boos last night typify the words you hear from fans, but even the professionals who follow the Yankees are voicing change. The sad part is the Yankees will not recoup what they lost in trading for Gallo last year, but at this point, that is a secondary concern. The Yankees need an outfielder who can make contact and help set the table for Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo, and others. I keep saying that I like Joey Gallo, I do, but enough is enough, I would like him on another team. I am not in favor of simply designating him for assignment and subsequent release. There is value in the player, and I would like to see the Yankees recapture something for him, even if a lower-level prospect with promise.

Fans were laughing when Isiah Kiner-Falefa started off the season strong, and the big three free agents from last off-season started slowly. But it was only a matter of time until the proven superstars would surpass IKF. It seems like every time IKF makes an error, there is a highlight reel of Oswald Peraza going yard for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Peraza is reaching the point of not much more to prove at the Triple A level. It is becoming a matter of either trade him for an elite player like Luis Castillo or call him up to play shortstop. At worst, he will be as good as IKF, with the potential for so much more. I get the roster implications. To promote Peraza, another infielder must go. Matt Carpenter and Marwin Gonzalez are not going anywhere. Carpenter’s rejuvenated bat and Marwin’s versatility are too valuable. The weakest link is Josh Donaldson. DJ LeMahieu can be your everyday third baseman. IKF would move into the utility infielder role, and both Carpenter and Gonzalez can back up first base when necessary. The Yankees are stuck with paying Donaldson, but they should not let that deter them from moving him if necessary. To me, a left side of the infield with LeMahieu and Peraza is better than Donaldson and IKF. The Atlanta Braves are the defending World Series champions and making a strong run at the New York Mets in the NL East. It is due to injuries, yes, but they have a rookie in the outfield making significant contributions to their latest division charge (Michael Harris II), and their young catcher, Willson Contreras’ little bro, William, made the NL All-Star Team. I would not let Peraza’s inexperience prevent me from promoting him to a championship-caliber team. So, Cash, your call, play him or trade him.

Tyler Wade is back. It was funny how excited some fans got when they saw the Yankees had reacquired infielder Tyler Wade. Wade had recently been designated by the Los Angeles Angels, and when he cleared waivers (not claimed by any of the MLB teams), he was sent outright to Triple A. So, for the Yankees, it is just a minor-league depth move. It does not affect the Major League Roster. Injuries could bring him back, but he is not going to replace IKF. My first reaction to the Wade acquisition was ‘why?’ but I get the depth reasons. If Peraza is traded, help is needed at Triple A until Anthony Volpe gets there. If Wade gets the call to come back to the Bronx, it will mean something went horribly wrong (someone got hurt).

Shohei Ohtani & Ladies Man Tyler Wade / Photo Credit: USA Today

The truth is Wade is not better than any of the players on the current active roster. Nice problem to have. Here come the ‘Wade is better than Gallo’ comments. An apple to an orange comparison. I would not want Wade as my every day left fielder. Gallo, despite his offensive struggles, is fine defensively. You can make an argument that Miguel Andújar is better than Gallo and we see what that has gotten him. An extended stay in eastern Pennsylvania. But let’s not pick on Gallo. These are his final days. Welcome back to the organization, Tyler. Trying to recruit Aaron Judge to join the Orange County Losers next season did not quite work out for ya. Karma is a bitch.

Speaking of Miguel Andújar, it raised eyebrows when he was pulled from the RailRiders lineup yesterday. Turns out it was only a stiff neck, but everybody on social media seems to go on high trade alert when a player is removed from the starting lineup. The RailRiders, as it turns out, did not need Andújar. They cruised to a 9-0 win over the Louisville Bats behind a strong rehab performance by Domingo Germán. He went six innings, surrendering only three hits and one walk in the shutout win. 50 of 65 pitches were thrown for strikes, and according to Connor Foley, his fastball was 92-93 mph. I may not personally care for Germán, but the truth is he will be in the Yankees bullpen soon. With Luis Severino on the Injured List, he may see an occasional start.

Back to Andújar, he is like Peraza but for varied reasons. Play him or trade him. I get why you do not cut Joey Gallo now, but if the Yankees are unable to move him by the trading deadline, it would be time to cut bait. There is no reason that Andújar should not be on a Major League roster come August 2^nd. He may not be the defensive outfielder that Gallo is, but at least he would give you at-bats to cheer for rather than the current automatic outs we routinely see from left field (or right) when Gallo is starting. I am hoping for better than Andújar but either way, he needs to be playing in the Major Leagues, here or elsewhere.

Miguel Andújar & Aaron Boone

The Yankees have enjoyed good health this season, and it has been a strong reason for their great start. But alas, all good things must end. Luis Severino’s placement on the Injured List felt inevitable. Given how few innings he pitched from 2019 to 2021, it seemed like this year’s load would be too much. When he was removed from a game with shoulder tightness this week, there was cause for concern. Fortunately, it turned out to be minor (a low grade lat strain which requires two-to-three-week recovery). To look at this positively, rest for Severino is a blessing. The Yankees need him in October so he should be managed with care. It also reinforces why the Yankees need to grab another frontline starter.

Luis Severino & Teammates / Photo Credit: Frank Franklin II, AP

Miguel Castro also appears to be headed to the Injured List. He had an MRI on his right shoulder yesterday, and it is likely he will be placed on the IL this weekend. It could be the door opening for Domingo Germán. I keep forgetting the RailRiders have Shane Greene. It is possible the former Detroit Tigers closer could make his return to the Yankees roster over Germán if the Yankees can open a roster spot. Hard to believe that Greene is 33 years old. He was a young Yankees pitcher involved in the 2014 three-way trade with the Tigers and Arizona Diamondbacks that brought Didi Gregorius to the Bronx.

Josh Donaldson has a split nail on his right index finger. I am not a doctor, but I think he will survive.

Lastly, I am glad to see the return of Old Timer’s Day to Yankee Stadium even if the white-haired legends and former Yankees will not play a game. I have always enjoyed the legendary roll call more than the actual game itself. I probably have not enjoyed the games since Bobby Murcer passed. I loved listening to him when he was mic’d up for the YES Network while playing in the outfield. July 12^th was the fourteenth anniversary of Murcer’s death. Hard to believe he has been gone that long. His last Old Timer’s Day was 2007. I am happy to see his widow, Kay, has been invited to this year’s festivities.

The late Great Bobby Murcer / Photo Credit: KEIVOM/NY Daily News

The current scheduled list of attendees (subject to change) features: Jesse Barfield, Ron Blomberg, Aaron Boone, Homer Bush, Rick Cerone, Chris Chambliss, David Cone, Bucky Dent, Brian Doyle, John Flaherty, Joan Ford (wife of Whitey Ford), Ron Guidry, Charlie Hayes, Jill Martin (wife of Billy Martin), Tino Martinez, Hensley Meulens, Gene Monahan, Diana Munson (wife of Thurman Munson), Kay Murcer (wife of Bobby Murcer), Jeff Nelson, Lou Piniella, Willie Randolph, Mariano Rivera, Mickey Rivers, Luis Sojo, Shane Spencer, Roy White and Bernie Williams.

It will be fantastic to see all these people at Yankee Stadium (even if Boone and Meulens must be there anyway). No doubt Mariano Rivera should close the ceremonies.

As always, Go Yankees!

Matty Moustache Goes Yard...

 

Matt Carpenter

Former Card rejuvenated in New York…

Matt Carpenter, thought to be on the fast track to retirement in his final years with the St Louis Cardinals, has been a brilliant discovery by GM Brian Cashman and his horde of analytical gurus. “Carpenstache,” as Daniel Burch of The Greedy Pinstripes likes to call him, has hit more home runs for the Yankees in 2022 than he did the past two seasons combined for the Cardinals.

In his final season with St Louis, his batting line was a dreadful .169/.305/.275, with .269 wOBA and 70 wRC+. His fWAR was -0.3. He appeared in 130 games, limited to only 249 plate appearances. His Cardinals career ended last November when the team declined his option, making Carpenter a free agent. Reading some comments made by Cardinal fans at the time of his departure, these words seemed to sum up the thoughts of many: “It is pathetic that he didn’t retire after last season and offered to work with younger players for the ridiculous money he was paid. Can’t imagine anyone picking him up for 2022.”

Well, a team did pick him up. The Texas Rangers signed Carpenter, now 36 years old, to a minor league contract on March 20^th. He did not make the Rangers’ Opening Day lineup and was languishing in Triple-A Round Rock, Texas when the Rangers released him on May 19^th. A week later, the Yankees surprisingly signed him to a Major League contract, and we know the rest of the story.

We should be under no illusion that Matt Carpenter is an everyday player. At this stage of his career, he is not. Give him three games a week, and he can show the player he used to be. As the Toby Keith song goes, “I ain’t as good as I once was, but I’m as good once as I ever was.” It is hard to believe, even now, that Carpenter’s production is sustainable. In twenty-four games (70 plate appearances), Carpenter has nine home runs and has driven in twenty runs. His batting line is .305/.406/.814, with .499 wOBA and 236 wRC+. His fWAR is +1.3. We should enjoy the ride. For Carpenter, it is no doubt his ride into the sunset. We hope he takes a Yankees World Series championship with him.

Carpenter was born in Galveston, Texas, and attended Elkins High School in Missouri City, Texas where his father, Rick, was a baseball coach. His high school teammates included former Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman James Loney. Interesting that Carpenter’s path, in college, crossed with former Minnesota Twins star Torii Hunter. Hunter is known to have had a huge influence on Yankees outfielder Aaron Hicks during their time together in Minnesota. During his junior year at Texas Christian University, Carpenter was rehabbing in Prosper, Texas where his father was then coaching and met Hunter who had recently moved to Prosper. They met through Torii’s son who was playing high school ball for Rick Carpenter. Hunter invited Carpenter to train with him and even covered his gym membership to make it happen. It was a turning point in Carpenter’s baseball career that led to a College World Series appearance, and he was chosen in the 13^th round of the 2009 MLB Draft by the Cardinals.

I am glad Carpenter is a Yankee. However, it should not stop the Yankees from getting reinforcements at the trading deadline. It has been a terrific Cinderella story for Matty Moustache, but the slipper could fall off if he is exposed with too much play. Pick his spots and let him hit. The magic of the 2022 season continues.

It seems highly probable the Yankees will have a new outfielder over the next three weeks. I routinely say it, but I like Joey Gallo. He has a fun personality, and he meshes well with his Yankees teammates. I do not get the demands by fans for his release. While he has not hit in New York, he has value. The Yankees are 61-23 and hold a 15 ½ game lead…that is FIFTEEN AND A HALF games…over the second-place Tampa Bay Rays, last year’s AL East champions. There is no urgency to dismiss Gallo. 

Joey Gallo / Photo Credit: Adam Hunger, AP

I recognize these are his final days. Even if he somehow manages to survive the trading deadline, there is no way the Yankees re-sign him in the off-season. While I like Gallo, I know his spot is the one that must be upgraded. Even if he went on a home run binge over the next week or two, it would not change my mind. I do not feel his bat will play in October when he is facing elite starting pitchers and that is what really matters. So, trade Gallo for what you can get, and seek help elsewhere.

It seems most fans prefer Ian Happ of the Chicago Cubs. The cost will be high since he is under control through next season. There is no doubt he would look good at Yankee Stadium. He is only twenty-seven, still improving, and can bat from both sides of the plate. I like Happ. My only concern is the potential cost. If the Yankees included Everson Pereira in a trade for Happ, it would give the Cubs two top Yankees outfield prospects in the past year. The other is Kevin Alcantara who was part of the trade last July that brought first baseman Anthony Rizzo to New York. The Yankees will lose quality prospects in the next few weeks if they intend to strengthen areas of need. Honestly, if it does not involve Anthony Volpe or Jasson Dominguez, no prospect should be off the table depending upon the return. You do not give up an Oswald Peraza for some aging outfielder who might help. For Happ? A difficult decision but one you must consider. I personally see Peraza as the Yankees starting shortstop by September but if he must go, make sure the return is worth it. Championships are forever.

I continue to like Kansas City’s Andrew Benintendi. He may not be the hitter that Happ is, but he will be cheaper since he is an impending free agent. He is an upgrade over Joey Gallo. He showed so much promise with Boston when he first came up (hitting 20 home runs and 90 RBIs in 2017). He was a pesky hitter, and I would like to see what hitting coach Dillon Lawson and his team could do to bring out the best of Benintendi. It seems like if he does not come to New York, he will go to Toronto. I guess we will find out in a few weeks.

David Peralta’s name has been mentioned, but it is hard for me to get excited about the Arizona Diamondback outfielder. I know, he is left-handed, but he is also 34. The age alone is not reason to pass on him and maybe he can help, but I prefer either Happ or Benintendi.

Aaron Judge’s recent soreness that caused him to miss a couple of games makes you think center field should be a priority over left field so that Judge can return to right. Everyone would LOVE Brian Reynolds of the Pittsburgh Pirates. I try to temper any excitement for him because the Pirates, if they move him, will ask for a King’s Ransom…as they should. Reynolds is under team control through the 2025 season and would be a long-term solution for center field. I would be tremendously excited if the Yankees acquired Reynolds, and seriously, no prospect can be off the table for those trade discussions. The realist in me recognizes that Reynolds to the Yankees is a pipedream, but the fan in me salivates over the possibility.

We shall soon see. August 2^nd is approaching rapidly.

How do you spell relief? For the Yankees, the names of Jonathan Loaisiga, Domingo German, Zack Britton, and Richard Rodriguez seem to be the reinforcements looming on the horizon. It seems less likely the Yankees will pursue outside help. Given their ability to uncover Clay Holmes, there is part of me that wants them to capture the next Clay Holmes.

Richard Rodriguez

Unfortunately, there are only so many spots on a 40-man roster. Counts fingers, yes, forty spots. If the Yankees can upgrade the outfield and bring in a potential starter to help reinforce the rotation, I think the Yankees can maintain a dominant bullpen with the guys they have. It is easy to say the Yankees have Clarke Schmidt and JP Sears as rotation support, but the recent wobbles of Nasty Nestor Cortes, Jr and Jameson Taillon show more might be needed. Luis Severino has been a stud, but he has not pitched much the last few years. At some point, it might make more sense to move him back into the bullpen for the rest of the year depending upon where he is with his season total innings-pitched count.

Luis Castillo always seems to be the pitcher most routinely connected to the Yankees. I am fearful of the cost, especially if the Yankees pay high for an outfielder. I keep hearing that the Reds want Anthony Volpe and that is not a trade I would make. There are other pitchers who might help as much as Castillo could, so I trust Team Cashman to find the right arm.

The budding Yankees All-Star Tree. After Aaron Judge captured the most ballot votes which ensured his placement as a starter in the 2022 All-Star Game, he was joined by newly selected outfield starter Giancarlo Stanton who beat out Toronto’s George Springer. Congratulations to Giancarlo! He gets a hometown trip to Los Angeles and will play in front of family and friends at Dodger Stadium later this month. 

All-Star Giancarlo Stanton

They will be joined in the AL Outfield by Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels (queue the Angels jokes).

The Yankees will get more All-Stars when the pitchers are announced. If Clay Holmes does not get selected, it will be the biggest snub I have seen in my years of following Major League Baseball. He is the most dominant reliever in MLB today. I felt stronger about Nasty Nestor’s selection a few weeks ago so if he does not make it, I will understand. Gerrit Cole should get a chance to visit his sunny Southern California home turf. Michael King is another worthy candidate, but setup men generally do not get the love.

Lastly, a hat tip to Yankees manager Aaron Boone. After last season, so many Yankee fans were ready for a managerial switch and there was sadness in the Yankees Universe when the Yankees signed Boone to a new contract. I was critical of Boone and thought the Yankees could do better. Yet here we are on July 9^th, 2022. The Yankees have won sixty-one of their first eight-four games. When does Boonie get credit for the team’s success? I know, he does not hit, he does not field, he does not pitch. Yet, his steady influence and support of his players has been invaluable this season. He has made the right calls. He continues to get better as a manager every year. He is the right man at the right time.

Manager of the Year Aaron Boone / Photo Credit: Mitchell Layton, Getty Images

I was listening to Bret Boone’s podcast this week. His guest was his youngest brother Matt. At the end of the conversation, Bret asked Matt a few rapid-fire questions. One was who he thought was the most intelligent among the three Boone brothers. Without hesitation and despite being on Bret’s show, Matt immediately responded with “Aaron!”

I was wrong about Boone last season. I am glad he is manager of the New York Yankees. I supported his choice when he was hired and despite the bumpy road at times, he has persevered to become a true leader of men. I am sure he still has plenty of critics. No one can ever agree it seems. But for me, I am happy, and I love every minute of the 2022 New York Yankees and its contributors.

As always, Go Yankees!

Let the Wins Continue...

  

Houston’s tough, but Yankees march on…

I really wanted a victory in Houston, Texas on Thursday night. The Yankees’ 2-1 loss to the Astros ultimately means nothing other than a rare loss for the Yankees. Yet, a win would have left better feelings, for Yankees fans, until the two teams renew their rivalry in an isolated doubleheader in Houston on Thursday, July 21^st, the first day back from the All-Star break.

The Yankees need to figure out the Astros. The two teams are evenly matched talent-wise, but the Yankees must match Houston’s confidence in winning the games. The Astros play like they know they are going to win the games from the first pitch. It does not mean the Yankees do not have the same mentality, but they do not outwardly show the same confidence. Winning a couple of games in few weeks at Minute Maid Park would give a huge boost to the team’s confidence and better prepare the Yankees for the destined collision with the Astros in the playoffs.

Thanks to last night’s rainout in Cleveland, Ohio, we had to sit on the Astros loss an extra night. Today is a good day to erase the negative feelings and start a new winning streak. A day/night doubleheader features Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes Jr. The Guardians trail the Minnesota Twins by only a game and a half in the AL Central, winning three of five games against the Twins this week. The five wins included two walk-offs against the beleaguered Twins bullpen, so the Guardians enter the Yankees series with some momentum.

Earlier today, the Guardians called up LHP Kirk McCarty as their 27^th man for the doubleheader and he will get the start against Gerrit Cole. RHP Aaron Civale (2-4, 7.20 ERA) gets the nod for the nightcap tangle with Nasty Nestor. While it looks like advantage Yankees, they still must play these games. Hoping that Nestor’s recent bumpy stretch has subsided, and Cole gets some run (hit) support.

Gerrit Cole / Photo Credit: Corey Sipkin, NY Post

Every day that does not feature Joey Gallo in the lineup is a good day. There was a time when I thought Joey Gallo was the better option to retain over Aaron Hicks, but the tide has turned. Like many (most?) Yankee fans, I am done with Gallo. It sucks because I like the guy and he has a terrific personality that fits well in the Yankees clubhouse, but the at-bats have become too painful and too predictable. For a team with World Series ambitions, there cannot be an automatic out in the batting order. Hits and runs will get harder in October when the Yankees are facing the opponent’s best pitchers. Giving away at-bats is unacceptable.

Future ex-Yankee Joey Gallo / Photo Credit: AP

This is where I disagree with many Yankee fans. I routinely see fans post that Gallo should simply be cut. I get the calls for the talent in Triple A (namely Estevan Florial and Miguel Andujar), but this is a business and there is value for a player like Gallo whether you believe it or not. He has proven unsuccessful on the BIG stage but that does not mean he cannot prosper under a smaller microscope like he did in Texas. I bet Gallo could go somewhere like Pittsburgh and resume his barrage of bombs. The Yankees will not recapture the level of talent they gave up acquiring Gallo (Trevor Hauver, Ezequiel Duran, Glenn Otto, and Josh Smith…the Yankees also received Joely Rodriguez who was flipped for Miguel Castro earlier this year), but they can get something. Yankees fill-in starter JP Sears was once part of the return for an insignificant reliever, Nick Rumbelow. Gallo can fetch some lottery chips for the future and the receiving team could get an extraordinarily strong return on their investment. Sonny Gray is a recent example of a player who can thrive away from the bright lights of New York, but he is hardly the first or the last player.

Cutting Gallo makes no sense to me despite my desire to see him on the bench. I look at these days as his final days in pinstripes. The end is coming soon, and hopefully GM Brian Cashman can get player(s) that will help in a few years. The Yankees are 56-21 and have a 12-game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East and have the AL’s best record by 6 ½ games. There is no urgency to drop Gallo. Better to hold onto him slightly longer and try to get something for him. I wish Gallo no ill will and I hope he does find success at his next destination, but he is welcome to continue whiffing at pitches when he plays the Yankees.

Aroldis Chapman is back and not the Yankees Closer. A couple of weeks ago, Manager Aaron Boone seemed to imply Chapman would be restored as the team’s closer or at the very least share the role with super Closer Clay Holmes, but when Chapman was activated yesterday, Boone stated that Holmes would remain the Closer. This is welcome news. I expect Chapman to be better than he was in late May and hopefully he has improved his mechanics while he has been away.

Former Closer Aroldis Chapman / Photo Credit: Elsa, Getty Images

Holmes has been such welcome relief (pun intended) in closing games for the Yankees. Nobody’s perfect, but Holmes has been tremendous. I bet the Los Angeles Dodgers would love to have a Clay Holmes closing games for them. Many (all?) teams would. Seemingly, Chapman is done as a Yankee when his contract expires at the end of the season. It appears improbable they will re-sign him. He has been a great closer for the Yankees, with a fan base that was heavily spoiled by the legendary, unanimous Hall of Famer Mariano Rivera. But it is time for the changing of the guard. So, I am glad the decision to deploy Chapman in the best situations over the end of games has been made. Choose your spots. I will miss Chappy’s stare at the end of games, but I am sure there will be a few of those mixed in along the way. I can see Chapman being more effective under the new plan while representing insurance if, heaven forbid, something where to happen to Holmes. With his declining velocity, I hope Chapman figures it out and thrives in his new role. There is no reason he cannot be part of a World Series celebration.

I thought Ryan Weber, called up when the Yankees returned JP Sears to the minors, would be the casualty for Chapman’s activation, but he lives to see another day. Miguel Castro was placed on parental leave which has bought Weber a little more time.

Congratulations to Aaron Judge! As the top vote-getter in Phase 1 of this year’s All-Star Voting, Judge gets an automatic start in the Midsummer Classic, which will be held on July 19^th at Dodger Stadium. Judge, with 3,762,498 votes, surpassed the second highest vote-getter, Atlanta’s Ronald Acuña Jr, by 259,310 votes.

Future Mega-Millionaire Aaron Judge

Hal Steinbrenner must be feeling the continued squeeze on his wallet.  While I think Judge should remain a Yankee for life, I am, admittedly, concerned that an impulsive owner will throw excessive sums of money at the California native and impending free agent. As much as I am looking forward to October, I am not ready for the days following the World Series. It will not be fun when Judge is visiting other teams and getting their sales pitches. Hopefully, the road leads back to Yankee Stadium. For now, we can enjoy the terrific season Judge is enjoying and we will watch his heroics in Chavez Ravine in a couple of weeks. A Judge-led World Series championship would be the ultimate prize.

Jose Trevino and Giancarlo Stanton are All-Star Ballot finalists, and they will enter Phase 2 of the voting process. I am so excited for Trevino. Starting the year, he was a backup catcher for the Texas Rangers, a team that gave him a vote of (no) confidence by acquiring starting catcher Mitch Garver from the Minnesota Twins. Ben Rohrvedt’s injury gave him an opportunity in New York, and he has thrived with his new team. With superior framing skills and the occasional damage with the bat, he has been the perfect antidote for the team that once featured Gary Sanchez as its starting catcher. Not trying to diss on Sanchez because I thought he did work hard (and wanted him to succeed as a Yankee), but Trevino is a much better fit for the team.

Once the All-Star pitching selections have been made, there should be a large Yankees group making the trip to sunny Southern CA. No doubt Orange County, CA native Gerrit Cole will be making the trip home, accompanied by his Closer, Clayton Walter Holmes. I could be mistaken but I have heard that guys named Clayton tend to do well at Dodger Stadium.

Shortstop of the Present? While I think Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been fine as the stopgap shortstop for the Yankees, the approaching second half of the season brings us closer to Peraza-Time. I would love to see what Peraza could do with some regular playing time at the big-league level. At worst, he would be IKF, but it is the upside that is tantalizing for me. He can improve the team and he is nearly ready to try.

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

Shout-out to Brad Johnson 2 of MLB Trade Rumors for this piece yesterday:

Oswald Peraza, 22, SS, NYY (AAA)

249 PA, 9 HR, 16 SB, .240/.309/.404

There’s a certain tyranny to developmental expectations these days. Peraza razed High-A in 2021 then performed well-enough in Double-A to earn a brief call-up to Triple-A. The Yankees returned him to Triple-A at the start of this season, but it might have been more appropriate to continue his development in Double-A. His plate approach could use refinement. He appears to have the raw tools and judgment to be disciplined but instead errs on the side of aggression. His swing is balanced and covers the zone well, especially low-to-high. I perceive some potential for big league pitchers to successfully nibble the outer edge against him, but that’s just me editorializing. I haven’t seen that mentioned in any scouting reports.

Peraza has a high-floor approach as a defensively capable shortstop with sufficient contact skills to keep his head above water. He’s also on the 40-man roster and might be the only plausible option to fill in if Gleyber Torres or Isiah Kiner-Falefa ever need an extended absence.

If there are flaws that big league pitchers can expose, I am confident Peraza will learn to adjust. He is a talented player who could call ‘Yankees shortstop’ his job for an extended run. I am ready for the Peraza experiment…along with an outfield replacement for Joey Gallo.

Have a happy and safe 4^th of July weekend...

As always, Go Yankees!

Late June, Last of the Teen Losses...

  

Giancarlo Stanton / Photo Credit: EPA

Next loss is almost Legal Drinking Age…

Sadly, there was no ‘rally in their bones’ last night as the Yankees fell to the Houston Astros, 3-1. The loss dropped the Yankees to 52-19, still the best record in Major League Baseball. Every other team in the AL East won yesterday but the Yankees lead over the second-place Toronto Blue Jays is eleven ½ games so there is room in the waistband. I certainly did not expect the Yankees to sweep the Astros this series, as much as I would have liked them to. The Astros are clearly the best team in the American League that the Yankees will face this year. Depending upon how the final standings align, Yankees-Astros could be a preview of the American League Championship Series in October. So, reaping the soul of the Astros in October is far more important than a four-game set in late June.

I am hoping for at least a split of the four-game series although three of four would be quite beautiful. Gerrit Cole and Nasty Nestor Cortes Jr provide reason for optimism. Well, that is true of any of the Yankee starters this year, but now, the ageless dick, Justin Verlander, is out of the series having pitched last night.

Gerrit Cole / Photo Credit: AP

Keeping Aaron Judge a happy man is a good thing. I was glad the Yankees and Judge were able to avert yesterday’s arbitration hearing. While it was thought the hearing was originally scheduled for Wednesday and subsequently pushed to Friday, Mike Axisa wrote in his blog yesterday that the hearing was always scheduled for Friday. Regardless, I was fearful of the negative feelings that can be generated from an arbitration hearing when the team’s primary goal is to prove why the player is not good enough for their salary demand. I think Judge is such a professional, he would not have let it alter his strong emotional attachment to the 2022 Yankees, but it is better that we never find out how the bond would have been tested.

Aaron Judge

The Judge camp had asked for $21 million, while the Yankees countered with $17 million. Initially, there were reports yesterday morning that Judge had rejected the Yankees’ meet-in-the-middle counteroffer of $19 million. The tragic part of this is Judge is worth every penny of the $21 million he is asking for, but that is not how this game is played. Fortunately, it was not long before word came that Judge had accepted the Yankees’ revised offer, $19 million plus $250,000 for AL MVP and $250,000 for World Series MVP (both incentives strongly possible if Judge keeps playing at his current level). The best $19.5 million the Yankees will spend this year.

It was not fun reading Buster Olney’s words yesterday predicting that Aaron Judge will not be a Yankee in 2023. Under the premise of ‘all it takes is one inspired owner,’ he thinks the Yankees will be outbid in their clinical approach when Judge reaches free agency after the season. No doubt, if the Yankees let Judge walk, it will be one of the greatest travesties of the organization in my life as a Yankee fan. It was difficult to see Robinson Cano leave, and while I am not trying to discredit Cano, his loss was not a blip on the radar compared to how wrong it would be for Judge to pull on another jersey. I am hopeful that resigning Judge is as important to Managing General Partner Hal Steinbrenner as it was to snag Gerrit Cole a couple of years ago.

Sign Judge to a huge deal that makes sense for both sides and make him the next Captain of the New York Yankees. I hope this is the prime objective once we reach the off-season.

The disappointment of Reggie Jackson. I do not know the circumstances that caused Reggie Jackson to leave his role as a consultant for the Yankees to join the Houston Astros organization a few years ago (not sure that I really care), but it sucked to see Jackson show up at Yankee Stadium wearing an Astros cap this week. Compare Jackson to Yankees Hall of Famer Derek Jeter. When Jeter was CEO of the Miami Marlins, you did not see him show up at Yankee Stadium wearing a Marlins cap when his Marlins visited the Bronx. Jeter is respectful of his Yankees legacy, whereas Jackson proves once again, it is all about him. It always was, why should he change who he is now. Good riddance.

Reginald Martinez Jackson / Photo Credit: Twitter via @mroctober

Welcome back, Albert Abreu. Abreu, along with minor league LHP Robby Ahlstrom, helped to bring popular Yankees catcher Jose Trevino from the Texas Rangers to New York this past Spring. Abreu’s time in Texas was short. He was designated for assignment at the end of May and traded to the Kansas City Royals on June 3^rd for a minor league prospect. Abreu’s control problems led to a very brief stay in the Royals organization. He was designated for assignment a few weeks later and claimed on waivers by the Yankees on June 21^st.

Albert Abreu

I always liked Abreu and there was a time he was one of my favorite prospects. The Yankees had originally acquired him in the November 2016 deal that sent catcher Brian McCann to the Houston Cheaters. Now 26 years old, Abreu is no longer a prospect. I think if the Yankees thought they could fix his control challenges, it would have happened already. I view Abreu as a placeholder. His time on the 40-man roster, unless he suddenly becomes a revered part of the bullpen (unlikely), will be almost as short as his Royals career. When it comes time to add Aroldis Chapman, Jonathan Loaisiga, Domingo German, and later, Zack Britton, there will be no room for Abreu.

Many fans were upset when Clarke Schmidt was demoted to Triple A to make room for Abreu on the active roster. I am not sure that I ever saw the two moves related to one another other than Schmidt’s temporary trip to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre is an opportunity to get him more work and more specifically, starting work. The pitching staff knows Abreu and he afforded the Yankees an opportunity to help strengthen Schmidt for the long haul of the season. The Yankees’ starting rotation has been wonderful this season, but injuries are part of the game. Schmidt and JP Sears represent the rotation depth. I like the job Sears did earlier this season, but between the two men, I would rather have Schmidt in the rotation if something were to happen to one of the fabulous five currently in the Yankees rotation.

Clarke Schmidt / Photo Credit: Bebeto Matthews, AP

So, fans should not fret about Schmidt. He will be back, and he will play a part in the road to the World Series. His trip to Eastern Pennsylvania will only make him stronger. I am all for it. When champagne is dripping on the clubhouse floor, Schmidt will be getting alcohol stains on his jersey while Abreu will be home watching the World Series on television. For the record, I would love to see Abreu succeed, suddenly overcoming his flaws, but I am not optimistic.

To make room for Abreu, the Yankees traded reliever David McKay back to the Tampa Bay Rays. Watch McKay go from nothing special to a trusted high leverage reliever. That is how it usually works for the Rays. Seriously, it was no loss. The same as it will be when Abreu’s jersey is taken from him by Yankees clubhouse personnel. Life in baseball. It is necessary to have some Gypsy blood, knowing that travel is not limited to games but to different teams when you are not quite as talented as a guy like Aaron Judge.

As always, Go Yankees!

 

The Best Team in Baseball...

 

Photo Credit: Getty Images

The Yankees Bandwagon is starting to get full…

Let’s party like it is 1998. It is a little early to compare this Yankees team to one of the greatest Yankees teams in the history of baseball but the ride, at least through today, has been one helluva jaunt. It boggles the mind that the Yankees have a ten-game lead in the American League East, a division that is expected to have four playoff participants, and we have not yet reached the All-Star break. The Toronto Blue Jays, the team with the strongest young talent in the division, have the potential to make it a race. I would certainly not discount their ability to go on an extended winning streak, but it sure feels better when your team is up, and not behind, by ten full games.

Admittedly, I was a little concerned when the Yankees began a thirteen-game streak against the Tampa Bay Rays, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros. But three games in, the Yankees are 3-0 after sweeping the Rays at Yankee Stadium. The naysayers are quick to say the Yankees are only beating the bad teams and it appears the Rays are not as strong as they have been in recent years, but there are no pushovers in the AL East. Even the Baltimore Orioles are a better team than they once were and would have a better record if they resided in another division.

The Yankees face a stronger challenge starting tonight in Toronto. The goal, as always, is to win the series, but as the only team yet to lose twenty games, I am not going to fret if it does not happen. If the Yankees do win the Blue Jays series, it will be a very loud statement that their stranglehold on the AL East will not be relinquished anytime soon.

Last night’s game was beautiful. Surprisingly, a pitcher’s duel after Luis Severino was temporarily placed on the COVID List and the Rays’ scheduled starter, Drew Rasmussen, was placed on the Injured List. Clarke Schmidt was called upon to open the game in place of Sevy, and despite some two-out jams, he emerged unscathed with three scoreless innings, holding the Rays to one hit, and striking out five. Before the game, I thought JP Sears would be a better option, but I did not check when he last pitched and of course Schmidt was already with the team. Wonderful job by Schmidt, and he certainly rewarded Aaron Boone’s faith in him.

Ryan Weber, we hardly knew ye. Called up to replace Sevy on the active roster, Weber replaced Schmidt and although he yielded a fifth inning solo homer to Francisco Mejia, he gave the Yankees some length with 3 2/3 innings pitched, holding the Rays to only the one run. Despite the heroics, Weber’s Yankees career may be over before it really started. He was designated for assignment after the game when Severino tested negative for COVID and was feeling better than he had the night before, causing the Yankees to reinstate him to the active roster. Sevy has been cleared to travel to Toronto with the team. For Weber, there is always the chance he clears waivers and is sent outright to Scranton Wilkes-Barre if he does not elect free agency. But if he does not stay in the organization, the Yankees have a plethora of young arms waiting for their opportunities. So, thank you, Ryan, for the contribution to thrilling 2022 Yankees ride. We will be sure to send you the DVD.

Ryan Weber / Photo Credit: @Yankees

From there, relievers Ron Marinaccio and Michael King held the Rays in check to push the tied ballgame to the bottom of the ninth. With Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, and Giancarlo Stanton scheduled to face Rays reliever Shawn Armstrong, it felt like magic was about to happen. I was a little disappointed when leading AL MVP candidate Aaron Judge flied out to right, but Anthony Rizzo quickly erased the disappointment with a thrilling walk-off home run to right center. Honestly, going into this series, I thought the Yankees would win no more than two of the three games. In years past, it has always seemed like a struggle to beat the Rays, but clearly, this Yankees team is different.

 

AL EAST	WINS	LOSSES	PERCENTAGE	GAMES BACK
Yankees	47	16	.746	--
Blue Jays	37	26	.587	10.0
Rays	35	28	.556	12.0
Red Sox	34	30	.531	13.5
Orioles	28	37	.431	20.0

I am looking forward to watching how the next ninety-nine games play out. May one of the most exciting and thrilling seasons in recent memory continue. Love these Yankees!

Anthony Rizzo / Photo Credit: Bebeto Matthews, AP

Yankees, please keep Aaron Judge happy. Next week, Aaron Judge’s arbitration case is scheduled to be heard on Wednesday. The Yankees offered $17 million while Judge asked for $21 million. Here is hoping the two sides reach a compromise before the hearing. I dislike the nature of arbitration cases that force the MLB teams to find the faults of the players, airing them to the other side, to justify their lower offers. Nothing like sitting in a room for hours being told how much you suck. No question Judge is worth $21 million. Regardless of what happens, the Yankees need to ensure that Judge is taken care of, positively, peacefully…and financially.

Aaron Judge is the face of the New York Yankees, and he should remain a Yankee for life. The last point may not be decided until after the end of the season but if he leaves in free agency, it would be the single biggest loss of a Yankees player, in his prime, that I can remember. There have been players I have been saddened to see leave but nothing of this magnitude. Judge deserves to be paid and he deserves to be the next Captain of the Yankees.

Aaron "MVP" Judge

North of the Border. The Yankees are in Ontario to face their strongest division rival in a three-game set. The pitching matchups are set: Jordan Montgomery versus former Dodgers starter Ross Stripling tonight. Jameson Taillon versus the talented young Alek Manoah (8-1, 1.67 ERA, sixty-eight strikeouts) on Saturday, and Gerrit Cole against Yusei Kikuchi on Sunday. Here is hoping the Yankees starters bring their “A” games like they did in Minnesota. It should be a fun series. As I like to say, to be the best, you must beat the best. The Yankees seem to find new ways to win every night. Let the trend continue.

Lastly, I hate to be critical of the Yankees, but… Aaron Hicks is killing me. Every at-bat is so painful to watch. Even when he does (infrequently) connect, any positive feelings are quickly erased. There is a reason that Aaron Judge has essentially become the team’s starting centerfielder and Hicks needs to be replaced in left. I am ready and hope for his departure next month. I am tired of watching him step to the plate with men on base, only to walk back to the bench with his head down after recording another out. I guess we always need to find “that guy” we can complain about, and Hicks is that guy for me. I am also not looking forward to the return of closer Aroldis Chapman. He was once a great closer, no question, but age regression happens to the best of us. I have genuinely enjoyed the lack of stress in the back end of games with Clay Holmes. No doubt when Aroldis Chapman is standing on the mound in the ninth inning sweating profusely, I will be sweating profusely in my living room. Chapman can still be dominant at times, and I hope the rest has been good for him. Regardless of how Aaron Boone decides to use him, I hope Chapman can excel and play a key role in the team’s success.

As always, Go Yankees!