The Rise of the Unicorns...

 

Giancarlo Stanton & Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Nam Y. Huh, AP

Enjoying the Yankees Ride…

For a team that generally starts slowly, the 2022 New York Yankees are different. Of course, I mean it in the best conceivable way. Their 24-8 record through thirty-two games is the first time it has happened since the legendary 1998 championship season. They were matched by only three other teams in franchise history (1928, 1939, and 1958). World Series championships awaited those four teams. Time will tell if the 2022 team joins that achievement, but the season, thus far, has been a tremendously fun ride. Surprisingly, the famed 1927 Murderers’ Row Yankees who won 110 games in a 154-game schedule and swept the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series only had twenty-one wins after 32 games.

1928 Yankees, 101-53, Swept St Louis Cardinals in the World Series

1939 Yankees, 106-45, Swept Cincinnati Reds in the World Series

1958 Yankees, 92-62, Beat Milwaukee Braves in 7-game World Series

1998 Yankees, 114-48, Swept San Diego Padres in the World Series

It is way too early to talk about the World Series this year. Too many games between now and October. Yet, it is obvious that this team has an exceptional quality, and the team cohesiveness seems to be its strongest since the 2017 Baby Bombers made a deep October push that was thwarted by trash cans.

Leading the charge are Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. When both guys homered in last night’s 10-4 win over the Chicago White Sox, it improved the Yankees’ record to 5-0 in games when both giants go yard. Since Stanton joined the Yankees in 2018, the team is 21-1 in games when both men homer. Putting this season into further legendary status, Judge (12 home runs) and Stanton (10) are the first Yankees duo with double digit home runs after 32 games since Mickey Mantle (16) and Yogi Berra (12) in 1956. The only other time it happened was 1930 when Babe Ruth (14) and Lou Gehrig (10) achieved it. Standing among the Legends…

Stanton & Judge / Photo Credit: Si.com

Yogi Berra & Mickey Mantle / Photo Credit: AP

Lou Gehrig & Babe Ruth / Photo Credit: Kenan Research Center, Atlanta History Center

In speaking about what it must be like for opposing pitchers to face Judge and Stanton, Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, last night’s winner, offered, “It’s brutal. There’s a lot of power. There’s different types of hitters, and Judge and Stanton are obviously kind of unicorns.” His inner dialogue was probably, “I am fuckin’ glad that I don’t have to face them!”

According to Fangraphs, the Yankees lead Major League Baseball with 7.6 fWAR. The closest team is the Houston Astros at 7.0. Comparing the Yankees to their AL East Rivals (courtesy of Fangraphs), I would say it is a clear and distinct advantage Yankees.

 

TEAM	WINS	LOSSES	GB	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA	wRC+	fWAR
Yankees	24	8	-	.246	.325	.430	.335	125	7.6
Rays	20	13	4 ½	.236	.305	.381	.306	110	5.6
Jays	17	16	7 ½	.236	.299	.384	.304	99	3.8
Orioles	14	19	10 ½	.233	.308	.352	.299	97	2.9
Red Sox	12	20	12	.231	.287	.346	.283	83	0.7

If the Yankees can get Josh Donaldson and Joey Gallo going (both men homered last night), the offense becomes even more formidable. I love watching away game crowds flood the exit gates early like we have seen the last two games at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago.

While I felt the Yankees had given Aaron Judge a fair contract offer prior to the season, there is no doubt Judge has let his play put the pressure on the Yankees to raise the ante.

This year’s trade deadline should be fun. Given how much last year’s moves helped the Yankees, it seems a few of the team’s current flaws could be eliminated with the right moves come July. Despite last night’s multi-hit performance and three-game hitting streak, Joey Gallo heads my list of regulars who could be dealt. A frequently rumored outfield target, Andrew Benintendi, defeated the Kansas City Royals in his arbitration case yesterday which increases the likelihood he will be moved. Benintendi, the former Red Sox outfielder, will make $8.5 million (or $1.2 million more than the Royals were offering). He will be a true rental since he will become a free agent following the season.

As Gallo, it is tough. I really like the guy. He plays good defense and has an enjoyable personality. The home runs, when they happen, are beautiful, and the walks are nice, but the strikeouts are too much. Through last night’s game, Gallo has a 37.5% strikeout ratio. It is pretty much his career norm (lifetime percentage is 36.9%) so the Yankees clearly knew what they were getting when they acquired him. Yet, this is his last year with the Yankees. Either they trade him in July or let him walk in the off-season when he reaches free agency. I cannot see an extension on the horizon for him. Gallo could potentially flourish in a less-pressurized environment so I would prefer to get something for him rather than nothing.

The Yankees should include Chad Green in any Gallo deal. I remember when I dreaded it when Chad Green would start a game. The switch to the bullpen was magical for a couple of seasons, but now I get the same dread I used to when Green enters a game in relief. No lead is safe. Zack Britton could possibly return in August, and there will be other guys available later this summer like Domingo German and Stephen Ridings. At some point, there will be no room for Green. He is another guy who could benefit from a change in scenery.

I am not ready to give up on Jonathan Loáisiga. He is too talented, and I am confident he will find his way back to his standout 2021 performance. If the Yankees can get him right, it will be the latest testament to the success of pitching coach Matt Blake and the new superior philosophies developed and implemented by organizational pitching leadership team. The Yankees most likely need a new closer in 2023. Earlier this year, I had thought the natural successor for free agent-to-be Aroldis Chapman would be Loáisiga. Right now, he does not seem to be a viable candidate, but he can change that perception. I hope he does.

Jonathan Loaisiga / Photo Credit: Si.com

Setback for Ben Rortvedt. I feel badly for the young Yankees catcher. When he was dealt to the Yankees with Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa for Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela, he seemed primed for a tremendous opportunity in Pinstripes. The oblique injury delayed his start and forced the Yankees to acquire elite framer Jose Trevino from the Texas Rangers, who has essentially become a Major League block for Rortvedt. Rortvedt finally got into two rehab games for the Single-A Tampa Tarpons, picking up two hits including a home run, but has been sidelined again, this time for a knee injury.

This is shaping up to be a lost year for Rortvedt. Hopefully, the knee issue is not serious, and he can get back to his rehab games soon. If he is healthy and ready, he would be the first call if/when the Yankees need catching help. I really want to see him get to that place so that he can be prepared for his opportunity when it arrives. Get well soon, Ben.

Ben Rortvedt / Photo Credit: Si.com

Robinson Canó finds a new team. When the New York Mets designated Canó for assignment and subsequently released him, it appeared to be the end of the road for the one-time Yank. No way I wanted the Yankees to consider reuniting with the 39-year-old infielder (they did not have the room for him anyway), but I am surprised that a first-place club, the San Diego Padres, rolled the dice. The Padres have been struggling with consistent offense despite sharing the NL West lead with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and they look to Canó for bench support and leadership. I hope it works out for him. This may be his last chance for another World Series championship. The Padres are hoping Canó can provide them what Albert Pujols gave the Dodgers last year.

Robinson Cano / Photo Credit: San Diego Padres

Canó will always be an ultimate ‘what if’ player for me. What if he had stayed with the Yankees and not traveled down the PED highway. What if he had kept up his numbers and performance through natural means. There is no doubt, in my mind, we would be talking about making room for him in Monument Park and pulling #24 out of circulation. I wish him the best in sunny San Diego as he attempts what might be his last opportunity in Major League Baseball.

As always, Go Yankees!

The King of the World...

  

Josh Donaldson, Anthony Rizzo and Michael King / Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, New York Post

Now pitching, Number 34, Michael King…

It is easy to point to Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo as Team MVPs after twenty-five games. Yet, the Yankees would not be 18-7 and sitting atop the AL East without the huge contributions of Michael McRae King.

Michael King / Photo Credit: Vincent Carchietta, USA TODAY Sports

The case can be made that he has been the Yankees’ most valuable pitcher (starter or reliever). As confidence in closer Aroldis Chapman has started to decline in recent seasons, King’s ability to go multiple innings with his vast array of pitches, shutting down powerful bats, has been tremendous. King, who turns twenty-seven later this month, has been dominant (ya think?). In 17 2/3 innings, he has struck out 39.7% of the batters he has faced, while walking only 4.8%. He is 2-0, with one save, and 0.51 ERA. His fWAR of 1.2 (according to FanGraphs) is the highest among relievers and tied for third among all pitchers with Arizona Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly. They trail only Toronto’s Kevin Gausman (1.9) and San Francisco’s Carlos Rodon (1.3).

Armed with four pitches (four-seam and two-seam fastballs, slider and change-up), King keeps batters flustered as they fail repeatedly. There has been much talk about his mastery of the breaking ball thanks to last year’s tutelage by former Yank Corey Kluber. It is unfair to give full credit to Kluber. I am sure that the Klubot has offered plenty of advice to other pitchers over the years, but credit to the student for taking the feedback and implementing the necessary changes to make the pitch above average in his arsenal which obviously enhances his other pitches.

I remember when Chad Green was a starter, and I felt that he would be more effective as a reliever. It played out to perfection as Green was an elite reliever for a few years although he has slipped in recent seasons. King is the reliever that I would love to see become a starter. Maybe not this year. I loved the 2009 dominance of Phil Hughes as a reliever until he later moved back into the starting rotation in subsequent seasons. King is the 2022 version of the elite reliever for a championship team. Hopefully, if any of the starters miss time, the first call for replacement will be Clarke Schmidt and not King. But for next year and beyond, Michael King should be in the starting rotation with his deadly weaponry.

King was primarily a starter in the minor leagues with fifty-nine starts in eighty games pitched. If Jameson Taillon is not re-signed this coming off-season (he should be), King needs to be the arm that is slotted as his replacement. I love Nasty Nestor Cortes, Jr, but I would prefer him as the long reliever and spot starter with King in the rotation. Not this year…I would not want to disrupt a good thing…but as a future thought.

King was born in Rochester, New York on May 25, 1995. He went to high school in Rhode Island and pitched collegiately for Boston College. He was taken in the 12^th round (353^rd selection) of the 2016 MLB Draft by the Miami Marlins. The Yankees acquired King from the Marlins after the 2017 season, along with international bonus money, for starting pitcher Caleb Smith and first baseman/outfielder Garrett Cooper. I have been down on GM Brian Cashman in recent years, but this rates as one of his best trades, regardless of the spotty success Smith and Cooper have had at the Major League level. It is why I do not blink an eye if Cashman trades a veteran for a young prospect (like he did this past Spring when first baseman Luke Voit, a man without a position, was shipped to San Diego for pitcher Justin Lange or when he sent 4A outfielder Jake Cave to Minnesota a few years ago for RHP Luis Gil). Give these types of moves the necessary time to marinate.

King’s mission is simple. Help bring a World Championship back to the Bronx. There is no doubt he is doing his part. It is up to the other twenty-three men on the roster (purposely excluding Judge and Rizzo for their stellar play) to match King’s level of play.

Tim Locastro has been a blessing. When the Yankees acquired Locastro on July 1^st last summer from the Arizona Diamondbacks, the reason was simple. Speed. Unfortunately, he tore his ACL less than three weeks later and his 2021 season was ended. He was waived on November 5^th and claimed by the Boston Red Sox. Fortunately, he was non-tendered by the Red Sox after Thanksgiving, and he signed with the Yankees as a free agent in March after the lockout had ended.

Locastro beat out Ender Inciarte to make the team out of Spring Training and has been an invaluable weapon in reserve. As they say, speed plays. I must admit that I had my doubts. The anterior cruciate ligament injury is serious, and I had concerns it would rob Locastro of his elite speed. Thankfully, Locastro has not slowed down and he is helping to have influence for this year’s club when his name is called upon.

Blue Jays C Tyler Heineman and Tim Locastro (scoring) / Photo Credit: Christopher Katsarov, The Canadien Press via AP

Brian Cashman is smarter than us. Okay, to be fair, I probably have not changed my opinion that it is time for change in the Yankees organization. We cannot change the owner, but general managers have shelf life and Cashman has had a good run. His last championship was in 2009 and he has had his share of clunker moves. The Yankees have made significant strides by upgrading coaching throughout the organization (albeit maybe not at the managerial level). At some point, the Steinbrenner Family faces the decision of whether they can improve the general manager’s seat. With his contract expiring at season’s end, the time could be near. Of course, a World Series championship this Fall would bring the inevitable extension. But I digress. On to the point…

Brian Cashman makes his decisions with the longer-term in view. This past off-season saw the Yankees pass on the elite shortstops, the team’s most pressing need. We now know how well Isiah Kiner-Falefa has fit into the Yankees lineup and has proven to be a better fit than any of the big three elite free agents. I wanted Carlos Correa and yet he has gotten off to a slower start than IKF. He suffered a hand injury earlier this week that was first thought to be broken but has received better news within the past day. Once Correa was off the board, I wanted DJ LeMahieu’s former Colorado teammate, Trevor Story. I was disappointed when he signed with Boston. In retrospect, Story has been a big reason the Red Sox (10-17) currently languish in last place in the AL East, BEHIND the annual cellar-dwelling Baltimore Orioles.

Trevor Story / Photo Credit: Barry Chin, Boston Globe Staff

Story is batting .212/.292/.294 with .270 wOBA and 73 wRC+. He does not have any home runs and only ten RBIs. The other night, when he struck out four times, he immediately secluded himself in the batting cage with a couple of teammates to avoid the press. He stayed in the batting cage until after the clubhouse closed to the media. Dan Shaughnessy of The Boston Globe said it best. “Trevor Story not making himself available to media after 4-Ks and getting booed at Fenway is a bad sign. Fans want new players to succeed. But ducking questions never cuts it here. He’s a veteran. He knows the drill. That’s a ducking move. He can take a few questions, then go off and hit all night.”

Story’s behavior would not play in New York either. Credit to guys like Giancarlo Stanton, who have taken more than their fair share of heat over the years, they are always ready and available to field questions after games. I am sure Story’s bat will come around but suffice it to say that I am glad Brian Cashman was right and I was wrong. Credit where credit is due.

Brian Cashman / Photo Credit: Adam Hunger, Getty Images

No Yankees baseball for the third day in a row. Today’s game, like yesterday, has been postponed due to rain. Friday’s game against the Texas Rangers was rescheduled for tomorrow with a single-admission double-header. Today’s game against the old buddies of Joey Gallo, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Jose Trevino has been moved to Monday with 1:05 pm Eastern start time. Hopefully, the time off will not slow down the Yankees. I never get too excited about winning streaks because the Yankees have a habit of following up with a losing streak. Maybe the added rest days will help re-energize the team for another extended winning streak. The downside of the days off is that Aroldis Chapman is going to be horrendous in his next appearance since he never does well with too much time off.

Soggy Yankee Stadium / Photo Credit: AP

Here's hoping for better New York weather tomorrow…

As always, Go Yankees! 

The Be(a)st of the AL East...

 

Anthony Rizzo & Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: USA TODAY Sports

Yankees roll into May with the division lead…

The World always seems to be a better place when the Yankees are winning. The current seven-game winning streak has Yankees fans feeling joyful and optimistic. Of course, it will end with the next two-game losing streak, but it is quite enjoyable for now. When they are losing, there is no one that hates the Yankees worse than Yankees fans, so it is nice to see happy Bronx Bomber fans while it lasts. Shiny happy people…

In all seriousness, this team is special. Remembering the fun of the 2017 Yankees, there was a huge sense of team camaraderie with the Baby Bombers. They took us deep into October and potentially, if not for the banging of trash cans, might have won a World Series championship. Since then, there has been something missing with each subsequent team (no…I am not referring to Joe Girardi). I am not trying to sell those other teams short, but there is an intangible “it” factor that has been missing.

Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo & Giancarlo Stanton / Photo Credit: Instagram

The Yankees’ front office finally woke up to smell the coffee last July when they aggressively acquired Anthony Rizzo and Joey Gallo at the trading deadline. The infusion of much needed left-handed bats into a heavily righthanded lineup. I know Gallo has largely been a disappointment but the recognition that the makeup of the team needed to change was important for this year’s success. Not sure why it took Brian Cashman and company so long to figure out when fans have been clamoring for lefty bats for years. The move that began last July continued into Spring when the Yankees moved out Gary Sanchez and Luke Voit, clear additions by subtraction. Gio Urshela went too but that was more of a consequence in having to add value with Sanchez to make the move with Minnesota, bringing in Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and that muscular dude fighting the oblique injury. As much as we wanted an elite shortstop this past off-season, IKF has been a vast improvement for this year’s team. Although more was expected from Donaldson, I think he will hit as the weather continues to warm, his greater value might be the ‘edge’ he brings to the clubhouse. I think it has been a significant contributing factor to developing this year’s team chemistry and the cohesive bond that has developed.

The Dachshund Brothers / Photo Credit: Instagram

Thank you to Anthony Rizzo for all that you do. I am so grateful he is with the team. Quietly, the team MVP thus far, even if Aaron Judge is starting to dominate.

After last night’s 12-2 rain-shortened win over the Kansas City Royals, Judge discussed the team’s diversity. Speaking to reporters, he said “I think that’s what makes this team different from other years, just having that diversity in the lineup.” Again, not sure why it took Cashman so long to figure it out, but I am glad we are here. We will have our times of frustration this season, but it seems there will be more highs than lows, and not quite the roller-coaster that we rode last season.

No doubt that Nestor Cortes, Jr has played a huge role in positioning the Yankees (14-6) atop the AL East. He finally picked up his first win of the season last night but that sells short how invaluable he has been. He compensated for Gerrit Cole’s slow start and now that Cole appears to be rounding into form, it will only get better for the starting rotation…from top to bottom. I suppose it was appropriate to see Frankie Montas get pounded for a couple of home runs in Oakland’s 9-8 loss to the Cleveland Guardians last night. While I still think Montas would be a nice add, last night was a brief reminder that sometimes the best trade is the one never made. While Montas was getting hammered, Cortes, who likely would have been displaced in the rotation had the Yankees acquired Montas, battled the Royals. He gave up only two runs (one earned) despite eight hits scattered over five innings and put the Yankees in position, along with the bullpen, to let the bats do the talking with nine runs in the final two innings. Something to be said for the man who just knows how to pitch.

Nasty Nestor Cortes Jr / Credit: FOX Sports

I know it is early, but it is fun looking at stats. Here is a look at one position.

	G	PA	HR	AVG	OBP	SLG	wOBA	wRC+	WAR
1	18	65	0	.311	.338	.377	.320	113	0.6
2	18	76	1	.217	.289	.304	.274	80	0.1
3	19	84	3	.256	.298	.385	.301	100	0.5
4	16	69	0	.210	.290	.274	.264	68	-0.1

The 2022 salaries for these players, in order from 1 through 4, are: $4.7 million; $35.1 million; $33 million; and $20 million. The best production from the lowest paid player. Thank you, Isiah Kiner-Falefa. I am sorry that I ever doubted you. The others are obviously the “Big 3” from last year’s free agent market, Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, and Trevor Story, respectively. I am sure the stats will normalize as the season progresses, but for now, it is fun to look at.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa

Congratulations to Giancarlo Stanton for his 350^th home run. The slugger formerly known as Mike Stanton hit his first home run, a grand slam, on June 18, 2010, for the (then) Florida Marlins off Matt Garza of the Tampa Bay Rays.

"Mike" Stanton / Photo Credit: Doug Benc, Getty Images

The 350^th came on Wednesday against the Baltimore Orioles when Stanton went yard in the first inning off O’s starter Tyler Wells. 

Giancarlo Stanton / Photo Credit: Frank Franklin II, AP

His 351^st came quickly yesterday, another first inning dinger, this time off Royals starter Kris Bubic. It is always fun when Stanton goes on a roll. I can remember back in the 1980s when Dave Winfield would get hot and throw the entire team on his back for a winning streak. Stanton is that guy. Coincidentally, Alex Rodriguez hit 351 home runs…as a Yankee. Stanton only has 84, so he has some catching up to do.

Congratulations to Aaron Hicks and his wife, Cheyenne Woods (Tiger’s niece), for the birth of their first child. Cameron Jaxson Hicks was born on April 26^th. Weighing in at 8 pounds and 20 ½ inches, he will be on the fast track for the Major Leagues…or PGA. Aaron rejoined the team in Kansas City yesterday after spending parental leave in Arizona. Very cool for Aaron and Cheyenne!

Aaron Hicks & Cameron / Photo Credit: Instagram

Finally, the NFL Draft is always one of the best times of the year. I look forward to the NFL Draft every year, particularly the first few rounds. I know most of you are Giants or Jets fans (terrific drafts so far for both teams), I am a long-suffering fan of the Minnesota Vikings. For as many championships as my favorite baseball team has won in my lifetime, the Vikings are the polar opposite with none. While I respect the new leadership of GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Head Coach Kevin O’Connell, their first two draft day trades were suspect.

The Vikings held the 12^th pick in the first round, but when their pick rolled around, they traded it to the division rival Detroit Lions, dropping down to the 32^nd pick. The Lions selected a talented wide receiver, Alabama’s Jameson Williams. Then, with the 34^th pick they had acquired from the Lions, they traded it to the bitter division rival Green Bay Packers to give Aaron Rodgers a receiving target (Christian Watson of North Dakota State) to help make up for the loss of Davante Adams, recently traded to the Las Vegas Raiders.

I know the Vikings picked up some additional draft picks, but trading with division rivals are painful. Somehow, I suspect both Williams and Watson will be as painful to watch as seeing Garrett Whitlock thrive with the Boston Red Sox. Good thing the Vikings used their first two draft picks on defensive backs (safety Lewis Cine of Georgia and cornerback Andrew Booth, Jr of Clemson). They will need them to defend against the Lions and Packers passing attacks. Hopefully Kwesi, a brilliant mind, learns that it is better to trade outside of the division. The Vikings need to hit on those draft picks they acquired in the trades. Otherwise, these trades will haunt the team for years.

As always, Go Yankees!

Warning: Brighter Days Ahead...

  

Aaron Judge / Photo Credit: Robert Sabo, New York Post

Yankees WILL get better as the weather warms…

Fans of the Yankees can be harder on the New York Yankees than non-Yankee fans. I realize there have not been enough games like Friday night in the season’s first fourteen games, but we really need to give this team time to come together. I am certainly not ready to ‘throw in the towel’ in April with the Yankees only one game out of first place in the AL East. As the weather warms, so will the Yankees.

Aaron Judge & Anthony Rizzo / Photo Credit: AP

No doubt that last night belonged to Aaron Judge and Michael King. Judge, finally playing like a man who wants $36 million per year (despite the fact he will never get it), was a spectacle of beauty. Two home runs and brilliant defense. More games like last night, and Aaron Judge will be a Yankee for life and hopefully the latest Captain in the string of greats.

While Judge dominated the offensive show in the Yankees’ 4-1 victory over the Cleveland Guardians, the pitching hero was Michael King. Jameson Taillon, despite giving up seven hits in five innings, yielded Cleveland’s only run. King entered the game and shut down the highly flying Guardians offense who had entered the game averaging 5.67 runs per game. After Amed Rosario singled with two outs in the sixth, King proceeded to strike out the next seven batters he faced.

Michael King / Photo Credit: Michelle Farsi, New York Post

Of course, Aaron Boone took heat for not bringing King back for the ninth inning with a chance to match the club record of eight consecutive strikeouts, set by former Yankees setup reliever Ron Davis. Davis struck out eight consecutive (then) California Angels on May 4, 1981. Like the other day when Boone walked Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera in his final at-bat, I had no problem with Boone’s decision to bring in Aroldis Chapman for the ninth. King had thrown forty-two pitches in three innings. Just like the Cabrera decision, the King decision was made for the greater benefit of the team over an individual milestone. There is no sense burning out King’s arm. He is needed for the days, weeks, and months ahead. He has become a trusted reliever which has been invaluable with slower starts by Chapman and Jonathan Loaisiga.

I feel bad for Joey Gallo. I like the guy and want him to succeed. It is a case that I want to like him more than I do. I get it, some guys are just not cut out for the bright lights and big city of New York. Gallo has the looks and personality to thrive in the city…if only his bat was capable of speaking. As much as I want him to succeed, every at-bat is becoming increasingly brutal to watch. He has become an automatic out, ringing up strikeout after strikeout. He was 0-for-4 last night with two strikeouts. In his contract year through 47 plate appearances, he is batting .122/.234/.122, .184 wOBA, 17 wRC+, and -0.5 WAR. It is unlikely he will be traded in April or May, but I am rapidly reaching the conclusion that Gallo would be better served playing in a lesser-pressurized environment. If he could just go on a home run binge, and bat his usual .200, he could bring cheers, but I am growing less confident it can or will happen. No doubt Cashman and company are following other left fielders to identify possible trade targets for later this summer.

No, I am not interested in a reunion with Brett Gardner (except for possibly a coaching role).

Many fans are down on Gerrit Cole, and I understand why. The man has one of the largest contracts in baseball and expectations are exceedingly high. Whether it is the crackdown on the sticky stuff or the colder temperatures of April or Billy Crystal, Cole has gotten off to a sluggish start and has rated fifth best on a five-man staff. I am not concerned. I believe that we will see Cole round into form sooner than later. When October rolls around (assuming the Yankees are positioned to advance), Cole will be the arm to carry us. I have no doubts. I am certainly not going to freak out about his 2022 season after only three starts. He will be okay; have some faith.

With Cole’s slow start, Nasty Nestor Cortes, Jr has been a godsend. He takes the mound later today in the second game of the three-game Cleveland series at Yankee Stadium. In the off-season, everyone wanted another starting pitcher (including me). If the Yankees had been successful in acquiring one of Oakland’s starting pitchers, the loser would have been Nestor as it would have pushed him into the bullpen. It is not a bad place for him, he is my favorite for the Ramiro Mendoza role as long relief/spot starter. However, right now, he is pitching too well to take him out of the starting rotation. Frankie Montas would be a tremendous addition, but I am enjoying the Nasty Nestor Show. Eventually, the health of the staff will determine future additions. Fortunately, the starting pitching, collectively, has been exceptionally good for the Yankees through fourteen games. Starters seem to hit a brick wall at five innings but hopefully that will change as the calendar turns to May and the restoration of the 26-man roster with limitation of thirteen pitchers.

I would like to know what happened to Kyle Higashioka’s bat. Granted, I have always viewed him as a backup catcher and still do, but I did expect more after his brilliant offensive performance in Spring Training. I know, the Greg Bird syndrome (blazing Spring; regular season, thud…). Like Joey Gallo, Higgy has been an automatic out. As if Gallo’s line was not bad enough, Higgy is batting .097/.125/.129, with .119 wOBA, -31 wRC+, and -0.3 WAR. Yikes! Dillon Lawson and the assistant hitting coaches are not exactly hitting the cover off the ball. Higgy’s play is causing more starts by Jose Trevino, a likeable catcher, and an elite framer, but it is just a battle of backups. I hope July brings a true starting catcher when the team goes after a new leftfielder and possibly starting pitcher.

A little credit for Isiah Kiner-Falefa. He took as much heat from the fans as any Yankee, but he has quietly been playing his part and helping the team win in recent days. I will not stand down from the belief that we would have been better off with Carlos Correa, Corey Seager or Trevor Story, but I have no complaints with IKF’s play of late. He can keep the position warm until Oswald Peraza is ready to ascend to the Majors. In other words, I will not be pining for a shortstop at the trading deadline.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa / Photo Credit: Julio Aguilar, Getty Images

In this era of the de-juiced baseball, the biggest loser (not the Yankees) appears to be Joe Girardi and the Philadelphia Phillies. Dave Dombrowski’s decision to hire sluggers Nick Castellanos and Kyle Schwarber has placed Girardi in a precarious spot. The Buck Showalter-infused New York Mets have raced out of the gate, and the Phillies trail by 4 ½ games in the NL East with a 6-8 record. Girardi has been making every ‘managers on the hot seat’ list. Of course, if Girardi does get fired, I am sure there will be Yankee fans screaming for Boone’s ouster to restore Girardi. It will never happen. Girardi is not Billy Martin reincarnated. That ship has sailed. I wish the best for Girardi and hope things work out for him in Philly.

Illustration by Britt Spencer for Philadelphia Magazine

As for Boone, he is my manager. I have been critical of him, but I am not going to bash him at this point. The Yankees made the decision to stick with him for another three years. The time to reevaluate Boone will be after the season. I want him to succeed because I want the Yankees to succeed. The continual screams for Boone’s firing are falling on deaf ears and waste too much energy. Brian Cashman is not going to fire Boone. If the Yankees make the difficult decision to part ways with Brian Cashman upon the expiration of his contract at season’s end, I am sure that Boone will be reevaluated despite the years remaining on his contract. Until then, he needs our support.

The New York Post reported this week that the Yankees had quietly settled the contract dispute with former Yankees outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury more than a year ago. No terms were disclosed due to the execution of confidentiality agreements. Ellsbury had been released prior to the conclusion of his contract and was owed $21 million for 2020 and $5 million buyout for 2021. The Yankees filed a grievance in 2019 to recoup some of the dollars. The Post indicated the settlement was low enough to keep the Yankees under the second luxury tax threshold in 2020. Regardless of what they paid; I am glad the Ellsbury saga is officially over. It was an unwise decision to sign him, and he seemed like such an albatross those final years in uniform. Me: Never sign or trade for Red Sox players! Also, me: I wonder if the Royals would be willing to trade former Red Sox leftfielder Andrew Benintendi to the Yankees in July.

As always, Go Yankees!

The Baltimore Beatdown...

  

Photo Credit: Barbara Haddock/Baltimore Sun

AL Worst continues tormenting the Yankees…

The inability to beat the Baltimore Orioles in 2021 cost the Yankees dearly as it sent them to the ill-fated Wild Card Game in Boston instead of hosting the Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Yankees flew to Boston and, as we all know, their season was over. After holding their own against the Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays this week, the Yankees arrived in Baltimore on Friday ready to make a statement. Thud! Here we go again.

Aroldis Chapman -- Photo Credit: Adam Hunger/Getty Images

Aroldis Chapman, looking like the latest incarnation of Tyler Clippard in pinstripes, walked home the winning run for the Orioles in last night’s game as Baltimore took the first game of nineteen against the Yankees. It wasted a good performance by Jordan Montgomery. Unfortunately, a journeyman Orioles pitcher who has played for six teams and was once released by the Colorado Rockies, Jordan Lyles, held the Yankees offense at bay, yielding only a single run in his 5 1/3 innings of work. In his last start, Lyles had given up five runs in five innings against the Tampa Bay Rays and entered last night’s game with a 9.00 ERA. Pitching against the Yankees’ offense, at least this year and last, is always a prescription for improvement of one’s earned run average. 

My only take about Chapman. I am not interested in re-signing him after the season. Even if he is willing to take a steep discount to stay, it is time to move on. It was great when the Cuban Missile was throwing flames across the plate but suffice it to say he is not and will not age as gracefully as the legendary Mariano Rivera. I am hoping Chapman can solve his control problems this year to give the Yankees (and we, the fans) some confidence in his ability late in games, but beyond that, ¡Hasta la vista, baby!

Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake continues to earn his paycheck, despite the challenges of Aroldis Chapman or Gerrit Cole’s attempts to rediscover his superiority following last year’s crackdown on the “sticky stuff”. There is no way that I would have predicted the two best starters for the Yankees two weeks into the new season would be Nestor Cortes, Jr and Luis Severino. Nestor continues to amaze me. Everyone wanted another starter during the off-season. If the Yankees had acquired, say Frankie Montas or Luis Castillo or some other pitcher, Nestor would have been the odd man out. The sixth starter on a staff of five, yet here he is carrying the team along with Sevy. Jordan Montgomery and Jameson Taillon are fine, but they were expected to be. I have purposely tried to keep my expectations for Severino low for no other reason than he has not pitched much in the last three years.  I credit the Yankees pitching coaches for the tremendous work they have done with Nestor, Sevy, and the bullpen outside of Chappy. Michael King certainly deserves a call-out for his performance the other night to clean up Chapman’s mess in the Blue Jays finale, earning his first career save. 

Michael King -- Photo Credit: Getty Images

Now if only Yankees hitting coach Dillon Lawson and his assistant hitting coaches could have the same impact on the hitters. I realize Isiash Kiner-Falefa is off to a slow start but it is too early to pull the plug. Most fans wanted the Yankees to sign Carlos Correa prior to the season (well, me included). A quick check of his stats show a batting line of .182/.280/.409 with .306 wOBA. He has one home run which represents his only RBI of the season. In other words, IKF is not alone in slow starts. It can happen to anyone. It just gets magnified when you move from the low pressurized environment of Arlington, Texas to the humongous New York stage.

I have seen many fans calling for Oswald Peraza but cool your jets. He is not ready yet. He only played 8 games in Triple A last year, and through 8 games this season, he is only batting .194/.242/.323, .253 wOBA, and 52 wRC+. We will see Peraza at some point this year but we need to give him time despite any frustrations with IKF.  Peraza, who will turn 22 on June 15th, needs to let his bat do his talking. It will tell the Yankees when he is ready. Until then, we need to give IKF our support. I do feel he will be closer to the hitter he was last season for the Texas Rangers (or better). Playing 158 games for the Rangers in 2021, IKF hit 8 homers and drive in 53 runs. His line was .271/.312/357 and .293 wOBA. Give him a chance. New York is not an easy place to play. We may have wanted an elite shortstop but this is the hand we were dealt and we need to make the most of it. IKF may surprise us if we give him the time to adjust.

Isiah Kiner-Falefa -- Photo Credit: Kim Klement/USA TODAY Sports

If Aaron Judge wants to be a $36 million per year player, he needs to play like one. 

I am confident the Yankees will play better. Today would be a great day to start. I know championships are not won in April but I do feel getting off to a strong start is important for the season’s momentum. To borrow one of Aaron Boone’s favorite words (“obviously”), it is easier to build off a good start than it is a bad one.  Gerrit Cole will get stronger as the season progresses and the offense will start to click. I continue to have more confidence in this team than the 2021 version. The current record is nothing that a ten-game winning streak could not cure.  So, let’s go Yankees. You got this.

Clayton Kershaw nearly throws a perfect game. Say what you will, I think Dave Roberts’ decision to pull Kershaw after seven perfect innings this week was the right thing to do. I felt it in the heat of the moment and have not wavered in my opinion. With the shortened Spring, starting pitchers have yet to be fully stretched out. It is why rosters were expanded to 28 players until May 1st with a temporary unlimited cap on the number of pitchers a team can carry.

Clayton Kershaw -- Photo Credit: Craig Lassig/Associated Press

Kershaw is 34 years old and has missed time the last few years with a variety of injuries. He has a date with Cooperstown one day but pushing him to nine innings would not have been prudent and it could have heightened the possibility for his unavailability later in the season as a result. Although he struck out thirteen batters and had only thrown 80 pitches, Kershaw said it was the right decision since he had not been built up. He has not pitched a complete game since 2017.

I know Gary Sanchez was quoted this week saying that if it had been a pitcher like Gerrit Cole or Masahiro Tanaka, they would have fought to stay in the game. I do not agree with the former Yankees catcher. Baseball is a team sport, and the goal is a championship. Individual stats are nice, but not the ‘be all, end all’. Cole and Tanaka are both professionals who would have placed team priority over self-interest. I saw one Dodgers fan say he would have preferred to see Kershaw pitch a perfect game over a World Series championship. I loved the perfect games thrown by Davids Wells and Cone but they were not more valuable than the World Series championships. If given the choice for one or the other, the World Series championship is the only acceptable answer. 

The Dodgers bullpen may have blown the perfect game and no-hitter, but Clayton Kershaw is headed for the Hall of Fame regardless of the outcome.  

As always, Go Yankees!