Yankees & the All-Star Injury List...

 

Carlos Rodón (Photo Credit: David J Phillip/AP)

Yankees player (insert name) will miss time…

In the famous words of Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman: What, Me Worry?

The Yankee injury news this week felt like a gut punch.

So much for my excitement to see Carlos Rodón make his home debut at Yankee Stadium in the regular season’s second game against his former teammates, the San Francisco Giants. GM Brian Cashman gave the somber news this week that Rodón will not be ready for Opening Day due to a brachioradialis strain in his multi-million dollar left arm.

He will not pitch for seven to ten days and will have to restart his season’s preparation, a process that will take at least six weeks. He should be ready by late April. As cold as it can be during the season’s first few weeks, Rodón gets a pass on the fickle New York weather. This could have been worse news. Rodón had Tommy John surgery in 2019, but fortunately, his ulnar collateral ligament is strong. The fear, of course, is that the forearm strain could lead to further problems down the road.

Rodón commented if this had occurred later in the season, he may have pitched through it. He dealt with the same type of strain last season with the Giants and did not miss any time. Hopefully, the Yankees dodged a bullet and Rodón will be a force in the starting rotation in the not-so-distant future. 

Sadly, Rodón is not the only player who will see time on the Aaron Hicks Honorary Injured List. The Yankees have also announced Harrison Bader will miss time with a left oblique strain. The injury occurred during Wednesday’s game while swinging during an at-bat.  Core injuries are concerning given how difficult it can be to avoid re-injury.  Hopefully, Bader will miss the least amount of time and will be patrolling center field before Rodón returns.

When Spring Training opened, the worst injury news was Nestor Cortes, Jr’s hamstring strain and how it might delay his season. Now he is looking like one of the healthier players on the team. We already knew that Frankie Montas will miss most of the season after shoulder surgery. Now comes word that the other player received in the dreadful deal with the Oakland A’s at last year’s trade deadline, Lou Trivino, will miss time with an elbow sprain. The Yankees truly gave up their top pitching prospect, plus a few others, for guys who will provide nothing for the Yankees in the foreseeable future. Trivino is not expected back until May, but if he needs surgery, it could be longer. 

The bullpen has taken a hit with the temporary loss of two valuable veterans. In addition to Trivino, Tommy Kahnle is out with biceps tendinitis. Late March had appeared to be the possible end of the line for the latest Yankees chapter of Albert Abreu, but the injuries increase the likelihood he will make the Opening Day Roster. Jimmy Cordero is probably a beneficiary as well. The season has not yet started, but we are already playing the latest ‘Next Man Up’ round. 

Trying to run down the list of injured Yankee players is kind of like trying to keep up with all the 2023 celebrity deaths.

While Kyle Higashioka is away at the World Baseball Classic, catching has suddenly become a rare commodity in camp. Ben Rortvedt had a procedure for an aneurysm in the posterior artery of his left shoulder, Austin Wells has a fractured rib, and Josh Breaux will miss a few weeks with an elbow injury. When the injuries occurred, some fans feared the potential signing of former Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez, which is never going to happen. Instead, the Yankees pivoted to former Tampa Bay Rays catcher Nick Ciuffo. Ciuffo is a former first-round draft pick (chosen twenty-first overall by the Rays in the 2013 MLB Draft), but he has never developed into a Major League hitter. 

Nick Ciuffo (Photo Credit: Smiley N Pool/The Dallas Morning News)

I think Mike Axisa referred to Ciuffo as a ‘poor man’s Rob Brantly’. He is right (as usual). Ciuffo, only 28, has played for four other organizations since his release by the Rays in 2019. After making his Major League debut in 2018, Ciuffo has only played in 21 Major League games, batting .188/.259/.292 (.246 wOBA and 54 wRC+). Yet, with Higgy away and Rortvedt out, Ciuffo holds the valuable backup role behind Jose Trevino. At one point, I wanted the Yankees to trade Higgy and acquire a catcher like Sean Murphy before he was dealt to Atlanta. Now I cannot wait for Higgy to return. Ciuffo is only an injury away from seeing time in the Bronx. Yikes! Here is hoping that Yankees catching coach Tanner Swanson can work his magic with Ciuffo.

Last week, I was wondering if Domingo German or Clarke Schmidt would win the fifth spot in the starting rotation and now both will be in the rotation. It is an opportunity for Schmidt to prove he is the long-term answer. 

Opening Day is under three weeks away. Hopefully, the Yankees can keep the remaining healthy players on the field. Not sure I can take more injury news. 

Farewell Estevan Florial

Estevan Florial is a Yankee as of this post, but his time is coming to an end. While Spring stats are generally meaningless, Florial is a guy who needed to play like his career depended upon it because it does. Unfortunately, the former top prospect continues to hit like an outfielder’s version of Nick Ciuffo. In ten Spring games and twenty at-bats, Florial is hitting .150/.227/.200 (.427 OPS).  Sadly, those numbers point to his Yankees exit.

Whether it is a trade for a low-level prospect (if another team feels it can unlock Florial’s potential) or simply a release, Florial is not making the Opening Day Roster. Out of options, the Yankees have no room for him, and it is time to say goodbye. Rafael Ortega and Willie Calhoun are more capable options for the reserve outfielder role. 

I am disappointed with this one. I had high hopes for Florial. I once believed he was a long-term solution for center field, and then later, left field. In the end, he was not a solution at all. He has become the latest chapter of Jesus Montero. An overhyped Yankees prospect who fizzled out. 

For Florial’s sake, I hope he can find success at his next stop.

Anthony Volpe Time

With the disclaimer that I did not personally hear it, Michael Kay said on yesterday’s The Michael Kay Show that Anthony Volpe has a real shot to make the team.

I continue to believe he will open the season in Triple-A, but I certainly would not be disappointed if he heads north with the team later this month. My fear with Volpe is the hype and expectations. It seems if he is anything less than Derek Jeter, fans will be disappointed. I believe Volpe will be a good player in his own right, but I will never try to compare him to anybody other than to hope he is better than Isiah Kiner-Falefa. I will be happy if Volpe makes the team but conversely, I will not be disappointed if he gets sent down. When Volpe is ready, the Yankees will make room. I do firmly believe that Volpe will make his Major League debut in 2023 and I look forward to it. I want to see the player he can become. 

Anthony Volpe (Photo Credit: Gerald Herbert/AP)

Both Volpe and Jasson Dominguez have been major revelations this Spring. Sure, they are the top prospects in the organization, but they have shown they belong. I wish Dominguez was closer to the Major Leagues as he would look beautiful in left field. Patience, Young Grasshopper. Volpe first, and then Dominguez. Hopefully, the two men can win a few World Series together. 

I have seen a few articles calling for Volpe to choose a lower number. I have no problem at all with 77. I think there is magic in double-Mickey Mantle. Maybe it did not work for a red-haired flameout, but Volpe can make the number work to his advantage. I would like to see him keep it over dropping down to say 11, 14, or 18. 

I guess we will soon find out about his number choice. Sooner than I expected if Michael Kay is right.

Passing of Jesús Alou

I was saddened to hear former Major Leaguer Jesús Alou has died at age 80. Alou was part of the famed Alou brothers, which include Felipe and Matty. Felipe is the father of Yankees third base coach Luis Rojas and a former Yankee (1971-1973). Felipe is also the father of former Major Leaguer Moises Alou, half-brother of Luis.  

Left to right, Jesús, Matty, and Felipe Alou (Photo Credit: MLB.com)

Jesús Alou had been a scout for the Boston Red Sox since 2002. During his fifteen-year career, he played for the Houston Astros, Oakland Athletics, New York Mets, and San Francisco Giants. He won two World Series championships as a bench performer for the A’s. 

The Alou name is baseball royalty. Even if he was working for the wrong organization, Jesús Maria Rojas Alou will be missed. My condolences to Luis Rojas and his family for their loss. 

As always, Go Yankees!

Anthony Volpe, Star of the Future...

  

Anthony Volpe (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post)

Volpe is making a tremendous first impression…

Anthony Volpe is fantastic, but…he will not be the Yankees’ Opening Day starting shortstop.

At some point later this month, Volpe will be reassigned to Minor League camp and sent to the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders. Many Yankees fans will have a difficult time accepting it when it happens, but we would be foolish to expect the Yankees to deviate from their plan.

Volpe is the likely winner of the James P. Dawson Award which goes to the best Yankees rookie in Spring Training. The award originated in 1956, and Clarke Schmidt, battling Domingo German for the fifth spot in the starting rotation, was the 2022 winner.

Volpe is a special player. He has the “it” factor, and his Baseball IQ has been described as ‘off the charts’.  While I believe Volpe could play in the Major Leagues today, it is important to understand the Yankees feel he needs more time to establish himself at Triple-A before his ascent to the Bronx. I do not believe this is a case of service time manipulation.

Volpe played 110 games for the Double-A Somerset Patriots last season. He slashed .251/.348/.472, with .358 wOBA and 122 wRC+, hitting 18 home runs and 60 RBI.  His performance earned him a promotion to Triple-A, where he played 22 games for the RailRiders. His line at Triple-A dropped to .236/.313/.404, .320 wOBA and 91 wRC+. He had 3 homers and 5 RBI.  The Triple-A numbers are a small sample, but it is a level Volpe has not yet mastered. 

In a very small sample size (eleven at-bats) this Spring, Volpe is hitting .364/.417/.727…against minor league pitchers and non-roster guys desperately trying to make their respective teams. The inflated batting line, strong defensive play, and on-the-field leadership qualities have led to heightened fan expectations. If you believe Volpe should be the Opening Day starting shortstop and will be upset if it does not happen, you are setting yourself up for disappointment. 

Anthony Volpe with Derek Jeter "several years ago" (Photo Credit: Twitter/@TalkinYanks via @SOMPatriots)

MLB History is littered with great players who skipped minor league levels. It always makes me think of former Atlanta Braves slugger Bob Horner who was the first overall amateur draft pick in 1978 and was directly inserted into the ’78 Braves starting lineup. No comparison to Volpe, Horner was a collegiate player while Volpe was drafted out of high school so there were obvious differences in age, maturity, and development. Horner is just my reference point for ‘I don’t need no stinking minor leagues!’. 

If the Yankees believe Volpe needs more time in Triple-A, maybe he does. I do not want the Yankees to rush his development, and I support careful handling to ensure Volpe is the best player he can be. I am confident he will make his Major League debut in 2023. Maybe not late March or early April, but we will likely see him by the All-Star Break if all goes well. 

Anthony Volpe (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post)

I am excited about Volpe’s future. This is the best I have felt about a Yankees rookie since Aaron Judge (with no intended disrespect to Gleyber Torres).  I am less confident about which position Volpe will play. Oswald Peraza’s best position seems to be shortstop, and the general talk has Volpe at second base where Gleyber Torres currently resides (thus, all the Gleyber trade talk). Third base is a possibility, and the Yankees will soon need a replacement for Josh Donaldson. If Donaldson continues his poor offensive performance, the change could happen as soon as this year. If not, it still seems unlikely Donaldson will be on the 2024 Opening Day Roster.   

I refuse to be upset when the announcement comes down that Volpe is headed for Triple-A. I support the Yankees’ opinion, and their belief it is in the best interests of the player and the organization. 

Volpe’s time will come…soon.  Patience requested. 

Donaldson, Kiner-Falefa, and Hicks

Every week, I reevaluate where I am with Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, and Aaron Hicks.

I have softened on Donaldson. I am willing to give the benefit of the doubt that the lockout and short Spring Training that included an unexpected trade from the Minnesota Twins to the Yankees may have adversely impacted Donaldson’s display at the plate last season. If for no other reasons than I love his defensive value at third, I am willing to give Donaldson time this season to see if he can be the feared hitter he once was. Maybe Father Time has him in a stranglehold, maybe not. I will hope for the latter, but I am prepared for the former.

Josh Donaldson and Aaron Boone (Photo Credit: Nam Y Huh/AP)

Personally, if I owned the team, I would trade Donaldson and make DJ LeMahieu the starting third baseman. Since that is unrealistic, I accept Donaldson’s presence and I am willing to give him a chance. 

Isiah Kiner-Falefa is NOT a Major League starting shortstop. The Yankees were foolish to think he was last season. Yet, Kiner-Falefa has value as a utility player. At $6 million this season, he is an expensive utility, and like high-cost natural gas, it is best to use in moderation. I will always be amazed the Texas Rangers spent a half-billion dollars to replace IKF, and the Yankees passed on elite free agent shortstops to give him the starting job. How did Texas know who IKF was, and the Yankees did not?  The Yankees are a smart organization, but IKF was a misjudgment on their part. 

I believe strongly that Oswald Peraza will be the Opening Day starting shortstop. If you are upset about Volpe being sent down, I will be upset if Peraza does not take the field in the top of the first inning on Thursday, March 30^th when the Yankees play the San Francisco Giants at Yankee Stadium. 

If IKF is on the roster as an infield utility (I dismiss the outfield talk), I am fine with it. He can carve a role with the team in a backup capacity. If he is traded to a suddenly infielder-needy team like the Los Angeles Dodgers or Colorado Rockies, fine. I will pack his bags and drive him to the airport. 

This leads us to Aaron Hicks. My God, how does this guy still have a job with the New York Yankees? I am done with Hicks. Finished. Kaput. My patience ran out with him a long time ago and there is no hope for restoration. I would love to see the Yankees sign Jurickson Profar and trade Hicks even if they must pay part of his contract. If not Profar, other trade options could bring in better players than Hicks.  Maybe not a Brian Reynolds, but a quality outfielder can be found at the right price. With terrific outfield prospects Jasson Dominguez, Everson Pereira, and Spencer Jones on the horizon, the Yankees only need a quality left fielder to cover the next year or two. Aaron Hicks is not that guy. Next…

The King is back!

Michael King made his presence felt yesterday when he pitched two hitless/scoreless innings in the Yankees’ 5-3 loss to Detroit. He struck out four Tigers in his dominating Spring debut.

After King’s breakout last season, he has become such a force in the bullpen. When he was lost for the season last year with a fractured elbow, the team suffered for it. I always like to say everyone is replaceable, but last season, King proved nobody could replace him. 

Michael King (Photo Credit: Yankees/MLB.com)

King is one of my favorite players and I love his role with the Yankees. I am sure there will be bad days. There always are with the crazy game of baseball, but King brings confidence each time he enters a game. If the Yankees win the World Series this year, King will have made a significant contribution to reaching the goal.   

I pray good health follows King this season. The Yankees need him, we need him. All hail the King!

As always, Go Yankees!

Brian Cashman's Yankees...

 

Brian Cashman (Photo Credit: Lucas Peltier/USA TODAY Sports)

Yankees GM for a quarter of a century…

Brian Cashman has been the general manager of the New York Yankees for twenty-five years. For many younger Yankee fans, he is the only GM they have ever known. For those of us who can remember life under George Steinbrenner, the GM role, like managers and pitching coaches, was a revolving door.

Cashman is a polarizing figure in the Yankees Universe. He is one of the most criticized individuals in the Yankees organization. Cashman certainly has more than his fair share of detractors. Joel Sherman of The New York Post wrote a good article this week in defense of Cashman. I will preface it by saying I know Sherman gets accused of peddling Yankees propaganda. Covering the Yankees puts food on Sherman’s table and buys him the comfort of a home and a luxurious lifestyle. By comparison, I could not buy a cup of coffee at Starbucks for the money I have earned writing about the Yankees. He is motivated to write stories that help him maintain access to important individuals in the Yankees hierarchy.

Sherman’s column included an interview with Brian Cashman’s chief lieutenant, Senior Vice President, and Assistant General Manager Jean Afterman. I understand an interview with a Cashman subordinate is not going to yield any negative comments about her boss.

I am not trying to defend Sherman (or Cashman), but I found Sherman’s words to be thought-provoking. I have been critical of Brian Cashman over the years. There is frustration with certain moves (or lack thereof). He lives a life in that every move is questioned and scrutinized with the power of hindsight. He has had his share of successes, yet they can easily be overlooked by the failures. 

In Sherman’s piece, Afterman describes Cashman as the Wizard of Oz if there actually was a wizard behind the curtains. He lives and breathes the job 24/7. In our lives, personal priorities, at times, can take precedence over the Yankees. Cashman lives a life where the Yankees take precedence over everything.  His passion and loyalty have endeared him to the Steinbrenner family. His consistency, work ethic, and leadership style have earned the respect and admiration of those who surround him.    

A great leader makes those around him (or her) better and Cashman carries those attributes. Unlike his father, Hal Steinbrenner has rewarded those who have faithfully served the organization and the Yankees tend to have very low turnover in the front office. Afterman, an attorney, has served the Yankees for over twenty years. She was hired to replace Kim Ng as assistant general manager. Some Yankees fans probably never realized that the current Miami Marlins general manager once worked for Brian Cashman.    

Afterman was asked about manager Aaron Boone and his perception as a puppet. She quickly dismissed the thought by describing Boone as an incredibly smart manager who understands the game and the clubhouse. She states that it is not Cashman’s nature to force his beliefs on the manager. Listening to Bret Boone’s podcasts over the years, I have heard him routinely describe his brother as the smartest guy in the family.  I do not believe the front office writes the lineup card or dictates which arms come out of the bullpen. Aaron Boone is his own man, and I do believe he makes his own decisions based on analytics and his knowledge and understanding of the game. 

I am guilty of calling for Boone’s head but I respect him. He holds a job that is only successful if you win championships, a feat he has never accomplished. Former Yankees manager Joe Girardi continues to get love for no other reason than he won the 2009 World Series.  No offense to Joe, but I have enjoyed Boone’s tenure more than the tense Binder Joe’s time in the hot seat.  Boone has the respect of the clubhouse, and he enjoys a good rapport with the media and the front office. 

Despite Brian Cashman’s contract expiration at the end of last season, there was never a chance he would leave the Yankees. The subsequent four-year contract, although seemingly delayed, was inevitable.  Afterman was asked if Cashman will walk away if he wins another championship. Her response was that he would walk away when the job was no longer enjoyable. General managers tend to have a short shelf life, yet Brian Cashman has endured. The Yankees win every year. Maybe not championships but they win games on the field more than they lose.  The Yankees will win a World Series again. All things considered, I am hopeful Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone are the men to see it through. 

I am not purposely trying to write this post in defense of Cashman or Boone. Regardless of how biased it may be, Sherman's column made me pause to appreciate both men.  As Yankees fans, we have an invested interest in their success.  Supporting them means we are supporting the Yankees. It serves no purpose to attack either man. One day, neither man will be employed by the Yankees. Until then, we should trust them to do their jobs. They are trying to win with the baseball team that matters the most to all of us.    

First pitch

It is almost game time for the Yankees. Their first Spring exhibition game is later today. They will be on the road at BayCare Ballpark in Clearwater, Florida to face the Philadelphia Phillies (1:05 PM ET). I thought former Boston Red Sox reliever and current non-roster invitee Tyler Danish was going to start, but the latest lineup card posted by MLB’s Bryan Hoch shows Ryan Weber as the starter. He will be faced by former Yankees prospect Nick Nelson.

The big names like Aaron Judge will not make the trip but it will be a good opportunity to see future stars like Jasson Dominguez. Regulars Gleyber Torres and Harrison Bader are in the lineup, and so is my favorite shortstop-to-be-replaced Isiah Kiner-Falefa. 

(Photo Credit: Twitter via @BryanHoch)

The Yankees make their home debut at Steinbrenner Field tomorrow (Sunday, February 26) in a split-squad game against Lucas Luetge and the Atlanta Braves. The other split squad will be in Dunedin, Florida to play the Toronto Blue Jays.

The first few Spring games are always exciting to watch but by March, the games become a drag while impatiently waiting for Opening Day. Maybe this year is different with the World Baseball Classic even if only a few Yankees will be participating.

Roster Moves   

The Yankees have yet to make any roster changes since camp opened. They have three guys who will be moved to the 60-day Injured List (Luis Gil, Scott Effross, and Frankie Montas). They are eligible to be moved to the IL now, but they temporarily remain on the active 40-man roster. The last transactions made by the Yankees happened over two weeks ago when they activated Domingo German and Greg Weissert. 

Unless the Yankees make a trade, it seems possible one or more of the non-roster invitees might make the Opening Day roster. Of the pitchers, Ryan Weber appears to be the most likely to make it. Wilmer Difo, Willie Calhoun, and Rafael Ortega stand out as the strongest candidates among the hitters. Many fans would love for the Yankees to promote Anthony Volpe. I will not object if he makes the Opening Day roster, but I accept the expectation that he will start the year in Triple-A. Once Volpe gets a spot on the 40-man roster, it will be a long time until he relinquishes it (or at least we hope so). His time will come soon. If he tears it up for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre as he did in the lower levels, it is a near certainty he will be in the Bronx by the All-Star Break.  Injuries can always accelerate the timetable. 

Rodón versus Gallo

It is interesting to see the contrasting views of these two players. One thrives for the spotlight and pressure, and the other runs from it. Earlier this week, Rodón spoke of the differences between playing for the Yankees and the San Francisco Giants. He said, “The fans [in New York] want to win. They care. They care a lot.” Conversely, he said, “Giants fans are invested, but not like in New York. Win or lose, you’re not going to get booed in San Francisco.”

Carlos Rodón (Photo Credit: Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)

Rodón has taken heat from the Giants fan base for the comments, but Giants commentator and former Major Leaguer Mike Krukow came to Rodón’s defense. To paraphrase Krukow, he said fans in Philadelphia, Boston, and New York love the game, but they treat teams like their kids. San Francisco fans, on the other hand, treat the Giants players like their grandchildren. 

Regardless, Rodón’s words show he is up for the challenge of playing in front of baseball’s most passionate and demanding fans.

Meanwhile, there are guys like Joey Gallo who enjoy lesser pressurized environments. In an interview with Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, Gallo said, “I tried to handle it well. I took pride in the fact that I still played. I was still diving for the Yankees, running into walls for the Yankees, running hard for the Yankees. I knew I was getting traded. But I still had the pride, the integrity of the game, the respect for the fans, respect for the organization. I’m still going to go out here and bust my ass. I’m not going to just cash it in.” He went on to say, “The Minnesota market is different than the New York market. The Texas market is different than the New York market. I always just wanted to play baseball, have fun, hang out with the boys. That’s my goal, just to play baseball and win games. I don’t really like being more than that. I guess this is more my vibe, you know what I mean?”

Mental toughness defines champions. There was always a question if Gallo would thrive in New York. Sadly, he performed worse than anyone expected. It will be interesting to see if he can recapture what he had in Texas after underwhelming the fans in New York and Los Angeles. Rodón seems prepared to grab the bull by the horns and take New York by storm. 

Maybe the Analytics team should factor mental toughness into the equation when they are scouting for possible additions. Some guys can handle it, some guys cannot. It may not always be obvious who can or cannot make it, but there was nothing about Joey Gallo (or Isiah Kiner-Falefa for that matter) that screamed large market success. Rodón was born for New York. It is a huge difference.

Carlos Rodón (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post)

On a side note, if the Yankees’ season-opening series against the Giants was being played in San Francisco, would the fans boo or would they give him a polite golf clap.  Somehow, I suspect it would be the latter.

As always, Go Yankees!

The Return of the Yankees...

  

Gerrit Cole (Photo Credit: David J Phillip/AP)

Spring Training is underway…

Pitchers and catchers have reported to George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Florida, and the baseball fields at the facility have been buzzing with activity…unlike the Yankees’ Front Office. It is good to see old faces, not literally, like Gerrit Cole, and the new ones (with mustaches) like Carlos Rodón.

Carlos Rodon (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post)

The talk of the first week centered on Yankees starting pitcher Frankie Montas. Manager Aaron Boone announced that Montas will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder next week (February 21) and is expected to miss much of the 2023 season.

Montas has proven to be GM Brian Cashman’s latest trade folly with the Oakland A’s. Last summer, most Yankees fans wanted Cincinnati’s Luis Castillo but the price tag proved too high for the talented pitcher who was subsequently dealt to Seattle. The next best pitcher on the market was Montas, but there were known concerns about the shoulder which had caused Montas to miss a start in the month preceding his trade to the Yankees last summer. 

This is not a case of ‘I told you so’. Despite the high cost (prospects Ken Waldichuk, JP Sears, Luis Medina, and Cooper Bowman), I openly embraced the Montas trade. Many Yankees fans were excited at the time. Unfortunately, the shoulder concerns proved more substantive, and we never saw the best of Montas; now, he may never don the pinstripes again if he cannot make it back this season. Montas is a free agent at the end of the year.

There should be a “Lemon Law” when it comes to trades with Oakland’s Billy Beane. Or maybe the next time Brian Cashman sees Beane calling, he should just hit the decline button.  As it stands today, I would prefer to have Waldichuk over Montas but c’est la vie.

With the fifth starter role up for grabs, Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt are the two obvious favorites. German is the likely choice if for no other reason than Schmidt can be optioned to Triple-A. Now 27 years of age, the time is now for Schmidt’s breakout season. He has the talent, and the stars are aligned in his favor if he can show he is more deserving to start than German.  A strong Spring may not be enough to land a spot in the rotation, but Schmidt will have opportunities. Hopefully, he makes the most of them. 

At the start of the week, former Boston pitcher Michael Wacha was the best available free agent. He has since signed with the San Diego Padres. The Yankees were never connected to him, but he would have been a nice pickup for the back of the rotation.

The Padres also made a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing of Cole Hamels this week. Who knows what Hamels has left yet it would have been a nice option to try. The albatross of Josh Donaldson’s contract seemingly prevents the Yankees from making the little moves to better the team. Is German so good that all other options should be ignored? Um, not really. If Ryan Weber is starting games in-season, the Yankees’ lack of planning will be on full display.     

On the bright side, Nestor Cortes Jr is recovering nicely from his Grade 2 hamstring strain. There is optimism that he will be on the Opening Day roster. 

Nestor Cortes Jr (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post)

The Yankees will be making moves at some point in the coming days. With Montas sidelined for much of the season, the Yankees have three guys eligible for the 60-day Injured List. Montas, Scott Effross, and Luis Gil. Those are three valuable roster spots that could go for upgrades. If Cashman is penny-pinching, the three spots will create opportunities for a few of the non-roster invitees (none of whom move the needle in the ongoing attempt to catch the Houston Astros). Or he can make moves to improve the team. Hoping for the best (a trade or two to enhance the current roster) but prepared for the worst (the status quo with guys in camp).

Position players report on Monday so next week will bring more activity. The first Spring game is one week from today against the Philadelphia Phillies in Clearwater, Florida. 

Woohoo! Yankees Baseball is back, baby!

The Manny Machado Sweepstakes

Here we go again…

Manny Machado has announced that he will opt out of his contract with the San Diego Padres after the season (he has five years and $150 million left).  A couple of months younger than Aaron Judge, Machado has a chance to sign his second $300+ million contract.

I wanted Machado last time he was a free agent, and I am sure I will want him again. Eventually, the Yankees will move on from Josh Donaldson (sooner if I had my way) and DJ LeMahieu is not getting any younger. The Yankees will need a third baseman. The Yankees will probably pass on Machado as they did with the elite free agent shortstops the past two off-seasons. The more likely scenario seems to be the development of prospect Trey Sweeney or maybe one of Oswald Peraza or Anthony Volpe moves there if the Yankees retain Gleyber Torres.

I would be excited to see Machado in pinstripes, but realistically, it will never happen. If he does not re-sign with the Padres, the more probable landing spot is a move to Queens.  Steve Cohen thought he had his third baseman of the future with Carlos Correa until he saw Correa’s ugly ankle. He will most assuredly be all-in for Manager Buck Showalter’s former star player with the Baltimore Orioles to fill the third base need, especially if the Mets underperform this season. 

Left Field Vacancy

Starting to see more articles written about Giancarlo Stanton playing the outfield. I am not buying it. Stanton is a full-time designated hitter. A fragile player like him is not going to be less of an injury risk as he ages. Maybe he starts a handful of games in the outfield, but nothing more. If he is routinely playing the field, the Yankees are playing Russian Roulette with him. 

Giancarlo Stanton (Photo Credit: Kathy Willens/AP)

The Los Angeles Dodgers and Texas Rangers were two teams seeking left field help like the Yankees. The Dodgers signed free agent David Peralta, while the Rangers inked Robbie Grossman. The Yankees were not in on either player. Jurickson Profar remains a free agent, yet it seems unlikely the Yankees will commit any dollars to him unless they can offload some onerous contracts. 

Aaron Hicks, Estevan Florial, Oswaldo Cabrera, Willie Calhoun, and Rafael Ortega. Sadly, they seem to be the pool that will compete for the starting gig. No needle movers in this group. Cabrera’s needle-moving ability is his versatility, not planted in left field.

All I wanted for left field entering the off-season was to re-sign Andrew Benintendi. There were better options, however, Benny was a nice fit.  I honestly believed the Yankees would do at least as well as someone like Benintendi for left field. I never dreamed that they would do nothing.  The Yankees had to bring back Aaron Judge and the Carlos Rodón signing was huge, but the inability to fix left field leaves me very underwhelmed about this past off-season. The Yankees have unsuccessfully tried Joey Gallo and Benintendi over the past two years, at the cost of multiple quality prospects, and here we are back at the starting point with a left fielder who clearly needs to be replaced. 

Jasson Dominguez, Everson Pereira, and Spencer Jones offer hope for the future, yet they are still a few years away. Impatiently waiting for guys who are not ready. 

The clock is ticking. Brian Cashman has time to fix left field before Opening Day. The only question is will he?

Derek Jeter lands new job

It is bittersweet to see Derek Jeter hired as a new analyst for Fox’s MLB studio show lineup that features Alex Rodriguez and David “Big Papi” Ortiz. 

Curt Menefee, Alex Rodriguez, Derek Jeter and Michael Strahan

I have enjoyed seeing Jeter in the public eye after his short stint as a minority owner of the Miami Marlins and its chief executive. It seemed he was doing more with the Yankees lately, and selfishly I wanted Jeter as part of the YES Network lineup.

No doubt Fox offers the bigger stage, and, as we know, Jeter performs best when the spotlight burns the brightest. I honestly did not think Jeter would take a job that paired him with Alex Rodriguez. Money talks and the “rivalry” between A-Rod and The Captain continues. 

Oh well, it will be fun to listen to Jeter during Fox telecasts, and it beats the playful bantering between Rodriguez and Ortiz. Hopefully one day Jeter can take a higher-profile role with the Yankees.

Don Mattingly, the Villain

As a long-time fan of Donald Arthur Mattingly, the first images of the new Toronto Blue Jays bench coach are a bit jarring.

I know…everybody needs a paycheck. I wish he was still in some National League city or out west rather than taking a key role with an American League East rival. I guess it would have been worse had he gone to Boston as if Toronto is not bad enough. 

He is wearing his famed #23 with the Blue Jays which adds salt to the wound. Mattingly wore 8 in Los Angeles and Miami as a tribute to Yogi Berra. It would have been my preference for his new job; however, Cavan Biggio wears 8 with the Blue Jays. 

I like Mattingly, but it is hard to not let his current role influence how I view him. He is just a coach on another team trying to beat the Yankees. I want him to lose. My desire is his eventual firing by the Blue Jays. Maybe I can re-embrace him as a favorite when his Blue Jays career is over. I certainly felt better about Derek Jeter after he left the Marlins. 

I am not going to wish Mattingly well in Toronto. There is nothing about the Toronto Blue Jays that I want to cheer for…except when they lose. 

Life will be good if the Yankees can stay a step ahead of the Blue Jays.

As always, Go Yankees!

The Shortstop of the Present...

  

Oswald Peraza (Photo Credit: Instagram via @oswaldperaza27)

Oswald Peraza is expected to be the one…

The first Spring exhibition game is two weeks away, but this is the last weekend without organized Major League Baseball as pitchers and catchers report this coming week. Hello, old…and a few new…friends! We have missed you. The sights and sounds of George M. Steinbrenner Field will soon be upon us.

The biggest camp battle and one that may have already been decided is Shortstop. It would surprise no one if Oswald Peraza emerged as the starting shortstop for Opening Day.

Sure, many think Anthony Volpe should be the starter, but the Yankees never skip a level with players. Volpe played only 22 games for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre last season after his promotion from Double-A Somerset. In 2021, Volpe spent 54 and 55 games, respectively, for A Tampa and High-A Hudson Valley. He played 110 games at Somerset before his latest promotion. Volpe’s limited stats at Triple-A were his worst since playing in the Rookie League with Pulaski in 2019. While Volpe may have a scorching Spring that places him on the Opening Day roster, my expectation is 30 to 60 games at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre before receiving ‘the call’. My best guess is he makes his Major League debut by the All-Star break. Injuries could certainly change the timetable but as we sit here in February, it seems the Yankees want Volpe to master Triple-A before ascending to the Bronx. There is no reason to rush Volpe. I want the best possible version when he arrives. If that means more time in Triple-A, so be it.

Anthony Volpe (Photo Credit: Instagram via @anthonyvolpe7)

If Isiah Kiner-Falefa is the Opening Day shortstop, something went horribly wrong with the plan.  Probably the only people who want Kiner-Falefa as the starter are IKF, his agent, and his father. I did see one Red Sox blog this morning that suggested Boston should trade for Kiner-Falefa to help solve their middle infield dilemma. Trevor Story is out after off-season surgery and will open the season on the Injured List. Xander Bogaerts bolted for the money and sunshine in San Diego.  It leaves Kiké Hernández as the shortstop. The Red Sox acquired Raul Mondesi’s son, Adalberto, from the Kansas City Royals to play second base in a platoon with holdover Christian Arroyo. Both Mondesi and Arroyo are injury-prone, so perhaps IKF could help provide infield stability. Sure, but keep him away from the easy plays. 

The Red Sox blogger did not suggest whom Boston should send to New York. In looking at Boston’s roster, there is a clear dearth of talent. Reviewing the players Boston would legitimately consider trading to acquire IKF and I cannot say anyone appeals to me. It is not like Boston is going to trade Rafael Devers to the Yankees and give them Garrett Whitlock back. Triston Casas has too much potential at first base. Alex Verdugo? Please, no.

Best-laid plans place Oswald Peraza as the starter, Isiah Kiner-Falefa and his $6 million salary as the infield utility player, and Anthony Volpe crushing it in Eastern Pennsylvania, awaiting the bus trip to New York.

Luis Severino, Wild Card

The Yankees are expected to have one of the best starting rotations in Major League Baseball. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón provide one of the best one-two punches in the game, but, for me, Luis Severino is the key. Once the ace of the staff, Sevy arrives in Tampa this week as the third-best starter in the rotation. He has distanced himself from Tommy John surgery and seems primed to have a strong season. It is his walk year so he has added motivation to excel and finally be the workhorse we once thought he would be.

Luis Severino (Photo Credit: Instagram via @severino40)

I know Severino was disappointed the Yankees would not allow him to play in the World Baseball Classic. Given the health issues with Sevy in the past, I do not blame them for not wanting to lose control of the pitcher, even for a few weeks. Sevy might be the most closely watched starting pitcher in the rotation based on past injuries. WBC coaches playing Severino would not have been concerned about how he would be pitching in a few months, they would only be concerned with the here and now. Granted, I am not crazy about Nestor Cortes, Jr leaving for the WBC but there is far less concern with him than with Sevy. Proper care and handling of Severino is essential, and it is mutually beneficial for both parties.

If Sevy has a big year to go with the expected elite performances of Cole and Rodón, the rotation will be difficult to beat in October. The Yankees failed last October because they could not hit. Time to turn the tables to shut down opposing offenses. I keep hearing the Yankees have done nothing to move the needle in their chase to catch the Houston Astros. Peraza, a strong defender, has more pop in his bat, and unlike last post-season, he should have strong MLB regular season experience this coming October. Hopefully, DJ LeMahieu stays healthy. If Sevy is the pitching wild card, DJ is the wild card for position players. There is hope the Yankee bats can come alive in short series when it matters the best. This is 2023 and the slate is cleared for new, exciting performances and displays of brilliance and dominance on baseball diamonds across America. Next year is officially this year, as in “Wait until THIS year!”.

If Severino has an Aaron Judge-like walk year, life will be wonderful in the Bronx. If he has a Chad Green-like walk year, well, we might be looking forward to next off-season’s retooling.

I prefer to hold visions of a twenty-eighth World Series championship.

Clay Holmes, the Enigma

I think the player that concerns me the most is Clay Holmes because we do not know what we will get. Can he recapture last year’s first-half dominance, or will he struggle like he did later in the season, or will he land somewhere in the middle? The answer is most likely the latter, but hoping it is tilted toward dominance. 

Clay Holmes (Photo Credit: Instagram via @clayholmes21)

The Yankees need a strong backup plan for Closer. Jonathan Loaisiga stands out as the most likely recipient of save opportunities if Holmes falters, and Tommy Kahnle will be in the mix. Michael King is back and so is Ron Marinaccio. Still, I would like to see a proven closer added to the roster. Former Yankee Zack Britton remains a free agent and I would love to see a reunion. I am wondering if the Yankees are awaiting further moves until players can be moved to the 60-day Injured List to free up spots on the 40-man roster. The Yankees will move to replace Scott Effross and Luis Gil as quickly as they can since both will miss the upcoming season.

My hope is the Yankees have unlocked Clay Holmes and last season’s struggles were an aberration and not a sign of things to come. Yet, until he proves consistent performance, it will be a concern. I miss the days of Mariano Rivera when the end of games, win or lose, was never a concern.

The Left Field Black Hole

The fears of Aaron Hicks as the Opening Day left fielder are, well, intact.

Another left-field option came off the board this week when former Diamondbacks/Rays left fielder David Peralta signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Peralta’s name has been mentioned a few times over the winter but there never seemed to be strong club interest. Peralta’s one-year contract worth $6.5 million (plus incentives that could push it to $8 million) seems to set the potential mark for the top remaining free agent left-field option, Jurickson Profar. For the Yankees to commit those dollars to Profar, they would need to move salary if they are truly intent on staying below the Steve Cohen luxury tax threshold of $293 million. The Yankees have been trying to move salaries but nothing has come to fruition. Profar is not the player Andrew Benintendi would have been if Benny had returned, but he is better than Hicks or locking the highly versatile Oswald Cabrera into one position.

Jurickson Profar (Photo Credit: Instagram via @profarjurickson)

I am trying to stay positive and hope the Yankees have a strong left-field plan in place by late March…or at least better than the current options until the trade deadline.

Just a Numbers Game

After an off-season with both Carlos Rodón and Domingo German wearing #55 on the 40-man roster, the Yankees finally updated their website with new numbers. 

Considering Rodón was handed a #55 jersey at his press conference, it was a foregone conclusion that German would have to change numbers. He has claimed Adam Ottavino’s old number, proving the zero that he is. Either that or he has not been assigned a number yet. As the last single-digit number available, it sickens me a little that German is potentially wearing it.

Tommy Kahnle had to choose a new number since Anthony Rizzo is wearing his old 48. He has opted to take Miguel Andujar’s 41. I thought he might take his old buddy David Robertson’s 30 but that number has been taken by non-roster invitee infielder Wilmer Difo.

Reliever Jimmy Cordero was shown with number 50 most of the offseason (even before free agent Jameson Taillon had signed with the Cubs), but the website now shows him with 70. Jhony Brito (76), Matt Krook (92), and Randy Vásquez (98) are a few of the other 40-man roster number assignments.

Of the non-roster invitees, only Difo and Willie Calhoun were assigned low (under 50) numbers. Calhoun is sporting the number last worn by Yankees Legend Matt Carpenter (24). 

There is still some cleanup needed. Some players and coaches have duplicated numbers, and new assistant-hitting coach Brad Wilkerson has no number. Maybe Wilkerson likes knowing his days are not numbered…

Super Bowl Weekend

This is one of those years that it is hard to root for either team in the Super Bowl.

As a lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan, I may not have the hatred toward the Philadelphia Eagles like many Yankees/Giants fans do but there is no love, I can assure you. The Vikings lost the NFC Championship Game to the Eagles, 38-7, in January 2018. Earlier this season, the Eagles easily thrashed the Vikings, 24-7. I know, say what you will about the Vikings, but they were 13-4 and exceeded expectations despite having their season ended prematurely by the Giants. 

I think what bothers me most about losing ugly games to the Eagles is how ugly their fans can get. Take them out of the equation and I might have respect for what the Eagles are doing on the football field. 

I have never been a fan of the Kansas City Chiefs. Not sure why. I cannot pinpoint one exact reason. Maybe it was because of family members who were Chiefs fans or maybe kids at school when I was growing up who were fans. Maybe it is because the Kansas City Royals were the Yankees’ biggest rival in the late 1970s. I do not know. The Chiefs have never been a team I cared for. 

Regardless of the reasons, I probably dislike the Eagles a little less than the Chiefs so ‘Go Green’. 

Speaking of the Vikings, congratulations to elite wide receiver Justin Jefferson who was named the Associated Press Offensive Player of the Year. He is a fun talent to watch, and easily my favorite Viking. If new Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores can bring the team’s defense back to respectability, Jefferson and his teammates on offense should be flying high next season. 

Justin Jefferson (Photo Credit: Instagram via @jjettas2)

Enjoy the Super Bowl! Or if the game is not of interest, enjoy the commercials!

As always, Go Yankees!