Is the Season Beginning or is it Ending? ...

 

Aaron Boone and Gerrit Cole (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post)

Starting Rotation gives up significant hit…

Unfortunately, the hit absorbed by the starting rotation was not a meaningless single to left, it is the likely loss of the Ace of the Staff, Gerrit Cole. Fans are jumping off the ledge while the Yankees Universe awaits the MRI results on Gerrit Cole’s right elbow. It is not so much the MRI results, but the subsequent medical opinions based on the results that we await. The concerns expressed by both Cole and Yankees GM Brian Cashman raise the red flags that Cole will miss time. How much time is TBD? We could look at months for the best-case scenario and a year and a half for the worst-case scenario if Tommy John surgery is required. It is safe to assume that this will not be a Cy Young year for Cole.

In the words of former Yankees manager Joe Girardi, it’s not what you want. But there is always a chance a pitcher will go down. You hope for good health and immense success, but injuries do not seek out the less talented players. They do not discriminate. Good or bad at playing baseball, the risk of injury is consistently present.

I am not ready to admit defeat for the season because Gerrit Alan Cole cannot play. I am grateful the Yankees signed former Atlanta Braves ace Max Fried in the off-season, but Fried and injuries are well known to each other. The keys to the starting rotation will be Carlos Rodón and Clarke Schmidt. Their performances will go a long way toward determining which direction this year’s club takes.

I had hoped the club would trade Marcus Stroman to free up some cash to seek an upgrade for third base, but Stroman will be part of the 2025 rotation whether we like it or not. I hope for better results in Year 2. I like what we have seen from Will Warren this Spring, and I am optimistic he can keep it up when the real games begin, and he is fed a conveyor belt of major league hitters. When the Yankees gave Carlos Carrasco a minor league contract with an invitation to Spring Training, I assumed it would be one of those opt-out situations if Carrasco could show other teams that he was capable. Instead, he will likely be asked to join the Yankees rotation to begin the year. I would have been excited to have him in the rotation a few years ago. But with the passing of time and the inevitable aging that happens to all of us, reliance on Carrasco is not where I wanted to be this year.

Once Upon a Time in Cleveland: Francisco Lindor and Carlos Carrasco

There will be no opportunity to land a frontline starter in March. A strong middle-of-the-rotation arm is a tough ask. It would take going after a pitcher like Jordan Montgomery, who has something to prove with a contract that his present club finds a bit uncomfortable.

In other words, there are not too many options.

I wish there were greater readiness in the farm system. Other teams might perk up if the Yankees offered George Lombard, Jr, in a trade, but that should be off the table regardless of the state of the Starting Rotation. I am not trying to prospect-hold, but if there is one prospect in the Yankees system I want to keep, it is Lombard, Jr, who looks to be a future superstar. I thought some of the other prospects would be future superstars but ‘over-hyped’ tends to be the more common theme. I would like to think Lombard, Jr, can be the exception to the rule.

Oswaldo Cabrera has emerged as the frontrunner for third base. I am disappointed because I see Cabrera’s best asset as his diversity in playing multiple positions. I am not convinced he can provide the production needed from one of the corner infield positions. Maybe he proves me wrong. I am okay with that. But realistically, I would go into the season more confidently in the position. I get there will be no last-minute trade for Nolan Arenado before the season begins. Luis Rengifo is off the table too since he will not be ready for Opening Day. Maybe a Luis Arraez trade, including Dylan Cease, would be the perfect trade this time of year.

If Cabrera is named the Opening Day starter at third base, what does it mean for Oswald Peraza? Out of options, his only chance with the Yankees is to make the big-league club. If it does not happen, he will find himself designated for assignment, with enough talent another club would take a bite unless the Yankees can offload him in a trade. If you do not believe Peraza can be a starter, I would like to know whether you should stand behind him as a role player. My preferred path would be Peraza as the starter, with Cabrera maintaining his super-utility role, but the Yankees know better than I.

When Spring Training opened, I had no idea who would back up Austin Wells at catcher. I assumed it was Alex Jackson, the veteran catcher, who was netted in the trade of Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati Reds last December. It's not that I thought Jackson was a potential talent, but it's more of a ‘who is left’ situation after the Yankees traded Carlos Narvaez to the Boston Red Sox. I like the JC Escarra story, the Uber driver who made good on a dream. He has displayed the talent to succeed in a backup role at the Major League level. It is not like we need a platoon partner for Wells. For all the catchers the Yankees have drafted in recent years, it seems weird that the best candidate is a minor league free agent that started in the Baltimore Orioles organization. I like Escarra and I hope he can succeed on the big-league roster. If Ben Rice makes the roster as a bench player, he will provide depth in catching and first base. I use the word ‘if’ but I think Rice has made the roster for his bat if nothing else.

Ben Rice

The Yankees could always swing a last-minute trade for a backup catcher before the team heads north. Many clubs face problematic decisions. Keep the phone lines open.

Regardless of whether the Yankees will miss Gerrit Cole, Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Gil, and Juan Soto, I refuse to give up on the season. There is talent on the roster. It needs to be subsidized but that is Brian Cashman’s job. He needs to figure it out. Last time I looked at the Yankees' record for the 2025 season, it was 0-0, which is matched by all other clubs. The missing guys were not the sole keys to winning. They certainly contributed to it, but other guys need to step up. No one will step up to Juan Soto’s level, but there are pathways to the club’s 28^th World Championship if Cashman can find the right ingredients.

Although the Yankees' transactions have been quiet for the past few weeks, things should start to heat up (a little) as we get closer to Opening Day. I fully expect a Yankees move or two that will change who makes the Opening Day roster. Whether we are surprised and excited remains to be seen, but there will be moves.

If there is a takeaway from this post, please do not give up on the 2025 New York Yankees. Please feel free to exit if the team is twenty games out in July and in a downward spiral. But until then, the team needs our support. I will not bail on the Yankees because they have lost key players. I look forward to the guys who can be effective while they are out.

As always, Go Yankees!

Marching to a New Season...

 

Aaron "MVP" Judge

Don’t Look Now, the Regular Season is just a few weeks away…

Even though Spring Training only opened a couple of weeks ago, I am ready for it to end. Bring on Opening Day. With the calendar page turning from February to March, we have entered the month of the season opener at Yankee Stadium on March 27 against Nestor Cortes, Jr. and the Milwaukee Brewers. It is so close yet so far away.

After saying “toss the razors,” the Yankees made another momentous change when they announced Frank Sinatra’s “Theme from New York, New York” would no longer be played at Yankee Stadium after losses. I think it is the right move. In my opinion, it never seemed like the right song to play after losses. I am old enough to remember the days of going to the stadium hoping for a win to hear the song. Other Sinatra songs are acceptable for the losses, I am glad “Theme from New York, New York” will be saved for the victories. Start spreading the news…

As for the team itself, injuries and absences are the name of the game. Giancarlo Stanton left the team a week ago. When he first left, I thought it was related to the tennis elbow in both arms, but it was subsequently reported that he was away for personal reasons. There is no timetable for his return. I have no idea what to expect from Stanton this season. If his departure is long-term, the Yankees should consider a free agent signing of a proven veteran like JD Martinez to occupy the designated hitter slot for the team. But if Stanton is only out a few weeks, it makes more sense to rotate players through DH. Martinez can still be an effective bat, but it would have to be a one-year deal for limited cash to make it worthwhile.

I don't know what to think about Stanton. Given how secretive the Yankees have been about him, I am pessimistic about his projected contributions for the 2025 season. Hopefully, it is nothing, and Stanton can contribute for most of the season (and October, assuming the team qualifies), with JD Martinez finding employment elsewhere. The Yankees have already announced that Stanton will begin the season on the Injured List, so plans should be made without him. My preference would be to plan for the worst-case scenario.

Scott Effross, snake-bit as a Yankee…at least when it comes to injuries, is on the shelf again after suffering a hamstring injury during his first Spring game last week. The injury was diagnosed as a Grade 2 left hamstring strain, eliminating the reliever’s readiness for Opening Day. Hopefully, he takes the proper recovery measures and rest to ensure that he does not reaggravate the injury, setting him further behind. Since his acquisition from the Chicago Cubs at the trade deadline in 2022, Effross has spent more time on the Injured List than the active roster. Obviously, the need for Tommy John surgery, and the subsequent recovery and rehab is the primary culprit. Still, Effross has dealt with other issues, giving the Yankees only glimpses of his appearance on a playing field. Scotty, we hardly know ye.

Here is hoping he recovers quickly and efficiently from the hamstring injury and gives the Yankees a reliable reliever upon his return to active status later this season. But if his absence opens the door for a potential wild card like Eric Reyzelman, I like it.

The starting rotation was dealt a blow when it was announced that Luis Gil needs an MRI. Gil experienced tightness near his right shoulder during a bullpen session on Friday. Whether it is serious or not, Gil will likely miss considerable time. Hopefully, the MRI will yield better than expected news and not lead to a “he needs Tommy John surgery” situation. The “winner” of the Gil news is Marcus Stroman, who can slide into the rotation’s fifth spot. Stroman has gone from the player most likely to be traded to a needed part of the rotation, unless the Yankees decide to go with Will Warren based on his productive Spring or acquire a veteran arm through the trade market. I would still prefer to see the Yankees move Stroman and his contract if the money is why the Yankees have not aggressively pursued better options for third base. Stroman’s potential production can be replaced with cheaper options without sacrificing quality.

Hopefully, rest is the prescription for Gil, and he can take the mound in the coming weeks to build himself back up again for the rigors of a regular season. The last thing the Yankees need is for Gil to be shelved for the next 12 to 18 months.

In unsurprising news, DJ LeMahieu tweaked his calf during his Spring debut on Saturday. At this point, the only surprising news would be good health. I was a huge fan of LeMahieu during his days with the Colorado Rockies, and the start of his Yankees career was impressive. Sadly, Father Time caught up with LeMahieu, and the best is not yet to come. The best of DJ LeMahieu is in the rearview mirror; in his case, objects are not closer than they appear.

Suppose the rumors were true that the Yankees were ready to designate LeMahieu for assignment last Fall. In that case, they are clearly looking at insurance as a subsidy to pay LeMahieu as a reason they have kept him around. LeMahieu has reached the end of his useful Yankees life. Let him go finish his remaining years on another roster. Sorry, but that is the hard, harsh reality of Major League Baseball. The 26-man roster should be the best twenty-six men you can access. No loyalty is owed to players who no longer can play to the back of their baseball card.

With LeMahieu out of the picture, at least temporarily, the third base battle surfaces as Oswaldo Cabrera versus Oswald Peraza. Undoubtedly, I want Peraza to win the job between the two players. I believe Cabrera is best served by backing multiple positions and not being the everyday guy at a certain position. Peraza has potential. Whether he can reach it remains to be seen, but Peraza is a better fit to accomplish team goals. I am still hoping to acquire a gold glove, veteran bat (whomever that may be), but with each passing day, nothing but crickets on the Yankees transaction wire other than minor league moves.

I get why many do not want Nolan Arenado and I am certainly not going to say they are wrong, but I think Nolan can help if the Yankees can get him at Brian Cashman’s price. It may never happen, and the St Louis Cardinals might feel it is better to hold Nolan until the trade deadline. If Nolan gets off to a hot start in 2025, it will certainly improve his stock for the Cardinals’ benefit.

There are other strong third base options Brian Cashman could acquire so until the Opening Day Roster is announced, I hold out hope Cashman will seek outside assistance for third base and bypass the internal options. This action would spell the end of Peraza’s Yankees career since he is out of options. Cabrera certainly has a role on the bench. The Yankees lost the 2024 World Series. They need to figure out a way to be champions. Rolling the dice with players who have not proven themselves is a risky proposition. As a championship-ready club, the Yankees need a strong third baseman to instill confidence among the team with his bat, glove, and leadership ability. I think Arenado has these qualities, even in his age 34 season. Okay, it is not happening (Arenado’s acquisition). I will let it go. I just hated to see the Boston Red Sox add an accomplished third baseman even though they already have one, and the player has elevated the team's chances to succeed in the AL East. I want a counter that can be as effective for the Yankees.

I am glad to see the Boston Red Sox will be playing competitive baseball again. The Yankees-Red Sox rivalry is the best in the AL East. I respect the young hitters on the Baltimore Orioles, but the Yankees-Orioles rivalry has never been that thrilling. The O’s management team does not seem all that committed to success given their reluctance to pursue top pitching through free agency and trades. The Blue Jays and Rays are just annoying. Yankees-Red Sox is the best rivalry in MLB, and it is best when both teams are at the top of their game.

I have not enjoyed watching the early struggles in left field by Jasson Dominguez, but after just two weeks of training camp, I refuse to condemn him. I already see numerous calls among the fan base to re-sign last year’s left fielder Alex Verdugo, who remains on the open market. The fact that Verdugo is a free agent in March should tell you something. He is not the answer. I feel Dominguez deserves more time. He is a young kid and has mastered the challenges he faced before. I have no reason to believe he cannot learn the nuances of playing a corner outfield position or the vast left field in Yankee Stadium. Like anything, he needs time. Players should not be crucified for Spring performances. They are trying things they would not try in a regular season game. As a result, the success rate will be far less than you would normally expect. Some fans say the Yankees should bring Brett Gardner in as a left field consultant. I am not sure Gardy wants to get back in the game, but if the Yankees could figure out a way to bring him back in, I would be all for it. He would certainly have valuable input on how to play Yankee Stadium’s left field.

I do not buy into the argument that the solution is moving Dominguez back to center, moving Cody Bellinger to left field. Belli will greatly influence the team’s chances and success in 2025. He is made for Yankee Stadium and its short right porch. He is an excellent centerfielder and first baseman. I want Belli to be in the best position to succeed. I do not want to see Belli trying to learn a position in his first year as a Yankee. He has too much to offer in the things he does best. Leave him alone.

Cody Bellinger, a born-to-be Yankee

I have no problem with Aaron Boone’s three-year extension that will pay him $15 million. It is essentially a two-year extension through the 2027 season, but Boone gets a pay hike to $4.5 million for the upcoming season. He will make $5 million next season, and $5.5 million in the 2027 season. If I saw available managers who could do a significantly better job than Boone, I would be furious about the extension. Still, at the end of the day, Boone’s good qualities are valuable and nobody would be a difference-maker. Perhaps there is untapped managerial potential with certain guys rising through the coaching profession (I am sure there are), but the Yankees need a ‘been there, done that’ guy at the top of the club’s food chain. Granted, Boone had no experience when he was hired, but it is safe to say that he is now an experienced manager, for better or worse. The Tampa Bay Rays did a wonderful job replacing Joe Maddon with the then-unproven Kevin Cash, but the Yankees are not in the rebuilding cycle that they can afford to take a chance on a guy like that.

The best thing a team can do for a manager is put the best coaches around him and the best players on the field. Do not leave holes at certain positions, like third base, relying on a wing and a prayer. Ultimately, this falls back on GM Brian Cashman as the man who must be held accountable.

Lastly, I am not sure what I think about President Trump’s mention of a possible pardon for the late Pete Rose. Look, I watched Pete play and saw him perform in person, but he crossed an ethical line and never showed remorse. I have difficulty granting him clemency even if he is six feet below. MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred is looking into possible reinstatement. I think what Trump wants, he will get so it is likely Rose will be granted a reprieve that will lead to his entry to the Hall of Fame. I do believe he was a Hall of Fame player, even if he was a disgusting man.

My posts have been less frequent than usual. I am attempting to make another move. I lived in Colorado for four years and have completed nearly five years in Southern California. While the weather is great, I am on the move again. Next up is the non-Major League Baseball state of New Mexico. Family reasons make the call, but I am looking forward to the new adventure. I am not a fan of the Colorado Rockies, but I have already purchased my first Albuquerque Isotopes baseball cap. The Isotopes are the Rockies’ Triple A affiliate. I plan to make regular appearances at Rio Grande Credit Union Field at Isotopes Park, affectionately called “The Lab.”  My home will be outside of Albuquerque, but close enough to commute.

Albuquerque, New Mexico

I look forward to the new memories, and beautiful sunsets. I will try not to go “Walter White, a/k/a Heisenberg” on the community.

As always, Go Yankees!

The Hairy Long Overdue Policy Change...

 

Thurman Munson (Photo Credit: New York Post)

Hal Steinbrenner shocks the baseball world w/hairy announcement…

I have been saying that neatly groomed beards and goatees on Yankee players would be fine for years. I never fully understood the traditionalists who felt the facial hair restrictions should remain to support team professionalism, tradition, and integrity. No sooner than Hal Steinbrenner had made the announcement on Friday morning about the relaxed policy, fans on social media were screaming that there would quickly be names on the back of jerseys and Yankee Stadium would be renamed after a commercial entity. Those comments are absurd (and unrelated to a facial hair policy).

Here is Hal’s announcement:

Some guys just do not look right with clean-shaven faces. I had felt closer Devin Williams looked more intimidating with a beard than his reluctantly shaved face. Carlos Rodón is another player who looks more menacing with a beard. Gleyber Torres has completely changed his appearance with his beard at the Detroit Tigers spring training facility. You can go down the list with the names of players who will benefit from the allowance for facial hair. For those who remain clean-shaven, fine. The new policy is not a mandate that one must trash his razor.

Devin Williams (Photo Credit: Elsa/Getty Images)

The only weird thing about the policy change is its timing. All beards had to be removed before players reported to camp. If the topic was under consideration for change, the Yankees should have told the players that there was a temporary stay to allow neatly groomed beards until a final decision had been made. It would have allowed Williams to retain a beard he had groomed for six years. I am sure it will be back in game-ready shape by Opening Day.

With the policy change, Hal Steinbrenner successfully distracts the fan base from its discontent about the current state of third base. At this point, the Yankees may see if Oswald Peraza can take the position. I have no hope DJ LeMahieu can stay healthy enough to hold down the position throughout a long season. Oswaldo Cabrera is a better super-sub than a regular player. That leaves Peraza as the last hope until the Yankees go outside the organization to find help. Unlike LeMahieu, Peraza at least has some pop in his bat. If the rumors are true that LeMahieu was under DFA consideration last year, the Yankees probably feel the same way about him that we do. The only difference is they are contractually liable for him and cannot publicly state true feelings if they run counter to the player. Well, they could, but the damage would be hard to unwind, and it would devalue the player in the trade market (as if LeMahieu has not done a good enough job devaluing himself). So, I am on Team Peraza until further notice.

Oswald Peraza

Given how much team hacks like Jack Curry have indicated the Yankees have no interest in St Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, there is still a small part of me that hopes the Cards decide to peddle him by paying down his contract to entice the Yankees. I get that he is on the decline, but he can still be a productive player for a few more seasons. Nolan will only be 34 in April. Give him a couple of years, and groom his replacement (someone like George Lombard, Jr, who will have to move off shortstop if Anthony Volpe stays there). I like Nolan, and his defense would be tremendous for the infield and pitching staff. He is still capable of productive at-bats. I know he makes too much money, but ultimately, we, the fanbase, are not paying salaries unless you count ticket sales and chicken buckets.

Nevertheless, there are no indications the Yankees are waiting on Nolan, so I will let it go. Hopefully, Oswald Peraza can take the position, run (and hit…and catch…and throw).

I am always disappointed when the Yankees make good moves in the off-season, only to fall short of doing a complete job. They always seem to leave a gaping hole somewhere in the roster. I get that you need young, cost-controlled players to step up, but tough decisions must be made to put the best product on the field when that talent potential is not readily apparent. You hear the position will be re-evaluated at the trade deadline, but July continues without action. I'm not trying to diss guys like Anthony Rizzo, but for the most part, the moves are Joey Gallo-like. Acquire the player…watch the player crash and burn. New York is not an easy place to play. I think guys who have the benefit of Spring Training have the edge of putting on pinstripes over guys trying to pull them on during the dog days of the summer when teams are jockeying for position.

I am glad Hal Steinbrenner was willing to revisit his father’s facial hair policy. I thought it would take an ownership change to make it happen. Times change, and I believe George Steinbrenner’s views may have changed. George wanted to win more than anything else, and attitudes and philosophies about facial hair have changed since 1976. Hal needs to continue making decisions that are in the best interest of the New York Yankees and not based on what he feels his father would have wanted. This is Hal’s team. George left us nearly fifteen years ago.

On another note, I have no problem with the Yankees’ decision to extend Manager Aaron Boone. It is only a two-year extension, so no long-term commitment is required. I value Boone’s ability to connect with his players. We may get frustrated with some of his in-game decisions, but the talent pool of available managers who are better than Boone is limited. I do not want to see Brad Ausmus elevated to manager or as much as I hate to say it, Don Mattingly, an all-time favorite of mine, did not prove anything in Los Angeles or Miami to indicate that he could do a better job than Boone. Would I love to see Mattingly as manager? Sure. But realistically, he does not offer more than Boone besides his name value in the organization. I like Buck Showalter, but he never won a World Series last time I checked. Joe Girardi? I think he is doing a superb job in the TV booth.

It may be time to make a change in two years. So be it. I will not complain about Boone in the interim, even if there is frustration. I might say ‘fire him,’ but realistically, I do not feel that “better” is out there. There are better Major League managers, but they are employed. A good manager has good coaches and players around him. The Yankees need to make sure they give Boone the best possible hand.

I would rather see Boone go to war armed with financial security than sit as a lame-duck manager. Is he going to bring us a World Series championship? Time will tell, as it often does. Ultimately, this lands on the Yankees’ Front Office and Ownership. “Do Better.”

Lastly, congratulations on the Yankees for making the long-overdue decision to move prospect Clayton Beeter to the bullpen. I know, calling a 26-year-old pitcher a “prospect” is a bit of a stretch, but it has long been cited that Beeter would need to move to the pen for his most significant effectiveness. I want to see him succeed, and I hope the new role will fast-track his path to the Major Leagues after spending years in the minors.

Clayton Beeter (Photo Credit: AP)

I am glad baseball is back. Today’s Spring Opener, a 4-0 victory over the soon-to-be Steinbrenner Field home participants, the Tampa Bay Rays, was an encouraging, albeit meaningless, start. Prop up Marcus Stroman’s trade value. I think that was the primary objective of today’s game. Mission successful. Now, we await the trade. Okay, it might not be that easy, but one can hope.

As always, Go Yankees!

A New Season, Are We Ready? ...

  

Devin Williams (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, NY Post)

The Yankees regroup for another run at the Dodgers…

Given the circumstances, this was one of the shortest off-seasons of recent memory. Of course, it would have been better to enter the shortened off-season with victorious feelings, but it was short, nonetheless. As a side note, f**k the Dodgers.

I am disappointed the Yankees were unable to sign Juan Soto, but conversely, I do not want players on the Yankees who do not want to be Yankees. Soto worshipped the almighty dollar, and it is his right. He wanted a team that he could be THE guy, and with no disrespect for the great (and future Hall of Famer) Francisco Lindor, he has it with the Mets.

I was pleased when the Yankees moved quickly to sign the former Atlanta Braves ace Max Fried (totally unexpected) and acquired a long-time favorite target, Cody Bellinger. Yeah, I kind of like the Clay to Cody connection with the Yankees, but the younger Bellinger earned his right to wear pinstripes. Unlike his father, Cody will be asked to play a significant role with the Yankees. His home run bat flips will soon become legendary in Yankee Stadium. I always go back to Darryl Strawberry in players that I loved to watch hit home runs, and I think Cody can elevate himself to Straw’s level, at least to my perspective. As much as I wanted Soto back, I am glad that Aaron Judge can return to right field, and I am equally stoked that Bellinger, rather than Jasson Dominguez, will roam the hallowed center field at Yankee Stadium. With no disrespect to young Dominguez, I think Belli in center is the highest and best use of his skills, with the occasional detour to first base.

Cody Bellinger (Photo Credit: Charles Wenzelberg, NY Post)

I am glad that Dominguez is finally primed for his Major League opportunity. Last year seems like a lost year for him, and I hope he can give us that ‘worth waiting for’ effect. I feel a little bad for Alex Verdugo, who was not asked back. I know he underwhelmed us, but I give him credit for changing my perception of him. I did not like him as a Red Sock, but he changed that image, and he embraced the pinstripes during his time in the Bronx. Of course, he will say and do things to make him a hated villain at his next stop, but for a year, he was ‘all-in’ as a Yankee, and I appreciate his effort. Dominguez deserves next so I have no problem with the change in left field. My only surprise was that the Dominguez chose #24 over the recently vacated #25. As a namesake of former Yankee first baseman Jason Giambi, I was certain he would take Giambi’s number if given the opportunity. Instead, he goes down the path of the legendary Tino Martinez.

Having one of baseball’s best closers, Devin Williams, at the back end of games is huge, but I am a little saddened because I think Luke Weaver was fantastic in his brief tenure as the team’s closer. The guy remains one of the key bullpen weapons and I am hopeful that his resurgence continues in 2025. Luke Weaver has an amazing personality to go with his talented arm, and I am glad he is a part of the pen, regardless of the role. I like the way Andrew Miller was utilized a few years ago as the best arm at the right time, regardless of the inning. Weaver can be that guy.

I am a little disappointed that Tommy Kahnle is now a Detroit Tiger, joining persona non grata Gleyber Torres. But I am cautiously optimistic that Fernando Cruz can be that key strikeout artist when it is needed the most. The Yankees know how to build effective bullpens, even if they like to punt other positions. I think Aaron Boone will be armed with multiple late inning options, and I think Devin Williams will have his greatest, if not most visible season, ever. Too bad the beard was not able to make the trip to the Bronx. One of these days, a player will stand up to the Yankees’ archaic facial hair policy. I was hoping…a little…that Williams would be that guy. At some point, Hal Steinbrenner needs to make his own decisions and forget about what Daddy wanted. I know the facial hair policy gives the Yankees an air of professionalism that other teams do not have, but I think they can keep rules in place to enforce neatly groomed facial hair, avoiding the Johnny Damon ‘Caveman’ look in Boston, or Justin Turner’s mass of redness flow when he was a Dodger. 

Third base. The source of my greatest disappointment this off-season. Look, I loved DJ LeMahieu earlier in his career. But even then, he was a second baseman with elite defense and limited power. An aged version that spends time on the Injury List that would rival Aaron Hicks does not excite me about the future of third base. You want power from your corner infielders, and you want elite defense. Maybe LeMahieu can provide the latter when/if he is on the field, but he has no power, and his best seasons are behind him. I see many fans who think Oswaldo Cabrera can be the breakout star. I am not convinced. I think he is a great super-sub at best. As for Oswald Peraza, I assume there is a reason the organization has not been high on him in recent seasons. I would love him to grab the position and never look back, but that is not a bet I care to make. I remain hopeful the Yankees will do better and make an acquisition before the end of Spring Training. I do not like the ‘let us re-evaluate the position at the trade deadline’ position. Too often, the trade deadline leaves us underwhelmed. For as many cons as there are against St Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, I would gladly accept him over the internal options. Nolan is a first-class guy with elite defense. The bat is not what it once was, but I think the pinstripes would reinvigorate him and he could give us a performance that helps position the team for October. I am not on a Nolan-only train. I will accept other alternatives so long as they are better than LeMahieu-Cabrera-Peraza.

So, the Yankees are discussing an extension with Aaron Boone. For as frustrated as I have been at times with Boone, the Yankees could do worse. I cannot think of anyone that is immediately available that would be substantially better. I was always hopeful that Don Mattingly would return to the Yankees as manager, but I am not convinced he would be far above Boone. Although I would support a managerial change, I will not be disappointed if the Yankees choose to add additional years for Boone. At the end of the day, it is the quality of the players on the field and the coaches around the manager that matter more. If Boone can foster an environment that helps the players find comfort in challenging situations, which of course he can do, he should stay.

I am anxious and ready for the season to start. The Dodgers have seemingly made the moves to ensure that they will be repeat champions in the Fall, but as they say, the games must be played on the field. There is no guarantee that the Dodgers, with their loaded roster of elite players and deferred contracts, will be victorious at season’s end.

I am getting ready to move to a non-Major League city. It sucks to have no immediate access to Major League Baseball, but I will have Triple-A at my disposal. I guess it means that ticket prices and concessions will be more affordable so that is a plus. I have always enjoyed watching minor league games involving future Major Leaguers. I remember once watching Cal Ripkin, Jr in Double-A (not trying to date myself but it is what it is) and it is a memory I have never forgotten.

Hopefully, I can get the YES Network in my new city. DirecTV should be an option since my new home has access to the southern skies. I will not miss California gas prices, or the overwhelming glut of people on the LA freeways. But sadly, I will miss the weather. I think California would be more enjoyable if I had Shohei Ohtani’s paycheck, okay with the deferrals that may be a bad example, so let’s go with Mookie Betts. For my new location, I will go with the quote ‘Tread Lightly.’  Time for new experiences, and most importantly of all, a home that will be seven miles from my first grandson, who joins this party in May.

As always, Go Yankees!

The Yankees Are No Longer the Evil Empire...

 

Roki Sasaki

The Dodgers and, to a lesser extent, the Mets have overtaken the Yankees…

Friday’s news that Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki has signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers was expected, but it was still disappointing to hear. When Japanese superstar Shohei Ohtani signed his heavily deferred contract with the Dodgers, it freed the team to use more money elsewhere. You hate to say it gave them a competitive advantage because it is true that any team could have structured a similar deal (well, maybe not for the total dollars involved). Outthinking the opposition is not a trait monopolized by the richest teams. The Dodgers are playing at a higher level, and it is up to the other Major League teams to catch up.

The Dodgers have the benefit of an extraordinarily rich and powerful ownership group, just like the billionaire who controls operations in Queens for the crosstown Mets. Other fans screamed about the Yankees when they flaunted their money years ago, but now many of those same fans are relishing their newfound prestigious financial edge. The Steinbrenner Family is wealthy because of their baseball team. The Dodgers and Mets ownership groups had the money, they just needed the toys. Enormous difference.

The caveat with Steve Cohen after he launched his guaranteed highest bidder campaign to snag former Yankees outfielder Juan Soto in free agency is the lack of other significant moves to put the Mets in the Dodgers’ stratosphere. I am sure Cohen will spend more money; it is only a matter of time. I thought they would be more aggressive in trying to re-sign their own free agent first baseman Pete Alonso, and maybe they still will despite this week’s word that they are not optimistic. If the Mets land Toronto’s Vladimir Guerrero, Jr prior to Spring Training, then it would be hard to find fault with their approach. Vlad Jr will age better than Alonso or at least he should even if his mouth will not.

Ultimately, the Dodgers and the Mets have stolen the spotlight on the Yankees as the King of the Jungle, the big market behemoth, the team most willing to buy the best players in baseball and field All-Stars at every position. In other words, the Yankees are no longer the Evil Empire. They might just be the Jawa sand crawler at best these days. The Dodgers have taken the main stage of Baseball’s biggest villain, with Uncle Steve trying to nip at their heels. Meanwhile, Hal Steinbrenner and his sisters sit back and watch the show.

If the Yankees were ever placed on the market, the World’s biggest billionaires would line up to buy the team. Not that I want to see Elon Musk as the owner of the Yankees, but it would be nice to have an owner that is ultra-competitive with a burning desire to win at all costs like we once had with the late (and, admittedly, flawed) George Steinbrenner.  The shipbuilder made his money prior to buying the Yankees but he was not playing in the same financial circles as today’s super rich owners. It is almost laughable today that Steinbrenner paid $10 million for the Yankees in 1973. Now, ten million might get you a subpar reliever or role player for a year.

Although the Yankees’ franchise generates high revenues, I would never want them to foolishly spend money. I do buy into the argument that you do not have to spend the most money to win; it is more a question of where you place the dollars you spend. It is a little aggravating to see the team stop short nearly every offseason with the full moves needed to ensure top contention for the Fall Classic. Overall, I am pleased with the Yankees’ moves this offseason after Juan Soto’s defection to the Mets. They may not be a better team than they were with Soto, but I do not feel they are noticeably worse. The fact they were able to tread water in what could have been a devastating loss is admirable. Aggravation is the current second/third base predicament. I would prefer to see Jazz Chisholm, Jr return to second base to replace the departed Gleyber Torres, with a new third baseman acquired. The present plan has DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza competing for the job. None of those options excite me, but there is still time before Spring Training for the Yankees to make moves. I do not fault GM Brian Cashman for waiting out the market to see what falls to him. Waiting is not fun, but the eventual results, if the Yankees can get the player they want, are better for the bottom line.

Dodgers President of Baseball Operations Andrew Friedman and Yankees GM Brian Cashman

Although it is not my money, I want the Yankees to do what’s right for the long-term stability and continued success of the franchise. I am not saying that the Dodgers and Mets have unsustainable models, but I am only concerned about the state of the New York Yankees. Within the realm of doing what is right for the organization, I hope they make the necessary moves to help ensure that the Yankees are still standing at season’s end (hopefully, the last men standing).

The needs list is not that great. Find the second or third baseman, get a reliever that can join up with closer Devin Williams and setup reliever/backup closer Luke Weaver at the back end of games, find a backup catcher, and announce the new assistant pitching coach replacing the departed Desi Druschel. I dream how nice it would be to have Tanner Scott on the team, but I doubt the Yankees will pay the money it would take. Scott-Weaver-Williams would be lethal. But nearly every year, a surprising reliever emerges as a force, and I expect no less in 2025. There are plenty of potential candidates in the organization who could take their game to the next level. But as part of the trusted trio to close games, proven ability to shut down the game’s best hitters is a plus. I think more options will be added to the team before the gates of Steinbrenner Field and the surrounding practice facilities open to its spring participants.

Tanner Scott (Photo Credit: Kenya Allen/Pressbox)

I think the point to my exercise is that I am aware of the Dodgers and Mets, but focus is best served on the Yankees. The Yankees cannot control what the Dodgers and Mets do, but they can control what the New York Yankees can do. The Yankees made considerable progress in scouting and player development when they focused their resources on finding the right people. Continue down that path. Pitching Coach Matt Blake is an inspired hire that was the right choice. Keep it up. Despite the multiple loss of instructors throughout the organization this offseason to other teams, the Yankees have shown they have a model that others want. They have proven they can hire the right people. At the end of the day, everybody is replaceable.

So, to bring this story to a close, I am cautiously optimistic about the 2025 New York Yankees. I know there is work to be done, and I hope the team sees it through. Stopping short would be a mistake. We are in the prime of the careers of Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole. Strike while the fire is hot. A couple of years down the road, we can revisit the word “rebuild.” The focus here and now should be “enhance” or “improve.”  The Dodgers want somebody that can give them a challenge in next year’s World Series.

I think the thing that saddens me the most about the Dodgers’ signing Sasaki is there is no room for future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw. He has been such a great Dodger and will go down as one of the all-time greats in the organization. I had hoped he would spend the entirety of his career with the Dodgers, but if he decides to continue, it seems he will need to pull on a new uniform, with the Texas Rangers as the most logical fit for the Dallas area resident. I would hate to see Kersh as a Houston Astro even if he is not the pitcher he once was.

Clayton Kershaw

When the International Signing Period opened on January 15^th, I expected to see activity with the Yankees. Alas, nothing but crickets. I read that Roki Sasaki’s impending decision, even though the Yankees had been told they were out, was the reason for the delay in any announcement of signings. The most notable international player associated with the Yankees is Dominican shortstop Manny Cedeno, MLB’s eleventh-ranked international prospect. There was potential to trade international bonus pool money to the Dodgers after they signed Sasaki, but the Philadelphia Phillies were there to assist the Dodger Blue. It was reported the Phillies sent either $750,000 or $1 million to the Dodgers for outfield prospect Dylan Campbell. The Dodgers still need to make another move or two to get the money they need for Sasaki so maybe the Yankees are trying to figure out where they can cut a few dollars with the intended signings. Regardless, we should start getting the news of the actual signings this weekend (one would think). I hope the Yankees do not blow it with Cedeno as he is the only player on MLB’s list of Top 50 International Prospects that was associated with the Yankees. I wish I could find someone who loves me as much as the Yankees love shortstop prospects.

Maybe it is just me but as time goes on, I wish the Yankees could find a way to bring Jorge Posada back into the organization in some capacity. I have always loved his fire and intensity, and that is a needed quality in the organization.

Jorge Posada and Derek Jeter (Photo Credit: Mark Brown/Getty Images)

I will say it now, but I want Munetaka Murakami as the Yankees first baseman next offseason. Thanks Paul Goldschmidt, we appreciate you giving us a year, but NEXT. I know, it might be foolish to get excited about any Japanese player with Chavez Ravine being the current desired location, but maybe at some point, Hideki Matsui and Masahiro Tanaka can sell an elite young player on how great it is to play in New York wearing the famed Pinstripes. I seriously hope Murakami is that player.

Munetaka Murakami

Myles Straw is now in the AL East with the Toronto Blue Jays. It certainly gives Yankees fans more opportunity to boo a player that is just not that good. Not many players that I dislike, but Straw certainly is among the group. Good for the Cleveland Guardians to rid themselves of a pathetic outfielder. The only downside is that the great Don Mattingly and Straw now wear the same uniform.

Boston could still make moves that move them up the standings in the AL East. It is fathomable to think that both Alex Bregman and Pete Alonso could be calling Beantown home. While I think of the Baltimore Orioles as the top challenger in the AL East, their relative inaction and inability to strengthen the starting rotation leaves them vulnerable. Boston can be a prime beneficiary of waiting out the market.

Now that Sasaki has made his decision, I hope the offseason can resume. The Yankees’ activity has been non-existent for the past few weeks so it would be nice to see a move or two before we see Aaron Judge walking into Steinbrenner Field.

As always, Go Yankees!

A New Year for Pinstriped Dreams...

  

Happy New Year to Everyone in the Yankees Universe…

Happy New Year!

2025 has arrived, but, naturally, the 2025 New York Yankees are not yet a finished product. General Manager Brian Cashman has work to do to complete his roster masterpiece after the Yankees were forced into Plan B with the departure of prized free agent outfielder Juan Soto who signed with the crosstown Mets.

The biggest hole is either second or third base depending upon where you place Jazz Chisholm, Jr. While I felt Chisholm did well when asked to play out of position at third base, the Yankees would benefit from a ‘tried and true’ third baseman with above-average defensive skills. I think Chisholm can be a better third baseman if he focuses on it exclusively in Spring Training (a training environment he did not get last year as an outfielder for the Miami Marlins). Yet, I think the Yankees would be better served by moving Chisholm back to his original position of second base which was vacated by the free agent departure of Gleyber Torres, now a Detroit Tiger.

As such, the Yankees need a third baseman. The present roster options are DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Oswald Peraza. It is tough to get enthused about any of those guys. LeMahieu will be 37 years old this summer. His health challenges will persist. They are not going to get better as he continues fighting Father Time. LeMahieu would be best served playing the utility role he originally signed with the team for. I like Oswaldo Cabrera, but I remain unconvinced that he is more than bench depth. Last year seems like a lost year for Peraza. I do not feel that he did anything to warrant consideration as a starter on the Major League roster. We may not know all the reasons for why the organization held him back, but the fact they did should give us pause regarding Peraza.

The best and only hope is the team’s starting third baseman is not yet on the roster.

Fans love to speculate about the options. Every talked-about choice is polarizing. After much mention of St Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, it was shot down by Jack Curry on a recent episode of Hot Stove on the YES Network when he stated that there was not interest in Arenado within the Yankees organization. But like Mike Axisa said, things can change with a phone call. I know Arenado will be 34 in April, but he is still a good baseball player at the plate and on the field. Sure, Arenado and current Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt had down years for the Cardinals last season, but it was a down season for the entire team (you cannot place the blame solely on those two guys). I think both are capable of having rebound seasons. They may never reach the heights of their respective prime seasons, but the best versions of their current selves can help the Yankees win a championship. I like Nolan, and I would be happy to see him run out to third base at Yankee Stadium on Thursday, March 27 in the top of the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado (Photo Credit: Gregory Fisher/USA TODAY Sports)

I would even be willing to accept Houston Astros cheater Alex Bregman, a free agent that seems likely to land in Detroit, Boston, or Toronto soon. Again, it just takes a phone call. Until Bregman signs a contract, he is fair game for any team, including the Yankees. Well, not the Miami Marlins since they have already tapped out after spending **checks notes** nothing this offseason.

Other names have been mentioned, but regardless of who we are talking about, it is a given that Cashman and his team are evaluating players about whom we are NOT talking. While it is possible the Yankees could make a surprise announcement that they have acquired Arenado, it is equally possible we will see the acquisition of a name we were not expecting. If the Yankees feel they can acquire a young player on the cusp of a breakout season, I think they have earned the benefit of the doubt. Not everybody works out, but I remember being slightly underwhelmed when the Yankees acquired Tino Martinez from the Seattle Mariners to replace Yankees legend Don Mattingly when he retired. Maybe it was more about not wanting to see Mattingly go but I was deeply disappointed about the news. Martinez had big shoes to fill…despite the odds, he succeeded. He may not have been Don Mattingly, but he gave us the best version of Tino Martinez which was one of the key factors to the team’s dynasty success in the late 1990s. An incoming third baseman for the Yankees is not being asked to fill the shoes of a legend, but the point is that we need to give time and patience to the player if for no other reason than the Yankees believe the player is the right choice for the current opportunity. If he becomes a Joey Gallo sized failure, then we can tear into the choice.

So, for as frustrated as I have been with Cashman at times, I do believe he and his team have the proven ability to uncover untapped potential. My fear or my biggest gripe would be for the Yankees to do nothing further this offseason and go into the season with twenty-six men off the current 40-man roster. To stop short like they did a couple of seasons ago by not filling left field with a strong player. If we can do better than LeMahieu, Cabrera or Peraza at third base, I trust the organization to make the right choices. There is pressure on them to succeed.

Personally, I am hoping for Arenado’s acquisition but realistically, I think the Yankees will go the young up-and-comer route. The player ready for a breakout season. They will not be wrong when the decision is made. Only time will tell but given the circumstances, I am willing to gamble with the Yankees on this one so long as they make a move. Doing nothing is the worst possible outcome.

The Yankees also still need bullpen help and a backup catcher.

Whether the Yankees re-sign Tim Hill or sign former Tigers lefty Andrew Chafin, they will do something. I still hope for a reunion with Tommy Kahnle. A reliever could also be part of a potential trade for third baseman although that could be a two-way street with relievers. I am confident that Clayton Beeter will be a bullpen breakout next season, but the Yankees need more than just him. The Yankees have developed the knack for ‘Build-A-Bullpen,’ so I am not too worried.

It is possible that JC Escarra or Alex Jackson wins the backup catching duty vacated when Jose Trevino was traded to the Cincinnati Reds. However, I do not feel that either player can be anointed the backup ahead of Spring Training. The Yankees need other options. When the Los Angeles Dodgers designated a former top prospect, catcher Diego Cartaya, this week to make room for the free agent signing of Korean infielder Hyeseong Kim, it immediately caught my attention. I would love to see the Yankees get a hold of Cartaya to see if they can help him realize his potential. He is only twenty-three, so he is still young. I would prefer Cartaya over Alex Jackson based on his potential alone. I think Cartaya would benefit from the tutelage of Yankees Major League Field Coordinator and Director of Catching Tanner Swanson.

Diego Cartaya (Photo Credit: Mark J Rebilas/USA TODAY Sports)

It should be noted that Hyeseong Kim is not the San Diego free agent infielder Ha-Seong Kim, another rumored (fan-speculated; not organizational insiders) Yankees target. I have no problem with the MLB-experienced Kim other than my hope is the team’s third baseman has power. Kim hit seventeen homers in 2023, but only eleven last season. With the Padres’ Kim, you would most likely put him at second and keep Chisholm at third which is the scenario I would like to avoid if possible.

Speaking of coaches, there have not been any announcements about the formalization of the 2025 coaching staff. While most will return to continue their present roles, the Yankees still need an assistant pitching coach for Matt Blake. The Yankees website continues to show Desi Druschel as the Assistant Pitching Coach, but he left for the Mets earlier this off-season.

The Yankees website also loves to carry over a player’s number from his previous team regardless of number availability with the Yankees. Paul Goldschmidt shows number 46 which we know will not be unretired for Andy Pettitte. When the Yankees acquired Trent Grisham last year, they showed him with number 2. It was only a matter of time until Grisham was updated with number 12. I think Goldy should take forty-eight since he prefers numbers in the forties. He wore forty-four with the Arizona Diamondbacks and forty-six with the St Louis Cardinals. The only downside to Goldy wearing forty-eight is that it is the number of the beloved player he is replacing (Anthony Rizzo). If Kahnle returns, maybe he wants his old forty-eight back which would open forty-one for Goldy or he could take Luis Severino’s 40. I guess we will find out in about a month and a half.

One hundred years ago (the 1925 season), the Pittsburgh Pirates defeated the Washington Senators (now the Minnesota Twins) in seven games. The Senators were the defending World Champions after defeating the New York Giants the previous year. Is 2025 the year the New York Yankees can defeat the defending World Champions? I hope so. I want a rematch with the Dodgers. If not the Dodgers, bring on the Mets. To return to the World Series, the Yankees need a strong third baseman. Can they, do it? I hope so. I am counting on Hal Steinbrenner pulling out all stops to ensure that the team has a successful return to the Fall Classic with a better outcome. If he is not pulling out all stops, then he needs to question if the Steinbrenner Family is the right fit for the New York Yankees in this century and investigate the possible sale of the team to an owner capable of competing with the big boys.

As always, Go Yankees! 

Gleyber Moves On...

  

Gleyber Torres (Photo Credit: AP)

Torres, once a prized Baby Bomber, departs via free agency…

 I suppose it was inevitable.

Gleyber Torres, the prize of the 2016 trade that sent Closer Aroldis Chapman to the eventual World Champion Chicago Cubs, is a Yankee no more. Only yesterday people were continually asking if he was only twenty-one. Now twenty-eight, he seems like a shell of the player we once thought he would be, but admittedly, I was saddened to hear Saturday’s news that Gleyber had signed a one-year, $15 million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

Gleyber Torres, Detroit Tigers 2B

Given the Yankees have not done anything to address third base or provide the final and much-needed bat to the lineup, the best-case scenario would be to re-sign Gleyber if the plan is to keep Jazz Chisholm, Jr at third base. I know, the poor . He had 709 OPS produced last season and had an atrocious defense at times, but I have always felt he was capable of more (better). Sometimes, it is best to just cut bait rather than delay the inevitable. I was grateful last season when Gleyber improved his performance in the second half, and he did an admirable job batting lead-off. Alas, it was not enough to convince the Yankees he was worth bringing back.

Ironically, Gleyber will now play for the manager who led the Trash Can Astros and their cheating ways. Oh well, I hope Gleyber does well enough on his one-year deal to justify a more lucrative contract next offseason. I will always be disappointed it did not work out and wish there had been a different outcome. However, a change of scenery for both sides was needed. As such, it was the only viable outcome.

Gleyber finishes his seven-year Yankees career with 888 games played. In 3,673 plate appearances, he hit 138 home runs and drove in 441 runs. His batting line was .265/.334/.441 with .774 OPS. Unfortunately, he also accumulated 106 errors, including eighteen this past season. He had a career .967 fielding percentage with the Yankees. He is what he is. He can help you with his bat, but he will give a few runs away with his glove.

We move on.

Jazz Chisholm, Jr is a talented guy. With Gleyber removed as a second base option, Jazz becomes my favorite for the position opening third base. While Jazz did a decent job at third base, I want a tried-and-true third baseman who can effectively field and hit. Is that too much to ask? I have concerns that the Miami Marlins thought so well of Jazz’s abilities at second base that they moved him to the outfield. I am sure there were other factors at play. I do not doubt Jazz’s talent. Hopefully, the Marlins were just being the Marlins, the joke of a franchise that caused Derek Jeter to wash his hands of them.

Jazz Chisholm Jr and Aaron Judge

There was a time when I wanted DJ LeMahieu as the starting second baseman. Those days have passed. DJ has not been a reliable part of the lineup for several years. At his age, things will not miraculously get better. He has become a player that is best used sparingly, making him a prime candidate for the bench. I have seen people pencil in Oswaldo Cabrera, but he is not a championship-caliber everyday player. He is a talented, diverse player but a bench option. How the Yankees managed Oswald Peraza in 2024 told me enough about what they think about his future. He is not an option.

The Yankees should spend the money and sign free-agent third baseman Alex Bregman. I think Bregman would be a strong player for the Yankees, but I do not feel his contract fits in the grand scheme. It is not my money; the Yankees have the money, but it is their decision. I like Nolan Arenado, even if most of the Yankees fan base does not. However, like Bregman, cash is prohibitive. I doubt the Cardinals will pay much of the freight, and the Yankees would need to part with quality prospects to make a deal happen. It seems like the obstacles are too significant. I have seen people throw out Alex Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies as an option. I know less about Bohm than Bregman or Arenado, but I favor any player who can hold third base at a level better than the league average.

I am not sure what the Yankees will do, but they need to do something. Going into training camp as the roster stands today is a mistake. It would just be another offseason in which the Yankees did not do enough to bridge the gap to a championship.

Waiting for the offseason plan to unfold sucks. Hopefully, there will be better days between now and the opening of the training camp in February.

In other moves, the Yankees need to finish their bullpen work. Bring back Tommy Kahnle, and sign either Tim Hill or Andrew Chafin. I am partial to Hill since he has shown he can help the Yankees, but I would not be disappointed with Chafin even if he lost his menacing beard. I would love to see the Yankees sign Jack Flaherty, but that seems like a pipe dream. Shipping out Marcus Stroman's contract is necessary for any significant moves. I wish Stroman could have proven himself to be upper-rotation material for the Yankees, but regardless, he can help…somebody.

I am pleased with the offseason additions of Max Fried and Cody Bellinger, even if the return of Juan Soto would have been more impactful. I am…optimistic…that the Bronx will reenergize Paul Goldschmidt. At worst, he will be an improvement over Anthony Rizzo (which is painful to say, given how much I loved having Rizzo as the team’s first baseman). Devin Williams, supported by Luke Weaver, will be a beast at the end of the games. Nice to have one of the game’s better closers again (which is not a knock against Weaver, who I thought was terrific in the role).

I am interested to see who the Yankees hire as Matt Blake's assistant pitching coach. The Yankees’ website still shows Desi Druschel, who departed earlier this offseason for the crosstown Mets.

Lots of work to do for Team Cashman. The only question is whether they will do it.

As always, Go Yankees!