A NAME LEAKED TO REPLACE CASHMAN AS GM HAS EVERYONE BUZZING!

Personally, it's hard NOT for me to get excited about that headline. Brian Cashman started with the Yankees back in 1986 as an intern and took over as General Manager in 1998. He's been around a LONG time and I think it's time for a change. So that headline, makes me curious and my mind starts to wander.

Cashman doesn't have an easy job, so I acknowledge that. It's probably a very thankless job at times, too especially from fans. I'm going to guess from the fan perspective, it's been thankless for a long time. I know I haven't been the biggest Cashman fan for a while now, I just think his approach hasn't helped the Yankees and we all know we haven't won in far too long.

So, this idea of new names being floated as his replacement is fascinating, check out Andy Martino's story on this HERE. Cashman is signed through the 2026 season, and Martino did ask him if Cashman was going to step aside after this current contract and Martino said "He shrugged and declined to respond." A few weeks later, Martino asked again and Cashman said he didn't know what would happen now or in the future and that he could always be let go during his current contract. A lot can happen between now and then, so it's true....I just don't think him being let go is as likely. I wouldn't be too disappointed if it did, though.

I do think the Yankees need to go a new direction. They need new life and strategy breathed into this team and I am done with Cashman's bad long term deals that never pan out and him shopping at the bargain bottom of the barrel for scraps. Someone else can help us get back on top and be champions again.

But who would be that someone? According to Martino, current Vice President of Player Development Kevin Reese is the favorite to succeed Cashman. Interestingly enough, Reese played for the Yankees briefly. He appeared in 12 games between the 2005 and 2006 seasons. It's not a name I was expecting BUT Martino "heard this from no fewer than five well-placed sources" because he has an extensive resume that the Yankees look for when it comes to baseball operations. He is also said to be highly respected by the Steinbrenner family according to multiple sources, and we know how that respect has benefitted Cashman over the years.

I do think the Yankees need to move on from Cashman. I wanted it to happen already, but as the saying goes.... all things must come to an end eventually. I just hope Cashman's end comes sooner rather than later.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

 

SLOW START? THE YANKEES SAY "NO PROBLEM"

 

Source: AP

I am sick of the Yankees' brass always covering for their players with some sort of ridiculous statement. The one that keeps creeping up year after year is "He's just having a slow start." Seriously that is such cop out. But for the Yankees, slow starts are no problem.

Aaron Judge is one of those slow starters, but as we have seen, he has picked it up a bit before his unfathomable ejection in Saturday afternoon's game. “I’m not overly, overly concerned about it, but obviously, when you look at it, you’re not gonna say there’s no concern,’’ hitting coach James Rowson said before the game on Friday. “There’s a level of wanting him to get going and getting back to himself, but right now, we’re trying to do the simple things of getting the timing of his swing right consistently,” reported The New York Post.

Source: Fox News

Aaron Judge always seems to find a way, but his start was not just slow, but abysmal. "He entered Friday night still hitting just .197 with a very unJudge-like OPS of .725. When it appeared he was about to break out recently, with three homers in five games — including home runs in back-to-back games in Milwaukee — he followed that outburst with one hit in 13 at-bats in four games before Friday’s series opener against the Tigers in The Bronx," reported the Post.

Source: Sports Illustrated

But it is not just Judge. It appears to be all veterans. They just can't seem to get going. Take Gleyber Torres for instance. "The season has been a struggle for Torres, to say the least, as he had a 63 wRC+ entering Thursday's game. Hopefully, he can get going offensively after getting that first home run out of the way; it is especially important for Torres to have a strong season as he will be an unrestricted free agent during the offseason," reported Sports Illustrated. Torres' defense is slow too. Which makes him doubly slow.

Giancarlo Stanton always seems to have a slow start. And a slow end too. He has some good bouts in between, where he goes on a tear. But his swing is so blunt- he either hits it or he doesn't. I have liked the way he has been hitting line drives lately- and helping the Yankees score runs. But as always, he is slow to start despite is lean appearance.

According to ESPN, "Stanton, who struck out his previous three times up (Friday night), lined an opposite-field double into the right-field corner on a 97 mph sinker, leaving runners at second and third. It was Stanton's first hit this season on a pitch 97 mph or faster." Yes, Stanton has been slow to hit the fastball. You can't make this stuff up.

Slow start is just not an excuse. Overall, the Yankees have had a steady start, albeit a strong start. But it is younger guys, Anthony Volpe, Oswaldo Cabrera and Juan Soto, who have had speedy starts to the season. With a long off season, why can't players be more ready to start the season with a bang? Your guess is as good as mine. I am over this slow start nonsense. And with April turning to May, slow start is like saying Happy New Year for too long. Shut it down already.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

JUDGE EJECTION DOESN'T DAMPER YANKEE WIN

Let's call it what it was.  The umpire made a shit call.  And my take is clearly he knew he was wrong and didn't want to show weakness, and so he heard a little chatter from Aaron Judge and said "You know what? Without this getting crazy, let me eliminate the guy." And in the end he showed weakness. One of those split-second decisions that went bad. Moron. 

That decision to eject Judge of course was an awful mistake as Yankee fans came to the stadium to not only see the Yankees play, but they also came for Aaron Judge. And so, there's a balance.  Judge is the leader. He's the leader because he's not a troublemaker.... but in the end, it was the umpires who got it wrong again.

Aaron Judge was just ejected for the first time in his career by umpire Ryan Blakney after an atrocious strike three call. What an absolute fucking embarrassment MLB umpires have become. This motherfucker should pay serious consequences for this. Remember the name — Ryan Blakney pic.twitter.com/fjukfIo0L3

— Dan Rourke (@DanAlanRourke) May 4, 2024

 Another bad stain on how soft and weak they are and how one day real soon umpires will all be losing their jobs.  

But the Yankees won and that's what should be talked about. Yahoo Sports writes:

"Judge left the game after batting 2-for-4 with an RBI. The Yankees eventually won the game, 5–3."

The win would come because Rizzo cranked a 3 run homer. The bat is getting hot.

Judge explained himself and I really don't fault the guy. He's a class act and didn't do anything wrong. That umpire? He's soft and clearly he messed up.

Aaron Judge on his first career ejection pic.twitter.com/opHQNw8t7q

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) May 4, 2024

Yankees win another one.  They just keep going and dammit it's great to see.

YANKEE ACE IS MAKING SIGNIFICANT PROGESS

The Yankee pitching is doing well this season, but let's cut through it... Marcus Stroman is not an ace.  Gerrit Cole is, and he is doing well, making good progress coming back from that elbow injury.

The Sporting News writes:

"Cole threw 15 pitches from the mound Saturday morning as he continues to work his way back from elbow nerve inflammation, which sidelined him two weeks before opening day. Everything went according to plan, and Cole had plenty of optimism coming out of the major step in his recovery.

"It was exciting," Cole said. "This was a good day for me. I was fired up."

Cole is still weeks away from making his return to the Yankees, and he will have to go through a similar six-week ramp-up to that of spring training."

Right now, we're looking at June for him to return, although he is eligible to return by the end of May.  Any way you slice it, this is great news, especially if our starters can continue to do well.

RIZZO FINDS A WAY!

The bats were silent all game.  It's really one of those things that frustrates Yankee fans.  How can a lineup this powerful be so quiet some games and then other games they collect 14 runs? Well, last night was a night of silence, just to get the Bronx to roar in the 9th and it all started with our Captain and ended with Anthony F'in Rizzo!

The New York Post writes:

"Aaron Judge led off with a single up the middle against Jason Foley and Alex Verdugo followed with a bunt hit down the third base line.

Giancarlo Stanton, who struck out his first three times, ripped a double to right to drive in Judge and tie the game at 1-1.

Anthony Rizzo followed with a single through a drawn-in infield to win it to allow the Yankees to avoid a fourth loss in five games. "

Walk it off, Rizzo 🤌 pic.twitter.com/B0zouPDUml

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 4, 2024

And the celebration was on!  

Look, I have said this a long time, in fact all April; I am thrilled that the Yankees came out of the gate on fire.  It's clear a good hitting coach has helped to right the ship. James Rowson deserves a ton of credit. I just worry about this starting rotation.  They are doing great so far, but I just don't want to see them faulter.  I'm being cautiously optimistic. 

Whatever the case, a win is a win, and this was a good one! Gotta love the Bronx! Go Yanks!

I TOLD YOU AARON HICKS SUCKS

When Aaron Hicks went to the Orioles and had a sudden resurgence last year, the Yankee world was wishing he was back in pinstripes for some reason.  I just sat there thinking, "No it's coming, don't worry."  And here we are.

Hicks is out of a job, because let's face it, the guy cannot play anymore.  I don't fault him for it, baseball is hard.  But the biggest problem I had with Hicks and the Yankees is how the Yankees actually thought this guy was a long term franchise player for them.  Remember when they signed the guy year 7, 70 million? What were they thinking?  And let's put it this way, ESPN here:

"Hicks is still under the seven-year, $70 million contract he originally signed with the New York Yankees, which extends through the 2025 season. The deal pays Hicks $9.5 million in 2024 and $9.5 million in 2025 and includes a $1 million buyout for a club option in 2026. The Yankees are still responsible for all of it minus the major league minimum of $740,000 the Angels will pay him in 2024."

In other words, the Yankees are paying this guy to sit on his couch and a few teams removed from them. The Yankees are bad with money and so I don't wanna hear them complaining about how they don't have to money to sign ACTUAL stars.  

But back to Hicks for a moment, it's over for the guy, at first designated for assignment by the Angels, and then eventually released...

The New York Post writes:

"Aaron Hicks returned to his Yankees form and that didn’t work for the Angels.

Hicks, 34, was designated for assignment by Los Angeles on Monday after batting .140 in 18 games. The outfielder was 8 for 57 with the Angels and had only one hit in his last 19 at-bats."

And now what, the Yankees pay and Hicks doesn't play.  Awful contract.

EVEN STANTON SUPPORTERS CAN'T DEFEND THIS ONE!

I come home from a vacation and turn on my tv to catch up on some Yankee baseball, and hopefully a win against the Orioles. I didn't get what I was hoping for. Instead I watched the most embarrassing swing and miss I have ever seen in my life and then my X account went bananas!

Seriously, what the hell was this? What was he swinging at? I think I re-watched this video ten times just in disbelief. I've been critical of Giancarlo Stanton in the past but seriously, calling this a bad swing is an insult.

So I finally have something in common with a professional baseball player. I can easily do what Stanton just did. That pitch had ZERO chance of ever entering the strike zone. Stanton is just guessing at the plate. It was like he made up his mind to swing before the pitch ever left the pitcher's hand. What an embarrassment to the New York Yankees and brainless Brian Cashman.

I really want to believe in Stanton, because I want to see him succeed and help us win....but I am just not a believer. Aaron Boone tried to sell us all on this leaner, more athletic and healthier player and so far we have the leaner part. The healthier part is still too soon to tell and well.....he's definitely NOT more athletic. He just can't run the bases and he's not a position player no matter how much he wants to prove he is.

The Yankees have a problem here. Including this season, they still have four more years of this crippling contract and he's nothing short of a liability now. Sure, he's going to run into a fastball and knock it out every now and then, and as much as the Yankees love their sexy home runs they don't need just that. We need ballplayers, and good ones that are difference makers on the team.....that's not Stanton.

I'm just tired of watching the same failures from him season after season. Stanton has nothing to offer the Yankees....except some bad comedy and headaches. I wish the Yankees would cut their losses and dump him. It's time. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

 

SOTO LEAVES HIS MARK ON BALTIMORE'S EUTAW STREET

I got a text message from a fan Tuesday night that said, "We already look second class against Baltimore." My response, "It's too early for that talk." And with that comment Juan Soto launched a 471 foot 2-run shot into Eutaw Street. "It's Juanderful", as John Sterling would say. So despite Baltimore being well, Baltimore and taking the first two games of the series, the Yankees keep things exciting with Soto.

Source: David Dermer/AP Photo

"For those who don’t know, Eutaw Street is the festive area that’s located between Camden Yards and the B&O warehouse. Every home run ball that completely clears the right-field wall and lands on the street gets a mini plaque on the spot where the ball lands. Didi (Gregorius) is the first Yankees player to hit a homerun on Eutaw Street since Curtis Granderson did it back in 2013," reported Elite Sports NY. Didi did it in 2019 with a 417-foot home run. In fact, Granderson, Gregorius and now Soto are in great company with other Yankee lore including Jason Giambi (three plaques on the street), Paul O’Neill, Robinson Cano, Johnny Damon, and Nick Swisher. Soto's blast is the 11th by a Yankee. 

Besides this huge home run last night in Baltimore, Soto has been absolutely on fire. According to MLB.com, "He was doing historic things from the first series of the season. Soto became the first player in the expansion era (1961) to record a go-ahead RBI in the 7th inning or later in three of his first four games with a team, and the first to do so in three of his four with the Yankees, specifically, since RBI became official in 1920, according to the Elias Sports Bureau."

We have watched him be selective at the plate, choosing the right pitches to hit. He make hard contact when he does swing, among the best in the majors. And he hits the ball in the air. According to MLB.com, "Soto is hitting .521 and slugging 1.083 on fly balls and line drives, and has always had similar numbers on such batted balls. By hitting fewer grounders, he’s positioning himself for those positive outcomes even more. The culmination of all of this: he isn’t just hitting the ball in the air more overall, but also when making hard contact. 66.7% of his hard-hit batted balls have been fly balls and line drives."

The Soto party is very popular in Yankee Stadium, of course, but even on the road, Soto has more fans than not. Sure he gets boos, but honestly, it is hard to boo for a guy that has a smile and disposition like he has. Now Soto has left his mark, permanently in Baltimore. And his plaque will soon replace the ball that he muscled out there on Tuesday night. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

MAYBE AARON JUDGE ITS JUST BIG AND EVERY NON-YANKEE FAN CAN STFU

I mean it's not that deep.  

Aaron Judge slid and slid like he always slides.  That's it, end of story.  If you don't know what I'm talking about, here's the nugget from Pinstripe Nation:

"The Yankees nation stands united in defending captain Aaron Judge from attacks by the Brewers over his outstretched sliding hand deflected a throw from Willy Adames, preventing a potential inning-ending double play. The controversial play in the sixth inning at American Family Field on Sunday drew the ire of Brewers fans, who rained boos down upon the Yankees slugger.

With Alex Verdugo at the plate, Aaron Judge took off for second on a ground ball. As he slid in with his left hand raised high, Adames fired a missile toward first base. But the shortstop’s throw glanced off the Yankees captain’s glove, allowing Verdugo to reach safely.

Brewers manager Pat Murphy briefly argued the play should have been ruled offensive interference, but the umpires huddled and allowed it to stand. After the game, crew chief Andy Fletcher acknowledged they had missed the call.

“On the field, we got together and did the best that we could to come up with the correct answer,” Fletcher told reporters in an apparent reference to blame Aaron Judge. “After looking at it off the field in replay, it appears that the call was missed. It should’ve been called interference because it wasn’t a natural part of his slide.”

But here's the thing, Andy Fletcher is wrong about the call being missed and again with the MLB and the Umpires... how hard is it to just quickly google a whole slew of Judge sliding into second base to understand that this is what they guy does? He's a big body, he's got a big arm and sometimes this is going to happen.  Max Goodman was the smart one, he collected the photos and posted them.

Aaron Judge said in the clubhouse that he's been sliding with his left hand up when breaking up a double play at second base for years.

"You can look back at any picture you want of me sliding into second base, it's always happened."

I did and he wasn't lying.

📸: AP photos pic.twitter.com/APPL8Ry4Su

— Max Goodman (@MaxTGoodman) April 28, 2024

Maybe this time it just happened to touch the ball. Everyone relax. I understand the Brewers are in first in their own division, but it's still April... no reason to get all crazy about it.  How about chalk it up as a fluke accident and move on.  Judge was right to address it and I back the guy just like every single Yankee fan.

Aaron Judge on his slide:

“You can look back at any picture you want of me sliding into second base. That’s always happened”

(via @YESNetwork) pic.twitter.com/vhCp45DS3i

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) April 28, 2024

The dude did nothing wrong.  Once again, Yankee hate everywhere. Pathetic.

BLUNDERING BOONE BLOWS IT AGAIN

Source: Associated Press

I realize that we are entering the final game of the three-game series against the Milwaukee Brewers. And you are not defined by one game. But I am not over Friday night's absolute nightmare. Let's start with, that game was winnable. Secondly, we had the offense and the upper hand the whole game. Thirdly, Aaron Boone has not learned how to manage pitchers. Yes, blundering Boone blows it again and I am not over it yet.

According to the New York Post, "On a night when Luis Gil lasted just five innings, the Yankees (17-10) already had used four relievers to get to the 10th inning, including Clay Holmes throwing a 10-pitch bottom of the ninth. Before Friday, the closer had last pitched on Tuesday, but manager Aaron Boone said he was not going to use Holmes for a second inning given his heavy early-season workload and injuries elsewhere in the bullpen." 

Source: Michael McLoone-USA TODAY Sports

So what does Boone do? He brings in a guy who has been DFA'd three times this season, Michael Tonkin. Tonkin came into the game looking completely confused. Like where am I now? He started the season with the New York Mets, who DFA'd him, went to the Minnesota Twins, who also DFA'd him, and went back to the Mets, who you guessed it, DFA'd him. So yeah, he likely was like, I am in an extra inning game with the Yankees against the Brewers and, go! And he went, right down the toilet, giving up the tying run after the Yankees took a one-run lead in the top of the 10th. The Brewers walked it off on him in the 11th for a 7-6 win. 

I grew up in a time when Goose Gossage was your closer and he pitched multiple innings to do his job as a closer. So, I get really impatient with Boone who thinks his closer can't go more than 10 pitches because he might get hurt. It is April. And he has not even pitched much in the last week. Boone gave that game away. And it is just so ridiculous.

“Definitely a tough spot,” Boone said. “But he’s (Tonkin) got a lot of experience. I thought he threw the ball well and didn’t back down at all. That’s just where we were in the game of what we had left. Not the softest landing, for sure, but thought he came in and got after it,” reported The Post. How about, whoops I made a mistake or something a little smoother than that?

Source: New York Post

Bottom line: the Yankees can't afford to lose games like this. And the fact that Boone has learned nothing from his mismanagement of pitching over the last few years is concerning. He remains a buffoon in my book. And I just can't stand it. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof