THE YANKEES JUST MADE ANOTHER MOVE

Yup, the Yanks are still making moves.  Some are not big ones, but some are. This one is small, but significant. You know Taylor Trammell? Yea, we got him.

Newsweek writes:

"Yankees have claimed outfielder Taylor Trammell off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday, the team announced. To make room on the 40-man roster for Trammell, infielder Kevin Smith was designated for assignment...

Trammell has tons of talent, but just hasn't been able to put it together at the big league level.

Fortunately, he won't have much pressure to contribute, as the Yankees' starting outfield consists of Alex Verdugo, Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, who is off to one of the best starts in franchise history in his first season in the Bronx. Behind them as the fourth outfielder is Trent Grisham, whom the team acquired in the Soto trade with the Padres.... Trammell will likely start in Triple-A, and will hope to earn himself a call-up to show what he can do in New York."

And that's that. Happy Friday to you.

THE GRIND STARTS NOW!

Well, we stopped the slide, for now. We all knew the Yankees were going to drop a series at some point after they had a hot start. So now, we take the win yesterday and get ready for the next.

I hate losing more than I love winning.... call me Billy Beane. I also really hate losing to division rivals and I do think the Blue Jays have a lot of talent on their team. This was the first test. We didn't do as well as I had hoped for but there's a long way to go in the season.

The grind starts now. I know there is a lot of hype surrounding the Yankees right now. Yes, they had a great start. They did better than what I expected for sure, but now this is where the real test begins and the Yankees have a few things to fix.

I'm still concerned with how the starters don't pitch deep into games. Luis Gil lasted five innings but gave up three runs and seven walks. Carlos Rodon didn't do any better with four innings five hits, three earned runs and four walks. If we keep doing this, our bullpen is going to be gassed. It's too early to tax the bullpen and if these guys get overworked early in the season it's an injury risk.

The offense is better with Juan Soto in it, but it still has some of the same old problems. When you look at Monday's game the 1-5 and 8 and 9 hitters had one hit in 20 at bats! Tuesday's game the 1-5 hitters had one hit in 20 at bats. That's the same Yankees of prior seasons and a sure way to lose games and drop series. I think Soto is a great addition, but after that the Yankees lineup looks very similar. Okay, you added Alex Verdugo too.... but it's still a very similar lineup to last season.

It was good to see Aaron Judge make the game winning hit, but we also need him to get in a groove. This .182BA isn't going to help the Yankees. I know it's early, and he's in a slump.....I know all of the logic people are going to say about it BUT it doesn't change the fact that we need Judge to find that consistency and all of these guys need to stop with the strikeouts.

This team looks like it has more swagger so far.... but some of the same challenges exist. The Yankees need to get back on track and dial it up. The Rays are up next, and the Orioles are waiting at the end of April and that will be a BIG test. 

The Grind starts now!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

WHY OSWALDO CABRERA NEEDS TO PLAY EVERYDAY

Source: AP

I have been impressed with Oswaldo Cabrera since he first stepped into the big leagues. Firstly, his smile is contagious but secondly, and more importantly, he can play baseball. He has speed, he has good defense and a consistent sweet swing. And he has had an incredible start to the 2024 season. So why does Boone keep him on the bench instead of playing him everyday? Your guess is as good as mine.

"Between his critical long ball on Saturday afternoon and his run-scoring double in Game 2 of the doubleheader, Cabrera is hitting .333 (13-for-41) on the season with a .973 OPS. In 11 games played, Cabrera has 11 RBI. Only superstar Juan Soto — who also homered on Saturday — has more (15). “He’s a big part of this team in this offense right now,” Yankees captain Aaron Judge said. “We love to have him here,” reported NJ.com. 

But like the Aaron Boone of the past, Cabrera sat for games when he was hot with the bat. Instead Boone opted for Jon Berti in his place. And of course Cabrera would have been sanctioned as the utility man if DJ LeMahieu was healthy. Yet, his teammates like what they see in Cabrera, which might keep him in the lineup even when Berti and LeMahieu return from the IL.

“Talk about somebody that comes to the field every day and gives everything he has,” catcher Jose Trevino said. “The definition is Oswaldo Cabrera. Watching him grow, watching him come up, watching him play the game, how he handles himself, how he handles his teammates. It’s top of the charts for me,” reported NJ.com.

Source: AM New York

The challenge for Cabrera is to stay consistent and keeping up with the pitching across baseball. It takes a lot of work to stay sharp and focused, night after night. And as a young player he needs to see more pitches to continue to grow and improve. Cabrera's defense may keep him in the lineup as Gleyber Torres continues to tumble both at the plate and on the field. Torres' defense has been abysmal as of late. And it is a free agent year for Torres, who started the season at the top of lineup and has since moved down to the 6 or 7 slot.

Cabrera is certainly making a case to be an everyday player for the New York Yankees. Will his campaign win him a place once LeMahieu comes back into the fold? It's anyone's guess, but if it was my choice, I would be damn sure Cabrera got as much time in the lineup as possible, so he can demonstrate his value and perhaps find a place in the lineup permanently. 

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

WHY CAN'T AUSTIN WELLS GET GOING?

When it comes to his offense, Austin Wells is slow out of the gate. He's a solid catcher and can hit. We all know this. Remember last year?  Empire Sports Media writes:

"We saw a glimpse of what Wells could do offensively last year during the final two weeks of the season when he hit four homers with 10 RBIs, so the Bombers are remaining patient as he acclimates to the season ahead and starts to pick up more momentum."

But you know Yankees fans, we grow impatient pretty quickly.  I know I do.  In the last 5 games he's had 12 at bats, struck out 4 times and not a single hit.  It's a small sample, but it's a terrible serving.  And look at this... over the last 8 games, his batting average is .130.  He has one RBI and scored 4 runs. That's it.  Those are not major league numbers, folks.

Look, you have to hope things will change. The Yankees like this guy, the fans do too.  Maybe he needs to shave the mustache for good. Who knows.

MINOR YANKEE MOVES YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT

Not a ton of bells and whistles here, but stuff is going on. 

First off, remember Josh Maciejewski? He was with the Yankees for a hot minute. He was designated for assignment.  

Secondly, Jon Berti showed up for the Yankees and he's already on the IL.

MLB Trade Rumors writes:

" Utilityman Jon Berti has been placed (retroactive to April 11) on the 10-day injured list due to a left groin strain, and left-hander Josh Maciejewski was also designated for assignment."

And finally, Ron Marinaccio, we all love Ron, he was called up.  Good.

Last night the Yankees couldn't do a thing offensively against the Blue Jays.  Let's hope today being a new day brings some change.

That is all. Carry on.

JOHN STERLING RETIRES IMMEDIATELY

There's no other way to describe it, John Sterling was the G.O.A.T. in New York when it came to the Yankee broadcasts.  Don't get me wrong, some people didn't like him there. Some people thought he was a clown with his calls. I did not. There was something comforting to hearing John in the booth with Suzyn.  The home run calls were weird and sometimes didn't make much sense, but that's John and he did it for us.  Yesterday was the day that we found out that it was final... John retired, like immediately.  Sad, an end of an Era, but it was time.  

The New York Post writes:

"The Yankees announced Monday that Sterling is retiring, effective immediately, after 36 seasons of being synonymous with the franchise.

Known for his iconic voice, colorful personality, unique home run calls and announcing Yankees wins in a way only he could, the 85-year-old Sterling will be honored in a pregame ceremony Saturday afternoon at Yankee Stadium."

The Yankees honoring him is the right thing to do.  I love that they are doing a pregame ceremony.  He gave so much for so long. You gotta respect that.

The fact that health concerns is the issue makes sense.  If Sterling was in better health, I'm sure he'd keep going.

So, as BYB will do, we give our best to John. A tip of the cap as they say. Thank you. Thank you for giving us so much for so long.  You will be missed. 

Thank you.

WHEN TWO CAPTAINS TIE

Sunday's game has me feeling a little bummed out. To have the lead more than once and not be able to hold onto it is tough. I guess the silver lining is that the Yankees still won the series. It could be worse so I will take what I can get.

You know who else "gets" something? Aaron Judge. Yup, after the loss I had to remind myself that there's another twist to yesterday's game. Our current captain has company. His 260th home run yesterday ties him with his Yankees captain predecessor Derek Jeter for ninth place on the Yankees all-time home run list.

I pointed this out to one of my non-Yankee baseball loving friends and he was surprised to hear that. "No way! Jeter hit line drives, not home runs" is actually what he said to me. I guess I can understand his shock and be a nice friend. Jeter knew how to put the ball in play, he was not known as a home run king, so that makes this even cooler for me.

My friend was quick to point out that Judge and Jeter are the last two people he would expect to be TIED for home runs in the nine spot. Judge is known for some big hits, so that isn't shocking, but he shares it with the guy who played in a Yankees uniform for 20 years. Just goes to show you how special Jeter was. I will be sure to remind my husband of this fact as well.

So next up, to beat the tie with Jeter he will need 16 home runs to pass Jorge Posada. That will be another interesting milestone to watch. Suddenly, I am getting all of these flashbacks of my childhood and realizing now that I really am getting old.... yikes.

You are on a very impressive list, Judge. Now get a World Series championship as you work your way up the list and that makes it even sweeter. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

AARON BOONE EJECTED & GETS A PIECE OF BACON!

Or maybe a SLAB of bacon or just the whole pig! I thought Aaron Boone's game ejections last year were intense, but something tells me this year will be more of the same. The Yankees are only 13 games into this young season, and Baboonie already has his first ejection of the season!

That certainly didn't take long, did it? Last season Baboonie had an AL-leading SEVEN ejections, so who wants to guess what this year will be? Higher? He's off to a good start. I think six more of those will be easy peasy for him. He's got 33 ejections to brag about in his time as manager, so he's got a good chance to make another record this year.

I rarely defend Baboonie, because I'm just not a fan but after watching this game I can understand why he got fired up. It was a tough game to watch because home plate umpire John Bacon was just off all night. Alex Verdugo was called for a strike on a pitch that looked low and outside in the seventh inning. Baboonie's antics from the dugout was enough to piss Bacon off and toss him but before Baboonie left the field he had to give Bacon a piece of his mind and then Verdugo struck out. 

I think clown Commissioner Rob Manfred has a real problem on his hands. The umpire situation isn't getting better but worse. The idea of animation to control and decide the strike zone is uncomfortable for some even though it has been tested in the minor leagues and MLBPA isn't going to just let him have his way. This bad call by Bacon just continues the narrative we've been hearing for a long time....so many of these umpires are just terrible!

So, I like that Baboonie showed some passion and got his money's worth and got a piece of Bacon. I just wish that would also fire our boys up more and MLB would create some accountability for these ineffective umpires. 

Baboonie may have been tossed, but he also got a piece of Bacon....and he deserved it. #BEBETTERBACON

It's early in the season....but I'd say Baboonie is in 2023 prime ejection form.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

JUAN SOTO'S LOVE AFFAIR WITH YANKEE FANS

 

Source: AP

Juan Soto is certainly winning over fans' hearts. And the young right fielder appears to love them right back. Soto's first homestand has become more than a roll call homage to the superstar—it is more like a romance. It's fun to watch; but how long will it last?

"They’ve been showing love every day and it’s been amazing, day in and day out, and in the entire game," Soto said about Yankees fans, per NJ.com's Randy Miller. "It’s been pretty cool." Soto is set to enter free agency come the end of the 2024 season. So, in many ways, Soto is just an AirBnb — a rental that the fans may have to give back at the end of the summer.

"In his first year in New York, Soto is slashing .366/.471/.561 with 10 RBIs. The three-time All-Star hit his first Yankees homer in a 5—3 win against the Houston Astros on March 30. Soto is playing in the final year of his deal this season and could potentially command a contract starting in the $500 million range in free agency," according to The Athletic.

The Yankees need Soto to have a monster year. So far, they are getting their wishes and then some. The fans are coming out in droves to watch the new right fielder perform. He gave them a show on Monday with his first home run at the Stadium. Besides his ability to hit the long ball, Soto gets on base. He walks, he hits for average, and he has speed. And despite the scouting reports, he can play a heck of a right field. Which he is certainly banking on to improve his AAV (average annual value) when hitting free agency.

Source: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

"How many teams will be interested in that kind of a mega-deal? On one hand, clubs have grown increasingly wary of mammoth contracts that can weigh down a payroll for decades. But Soto projects to age well because of his eye, his steady on-base percentage and the ripple effect his at-bats have. Teammates marvel about the way Soto works, how he never seems to take a pitch off," reported The Athletic.

For now, we are two weeks into the season. There's a lot of time between now and what would hope to be a long postseason for the Yankees. Besides the love affair is just heating up. And Soto seems all in on the relationship. Will that and a World Series ring keep Soto in the Bronx for the long haul? Now, now, let's not get ahead of ourselves...but we can wish. 

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

GERRIT COLE TAKES BIG STEP WITH INJURY REHAB

It's the first step to getting back on the mound again. Gerrit Cole will start playing catch this week, it's good news. We can always use all the good news we can get and even though there is still a long way to go, it's the right direction to getting our ace back.

So far, it looks like Cole is on schedule. His initial diagnosis called for a three-to-four-week shutdown. Yesterday marked three weeks and one day since he stood in front of his locker and told all nervous Yankee fans what was going to happen next. I know it's only been three weeks, but for me it has felt a lot longer.

Cole has given himself a goal to return on June 1st, which is only four days after his 60-day IL status expires. The Yankees don't want to push him to come back before he is ready and I also don't want to do that but the sooner we can get him back, the better.... but only if he is 100% ready to go. I just hope he will listen to his body and know how to gage that when the time comes.

It's not normal to see Cole spend time on the Injured List, and we all know his level of dedication. The Yankees are going to need him once we hit the dog days of summer, but we can't afford any risky short cuts here. The Yankees have performed better than I have expected so far. I think that can be said for a lot of us, not just me. I love the 8-2 record so far but one thing that has stuck out to me though, is the lack of durability with the starters.

I keep telling myself it is early in the season. Starters are still finding their rhythm and getting stretched out. This is normal, but the Yankees have succeeded so far due to clutch hitting and good pitching, but we all know slumps happen over a long season. So far the Yankees have only managed to get five innings out of their starters in six of their first ten games and Marcus Stroman was the only pitcher to pitch six innings in both of his starts for the season. That is something to watch.

If the Yankees are unable to get length out of their starters and consistent offense that could really put more pressure on the bullpen. We've seen it happen before, and I don't have a lot of trust with Aaron Boone's management of the bullpen. Actually, I don't really trust him with anything related to the game, not just the bullpen. One of Cole's strengths is he can go deep into ball games, which will save the bullpen. Yesterday's game was too close for comfort, that was a game we should've been able to give Clay Holmes a night off and it didn't work that way. We have too many of those, our bullpen is going to be gassed.

This is a baby step in Cole's rehab.... but a good one. If this team can continue their winning ways while Cole recovers, they will be in a great position when Cole returns as long as Baboonie doesn't screw up the team first.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj