THAT "BO BICHETTE TO THE YANKEES" PREDICTION IS HOT & HEAVY

Jim Bowden strikes again! You’ve got to love the guy. He’s like that friend who confidently predicts lottery numbers every week—never quite right, but always entertaining. The latest gem from The Athletic’s Bowden? “Bo Bichette signs a five-year, $147 million deal to play third base for the Yankees.”

Now, let’s unpack this. First off, Bichette has never played third base in his entire MLB career. Not even once. Zip. Zero. So, sure, the Yankees signing him would likely mean shifting him to third, but honestly? I’d rather see him stay at shortstop. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get the whole Anthony Volpe obsession. If the Yankees have a chance to snag Bichette, I’d be the first in line screaming, “DO IT!”

The Yankees’ third base situation has been a mess since Alex Rodriguez retired. A revolving door of mediocrity. So, in theory, adding a guy like Bichette—who is in a crucial contract year and looking to rebound from a tough 2024 season—makes a lot of sense. But would the Blue Jays actually let him go? That’s the real question.

Blue Jays Insider recently pointed out that Toronto should be doing everything in their power to lock Bichette into an extension, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. “With all the uncertainty surrounding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the way Bichette has been playing, it would be foolish for the Blue Jays not to make sure that Bichette is locked into a contract extension before the halfway point of the season.” Sounds like solid advice, but if Bichette is raking this year, he might just feel like it’s time to spread his wings. That’s where the Yankees could swoop in.

Let’s talk numbers. Over six seasons with Toronto, Bichette has hit .290 with 723 hits, 93 home runs, 343 RBIs, and 360 runs scored. That’s veteran production right there. If you’re the Blue Jays, you do everything possible to keep him. But if you’re Jim Bowden? You throw out a wild Yankees prediction just for the fun of it. And honestly? I love it.

This whole Bo Bichette-to-the-Yankees thing isn’t new, though. Back in January, while scrolling through offseason speculation, I came across an article by Nick Prasad over at Last Word on Sports suggesting the very same thing. It was such an outlandish idea at the time that I had to write about it on BYB in a piece titled, BO BICHETTE TO THE YANKEES? COME ON, MAN! My reaction then? Laughter. A lot of it.

I wrote, “Nick Prasad over at Last Word on Sports decided to shake up the offseason boredom with a blockbuster idea that has the Yankees trading for—wait for it—Bo Bichette. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good hot stove debate, but this one? It’s like something cooked up after three espressos and a nap in the Trade Machine.”

At the time, I brushed it off. But now? With Jim Bowden tossing this idea into the universe (probably just for clicks), I’m starting to think… maybe? A trade? A free-agent signing? Something? 

Stay tuned, because if history tells us anything, Jim Bowden’s predictions may not always stick—but they sure are fun to talk about.

THE FIRST MARTIAN DINGER!

We needed a big blast from Jasson Domínguez. We craved it. Yankees fans everywhere have been waiting—no, yearning—for this kid to shine in New York. And now? Oh, it’s happening.

Monday night, bottom of the third, 21-year-old Domínguez stepped up and absolutely turned on a Corbin Burnes fastball. Boom. A smooth 377-foot shot to right field—his first home run of the season. It wasn’t some violent, no-doubt nuke. It was quieter, smoother. The kind of swing that just carries the ball over the fence with an effortless swagger. 100 mph off the bat. All belief. No doubt.

And let’s not gloss over the fact that he did this off Burnes—the ace of the Diamondbacks, a former Cy Young winner. That’s not just a home run, it's important.

Now, let’s talk about the elephant in the room: the Yankees’ handling of Domínguez in left field. Will the homers gloss over the fact that he can't field? Not sure yet. I mean why in the world was he never properly trained there before this season? The guy’s a natural center fielder. Out of 298 games in the minors, he played left field just 58 times. That’s not “development,” that’s neglect. And now, in the majors, he’s basically learning on the fly.

I mentioned this before, but my buddy Dave at the barbershop put it perfectly: “Why the hell didn’t they train Domínguez in left field last year?” Great question, Dave. It’s not like the Yankees didn’t know their outfield situation was going to shift. Did they really think Juan Soto was a long-term lock? Did they not anticipate needing flexibility? Instead of preparing Domínguez for what was clearly a likely role, they let him marinate in center only to now throw him into left at the highest level. Make it make sense.

But you know what? At the end of the day, the kid rakes. He crushed one last night, and that’s what matters. If he keeps hitting dingers, the Yankees will find a way to make it work, and they really need to because I love seeing this kid hit dingers.

ANOTHER TORPEDO BAT & PORTNOY WHINES TOO MUCH

The weekend showdown with the Yankees and the Torpedo Bats was something else. But the most absurd complaint? That honor goes to none other than Dave Portnoy—who, at this point, is just a guy with too much time, too much money, and no idea what to do with either. His entire existence seems to revolve around whining, making his ridiculous "emergency press conference" videos, and, oh yeah, spreading nonsense.

Emergency Press Conference - The Yankees Torpedo bat needs to be banned before it ruins baseball @stoolpresidente pic.twitter.com/04w5Zz1s50

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) March 30, 2025

Case in point: the man actually claimed Aaron Judge was swinging a Torpedo Bat. Judge, who literally said, "No, I’m not," and, by the way, anyone with functioning eyes could just watch his at-bats and see—no Torpedo Bat. But sure, Dave, let’s run with that. Journalism at its finest. Fake news, bro. Go touch grass.

The best part was when Chisholm wrote back to him on Twitter saying “This is a high school baller talking.” Gotta love that, and Jazz is right.

Now, for the real story. The Yankees aren’t the only ones trying out these new bats, and the latest advocate comes from the Minnesota Twins: catcher Ryan Jeffers. His bat? A fancy new "bowling pin" style version of the Torpedo Bat. And he made a killer point while talking to ESPN’s Jeff Passan:

"There's new pitches getting invented every year. We're just swinging the same broomstick we've swung for the last 100 years."

He’s got a point. Pitchers keep evolving—why shouldn’t hitters? MLB’s rulebook is clear: as long as it’s a single piece of solid wood and within the size limits, it’s fair game. These bats aren’t illegal; they’re just optimized. And isn’t that what baseball is all about? The never-ending chess match between pitcher and batter?

Meanwhile, Portnoy should maybe shift his energy elsewhere if he wants to talk about cheating. Like, say, figuring out why the Red Sox just signed Bregman—a certified cheater—while their actual franchise guy, Rafael Devers, is getting squeezed out. Smart move, Boston. Real smart.

Anyway, back to baseball that actually matters—shoutout to Ryan Jeffers for backing innovation. The game is evolving, and I, for one, am here for it. 

MORE DEVASTATING NEWS IN THE DEATH OF BRETT GARDNER'S SON

The baseball world is reeling as new details emerge regarding the tragic death of Miller Gardner, the 14-year-old son of retired New York Yankees outfielder Brett Gardner. Authorities in Costa Rica now believe carbon monoxide poisoning may have been the cause of Miller’s passing, reversing their earlier claims that food intoxication was to blame.

Miller, the beloved son of Brett and Jessica Gardner, died peacefully in his sleep on March 21 while on a family vacation in Costa Rica. Initially, officials suspected that food toxins led to his asphyxiation, but recent findings suggest otherwise. According to ESPN, Randall Zuniga, director of Costa Rica’s Judicial Investigation Department, confirmed that high levels of carbon monoxide were detected in Miller’s hotel room. The room was located next to a “machine room,” which investigators now believe may have emitted dangerous amounts of the odorless gas.

While these findings are significant, Zuniga cautioned that they remain preliminary. A final autopsy and toxicology report are still pending, leaving unanswered questions in the wake of this devastating loss.

The news has sent shockwaves through the Yankees community and the baseball world at large. Brett Gardner, a fan favorite and a key part of the Yankees organization for over 17 years, is known for his grit, leadership, and loyalty. His legacy as a player and as a family man has made this tragedy all the more heartbreaking for those who followed his career.

In the wake of Miller’s passing, the New York Yankees released an emotional statement expressing their grief: “Words feel insignificant and insufficient in trying to describe such an unimaginable loss. It wasn’t just Brett who literally grew up in this organization for more than 17 years—so did his wife, Jessica, and their two boys, Hunter and Miller.”

For Yankees fans and baseball lovers everywhere, this news is nothing short of devastating. The Gardner family is in the thoughts and prayers of many who admired Brett not just as a player, but as a devoted husband and father.

As investigations continue, the focus remains on honoring Miller’s memory and supporting the Gardners in this unimaginable time of sorrow. The baseball world stands with them, united in grief and love for one of its own.

AND JUST LIKE THAT, TORRES IS HURT

Well, this isn’t exactly how we envisioned Gleyber Torres’ tenure with the Detroit Tigers getting started. We all want Torres to succeed—his talent is undeniable—but landing on the injured list just a few games into the season? Yeah, that wasn’t in the script.

The Tigers placed Torres on the 15-day injured list, retroactive to March 29, with a left oblique strain. In his absence, Justyn-Henry Malloy has been called up from Triple-A Toledo to fill the roster spot. Not exactly the roster move Tigers fans were hoping for this early in the season.

Torres’ injury came in Friday night’s showdown against the Dodgers, right after he launched a solo home run in the third inning. As he rounded the bases, he reached for his side—a telltale sign something wasn’t right. Despite trying to gut it out on defense, Detroit pulled him from the game the following inning. A tough break, but probably the right call.

It’s especially frustrating because Torres has been locked in to start the season, going 3-for-7 at the plate. Sure, small sample size and all that, but there’s no question he’s been fueled by adrenaline in his new digs. Unfortunately, that same intensity might have contributed to this early setback.

The good news? It doesn’t seem like a long-term issue. Oblique strains can be tricky, but the Tigers aren’t hitting the panic button just yet. Hopefully, this is just a short detour on what should be an exciting ride for Torres in Detroit.

Get well soon, Gleyber. The Tigers need you back on the field, and so does baseball.

YANKEES JUST GOT MORE BULLPEN HELP!

The Yankees are making sure their bullpen stays intact while Devin Williams steps away for paternity leave, and they’re doing it with a familiar face—Adam Ottavino. The veteran right-hander has officially signed a Major League deal and was immediately added to the active roster, bringing some much-needed reinforcement to a pen that’s already been put through the wringer by early-season injuries.

And yes, that’s the Adam Ottavino—the same guy who once boldly declared that he could strike out Babe Ruth if given the chance. Now, while we’ll never know if the Sultan of Swat would have taken him deep or flailed at a nasty slider, what we do know is that Ottavino was lights-out the last time he wore pinstripes. Back in 2019, he was one of the Yankees’ most dominant bullpen arms, posting a ridiculous 1.90 ERA over 66.1 innings and making hitters look silly with his signature sweeping slider.

Since then, he’s bounced around a bit, including a recent stint with the Red Sox—yes, those Red Sox—after signing a minor league deal in February. However, he opted out on March 23 when it became clear Boston wasn’t giving him a big-league spot (which, honestly, is probably for the best for him). Now, he’s back in the Bronx, and the timing couldn’t be better.

With Williams temporarily out of the picture, Luke Weaver is expected to take over ninth-inning duties, while Ottavino slides in as a veteran setup man. It’s a smart, no-nonsense move by the Yankees—one that keeps the bullpen from skipping a beat while also giving fans a chance to once again enjoy Ottavino’s wipeout stuff (and maybe, just maybe, a few more spicy soundbites along the way).

JUDGE IS JUST RACKING UP THE ACCOLADES

Aaron Judge isn’t just the guy who smashes baseballs into orbit—he’s the guy who sets the tone for an entire clubhouse. Leadership isn’t just about putting up numbers; it’s about driving a team forward with motivation, guidance, and a presence that commands respect. And when you lead like Judge, the accolades follow.

On Monday, Major League Baseball recognized Judge as the American League Player of the Week—for the 13th time. That puts him alongside Alex Rodriguez for the third-most in AL history and ties him with A-Rod and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan for sixth place ever. That’s not just good company; that’s baseball royalty.

And let’s talk about what got him there. Judge absolutely crushed the Milwaukee Brewers to start the season, hitting an absurd .545 with four home runs, 11 RBIs, and eight runs scored. 

As FingerLakes1.com noted, “Judge joined Yankees legends Lou Gehrig, Alex Rodriguez, and Joe DiMaggio as one of the few players in franchise history to record at least three three-homer games. His 40 career multi-homer games now rank second among active players, trailing only Manny Machado.” Yeah, that’s kind of a big deal.

Oh, and by the way? The Yankees are 3-0, the last unbeaten team in the AL. Coincidence? Not when Aaron Judge is leading the charge.

YANKS GOT THE POWER, NOW HOW ABOUT SOME SPEED?

The Yankees’ bats are on fire right now—home runs are flying out of the park like they’re on express delivery. But let’s be real, even in the midst of dinger-mania, there’s always room for a little more chaos on the basepaths. You know what could really put this offense over the top? Speed.

Now, I’ll be honest—I wasn’t exactly an Esteury Ruiz expert before today. But thanks to a sharp-eyed piece by Mike DeRosa over at Athlon Sports, I’ve been enlightened. And frankly, it’s a fantastic idea.

Here’s what DeRosa wrote:

"Looking at the Yankees' current roster, it is fair to argue that they could use more speed and outfield depth during the beginning stages of the season. With this, they should seriously consider bringing in outfielder Esteury Ruiz from the Athletics."

Well said, Mike. And he’s absolutely right. Love this.

Ruiz, who just got DFA’d by the A’s, is a menace on the basepaths. Just last season, in 132 games, he swiped 67 bases, setting a new AL rookie stolen base record. You can’t teach that kind of speed, folks.

The Yankees have power for days, but what happens when we don’t hit it 450 feet? What happens when we’re manufacturing runs with doubles, sac flies, and clutch singles? That’s where a speedster like Ruiz could be a game-changer.

If the Yankees are smart, they’ll scoop him up immediately. Because nothing terrifies a pitcher more than a guy who’s already halfway to second before the ball leaves his hand.

Make the call, Cashman.

ALEX VERDUGO MAY GET HIS SHOT

What an incredible turn of events for Alex Verdugo! The Atlanta Braves just got hit with some unexpected news—outfielder Jurickson Profar has been suspended for 80 games after testing positive for a performance-enhancing drug. Major League Baseball made the official announcement, with reporter Mike Rodriguez breaking the initial story that Profar’s positive test would lead to a lengthy suspension. 

Profar had just signed a hefty three-year, $42 million contract with Atlanta, but now he’s set to miss half of the 2025 season due to his use of hCG, a testosterone-boosting substance.

While this is certainly a major shake-up for the Braves, it could turn out to be an incredible opportunity for none other than Alex Verdugo! The former Yankees outfielder, who played a pivotal role in New York’s run to the 2024 World Series, was surprisingly left on the free-agent market far longer than expected. But the Braves saw his potential and scooped him up on March 20th with a minor-league deal worth $1.5 million.

Now, with Profar out of the lineup, Verdugo could be on the fast track to a starting role in Atlanta! According to Athlon Sports, "Verdugo was assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett following his signing, but may get a call up to the big leagues in the wake of this announcement." That prediction is looking more and more likely by the minute!

Verdugo brings solid defense, a fiery competitive spirit, and the kind of postseason experience that can make a real impact for a team aiming for another deep playoff run. His journey has been full of surprises, but this twist could be the perfect setup for him to shine on baseball’s biggest stage once again.

Stay tuned, because this Braves outfield situation just got a whole lot more interesting—and Alex Verdugo might just be the one to benefit the most!

YANKEES GET THEIR BIG SPRING GUY BACK FOR A MINOR LEAGUE DEAL

Oh, Dom Smith is back! And honestly, I couldn’t be happier. 

The guy had a fantastic spring, and while it’s a bummer he didn’t break camp with the big-league squad, there’s no doubt he’ll contribute at some point this season.

For those who might’ve lost track of him, Dominic Smith was once a top prospect with the Mets before bouncing around with the Nationals, Red Sox, and Reds. Looking to reignite his career, he signed with the Yankees this spring and absolutely mashed—smacking three homers, driving in 12 runs, and hitting .297. Despite that strong showing, he didn’t make the Opening Day roster and opted out of his deal. But now? He’s back in the organization, and if an opportunity opens up, don’t be surprised if he gets his shot in the Bronx.

Welcome back, Dom.

THE DODGERS ARE IN BOONE'S HEAD AND THAT'S SAD

Aaron Boone is obsessed. 

The man just can’t let it go. Instead of focusing on how his Yankees flopped in the World Series, he’s out here whining about the Dodgers having the audacity—the absolute gall!—to talk a little trash after winning the World Series. Buddy, they won. You didn’t. Move on.

Boone recently appeared on Fox Sports’ Breakfast Ball and, in true "no championships" skipper fashion, made it clear that the Dodgers' victory still haunts him like a bad dream:

Yankees manager Aaron Boone called the Dodgers' trash talk after winning the World Series "annoying." 👀 pic.twitter.com/Pxu7wMYJD3

— Breakfast Ball (@BrkfstBallOnFS1) March 26, 2025

"We kind of looked at it as they beat us and we didn’t play our best. So that’s their right to say whatever they want. I think it’s annoying, I’ll say that. I think it annoyed some guys. But at the end of the day, if we want to not hear it, we’ve got to play better and be the team standing."

Boone, seriously? This is the energy you’re bringing? The "we didn’t play our best" excuse? That’s weak. That’s like blaming a failed test on the pen you used instead of admitting you didn’t study. You lost. And not just any loss—an emphatic, definitive, "pack your bags and go home" kind of loss. But sure, let’s focus on how annoying the Dodgers are for, you know, pointing out the obvious.

This level of fixation reminds me of another New York baseball figure who just couldn’t help but obsess over a rival: Steve Cohen. The Mets owner spent years obsessed with the Yankees, acting like they lived rent-free in his head. And what did he do? He tried to make a statement by throwing an obscene amount of money at Juan Soto, a move destined to implode. Just like Cohen couldn’t stand the Yankees overshadowing the Mets, Boone now can’t handle the Dodgers rubbing a well-earned championship in his face.

The problem here isn’t the Dodgers talking. The problem is Boone can’t get past it. A strong leader would take it on the chin, get back to work, and come back stronger. Boone? He’s playing the role of the guy who just got dumped and keeps texting his ex about how annoying she is for being happy. It’s not a good look.

So, Boone, here’s some advice: Instead of letting the Dodgers’ words live rent-free in YOUR head, maybe put that energy into, I don’t know, actually winning something? Because right now, the only thing more embarrassing than the Yankees’ recent performances is their manager sounding like a sore loser on national radio.

But hey, if nothing else, at least Boone’s keeping the tradition alive—another year, another excuse, another offseason of pretending that "we didn’t play our best" means something. Carry on, skip. We’ll check back in when the Yankees actually matter again.

THE YANKEES HAVE A BIG PROBLEM IN THE INFIELD!

I know everyone is buzzing over the Home Run derby we saw in Saturday's game. I admit, that was a lot of fun to watch. It was nice to see, and a nice reminder that this team can hit but it's not my big takeaway from the weekend. We need to hit but the defense is equally important and that was a huge miss.

It's a reminder for me, honestly. I am having horrible World Series flashbacks. The Yankees big defensive concerns from 2024 were on display again, in the second game of a long season. The Yankees committed 5 errors Saturday leaving a sour reminder for me despite a 20 run offensive onslaught. What a sour note in an otherwise exciting game.

I've had some people tell me "calm down, the Yankees won a baseball game with a football score. Enjoy it." It's hard to enjoy watching when Jazz Chisholm, Max Fried and Anthony Volpe each made an error and then Pablo Reyes made TWO at the hot corner. This is a problem.

Now we see how not having a solid third baseman could be the downfall of this team. I thought we could manage at least for a while, maybe trade deadline even but if this isn't just first time jitters with his new team we are screwed. This is the reminder that not having a solid third baseman could be a big weakness for us and Brian Cashman better be trying to work the phones and look for other guys placed on waivers....because I don't think Reyes is gonna work out.

Cashman has a history of going dumpster diving and looking for that guy who is going to be lightening in the bottle and surprise us all. The problem is, it fails more often then not. We all knew DJ LeMahieu wasn't gonna work out, but instead of reinforcing the roster which meant spending more money....we get Reyes because the Yankees don't wanna spend more right now. 

Looking back at Saturday, it didn't make sense for Aaron Boone to use Reyes here. Fried is a soft contact, groundball pitcher and the Yankees needed their best glove regardless of offensive production, and in no scenario of bench guys would that be Reyes. The Yankees don't have an ideal guy here, we all know this but I wouldn't have chosen Reyes there.

I know it is only one game, and I really hope I am wrong, but I don't think Reyes is the answer at the hot corner.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

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