MATT DUFFY GETS AN INVITE TO YANKEE CAMP!

It's a late add, but whatever man, this kid will get a shot.

Matt Duffy will be joining the Yankees.  Nice!

The New York Post writes:

"The Yankees have set their roster for summer camp, using 58 of the 60 available spots with players set to report to The Bronx on Wednesday. The player pool includes all 39 players on their 40-man roster, plus 19 extras, including infielder Matt Duffy, who signed a minor-league contract..."

Duffy is a third baseman who's had some time with the Tampa Bay Rays and San Francisco Giants. As my 17 year old says, "It's a good piece, decent addition. Time will tell what he can do and how often he'll play with a team like the Yankees who are stacked, but yeah, it's fine."

Duffy is a career .282 major leaguer with 22 homers and 169 RBIs.

Welcome Matt Duffy.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND HELP SUPPORT TEAM T

A quick note and something I just couldn't pass up. I mean sure, we're a baseball and Yankees fan site, but when it comes to good deeds, good people... support of fellow human beings... we like to jump in and make people aware of it.

This is a post about Team T.  While team T is a basketball team, they are also a family.

Obviously this year was disrupted and these kids didn't get to play with each other, like many around the country. But this is also going to be their last dance together. And so, they are looking for Donations to keep the love going. 

The goal of Team T is to bring opportunities to their players. In the past three years they have won several tournaments but more importantly, their support system is amazing, on and off the court. 

This year has been tough for everyone, even Team T.  COVID-19 ended a lot, the seasons the school years and many lost loved ones. Even looting tore apart their neighborhoods.  And now, when we thought things would start turning up... local summer tournaments are been cancelled. These tournaments keep kids busy and safe during the summer. 

In an attempt to provide the team with an opportunity to play this summer, Team T is fundraising to travel and compete in at least one tournament out of state. 

The donations would go to sponsoring a child to cover their lodging, travel and food during the trip. The goal is to be able to provide the trip of a lifetime for our players, and in a way save our summer. All donations are kindly appreciated and would directly impact these young men.

I know it's tough for everyone, but I personally believe in Team T and I, the Chief of Bleeding Yankee Blue want to help and so, I'm sharing it with you.

Make a difference, support them and make a donation HERE

EX-YANKEE MIKE STANTON MAKES ODD PREDICTION FOR 2020 SEASON

We are about three weeks from the start of a 2020 pandemic shortened season. It's hard to imagine what baseball will look like when it isn't a normal 162-game season, but we are about to find out, hopefully. We always say baseball is a marathon, not a sprint to the finish line. This year, our guys are gonna have to adapt and perform well in more of a sprint instead. The Yankees are gonna have to come out of the box running hard and hopefully they can adapt quickly.

A 60 game season leaves little to no room for error. The usual "relax, it's only May and it's still early" argument for a struggling team no longer applies. So the pitching and hitting needs to be ready to go. Too bad it's not as easy as a light switch that can be turned on with the easy flick of the wrist. That's one thing I will be watching closely as Spring 2.0 gets started this week, and ex-Yankee Mike Stanton will be also.

Stanton talked to the New York Post over the weekend HERE, and said "I think this has a chance to be anemic offensively," let's hope he's wrong. But he has a good point. Our guys have half the time to get ready. Pitchers have to get loose and our hitters have had a long break from live game repetitions. I'm sure the Yankees have their own plan but Stanton offered his own, "I would want all pitchers to throw live batting practice, 40 pitches. I didn't want game intensity but pitchers throw that many pitches in bullpens. The hitters should take live batting practice from Day 1. I would want the hitters to see as much live BP as possible."

Not a bad idea as long as they don't over do it in the first week. The Yankees already have a lot of guys coming back from injuries but I like his thought process. Players are creatures of habit and very regimented so this is going to be a challenge but these guys will need to have the stamina and be stretched out enough. We can't afford a slow start. I think Stanton is right, the last week of training camp is going to be crucial.

It will be interesting to see how Matt Blake the Yankees new pitching coach approaches Spring Training 2.0. I wonder if his strategy will be anything like Stanton's and how hard will the Yankees push Gerrit Cole in his last Spring Training start before starting the season in Washington against the Nationals. We know these guys have already been throwing to a certain extent. 

We've seen videos of Cole pitching, those have been floating around social media. Adam Ottavino has also been throwing, but what about Jordan Montgomery? He's coming back from a lost season and will be an important anchor in the Yankees rotation.

And we will wait and see how Aaron Judge holds up now that he is finally starting to hit again. He started hitting off of a tee but hey, it's progress. Hopefully he stays healthy with no setbacks and we get him back in the lineup sooner rather than later. Spring is important to all of these guys, but especially him. The Yankees set their Spring 2.0 roster late yesterday afternoon, here is the list in case you missed it.

I can't wait for Spring 2.0 to start and I hope the Yankees start the season strong. No disrespect to you Mr. Stanton but....we really hope you are wrong about anemic offense. We don't have time to spare and we have all waited too long to be disappointed.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

YANKEES OPENING DAY WILL BE IN NATS PARK!

With the regular 2020 MLB season set to start on July 23rd, the favorite for the prize in 2020 is competing against the best in 2019 as the Yankees take on the Nationals in Washington DC, in one of the most anticipated matchups.  If I were to guess, it will be Max Scherzer against Gerrit Cole as the summer heats up in mid-July.

"Players and staff members will start traveling to training campsites -- most of which will be held in home stadiums -- for a July 1 check-in," reports ESPN. 

I know there's an agreement and I know there is supposed to be baseball, but it still seems surreal to me. We have been through a lot the last several months and to get excited about your favorite team finally getting back into action after a long-awaited hiatus feels worrisome. Because if they rip this away from us, I for one will not forgive the game that has given me so many memories.

But the reward really is that the Yankees will play the Nationals and it couldn't get better than that. Fans, we really are getting close and the Damn Yankees are playing Washington. I hope I didn't sell my soul to the devil for this one.

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

THE ISSUE WITH SANCHEZ IS THAT HE DOESN'T SHOW HEART

When Gary Sanchez is on... he's on! The problem with Sanchez is you never know what you're gonna get and that's where I have a problem with this guy.  

Now look, there are true Sanchez fans out there, and I'm one of them, but I'm realistic. And it's amazing, this idea of bad defense and sometimes sluggish work or even "heart" behind the plate is something that wasn't just manufactured by critics.  The truth is it was created by his own actions.  

Case in point, in 2018, he had 18 passed balls not to mention that he's been flat out missing or failed to block balls behind the dish since he's been in the Bigs.  And when a runners on base and a ball goes by him, he's not exactly spry to go grab it.  In other words, he appears lazy.  

Aaron Boone has come to his defense when it comes to, pardon the pun... Gary's defense. He is quoted as saying this:

"He’s gotten a lot better on the defensive side... and there’s still so much room for him to continue to grow."

But let's be honest. We don't need to train Major League catchers... we need them to put the work in and improve so when they're on the level, they are better players. Hurry up and wait and no strategy and perception is everything! I think the way he performs behind the plate is what a lot of people ride Gary for.

Now look, the bat is something we all love about Sanchez, and that's why I'm telling you I'm a fan, but so many times the defensive blunder is what I remember most.   

As Adam Weinrib from Fansided says: "...if we’re going to ignore the passed balls and errors behind the plate, two categories he’s led MLB in twice each, then the bat is going to have to come to play in October, and he’s going to have to learn how to guard against groin ailments and the like. While fans must be fair, the ire may occasionally be deserved."

I 100% agree.  Sure, so many players have flaws, but there's a reason why the Yankees stacked the catching department after Austin Romine left New York. It's because they worry about Gary Sanchez and they don't trust Kyle Higashioka to be a solid backup. 

That's why Chris Iannetta, Josh Thole and Eric Kratz were signed, and why Austin Wells is the new hope behind the plate, probably making his way up the ranks quicker than you think.  

The Yankees need grit and heart behind the plate... something Gary lacks.  And sure, he can act like all will be forgotten as long as he hits home runs... but if there's a passed ball in a playoff game and he nonchalantly runs after it and perhaps loses a big game because of that laziness... New York will never forgive him… trust me.  

I love Gary Sanchez... don't get me wrong. I just want more out of him and that's the bottom line.

THINGS TO FIGURE OUT BEFORE OUR YANKEE SEASON STARTS

On July 1st, the Yankees will begin "spring" training... take two. Before this happens, Aaron Boone will have some decisions to make. With only 60-games this season, figuring out how to run the roster is get the most wins while keeping everyone healthy is incredibly important. If he can accomplish this, the Yankees have a great shot at the World Series.

Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks, and James Paxton should be all set for Opening Day. The only missing piece is Aaron Judge. On social media, Judge keeps saying how excited he is to get back to baseball, but at this point, it is safe to just be cautiously optimistic about his return. If we don't have him back at the beginning of the 60-games, we may have him by the end.

A big question is: what is Miguel Andujar's role this season? During Spring Training, Andujar was practicing to take over the left-field as Hicks was supposed to be out to the All-Star break, and Brett Gardner was going to take center-field. Now Gardner will be moving back to left-field with center-field going to Hicks. Since Stanton might be the team's DH, Andujar is left in limbo. With a great bat going to waste, Boone will have to fit him somewhere into the line-up.

It is hard to predict the 30-man roster, but with extra men, Boone will have to figure out where to put them. The bullpen is a safe bet to create more depth so they don't burn out their starting pitchers. The bench will be a good place to but Andujar in case he needs to be put into the game.

As for the fifth starter, Jordan Montgomery is looking to be the favorite but was never officially named since the Yankees were trying to figure it out still. Clark Schmidt is still in the running since he looked great at Spring Training, so it will up to Spring Training pt. 2 to decide who will win the spot.

--Missy O'Rourke

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @missy_orourke

PREDICTING THE YANKEES 30-MAN ROSTER!

Bring on baseball! I can't wait. I'm ready to see the Red Sox and the Yankees go at it again. I'm ready to battle it our with the Rays....I just want ALL of it. Hell, I am even ready for the universal DH and the even the crazy runner-on second rule for extra innings. I'm also ready for the 30-man roster.

I will admit I am a little bit of a baseball purist on some things. I'm not crazy about the runner-on second rule but I do like the 30-man roster. I think it will be a huge benefit for all teams and especially the Yankees who have been plagued with injuries over the past few years. Now the question is....what will the roster look like? I have some ideas.

Regular Lineup:

Gary Sanchez, Luke Voit, DJ Lemahieu, Gleyber Torres, Gio Urshela, Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton.

Now none of those names are surprising, this is the predictable part of the roster. The only wildcards here are in the outfield because that will rely heavily on Aaron Judge. We still don't know how he is progressing. We haven't heard anything since May and at that point he wasn't hitting yet. We're waiting on him, and we recently heard that HICKS IS READY TO PLAY! If Hicks is healthy does he start in center? Or does Aaron Boone put Brett Gardner at center instead and let Hicks play right field if Judge isn't ready? That also leaves left field open which could be open to anyone on the bench

(more on the bench later) or maybe Giancarlo Stanton?

Starting Rotation:

Gerrit Cole, James Paxton, Masahiro Tanaka, J.A. Happ, Jordan Montgomery

So Paxton had surgery in the offseason but he will be ready for the start of the second spring training and then Opening week. The Yankees have a good top of the rotation even without Luis Severino this season. Montgomery missed most of 2019, but if he can pick up where he left off in 2018 Gumby will be a good addition to the back end of the rotation. I'm excited to see him pitch again!

Bullpen:

Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Adam Ottavino, Chad Green, Tommy Kahnle, Jonathan Holder, Luis Cessa, Jonathan Loaisiga, Deivi Garcia

Tie breaker: Ben Heller or Michael King?

Starting Pitchers won't be stretched out enough and won't pitch as deep into the game as they normally would. This is true for any start of the season, not just a shortened one. Teams will benefit from the additional pitchers added to the bullpen, especially the Yankees. We won't have to push Paxton as hard at the beginning of the season which is a concern for me. The bullpen is one of the biggest question marks of all. The Yankees have multiple pitchers who could be extra relievers, but Loaisiga is a favorite because of his previous experience. I think Heller or Michael King option will be interesting. Heller has the experience, but the Yankees are also high on King. Personally, I would be most excited to see Garcia pitch because he's been one of my favorites to follow.

Bench:

Mike Ford, Clint Frazier, Mike Tauchman, Tyler Wade, Kyle Higashioka, Miguel Andujar

The Yankees picked up several catchers over the winter, but the Yankees are familiar with Higashioka and it will be interesting to see if he can be a productive backup catcher for a full season. It's always good to have another bench piece, and Andujar's role was a question in the offseason, the Yankees were fielding offers for him. Now Boone will have options for different ways to use him. I think this is the year that determines if Clint Frazier has a future with the Yankees, or if he becomes trade bait. Tauchman can play anywhere in the outfield, Wade has the speed and can also play anywhere on the field. Ford has a lefty bat that came in clutch last season and can give Voit a break at first. I think

the Yankees have a very deep bench thanks to the expanded roster, and will definitely benefit from it.

I'm excited for the season! Some of these changes won't be easy for me at first but I am actually excited about it. I'm most excited about this roster though. I wonder if the Yankees roster will look just like mine.
So what would YOUR roster look like? Share it with us!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj 

JUST BRING ME SOME JOHN STERLING AND I'M GOOD

Source: WFAN

On the heels of an apparent deal that brings baseball by mid-July, Yankee fans are shouting out the obvious: "Just bring me some John Sterling and I'm good." 

"Major League Baseball is set to return. The MLB Players Association (MLBPA) informed the league on Tuesday that players will comply with commissioner Rob Manfred's imposed outline for a 2020 season. Players are set report for another version of "spring" training on July 1, and the league's imposed 60-game season will start July 24," reported CBS Sports on Tuesday night.

Source: NJ.com

This year is a throw away, when it comes to capacity and endurance of a true season, but it is a season, none the less, and that means, John Sterling and Suzyn Waldman will be at the mike again.

"It is the strangest year of my life, and I'm up there in years,” said Sterling, 81. “You can’t call up friends and family and book them for dinner, and obviously there's no baseball. All sports live on ‘what if?’ And there were so many great questions about baseball this year. The Yankees were primed to make a real long run and the Mets have an awfully good team, so the summer baseball in New York would have been fabulous this year," said Sterling via WFAN at the start of the pandemic.

Source: New York Times

It is honestly so much fun to listen to my 22-year-old son ask for Sterling and Waldman, calling them his "friends." "That's all I want. Just to listen to my friends call a game. I don't care about the outcome of the season as much as I care about listening to Sterling," said Chris Carbonaro.

Waldman calls for her life back and that includes baseball.  "People have asked me, 'How much do you want baseball back?' Well, I want my life back. Baseball is a part of that. I'm missing not being afraid. I went and got flowers to plant, and you're afraid. You go to the store and you're afraid. I don't like that. I don't like to be afraid,” said Waldman via WFAN at the start of the pandemic.

Source: Newsday

With The two sides finalizing health and safety protocols on Tuesday night, the 2020 season is set to start one month from today.  Let's hope there's not a loophole.  Let's hope there's not a lawsuit.  Let's hope we hear, "And now stepping up to the microphone is the voice of the New York Yankees. Mr. John Sterling." Sigh, let's hope.

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

A 60 GAME SEASON MEANS THE ASTROS WILL GET THE WRATH OF TRUE BASEBALL FANS!

I hold grudges... and I don't forget. And when something is robbed from me as a person, I get angry. I will never forget how ridiculous the Astros were.  I can't stand Carlos Correa... Jose Altuve… Alex Bregman... George Springer... they're clowns.   

I'll never forget how Justin Verlander was silent when his team cheated their way to their 2017 championship and Jeff Lunhow and AJ Hinch should just go away for ever.  Jim Crane is a loser too.  That whole operation just needs to fold as far as I'm concerned. And as a fan... I will never forget it.  

They were banking on COVID-19, the death of George Floyd would give their scandal some separation.  For me and hundreds of other fans and even pro players... it has not.  

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a huge Dodgers fan is annoyed. He just said this on an interview with David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports: 

"I’m still angry about the World Series in 2017. We don’t have to talk about that, because I’m going to maybe throw something through the window. They probably should’ve won the World Series; either them or the Yankees. Being cheated out of it really burns you.”

For the Win has a great article about resetting outselves after all the tragedy in the US... about getting back in baseball mode, fan mode and start crushing the Astros again... most filled with amazing Twitter memes.

The Astros realizing baseball is back / realizing they're about to get beaned all 60 games pic.twitter.com/3qEzJauhtX

— Conor Ryan (@ConorRyan_93) June 24, 2020

Beanball season is almost upon you, Astros! pic.twitter.com/4nmVORZUWc

— Clint Pasillas (FRG) (@realFRG) June 23, 2020

That moment you realize you only have a week to get in shape before the beginning of Astros camp pic.twitter.com/OMjg2lryts

— Korked Bats (@korkedbats) June 24, 2020

In other words,  as a true baseball fan... how the hell can you not forget and now torment these midgets for having a fully orchestrated and strategic operation to win the entire championship in 2017.  

And Astros and Astros fans will come back at us and say, "Well, they were cleared."  We were NOT cleared. The Yankees were... the Asstros were not. 

The Astros made a deal, they were forced to apologize as to not put a black eye on Major League Baseball... and that is almost as worse as the act itself. Because not only did it expose the wrong doing... it made it clear that something happened.  

The Astros franchise is a joke. Fans should never forgive and I'll give you more... Wins for the Astros won't matter because no one will believe the win was legit anymore. 

They will be the brunt of garbage can banging jokes for the rest of their lives... they should get thrown at, mocked... they should all retire... because I have news for you.  True fans? We don't forget getting robbed.

We're coming for you Springer... Bregman... Correa... tiny Altuve… You're finished.  

YANKS JUST SWEPT IN AND SIGNED A BIG BOPPER!

This is a tremendous signing and good for the Yankees.  On a day when they announced that baseball would come back with a 60 game season and the Yankees spring training would start up again in the Bronx this time... the Yankees made a move and signed Elijah Dunham.  It's a big deal even if you don't think so!

NJ.com writes:

"Dunham was a considerably big addition for the Yankees. Baseball America ranked the 22-year-old at No. 186 on its list of prospects going into the 2020 MLB Draft, which was shortened from 40 rounds to just five this year. 

“Dunham has shown a strong knack for hitting in his collegiate career, with an innate ability to find the barrel with a short, compact swing,” the publication wrote of Durham, who’s 6-foot and 213 pounds....

Dunham, who has also played first base, hit .390 with a homer and 11 RBI in 15 games in the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season for Indiana. The Yankees put a lot of stock in wooden bat league performance, and he shined in the New England Collegiate League, hitting .360 with six homers in 34 games."

We'll have some fun with this guy on the Yankees over time. There's a huge upside. I look forward to this. It's terrific.

HAVE YOU HEARD THE GOOD NEWS? HICKS IS READY TO PLAY!

There is one less question mark in the Yankees outfield WHEN the season starts again. Yes, I am sticking with WHEN and not IF. The outfield has worried me for awhile now....but we got some good news over the weekend and we need all the good news we can get right now.

So HERE it is....Aaron Hicks will be ready to play when the season starts. At least there is some good news with one of the Aaron's. Hopefully we get some soon with Aaron Judge but, in the mean time we know that Hicks will be good to go. Hicks posted a recent batting practice on Instagram, nice to see Hicks in action. It's been too long.

Hicks says he has been hitting for two months now trying to get his rhythm back again. Looks good so far, and the Yankees will definitely benefit from having his switch-hitting bat back in the lineup when games do start. The hitting will come in time, the arm strength will be the main concern. Coming back from Tommy John takes time, and right now he says he is at about 80%.

"I am doing really well. I am up to 160 feet throwing, taking BP on the field and doing defensive work. I get better and better every day and every week. The throwing gets stronger. It is definitely coming. It comes in its own ways when it wants to. I am not too far off. I will throw to bases coming up here pretty soon, think next week. My arm feels great."

All teams will already strategize the safety and wellness of their players as they move into the season, the Yankees may be extra cautious with Hicks moving forward. Luckily they have Brett Gardner and Mike Tauchman they can also use as needed. They can also use Giancarlo Stanton in right or left if they do not use him as DH. We'll see what happens, especially as Aaron Judge progresses (hopefully). It's good news we needed to hear as we inch closer to baseball.

So now it's just a waiting game. Like us, Hicks will have to wait to hear when it is time to play again. We may not know when YET, but at least we know he will be ready. It's a small piece of good news to start the work week, hopefully more to come soon.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj 

"SPRING" TRAINING TO RESTART IN NYC!

Through this whole pandemic the voice of reason has come from Governor Andrew Cuomo of New York.  And when it comes to baseball, the Governor is hoping to get the game going again, just like he kicked off the first organized sports event since COVID-19, with The 152nd running of the Belmont Stakes on Saturday.  Cuomo is calling for "spring" training in NYC, because why not?

"I think New York now is especially attractive, compared to the other states, because we have such a low transmission rate, and this is a state that is ready, willing and able to partner with sports teams so that they can play," he said, The Associated Press reported."

Source: NY Post

This is some positivity in at a time when it seems like there is just so much chaos.  Owners and players continue to debate on money, while fans just want some respite in a time of so much uncertainty.

"A new report this week warned that Florida "has all the makings" to be the "next large epicenter" of the coronavirus pandemic. Florida has had consecutive record-breaking jumps in cases this week, including more than 4,000 new cases on Saturday," reported CBS.com. Meanwhile New York and the TriState area are seeing massive declines in cases given their social distancing protocols. 

This week we saw many players and coaches who had resumed training at their facilities in Florida and Arizona come down with cases of COVID-19.  And with the season in peril, due to health and wealth concerns, we are looking for the diamond in the rough so to speak. 

While we wait for some resolution, let the Yankees and Mets train at home, get ready and hope for the best.  Let's hope this is the start of good things to  come and that we can see baseball next month.

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof