BATTER UP!

Source: N.Y. Post: Charles Wenzelberg

And just like that, it's the first official spring training game for the Yankees in 2021. The Bombers take on the Blue Jays in a seven inning battle that could be the precursor to many more competitive stints against these two teams. Mike King takes the mound today at George Steinbrenner Field as right-hander fights for a spot in the starting rotation. And fans will be there to root on "King for the Day", the first time fans have seen baseball in person since early March 2020.

Source: Warwick Beacon

“It’s very welcome,’’ DJ LeMahieu said of the return of fans. “I’m really excited to get some people back in and hopefully more as the season goes on. It’ll be good to play in front of fans again, that’s for sure,” reported the New York Post. Steinbrenner Field will welcome around 2400 fans today, which will energize the team and give some life back into a game who has been hard hit by the pandemic.

“Watching other events throughout the offseason, college football [and] NFL games, where fans were there in a limited capacity, it does change the look and feel — even watching on TV,’’ Boone said according to the Post. 

Source: WJCT News

The team will need to gel despite the limitations the pandemic has put on baseball, including limited touching and separate sites. But the presence of real fans is the first step toward normalcy which everyone craves.

“Just the adrenaline wasn’t there as much as a player,’’ LeMahieu said. “When you stretch [on the field] before a game, you get the juices flowing, usually. There was no one out there, so we had to dig deep. … Having fans, at least some, is good for the game, " reported the Post.

First pitch is 1:05 PM today and I for one can't wait for the 2021 season to start. It has been a long haul and it's not over yet, but at least we get baseball again and we can work through the rest together. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

CAN AARON HICKS HIT 30 DINGERS?

Well... if Aaron Hicks is healthy for an entire season, I say absolutely. Here's the problem... he's never healthy. But damn I love his confidence. NJ.com writes:

"Hicks’ 27 homers in 2018 are by far a career high — his next-best total was 15 the year before — but he thinks he’s capable of blowing past that every season.

“It’s definitely going to rise,” Hicks said. “I definitely see myself hitting 30 plus. That’s what I want to do and that’s what I believe that I can do. If get 500 plate appearances, I’m definitely going to hit my mark with those numbers.”

And Hicks isn't the only one who's pumped about the season. Us Yankee fans are too. I was reading Twitter the other day. And Yes, it's such a sewer with a-holes like Aubrey Huff, but there's some good stuff too... Yankee fans expressing their true love for their team.

I saw one fan suggest Luke Voit will get 50 homers in 2021. And one fan even suggested that this is the year that Aaron Judge hits 62 homers beating the Yankees all time record of Roger Maris and his 61.  

with 5 extra starts in an incredibly wonky statistical year. is Luke Voit going to hit 50 homers for the yanks this year? because that was his rate last year. Still no Bauer on the list who will crush Snell this year. Also WAR isn't a fantasy number.

— Still Shaved (@StillShavedguy) January 29, 2021

And here's that Judge one:

Aaron Judge - 62 HR (2021)
Roger Maris - 61 HR (1961)
Babe Ruth - 60 HR (1927) pic.twitter.com/s4NtJZSdkp

— Dan Rourke (@DanAlanRourke) February 26, 2021

Nice! Listen... let's hope these predicts are right. I wanna see a monster season for my Yankees!!!

GERMAN'S BACK, BUT HE'S "ON THIN ICE" WITH EVERYONE

It will be a long and hard road back for Domingo German. He may have served his suspension with MLB, but he's still serving hard time with the New York Yankees. German made a public apology yesterday, but his teammates aren't ready to forgive and forget.

I don't place a lot of value on monetary things. I don't think value is limited to what we own or how much we are "worth." I think our reputation and integrity are worth so much more then what our balance is in our bank account, or how much we have saved up for retirement, etc. I have said this before on BYB, once we lose our integrity and our good name we've lost it all. Once we lost it all, how do we get it back? Is it even possible?

Right now German is in a tough spot. His teammates had a lot to say on Wednesday. He definitely got a lot of tough love and he has a long road back to get be in his teammates good graces. I think that is a big deal. It's huge in the clubhouse and it's hard when you know your team doesn't trust you like they once did.

Last week Zack Britton said "Sometimes you don't get to control who your teammates are. I don't agree with what he did. I don't think it has any place in the game or off the field at all." The first sentence is what strikes me the most and I'm sure German also. That's not the only blunt statement either, that was just a preview of what German had before yesterday.

I think Britton's statement was more blunt and to the point, but Luke Voit had more to say, read more HERE. "He's getting a second chance at this and we have his back, but he's skating on thin ice and he needs to get his life together," Voit said. "I think he's doing the right steps to do so, but again, he's got to prove to us that he can do that. I want German to get better. He's my teammate, obviously he's a friend so we'll be there for him. But we don't condone it and he messed up and a lot of guys look at him differently now ..."

And that last thought of "a lot of guys look at him differently now" is the kicker. I asked earlier once we lose it all, how do we get it back? How does he prove that he has changed and is continuing to change and make good choices in is life?

It will be hard for those of us who do not know German personally. Aaron Boone said "the proof is in the daily life he leads" and that will take some time to see. German's suspension may be over, but he still has consequences to face with his own team. Hopefully he learns from this mistake and he can rise above.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

JUSTIN WILSON ADDS DEPTH TO THE YANKEES ROTATION

Source: USA Today

With Yankee phenom Clarke Schmidt shockingly shut down due to elbow soreness, Brian Cashman pulls another rabbit out of the Yankee magic hat. The Bombers sign LHP Justin Wilson to a one-year contract on Tuesday with a potential for an extension in 2022. Adding Wilson gives the Yankee much needed depth to a new rotation which could prove to be a winning rotation if carefully managed.

According to MLB.com, "Wilson, 33, spent the 2020 season with the Mets, going 2-1 with a 3.66 ERA (19.2IP, 8ER) and 23K in 23 relief appearances. Overall, he held opponents scoreless in 18-of-23 outings, allowing more than 1ER in just two appearances." He could be stretched out and utilized as a starter, an opener or a long reliever, giving the Yankees some additional flexibility.

"I’m really excited about him. He’s somebody that I think we kind of early on in the winter time identified as someone that could potentially impact our club,” Boone said. “We think he’s going to be another good complement to what we hope is a really special bullpen," reported the Associated Press. Wilson will pair nicely with a veteran bullpen which includes Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Chad Green and newly signed Darren O’Day. 

The Yankees have made some key moves this off season, but will they be enough? The team needs time to gel of course, and the talent is there, so now it comes down to performance. Time will tell but hopefully the additional depth will give the Yankees an opportunity provide adequate rest for their pitchers leading to better outings and more wins. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE LOOK & FEEL OF A 2021 YANKEES SPRING TRAINING

You gotta love when the players arrive. Gotta love the look of Florida and Yankee baseball, especially if you live up north near Yankee stadium where there is still snow everywhere.

Here's a shot tweeted by Brendan Kuty of Aaron Judge arriving at the Yankees facility. Gotta love it. Big things for this dude in 2021.  

Couple that with this great little video the Yankees have put out on their Twitter. The sounds of Yankee baseball. It's simple, yet perfect.

Sounds like baseball. pic.twitter.com/pKkMQ8aKMH

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) February 20, 2021

Actually, Yankee Twitter is off the hook. So many videos and so much great stuff for fans. Be sure to check it out! 

Spring is here folks! Go Yanks!

CLARKE SCHMIDT IS OUT, GUYS

It's not a huge deal if you're a Yankee fan... unless you're obsessed with Clarke Schmidt. If that's the case, you're devastated and I'm sorry.  Schmidt has been shut down. It's his elbow... and it's barking.

Check this story out... from Sportsnaut:

"The New York Yankees are shutting down right-hander Clarke Schmidt due to an elbow injury.

The former first-round draft pick will be sidelined for three to four weeks after an MRI revealed a strain of the common extensor tendon, manager Aaron Boone said Monday."

Look, the bottom line is this... it's good we see this now, and with some time to recover, hopefully he'll be back on the bump soon.  Elbows suck and so hopefully this guy recovers fine. 

Get well soon, Clarke.

REGGIE JACKSON IS LEAVING THE YANKEES - BUT WHY?!

Shocking news over the weekend (well at least for me) but Reggie Jackson will no longer be a special assistant to the Yankees. I can't really wrap my head around this one, but I will have to figure out HOW to since it's true.

The New York Post broke the news HERE yesterday. I can't imagine Mr. October NOT working for the Yankees because he has been so important within the organization. It will be weird not having Reggie around during Spring Training especially. It just seems surreal.

I am confused as to WHY he's moving on though because some of his comments contradict others. At first, he made it sound like it was just time to retire and obviously he's earned that. "I would say I’ve stepped back a little bit, taken my retirement, really," Jackson said. "I just think it’s time." There is nothing wrong with moving on and finding new passions. He even said he would like to participate in Old-Timer's day if we are able to have one this year. I'd like to see that happen if this pandemic finally calms down.

But maybe he has a different idea about retirement? Or maybe, he just wants to retire from the Yankees. "It’s just time to step back. I want to be around the game, and I want to contribute. I want to leave my knowledge. But it’s just time to move on." He still wants to be around the game, so the New York Post mentions finding other opportunities closer to his home in California, and possibly working for Astros owner Jim Crane, whom he is friendly with.

And this is where I become violently ill. If Reggie wants to retire then I say "Happy retirement" because he deserves it. I just can't stand the idea of Yankee legend Reggie Jackson working for the cheating ASSTROS because he has befriended their cheating owner.

I really hope this is just a poor fluff piece and not an actual possibility because I couldn't stomach Reggie working for the ASSTROS. There are other west coast teams, even ones in California.....just please not the cheaters.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

LOOK OUT KRAKEN, THERE'S A NEW CATCHER IN TOWN

Earlier this week we wrote about the catcher of the future in Josh Breaux who was a second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. Now there's another catcher who is turning some heads and it certainly isn't Kraken. 21-year-old catcher Austin Wells was the Yankees’ first-round pick last summer, and is showing powerful offense during the first few days of camp.

Source: NJ.com

"I really like his swing,’’ Boone said. “One of the things that stands out to me, that I didn’t necessarily know, is how strong he is. He’s as strong as anyone in camp, especially when you test him,” said Boone as reported by NJ.com. 

Wells played for the University of Arizona and a season with Cape Cod League and caught the eyes of Yankees scouts. Although Wells can play first base as well as the outfield, he has stated openly he wants to be behind the plate in Yankee Stadium. 

Source: The New York Post

"I am a catcher and I want to be a catcher and I know I am willing to do whatever it takes to get to the big leagues, so if that is at another position then I will hit home runs at Yankee Stadium and play wherever they need me to,’’ Wells said after being drafted as reported by NJ.com. 

The Yankees appear to have some depth when it comes to the catcher position, something many fans, including me were worried about given Gary Sanchez's disappointing performance in the last few seasons. Sanchez has become a liability behind the plate and when his bat when cold last season, there were some doubts that he would even be invited back to the team in 2021. The Yankees have given him another chance, in my mind, his last chance. And with some youngbloods in Breaux, Anthony Seigler and now Wells ready to step in, there is a renewed confidence in the catcher position.

Boone has said that he will put the best team on the field. I really hope he sticks to that pledge in 2021 and keeps the hottest players in the lineup. 'Next guy in" has to be the mantra for the Yankees if they want to win this season and make their way into the postseason on the journey to #28. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE PASSIONATE DIETRICH COULD BRING THE YANKEES TO ANOTHER LEVEL

Derek Dietrich is a hot head, wacky, an ego maniac, a gamer, underrated and the dude knows how to freaking hit. The end. 

I'm psyched about this guy coming to New York. I do wonder however if he can handle the structure of what a New York Yankee organization is like.  Anyway, MLB writes this:

"Dietrich, an eight-year veteran, could push first baseman Mike Ford, outfielder and first baseman Jay Bruce and others for a job. Ford is on the Yankees’ 40-man roster. Bruce is not.

Dietrich, a lefty slugger, hit just .197 in 25 games with the Rangers but also slugged five homers and had a .806 OPS in 2020. He hit just .187 in 113 games withe Reds in 2019, but also had a respectable .790 OPS. His last big season came in 2018, when he hit .265 with 16 bombs and 45 RBI with the Marlins."

It will be interesting in what happens to Ford and Bruce if Dietrich does in fact wow everyone with his minor league deal and the invite to spring training.  One thing I do know however is the Yankees are doing their best to find solid guys like Derek.

Watch this video.

Welcome Dietrich... time to get after it!

GARDY PARTY ONCE AGAIN!

Forgive me for not making a huge splash about this resigning of Brett on BYB yesterday when it happened. While I love Brett Gardner, I was sure it was over for him in the Bronx. But that being said, I'm happy about having the gritty veteran back! He's a leader and will help this team win!

Bryan Hoch writes:

"The Yankees have reunited with their longest-tenured player, agreeing to terms Friday on a one-year contract worth at least $4 million, a source told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. The deal, which includes player and team options for the 2022 season, has not been confirmed by the club.

Asked about Gardner’s status earlier this week, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said: “You never know what can happen or transpire, but we'll see. Obviously, he's been a great Yankee, and we'll just see how things unfold here.”

And there you have it! Many Yankee fans are glad he's back... including this chick!

WEAR A MASK AND YAY GARDY pic.twitter.com/c4sZQblmTe

— Allison Case (@ThatNYYChick) February 19, 2021

Go Yanks!

THE YANKEES MADE AN IMPORTANT DECISION ABOUT FRAZIER

And it's about time. This kid has been in limbo for a long time. It was frustrating me, the Yankees had no idea what they were doing with Frazier and they finally figured it out. 

I've always believed Frazier had great potential, and even though he had a lot of rough patches I wanted to see the Yankees give him a fair shot. The Yankees traded for him in 2016 and it hasn't been an easy transition for him. The past year has been especially rough though. It's been an emotional roller coaster from EVEN AARON BOONE "DOESN'T KNOW" ABOUT FRAZIER'S FUTURE to THE NEW "UNTOUCHABLE" YANKEES OUTFIELDER MAY SURPRISE YOU all in four months. Well now, the Yankees are finally committing to Clint Frazier.

In case you missed it, the Yankees have just barely reported for Spring Training and they already expect Frazier to be their everyday left fielder, read more HERE.

"Last year really proved he was ready to grab an everyday role on this team," said Aaron Boone. "Especially with the improvements he’s made in every aspect of his game, at his age, his experience now and his success and confidence that he’s continued to build has put him in a position to go into this camp as an everyday player. He’s certainly earned that."

Frazier has worked hard to get to this spot, and he has earned it. He had growing pains and tension with the New York media, missed most of the 2018 season due to concussion complications, stumbled with defensive issues and then was passed over for a spot on the big league roster in 2019 and was the frequent focus of trade rumors. Last season he stepped in and was productive while the Yankees battled through injuries and even had a surprising Gold Glove nomination.

Frazier has come full circle, and it's nice to see him finally have a defined role. It hasn't been easy, but good things are worth the wait.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

YANKEE CATCHER OF THE FUTURE FOUND!

Source: Twitter

Gary Sanchez has been on a steady decline since his debut with the Yankees in 2015. His defensive game has always been in question; actually, his knowledge of the game is also something to be desired. But, Sanchez always had his swing, until he didn't and then found himself fighting for the job that was given to him. According to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel, the Yankees have a catcher of the future within their ranks and guess what? We get to see him this spring.

Josh Breaux was a second-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. The 23-year-old right hand catcher made his debut in the Yankee farm system with Gulf Coast League West and worked his way up the ranks to the Tampa Tarpons where he was activated this winter. He will be at Yankees Spring Training camp this week and according to ESPN's Kiley McDaniel he is one to watch.

"Breaux popped up in the spring of 2018 at a Texas junior college by hitting 99 mph on the mound in relief, showing a 70 arm behind the plate as a catcher and flashing 70 raw power in BP. He was still pretty raw in all phases, with more pro upside as a catcher, but with real questions given the short track record, as both a catcher and hitter. His pro career has reflected that, but he has been making progress with a solid 2019 full-season debut and improving reports on his work behind the plate. A good 2021 season could get him in the conversation as the Yankees’ catcher of the future," according to NJ.com. 

The battle for catcher is not between Sanchez, former backup catcher Kyle Higashioka and now newly signed Robinson Chirinos who finished last season with the Mets, but caught for Gerrit Cole while they both played for Houston. Rather Sanchez is battling against the catchers of the future, namely, Breaux and three other Yankee prospects. According to NJ.com, "Catcher is shaping up to be a position of strength for the Yankees down on the farm. In addition to Breaux, New York is grooming: Austin Wells (first-round pick in 2020, No. 28 overall); Anthony Seigler (first-round pick in 2018, No. 23 overall) and Antonio Gomez (international free agent in 2018)." 

Recall that Sanchez was benched during the 2020 playoffs and quaffed at the move, wondering why. "In an ESPN interview, Sánchez said that he was never told why he was mostly benched in October, but that he and the Yanks had cleared the air. Cashman’s response, in part, was that he was “not sure an explanation was necessary,” since poor performance caused Sánchez to lose his job during the most crucial time of the season," reported SNY.com. 

Spring training will be a great opportunity to see the catchers of the future, with Breaux leading the list of potentials. The Yankees are grooming catchers instead of paying for them and I am hopeful this strategy works because what we have now with Sanchez is just not sustainable. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

THE YANKEES HAVE THEIR EYE ON MORE THAN ONE RELIEVER

So while we are left to wonder if the Yankees will make a late move and bring Brett Gardner back I am also watching which reliever the Yankees are going to sign. I really expected to have this answered last night.

So you already know that the Yankees have been watching David Robertson and I am all for David Robertson: Part 3 but the Yankees also have their eye on Justin Wilson, another former Yankee. It is rumored that Wilson "prefers" to return to the Mets but....who knows.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are in "serious" talks with Wilson according to cbssports.com so this could come down to the battle of New York. Which NY team could lure Wilson? I have to admit it would be nice to have another lefty reliever as long as the Yankees can get Wilson's control issues under control. That is the one area that really concerns me about Wilson. He can serve as more than just a lefty-on-lefty match up. 

The Yankees are very familiar with both of these guys. I would love to see Robertson come back and rebound from the last two seasons. He did well here before and he can handle the pressure. If he can rebound and help the team win again then it would be a fantastic reunion story.

I'm interested though to see how this Wilson connection pans out. He's pitched well for the Mets the last two seasons and the Mets are a different team now with new leadership and new faces. It is an exciting time to be a Met, so I wonder if the Yankees can sway him.

Spring training is here, it's THIS week so free agents are going to come off of the board very quickly. I am just intrigued to see what Wilson chooses. It's the rebirth of a New York rivalry already, and I kind of dig it.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

COULD GARDNER BECOME A RED SOCK?

Source: NJ.com

When I heard that the Yankees could move on from Brett Gardner over the last couple of weeks I got sick to my stomach. Brett Gardner is one of the hardest working players this game has ever seen. He's got grit, determination and he pushes himself harder than some of the best players today. He is loved by his teammates, the Yankee front office, other ball players and fans. And now, Gardner is closer to a contract than you think. 

Source: CBS Sports

“I love Brett Gardner,” Cashman said on ESPN radio in December. “He’s been everything you could ever want since he was drafted and he’s as tough as they come. He’s great in that clubhouse. I’d love to partner back.” But since that interview, the Yankees have not moved on Gardner. This week, Gardner stated that he intends on playing somewhere in 2021 but he would like to play where he has always played since coming up to the bigs back in 2008. And he deserves to be in pinstripes playing the outfield like he always has. But this game today is different. It is about money and power; there is money for some and nothing for others. 

Source: Sports Illustrated

Jon Lester asked his team, the Chicago Cubs, to allow him to finish his days pitching for them. But they said there was no money, so he signed as a free agent with the Washington Nationals. Then the Cubs "found" money for Jake Arrieta and signed him to a one-year contract. I scratch my head. The only thought I have is that there is simply no loyalty today and maybe there never was loyalty, but only the appearance of it. 

Source: AP Photo/Matt Slocum

As far as Gardner, it is hard to say if there is loyalty on behalf of the Yankees for him. "NJ Advance Media reported on Feb. 10 that Gardner and the Yankees hadn’t had contract talks since mid-December when agent Joe Bick was told by Cashman that the organization first had to work out more pressing issues such as re-signing reigning batting champ DJ LeMahieu and remaking a rotation that had three veterans on the free agent market. All of that was accomplished last month," reported the NJ.com. 

Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer

Earlier Saturday, the Yankees signed Jay Bruce to a minor league contract. Bruce is a pure hitter who also happens to play the outfield. Could this be a barrier for the Gardner signing? I would hope not. I would hate to see Gardner play for anyone else but the Yankees. And the recent movements in the Red Sox organization saw outfielder Andrew Benintendi sign with the Kansas City Royals and Jackie Bradley Jr. status with the Sox uncertain. Will Gardner get an offer to play for the Sox? Oh God, I hope not! 

Source: MLB Trade Rumors

This week we should learn the fate of our devoted and loyal outfielder, Brett Gardner. "According to spotrac.com, the Yankees are about $10.2 million under this year’s $210 million luxury-tax threshold, and it’s believed that managing partner Hal Steinbrenner wants to stay under due to about $250 million in losses during the pandemic-shortened, no-fans 2020 season.," reported NJ.com. If Gardner signs it will likely be for a moderate salary. Let's hope the Yankees and Gardy can agree to a contract and we see him back donning number 11 in the Bronx. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof