WHO'S MATT KROOK? YOU'LL SEE

I'm a big fan of lefties. On occasion I'll play The Show with my 20-year-old and we compare our teams with each other and he's always breaking my balls because I'll be stacked with lefties in the lineup and several more in the rotation or pen. I'm a lefty and to be honest, I don't even realize I'm doing it. But now that you know I'm a lefty, doesn't it make sense?

I was reading about this new young lefty that the Yankees may have coming out of the pen if everything goes his way this spring, and his name is Matt Krook. And his story is a cool one. Check this out from the New York Post:

"It took 500 innings in three different organizations, and did not even include the 2020 season that was stolen by the pandemic.

But nearly seven years after Matt Krook was taken by the Giants in the fourth round of the 2016 draft, he has cracked a 40-man roster.

“It was awesome,” Krook said Friday, remembering the November phone call in which the Yankees, by selecting him to the roster, were protecting him from the Rule 5 draft. “I’ve been in the minor leagues for a long time. So to get that call and get added and for them to believe in me meant a lot. It felt really good.”

The next call felt even better.

Krook has entered Yankees camp as a dark horse to win a spot in the bullpen."

And here's the thing. He's a lefty. The only other one is Wandy Peralta and I'm the manager and based on my background, I want more than one, you get my drift?

Yanks go Yard has more on Krook:

"The 28-year-old went 10-7 with a pedestrian 4.09 ERA last season at Triple-A, but most notably struck out a large number of batters, whiffing 155 in 138.2 innings. In 2021, his first year in the organization, things went even better; Krook split time at Double-A and Triple-A, whiffing 132 in 106 innings pitched, posting a 2.89 ERA."

Seems like the perfect storm for him to make the team, unless he totally shits the bed this spring.

I'm rooting for this kid. No doubt.

THE IMPORTANCE OF DJ LEMAHIEU

DJ LeMahieu is my favorite Yankee when it comes to current Yankee players. He is exactly what I want in a player.  Table setter, can hit for power, can play all over the infield and most of all, leads by example. Quiet, stolic, does his job.  The fact that he's been hurt in my opinion was a big blow to the Yankees in 2022. We could have gone further with him, but hey, that's just the way things happen sometimes. The good news is we got this guy working his way back and that is something to celebrate. He should be making his Spring debut finally on Wednesday.

Inside the Pinstripes writes of DJ:

" Boone added that LeMahieu is “pretty full go” after being plagued by foot/toe issues last year.

LeMahieu, who opted against offseason surgery, will play second base on Wednesday. He’ll also play first base and third base this spring.

LeMahieu, 34, has said that he doesn’t anticipate any restrictions in camp. But Boone noted that the first normal spring training in a while – the pandemic and MLB’s lockout have created obstacles in recent years – means that the skipper can take a cautious approach with veterans like LeMahieu, as they have more time to ramp up. So that’s why LeMahieu has not gotten into a game yet...

"I'm excited,” LeMahieu said."

Typically, I'd be ripping Boone for not setting DJ loose, but I understand Boone on this one. Slow. We need this guy for opening day.  

I'm really looking forward to seeing DJ tomorrow.  Hope he does great things in his return.

MOVE OVER IKF, ANTHONY VOLPE IS STEALING YOUR THUNDER!

Spring training just started, so it's REALLY early but Anthony Volpe is already WOWING everyone. He is shining at the right time which may be bad news for Isiah Kiner-Falefa.

Opportunity has knocked loudly for Volpe, and he didn't hesitate to answer and rise to the challenge. He didn't just have a good first game against the Blue Jays, "he was showing off" according to Josh Donaldson, read more HERE.

Volpe led off and played five innings at shortstop and was two for four on the day with a second-inning hustling double to right, and a fourth-inning single to left that was followed two steals. He also handled two ground balls at shortstop making them look easy. The more I watch him at short, the more I forget that IKF plays the same position. 

I'm not going to lie, I am more excited about the young kids coming up that IKF just gets lost in the background for me. He was meant to be a stop gap, and maybe this year he is a bench guy. No offense to IKF, but Volpe is the number one prospect and important face of the future, even if it isn't at shortstop he is looking pretty good there right now.

I've been excited about Volpe for a while now. Even if he moves to second base in the future (which I think will happen) the more I read about him the more I want to see him play in the Bronx. "It's easy to focus on the results, but just the way he went about it," Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza said, "the hustle, the intensity, the focus... First at-bat, first pitch, ready to go, line drive right at the shortstop. Second at-bat, single but out of the box he's thinking two and sure enough he got to second base. Again, the way he went about it and the way he played the game, that's what I loved." That's what we will all love to watch.

Sunday was a day of firsts for Volpe, who is in his first big-league spring training: first spring-training start, first hit, first two-hit game, first two stolen bases. Hopefully we get to see many more first to come....and hopefully sooner rather than later. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

GIANCARLO STANTON'S STRONG WORDS!

You need to produce in the heart of the lineup. Plain and simple.

With snow flurries in the air and just above freezing temperatures in New Jersey on Saturday, it was warm in my heart as I tuned into the Grapefruit League and the first start of the 2023 New York Yankees. There were some familiar faces in the lineup including Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Oswaldo Cabrera and Gleyber Torres. But the real interest for me in spring training is what will the Yankees do to design the best team to compete well consistently against opponents down the stretch. As Aaron Boone puts it, "We’re laying a foundation right now, trying to be uber-focused on that process of how we get a little incrementally better every day.” Sure, Boone always says that, but what really got me fired up were the words of Yankees incumbent slugger Giancarlo Stanton shared before the Yankees bout against the Phillies on Saturday.

“You’ve got to stay healthy; you’ve got to be out there,” Stanton said. “You’ve got to be in a good rhythm throughout the months and not worry about 59 or whatever homers. You have to produce in the heart of the lineup," reporte MLB.com. The Yankees have a lot to worry about—beyond who will play left field, and who will play shortstop. It involves mental and physical health. It is not about repeating the performance from last year in home runs or strikeouts. It is about being the best version of yourselves and maintaining that through the long haul of 162 games.

"Everybody wants to prove that next year is going to be better,” Nestor Cortes said. “For me, it’s just trying to stay healthy as much as possible. Last year I missed two starts to the groin [strain], and the goal today is to not miss time with the [strained] hamstring. I think we’re off on the right foot, and hopefully I can continue to build off that," reported MLB.com.

The Yankees are also facing a 13 year World Series drought. Many of the players call this year, "unfinished business" which certainly nudged Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo into contracts. But it is more than that. It is about playing together as a team, having accountability for teammates and yourself as you move from game to game and series to series, and it is about staying positive. Don't try to repeat what you have done in the past—focus on how you can produce in this situation and that situation. The talent is there—don't overthink it.

“There’s always that unknown about what this team is capable of, how great can we be and what we can accomplish this year,” Judge said. “Going into every season, I know what we’re capable of. We’ve got All-Stars, Cy Young candidates and former MVPs on this team. Let’s see what we can go out there and do this season,” reported MLB.com.

Baseball is here and the Yankees have just over a month to lay a foundation for success. That foundation includes positivity, health, focus on now, best use of talent, and producing in the heart of the lineup. If the words of Stanton are sloganed in the dugout, and each player owns their ability to play to their potential, the Yankees can be the best team. They need to get out of their own way, remove the imposter syndrome label and ensure that their heart is in the right place. 

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

JOHNNY DAMON IS BANANAS... LITERALLY

The Savannah Bananas are intriguing in themselves. Now add in Johnny Damon and you really have something, don't you?

A great story this week about a Yankee and baseball veteran just trying to give it one more shot and get a little publicity too.  Johnny Damon signed and played with the Savannah Bananas. Now if you don't know anything about the Savanah Bananas, know that they are a fun team. If you want to know more, just go to Wikipedia:

"The Savannah Bananas are an exhibition baseball team based in Savannah, Georgia.The team was founded in 2016 and has played at Grayson Stadium since its inaugural season. Until 2022, the Bananas competed in the Coastal Plain League's (CPL) West division, where they won three Petitt Cup championships (2016, 2021, and 2022). The team has sold out every game since the first season in Savannah and every city on the Banana Ball World Tour."

Now that you know this, understand what happened with Johnny Damon. Yahoo Sports writes:

Johnny Damon makes his debut for the Bananas in Daytona Beach last night😎 pic.twitter.com/D8RDvTnB73

— Savannah Bananas (@TheSavBananas) February 23, 2023

"The 49-year-old suited up for the amateur baseball team and made his debut Wednesday night during an exhibition game in Daytona Beach, Florida.

He sauntered to the plate, grinning widely with his signature long hair, and got into his batting stance. The pitcher threw the ball and he whiffed right past it. The momentum from his powerful swing nearly spun him around....

The Bananas are known for their antics, so Damon fit right in.

Damon connected on the next pitch for a dribbler toward third base. He was thrown out at first, but he got to keep the ball. "

Look, my take on this is simple; I've never been a huge fan of Damon because he seems to go where the wind blows, meaning, if the Yankees get heat, he acts like a former Red Sock. If the Red Sox are caught up in some crap, he leans Yankees.  I don't like that and I'd rather he stays loyal to one team, whomever that may be. That being said, I love that he's 49 and out there playing!

Fun story and I wanted to share it.

You like this? Read these:

JOHNNY THE GREAT

F JOHNNY DAMON

SHOULD BEN RORTVEDT'S LATEST INJURY BE A CONCERN FOR THE YANKEES?

If you have been anxiously awaiting the debut of Ben Rortvedt, you will have to wait a little bit longer. How much longer? That's a really good question that I wish we knew.

I've been really intrigued with Rortvedt since we acquired him with Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the trade that sent Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez to the Twins last offseason. His glove could be a golden ticket for the Yankees....if we get to see him in action. He hasn't had any big league action since 2021 where he played in 39 games for the Twins.

So how much longer do we wait to see him in pinstripes? At least a month, bare minimum, read more HERE. Rortvedt had surgery yesterday for a finger ailment that doctors spent days trying to figure out, but couldn't. Ultimately, he saw a specialist who was able to determine that he had an aneurysm near the posterior in his left shoulder, which had impacted the circulation in his hand and fingers. Yikes!

Is anyone else having flashbacks from 1996? All I can think about is David Cone's aneurysm that led to him losing feeling in his fingers. Talk about a flashback. For now, we will continue watching Jose Trevino and Kyle Higashioka and see what happens over time.

I really hope Rortvedt gets some action in pinstripes, but he hasn't been healthy since we acquired him, and that is a concern for me. First it was an oblique injury and then he had knee surgery to clean up his meniscus. It feels like it's one issue after another with him and he's only 25 years old.  

Hard to ignore the injuries here, but I am trying to think about the promise he has with his glove. I've always loved a good, strong defensive catcher. Question is.... will he be ours? 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

REMAINING HEALTHY—PIVOTING FOR YOUR TEAM COULD MAKE ALL OF THE DIFFERENCE

 

Source: Associated Press

On Tuesday night I had the opportunity to have dinner with three incredible leaders. All three men have served as coaches, principals and parents. Interestingly enough, when it came to baseball, we represented Yankees, Red Sox and Mets in our teams of choice. We had many a kibitzing over dinner about our roots, our journey to our current life and opportunities we have had to learn and grow.  We all agreed that we that sometimes you have give up your favorite things in order to support your families, your teams and your health. And if I could connect this mantra to the Yankees, sometimes you need to consider the health of your teammates and your ability to pivot to ensure that as a team you have the best opportunity to win. 

"One of the biggest challenges Aaron Boone has faced in recent years is figuring out the right combination of days off, days at DH and days in the outfield to keep Giancarlo Stanton healthy and productive," reported the New York Post. "This season could present another tweak to the equation, with the Yankees at least considering playing Stanton in right field at Yankee Stadium on occasion, which would bump Aaron Judge to left field with Harrison Bader in center, as The Post’s Joel Sherman first reported on Monday."

Source: USA Sports

This makes perfect sense. Pivoting your outfield in such a way that you place the best team on the field each day is key to enduring a very long season. When reporters discuss the left field situation, it is always about what Aaron Hicks is capable of doing or should the Yankees go out and spend money on a bigger, better outfielder that holds a bigger, better bat. But what about Stanton? Can't he be a regular outfielder?

“I am of the belief that him playing in the outfield is good for his game, but I also think it’s good for his health,” Boone said. “I think it’s good that he’s, when healthy, not just a DH. There’s times in the course of the year when that’s what we have to do. He’s not able to necessarily get out there, so we do what we have to do. … [But] playing in the field, when healthy, gives him a better shot at staying healthy,” reported The Post.

Judge was all about pivoting to left field, stating he will get his reps in there and ensure he is ready to play left when called to do so. This kind of attitude will put the Yankees in the position to win more games and quite frankly, be more versatile. It is this kind of innovation that is required not only to win but to remain ready to win. 

The journey to the World Series is not an easy one—it takes experience, willpower and yes the ability to pivot when necessary. When we see leaders do this, like the three men I met on a random Tuesday night for dinner, we see success in all facets of life. Imagine how the Yankees will fair if this formula for a pivoting outfield yields more games played by Stanton, Judge and Bader. The Yankees could be unstoppable. 

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

Everything 35% off right now!

PRE-ORDER JACK CURRY'S NEW BOOK ABOUT THE 1998 YANKEES!

This is a quick note. If you love baseball and the New York Yankees like I do, many times you get sucked into who you read when you read about them in the newspaper. For me, that goes back to Jack Curry when he was with the New York Times and my guy Pete Caldera with the Bergen Record.  Yup, I'm showing my age here, but that's how much I admire these guys and how long I've been reading them, and it just goes to show you how I even dipped my toe in the journalism pool as well, creating Bleeding Yankee Blue all the way back in 2010. Since then, I've interviewed both of them for Bleeding Yankee Blue. While these interviews are old at this point, they are worth a read again. Check out:

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: JACK CURRY (2011)

NO ONE DOES THE YANKEES BETTER THAN PETE CALDERA (2012)

Caldera also did an audio interview with BYB during COVID in 2020. You can hear that at: 

THE GREAT PETE CALDERA TALKS COIVD-19, CC SABATHIA & THE ASTROS CHEATING SCANDAL!

So, what the heck am I talking about? Oh yeah, my journalism idols and what Jack Curry is doing right now.

A little while ago, Jack Curry put out this Tweet below about his new book coming out in May and how he wants true Yankee fans like you and me to pre-order it.  The book is called "The Inside story of the Greatest Team ever: The 1998 Yankees". Check out Jack's video tweet:

98 seconds about my 1998 Yankees book and how you can receive some cool giveaways by pre-ordering the book. Thanks for watching and thanks for any consideration. pic.twitter.com/oW1shzQAPg

— JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) February 21, 2023

Now look, I have no dog in this fight only to tell you that when it comes to the good guys, THE REALLY GOOD GUYS, Jack and Pete are my guys. Fine journalists, good and honest people.

Jack put this tweet out and all he asks is that you check out his book, maybe preorder it.  That's it.

Why am I helping? Because I want to be that guy and I try to be and have been for a long time here at Bleeding Yankee Blue. It's not easy to be a Yankee blogger. You get a ton of heat for your opinions. But there is a respect level when it comes from guys like Jack, Pete, Lorenz, Hoch and many others. They understand I'm trying to cut my teeth in this biz, they respect it even though the world I'm in isn't exactly how they started. And so yea, I try to give back to my idols.  I've been to the Carnegie Club a few times to support Pete Caldera and watch him croon and I will continue to do that when I can. In addition, any time guys like Jack and Pete have anything going on, consider this the place to help them promote it.  Hands down 2 of my favs!

So, check out Jack's video above, listen to his wish and pre order THE 1998 YANKEES, coming out in May!

Hey Jack and Pete, hope you're ok with the love fest! Let's get ready for the 2023 season!

THE OAKLAND A'S MAKE ONE MORE STEP TOWARDS A VEGAS MOVE

I've been following this saga of the Oakland A's future for s long time now. Almost two years ago I said OAKLAND NEEDS TO "PLAY BALL" SOMEWHERE ELSE - AND I KNOW THE PERFECT SPOT! and I still feel the same way. So does Rob Manfred, and baseball fans in general for that matter. It's a long process to move a team but Oakland may be one step closer.

There are a lot of different angles in the news this month about the A's and their possible relocation, but  Las Vegas Review-Journal had an interesting story this week, you can read that HERE. The A's have considered locations locally, and two close to the Vegas strip, and now a new one is on their radar.

The A's have serious interest in the Rio for a new MLB stadium as the Vegas entertainment capital continues to boom. The Rio's owner is open to the idea of adding a ballpark on and why shouldn't they be? We can all say KA-CHING and the Rio's owner knows Vegas is ready and raring to go for more sports teams to call their city home.

Football and hockey are thriving in Vegas, and so is the WNBA. It's time MLB cashes in and joins the party. Every sportsbook in town is ready and waiting. The A's have hired a team of lobbyists to lay the groundwork with state leaders to make it happen. Lobbyists will work to get as much public support as possible for a Vegas baseball team. When the Raiders moved to Vegas, they secured $750 million in public funding, paid for by way of a 0.88 percent room tax on hotel rooms in Clark County. The plan for the A's to achieve their own funding is unknown at this point, but newly elected Governor Joe Lombardo has already said he is not in favor of tax hikes to attract the A's or any other sports team to Vegas.

I really can't wait to see how this pans out. I think Vegas is the perfect spot to watch the biggest names in baseball play. The entertainment capital of the world is the perfect place to watch big stars like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani come to town and play. Manfred knows it too. It's the one thing Manfred and I agree on 100% right now. This is actually something that would be good for the game.

I'm ready to see he A's ditch Oakland and start calling Vegas home....and I think it's one step closer to happening.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

WE LOVE RIZZO, BUT HE DOESN'T UNDERSTAND THE YANKEE FAN BASE WHEN IT COMES TO SUCKING

Joey Gallo was an awful player. He was awful before he came to New York, but Yankee fans were hoping the short porch would bring magic to his bat.  That did not happen and so when the Yankees shipped him off to the Dodgers, we were thrilled and he was thrilled until he realized he not only couldn't hit in New York, but LA too.  In fact, he can't hit anywhere, and the Twins will soon find that out too.

Then Aaron Hicks started just sucking the life out of our city. And Yankee fans got mad.  When players sign big contracts and don't perform, Yankee fans get angry. These players are milking their contracts, wearing a top uniform and we get mad because that's our hard-earned money these crappy players are pocketing. We want near perfection, especially if you're a Yankee. That's the bottom line.

Anthony Rizzo however has swooped in and is gonna try and save him. God bless him. We love Rizzo, but he doesn't truly understand the Yankee fan base when it comes to sucking in the Bronx.

Randy Miller of NJ.com writes:

"The fan abuse was a buildup of frustration. Hicks hasn’t had a good year since signing that seven-year, $70-million contract a few springs ago. He’s been hurt a lot. His numbers are poor. And in this game, his usual solid outfield play was awful...

First baseman Anthony Rizzo, the Barney Fife to Aaron Judge’s Andy Taylor in the Yankees clubhouse, was asked about Hicks during his Sunday presser...

“When that type of stuff happens, it sucks and it’s on us in the clubhouse to make sure you’re love and protected,” Rizzo said. “When you hear outside noise, it’s hard to ignore it. But as professionals, you do ignore it and you do the best you can. The atmosphere you create in the clubhouse is the most important thing.”...

“It’s a new year, a fresh year,” he said. “What was done last year is done — good, bad or indifferent. 2023 is going to be a whole new book, a whole new journey of ups and downs, ebbs and flows.”

Rizzo is right about circling the wagons in the clubhouse. That always makes a player feel good. But if that player does not perform, Yankee fans will demolish him every at bat.  Is it fair? Nope. But welcome to the Bronx. If you command that type of contract you HAVE to perform, and Hicks is not.

Rizzo is a leader and has proven it in the Bronx, but when it comes to our fan base, I just feel like he will never truly understand it. That being said, Kudos to him for having a positive attitude.

LEARNING THE NEW GAME OF BASEBALL—CHANGES IN 2023

Baseball has been around since the mid-1800s. And it certainly has changed—in cost, in style, in culture, in teams and yes, even rules. The rules of the game are supposed to support the growth, safety and evolution of the sport. And over the years, the game has gotten a face lift. So, it is a new learning curve for those of us who are traditionalists and liked the game of the 1970s, 1980s and you get the picture. This year we need to relearn the game of baseball—let's dig into what the changes are and how they will impact fans and players alike.

One of the biggest fans and avid readers of BYB is my mother—Dore. She shares her love of the game in her comments, texts and in watching the game together with me. In late 2022, she celebrated her 80th birthday and as a longtime baseball fan, I take her comments very seriously—and of course because she is my mom. She texted this week: "What do you have to say about MLB's new pitching and batting rules?" My response was simply, "Let me dig into it deeper in a piece this weekend." So this piece is multi-generational, just like the fans of this game. And there are Six Big Changes to unpack!

1. Bigger Bases—The bases have grown to 18 inches by 18 inches instead of the traditional 15-by-15 that has been part of the game pretty much forever. Now you might not think that this is all that different, but trust me, when Buck Showalter of the Mets says "Wow!" at his first look at them in action, the change is dramatic. The purpose of this change is to help prevent injuries for base runners and fielders. 

Source: Morry Gash/AP Photo

2. Stricter Rules Surrounding Balks— According to MLB, "The rule says the pitcher is permitted to take one step back (or laterally) and one step forward. Thus, taking multiple steps before lifting the free leg is now deemed an illegal pitch movement." So, no more weird movements will be tolerated. 

Source: NJ.com

3. Ghost Runners Are Here to Stay— To me, that was the first rule they should have eliminated. I would rather have the shift than this ridiculous rule. It takes teams out of the game. It is artificial. It is even more in-authentic than the 7-inning double header rule, which I also dislike. Honestly, what is the rush? The rule is in place to help speed up the game. Sometimes extra innings can go on forever, but I disagree that it loses its dramatic effect. And I am sure the home stadium misses the extra concessions. 

4. Specific Rules for Position Players as Pitchers—According to MLB, a position player may only pitch if the game is in extras, in the 9th inning when trailing by 8 or more runs, or in the 9th inning when leading by 10 or more runs. Honestly, this is fine. It helps to keep the game real. This isn't Little League after all.

5. The Pitch Clock Will Be Real—This could cause some significant problems for pitchers and batters alike. In an effort to speed up the game, MLB has enforced the pitch clock which calls for pitchers to deliver their pitch within 15 seconds with no one on base, and 20 seconds with runners on base or they will be charged with a ball. Batters must be in the box and alert to the pitcher by the 8-second mark or they will be charged with an automatic strike. Yikes, let's see how that goes. 

6. The Shift is Over—According to MLB, "With the new rule changes, defensive teams will be required to have a minimum of four players on the infield, with at least two infielders completely on either side of second base." This is to increase batting averages which have gone down with the shift in place. This also enables the defense to get even more creative. For instance, teams can call in an outfielder to serve as a fifth infielder, which could increase the use of utility players who are used to both infield and outfield positions. This could get interesting.

Source: Twitter

You know, change is difficult but at times, very necessary. If you are feeling fatigued, you do something about it. If something doesn't fit right, you exchange it. If you are in a rut, you diagnose it, sometimes with help and you make a change, and try something new. We all have had our ups and downs in life. And as we evolve, we change. 

So, mom, and anyone else who is ready to embrace change in the sport you have loved your whole life, 2023 will provide a lot of opportunity to relearn the game of baseball. There will be more strategic moves, faster games and hopefully less injuries. What do you think about the new changes? We'd love to hear your thoughts! 

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