I have been following Brad Ausmus since his playing years. As a catcher, he is a thinker and knows how to anticipate plays on the field beyond looking at numbers. Could he be a manager-in-training? Well, yes, he's done it in some tough markets like Detroit and Los Angeles. His hire was one of some key moves the Yankees need to get done before the start of the 2024 season. So, yes, I am thankful for new leadership, but we have more jobs to fill.
"They’ll be among the many clubs bidding on 25-year-old Japanese pitching sensation Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who was posted on Monday and figures to land a deal north of $200 million. The biggest need is outfielders, and Brian Cashman wants to add two. The expectation is that one will be a long-term plug-in left field that will cost significant dollars and the other will be a stopgap option for center field until Jasson Dominguez returns from Tommy John surgery sometime next summer. A quality bullpen upgrade is a possibility, as well," reported NJ.com.
But there were promises that real change would happen. And so far, nothing is indicating that the Yankees are going to blow things up. Sure Ausmus is a step in the right direction. But without players who can compete consistently and execute on the "changes" then the Yankees will be right where they were last year and the year before that...no where but the couch during the postseason excitement.
According to Randy Miller for NJ Advance Media for NJ.com, "The Yankees’ winter additions will be determined by payroll. If it’s at $235 million now, it could be above $280 million just adding Yamamoto and either Bellinger or Soto, will Steinbrenner allow that? If so, will Cashman be able to afford another outfielder, even a stopgap one? We’ll see what happens. So far, all we know is they’ll have a new bench coach, a new hitting coach and, at Aaron Boone’s recommendation, the minor leaguers will be bunting more." If you have the time to read the whole article where reporters are discussing their speculations, it is a fun read, but really does not get me any closer to feeling like the Yankees have a plan for preseason acquisitions.
I feel like the Yankees are throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what lands. The other side of this is that players have to want to come play for a team that has been absolutely miserable to watch. With the same makeup and more bunting can the Yankees really compete in a league where players are younger, more athletic and can execute with runners in scoring position? So the bottom line is this, the Yankees have a new bench coach and the best pitcher in Gerrit Cole and hitter in Aaron Judge in baseball. Who can compete around them? And how do the Yankees ensure they get them and can play them the way they need to be played? Let's fill more jobs and be intentional about it. Let's put together a team that we can all be thankful for come next Thanksgiving after a great 2024 season.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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