COULD THOR BE THE YANKEES NEW CLOSER?

Yeah, I know it is likely a long shot, but what if the hammer throwing god came to the other New York team? What if the Yankees were to sign Noah Syndergaard as bullpen depth or even try him out in the closer role? The Yankees have shown interest in the former Met flame thrower, and who knows, maybe the theory could become a reality.

According to John Heyman from the New York Post, "Yankees are among about 15 teams that have gone to watch one of Noah Syndergaard’s pen sessions. Their interest level is unknown but he was said to be in the mid 90’s." 

Source: USA Today

Syndergaard was never the same after having Tommy John surgery which kept him out the entire 2020 season. And in 2021, he only had two starts. His injuries and inability to remain consistent bounced him to multiple teams since leaving the New York Mets in 2022. "After once being a huge star early on in his career, Noah Syndergaard has become a journeyman the last few years, struggling to stay in one place due to poor performances," reported SI.com.

Source: USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con

The pitcher has had gigs with the Angels, Phillies, Guardians and the Dodgers following a 6-year career with the Mets. "Syndergaard massively struggled in 2023, posting a 7.16 ERA with the Los Angeles Dodgers and a 5.40 after he was traded to the Cleveland Guardians. He was ultimately released, which called into question his future as a Major League pitcher," reported SI.com. 

He's out there pitching for a spot on an MLB rotation somewhere, and why not the Bronx? He likely won't be in the starting rotation as that is pretty much etched in stone, barring any setbacks from the proposed roster, but the closing role or any set up role in the bullpen is fully available and much needed. He could be a long reliever as well, having experience going multiple innings. 

Source: Philadelphia Inquirer

The Yankees will have competition from the Pirates, potentially the Mets, the Orioles and possibly the Phillies among other suitors. The likelihood of Syndergaard landing a spot on a team this spring is very high according to multiple sources. He appears healthy and hungry to get back to business- so why not in pinstripes? Hey, you never know- he's been successful here before, why not again?

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

LATEST YANKEE RUMOR: YANKEES ARE TIED TO THE OTHER CHAPMAN

Welcome to the latest edition of "headlines that don't make sense" starring the New York Yankees. We all know the Yankees will be tied to any baseball player for any reason at all. Sometimes those reasons make some sense and sometimes they don't.

So the latest headline that has come out of nowhere. Not sure how the San Francisco Chronicle got this tidbit, but at the bottom of the story HERE six teams are interested in Matt Chapman, including the Yankees. Why on earth would the Yankees be looking at Chapman?

Back in December, Brian Cashman said upgrading third base wasn't on his radar, read more here. I think we all know the Yankees have more pressing needs. Third base isn't the biggest weakness. Adding some more offense in general and starting pitching have been the pressing needs. I'm all for upgrades, and the Yankees sure could use some more of them. Juan Soto alone is not going to fix this anemic Yankees offense.

But why on earth would Chapman be an upgrade? We all know DJ LeMahieu has struggled the last few seasons, so he's not perfect but he is versatile. If there was an upgrade that would make the Yankees stronger, I'd be all for it....but that's not Chapman.

Nothing against Chapman but we have a roster full of him. Last season he finished with a .240 BA with 54 RBI's and 165 strikeouts. He looks just like the rest of the Yankees. Over 7 seasons his average is .240 BA and 80 RBI's. It's worth noting, his best season for RBI's was in 2019, and his last three seasons he's had more than 160 strikeouts so adding Chapman does not make him any better than LeMahieu or even Anthony Rizzo. If the Yankees want more of the same mediocrity, then Chapman would be just that. He's another lackluster right-handed bat on the decline that strikes out a lot.

Spring Training is less than three weeks away, and the Yankees don't need Chapman on their roster. He doesn't make it better in any category. Not sure where some of these headlines come from, but they can drive a girl crazy. Hopefully this is just a garbage headline.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

MAYBE AARON JUDGE SHOULD ALSO MANAGE THE 2024 YANKEES

Aaron Judge stepped into a key leadership role for the Yankees when he accepted the position as captain last year. He has been genuine as one can be, and he has not held back when he felt his opinion was valuable. Now Aaron Boone, who I think is just a weak link on this team, asks his captain where he wants to bat? So ridiculous, unless we are moving toward a player-manager role for Judge and that would just be fine by me.

"Where does Aaron Judge want to bat in the New York Yankees lineup in 2024? Well, Boone asked Judge that very question in a lighthearted moment during the Yankees star's ALL RISE Foundation Gala on Thursday night. Judge, laughing good-naturedly, said that as long as Boone "keeps the top three" of the batting order as DJ LeMahieu, Soto and himself, that the club will be just fine," reported SI.com. 

It is no secret that Casey, Jenna and I have all had our moments of disbelief with Yankee brass over the last several months. Heck, if I am honest with myself, I have been losing faith in the leadership or lack thereof on this team for years. But whether in jest or not, it is just embarrassing to even have Boone hint at asking his player where he wants to bat. Like where do you think he should bat? You're the manager, do your job.

"Judge has mostly hit second for New York, while Soto has indicated in the past that he prefers to hit third. However, Judge doesn't seem too worried about the order, and Soto indicated he would do whatever the Yankees need of him during his introductory press conference," reported SI.com. 

All this talk of lineups just annoys me. Of course, I want the Yankees to go for it, and start the season with 10-0 record. But I feel like they are worried about the wrong things. Judge will be fine. Soto will be fine. My concerns lie in the wake of injuries, pitching woes and just lack of hitting for average. So, the lineup nonsense is just that nonsense. And Boone should just shut his trap and do his job. Judge will do whatever he needs to lead this team from his role as captain and player. If each guy in does the same, the Yankees will be winners despite the lack of leadership. 

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

YANKEE SEASON SAVED! WE GOT TORRENS!

Hold the phone, we got another player!  The Yankees have made a move. Wait a minute... it's a minor league deal.  Wait... who?

Luis Torrens.  Nice...

Or wait a minute. Huh?

MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"The Yankees have agreed to a minor league contract with catcher Luis Torrens...Torrens, 27, has spent time in the big leagues in each of the past five seasons, suiting up for the Mariners, Padres and Cubs in that time. He had a solid run with the ’21 Mariners, popping 15 home runs and hitting .243/.299/.431 over a career-high 378 plate appearances, but he’s generally struggled at the plate since."

We are upgrading left and right. Wait a minute did that just read "struggled at the plate since"? 

That ain't good.  

Hey Brian... what are you doing?  Are we out of money? Be honest.  

What a terrible offseason.

WRAPPING A MEDIOCRE TEAM AROUND JUAN SOTO & CO.

I have not been into this Yankee team for quite a while. 

Look, the outpouring of support, pump up notes and messages asking if I'm serious about ending BYB are all very kind.  But the fact is as a fan, I'm disappointed. That's it. Nothing really more to say.  

People like Suzie and Jeana keep me wanting to continue to give, but I just don't know if it's in me.  I think a lot of our future will stem from what happens in Spring training and what happens leading up to it. The Yankees have to improve this offseason. That's it.

So far, we have Juan Soto and a former Red Sock who many of you are trying to convince yourselves the move was a good one.  The jury is still out on Alex Verdugo, but I'm willing to applaud him if he can contribute.  But other than that, a whole lot of nothing has been the title of the Yankees offseason.  

You know how old Ryan Braiser is? Do you know WHO HE IS?  He's 36... and he's a reliever.  And you know what else? The Yanks are "interested" in him. That according to MLB Trade Rumors:

"As the Yankees continue their search for another middle reliever, they’ve been in contact with Ryan Brasier...Brasier, 36, had a surprisingly excellent second half to the 2023 campaign. The righty had struggled to a 5.78 ERA over 62 1/3 innings for the Red Sox in 2022. When he began last year with a 7.29 mark over 21 innings, Boston designated him for assignment. The Dodgers brought him in on a minor league deal, selecting him onto the MLB roster in late June.

From then on, Brasier was among the best relievers in the game. "

And that "lightning in a bottle" mentality has never gone away from Brian Cashman.  Get that player that is "OK" and maybe he'll have a good season in the Bronx until the next big thing comes along.  

I don't get it. I want to trust this Yankee front office, I really do, but these are not my New York Yankees. To be honest, I don't understand it at all.

So yea... we got Soto for a season... and now we're looking at reliever named Brasier.  Excellent.

TOUGH LESSONS AND SECOND CHANCES

"Life's not fair and neither is baseball. Only the strong persevere."

This is what one of my colleagues told me at the coffee machine. I have a usual 7:30am routine two days a week at work. I get in, make myself a strong cup of coffee and talk baseball with PJ. Our teams have been chasing the same need...pitching.

I like to pick his brain; he has a different perspective than what you read online so our conversations are refreshing. So yesterday, we were talking about Domingo German and Trevor Bauer. Both pitchers have had a rocky past, but one seems to be closer to a second chance in Major League Baseball.

According to the New York Post HERE, German is talking to six teams about a return, two teams are AL East foes. The Mets are also in the mix although, are believed to be the last team on German's wish list. German has some options, but what about Bauer? He's selling himself as "one of the best pitchers in the world" but no teams are biting yet. Why are we hearing more demand for German right now?

Is baseball going to give German a second chance but not Bauer? Both of these guys have sticky pasts. German literally we saw that in May last season, but he also missed time in the 2019 and 2020 seasons after violating MLB's domestic violence policy. Last season German's season ended after an incident happened in the Yankees clubhouse that led him to seek help for alcohol abuse. He's had a rocky past and sources close to him say he is in a better place and have eliminated some of the distractions that were affecting him. I believe in second chances, and I am happy that German is in a better place now. Hopefully that continues if he gets another MLB job... but why German but not Bauer?

We all know the situation with Bauer. If you don't know, the google machine will tell you everything you need to know. I'm not here to talk about the details or why he is in the situation he is in. I'm not here to give an opinion on his past either. At the end of the day allegations were made, but he was not convicted of a crime. He lost his reputation, and opportunities in MLB. Shouldn't he get a second chance if he isn't guilty?

I know it's not that simple. We live in a much different world now and optics are everything. At the end of the day though.....how do you justify not giving Bauer a chance to come back to the show? What does he have to do to earn an opportunity to prove himself? This is what PJ and I talked about.

Neither of these guys are perfect, but seriously.... show me who is. I know I am not perfect. If someone is willing to put in the work and own their mistakes and change, why not give someone another chance? Even if Bauer isn't interested in a "one year and prove it" type of deal, give him the opportunity to turn it down. A one-year deal is nothing, low risk but high potential reward. The guy knows how to pitch, and he did well in Japan, too. I may not agree that he is "one of the best pitchers in the world" but he can definitely help a starting rotation.

So, have we stopped giving second chances now? If so, when? That's just a hard concept for me to grasp. If baseball can look past German's imperfections and struggles, why not Bauer? Forget about any personal feelings you have about him. Only look at the facts used to determine his outcome and his pitching abilities and ask yourself if he should get another shot on a big-league mound.

So, after 20 minutes at the coffee machine yesterday, PJ and I left it with a shrug and a "life's not fair and neither is baseball," especially if your name is Trevor Bauer. Maybe MLB will prove us both wrong in this case. I guess we wait and see. In the meantime, I hope German makes the most of his second chance. It would be a happy ending, and we need to see that now more than ever.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

NEW SEASON, NEW UNIFORMS FOR THE BRONX BOMBERS

The Yankees have not made a change in their uniform since 1973. It was then that they took the road jersey and outlined the navy New York with white. And that slight change stuck for 50+ years-until now. The Yankees are looking to make 2024 a new start and on the road the look will be a little different.

Source: Tony Tomsic/WireImage.com

"While other organizations have undergone their fair share of uniform changes over the years, the Yankees have largely stood pat. Most teams also have at least one alternate jersey, but the Yankees have stuck to just their home and road uniforms," reported The New York Post. In 2024, the Yankees will remove that white piping around New York in their road jerseys favoring a more classic look. If you can get more classic than the basic New York. So I guess my Aaron Judge road jersey is out of date or vintage whichever is your perspective. 

According to the Post, "The only time in recent years they have worn something else during the regular season was for the MLB Players Weekend from 2017-19 and when they wore throwbacks — essentially what the tweaked uniforms will look like — for the “Field of Dreams” game in 2021." 

Teams like the NL champions Arizona Diamondbacks have had a ton of uniform changes since they first entered the league back in 1998. They have four new uniforms for 2024-plus a ton of alternative jersey styles featuring the serpent logo. 

The Yankees have held true to their classic design, not feeding into the City Connect gimmicks or alternative jersey or cap styles. And their classic jerseys sell. Just ask any of the shop keeps around the Stadium. They have a tough time keeping jerseys in stock, especially specialty Hall of Fame jerseys or ones with commemorative patches. 

"Known for their classic style and minimal changes, the Yankees’ uniforms have had other small tweaks in recent years: adding the Nike swoosh to the chest of their jerseys in 2020 and a Starr Insurance patch to their sleeves in 2023," reports the Post. 

New year, new look- sort of. But perhaps it is just the slight fashion change that will make a difference. Now if we could only get Taylor Swift to don some Yankee gear from a box in Yankee Stadium. Now that would be something.

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

CASHMAN FEELS CONFIDENT ABOUT 2024 & SO DOES HIS NEW MOUTHPIECE

Never fear, fans. The Yankees have "one of the best starting rotations in the league" and that's the high praise of Marcus Stroman. Stroman has two jobs with the Yankees this year. He will be part time starting pitcher and part time personal Public Relations coordinator for Brian Cashman.

The Yankees needed to add another reliable starter this winter, and I wouldn't say Stroman git that bill. I don't think he makes the Yankees rotation significantly stronger, and I don't think we should count on Carlos Rodon or Nestor Cortes having amazing bounce back seasons. Stroman is trying to sell this cool story about the Yankees strong rotation, you can check it out HERE.

He got one part of his story right though, Gerrit Cole is one of the "greats in the game" but he can't do it all himself. It's okay though because when Rodon and Cortes are "right" they perform incredibly well and then the Yankees have Clarke Schmidt and he's "got a ton of upside" with "incredible stuff." He's gonna be even better than what he is now when he makes some adjustments and then he is going to be dominating the league for a long time. Book it because Stroman said it.

I have no doubt Schmidt can make adjustments and be effective for the Yankees. He's got some work to do because his 4.64 ERA isn't inspiring, but his 159 innings pitched is better than Stroman's for the last two seasons. So, there is a positive for me. I can work with potential, especially when that curveball of his is on point. The Yankees just cant rely on "potential" especially not after the disaster of last season.

Meanwhile, Brian Cashman is also singing Schmidt's praises and about his future. "He was keeping us in the game every five days, providing innings and an opportunity for us to win, despite the shortcomings on offense. I was really proud of the season he had last year and I'm looking forward to running him back out there in '24." So we can count on seeing Schmidt as our number five and our rotation is possibly set.

So Cashman and Stroman are singing the same tune. It's nauseating for me. Nothing Cashman says surprises me these days. I think we are all used to his insanity. I just wish Stroman didn't sound like such a suck up and just kept his mouth shut for now. He's got a lot to prove.

Meanwhile, Cashman will continue to sell that "last year was a coming out party for him [Schmidt] and we're counting on him to be a fixture in that rotation." In the back of my mind, I don't share all of Cashman's confidence and hope that we get to plan our own party at the end of the season.....Cashman's going away party. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

SUZYN WALDMAN LOVE MARCUS STROMAN, SO I GUESS I DO TOO!

Source: Chicago-Sun Times

Getting excited about spring training yet? The January cold, winter weather and drim days are a lot to handle. I am ready for warmer, longer days and yes baseball. And I have been down on the Yankee acquisitions or lack thereof lately, but I found myself reignited once my son shared with me the interview  @EvanandTikiWFAN had with Yankee radio broadcaster Suzyn Waldman on Thursday. She has such spunk, plus incredible insight into the game. She likes Marcus Stroman so I guess I do too.

"I love Marcus Stroman. I love guys like that; I love guys an edge. I don't want Kumbaya all the time, I hate that. I want someone that's gonna go out and has a chip on his shoulder. I love guys like that," said Waldman on the broadcast. And the comments in the chat on YouTube agree with her. I agree with her. She's right. We need spunk. I love spunk and the Yankees need some of that to get themselves ready for the next chapter. 

Source: USA Today

We haven't had spunk and attitude since CC Sabathia retired. Not that CC is Marcus, but, you get the idea. "I don't mind that an athlete has a little chip on his shoulder if they're good Clubhouse guys, said Waldman. "And it seems like he is despite the narrative floating around that he's not. I think that's just bogus." I also like what she said after that about meeting an athlete where they are, and just because they are sassy to writers because he is not ready to talk to them before a game doesn't mean he's not a team player. 

Honestly, she believes Marcus is a leader and a gritty player, who is going to come to spring training on fire and sort of say, "Watch me!" I can appreciate that kind of confidence and that "I am going to go for it" kind of attitude. I can certainly get behind that. 

Waldman also shared that she believes Josh Hader is a nice to have and maybe the Yankees can pick him up later, but right now, they were right to pass. This also gives me some additional confidence that the Yankees are on the right track. Now, if only Aaron Boone can play the players the way they need to be played and maximize the lineup as the offensive beast that it can be with Juan Soto and Aaron Judge potentially batting back-to-back, that would be awesome. The Yankee skipper shared some insights on lineups during another podcast this week "Foul Territory" hosted by former Yankee Todd Frazier. 

Are you fired up? If not, listen in to the WFAN broadcast and get fired up. Let's go Marcus Stroman. Make Suzyn proud and give all of us Yankees fans something to get excited about come this 2024 season. 

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

WE NEVER HAD A SHOT AT HADER, BUT FAKE NEWS MADE IT SEEM LIKE WE DID

 Josh Hader is going to the Astros. Read HERE. 

That's really where the story ends.  I mean, I'd love to tell you that the Yankees were in on Hader.  I personally never believed it.  To be honest, after I watched Jon Morosi fumble all over himself a few weeks ago trying to be first with Ohtani going to the Blue Jays and was 1000% wrong, I'm over it.

I will never read or listen to that guy again.  In fact, for me, the entire "baseball insider" world is tainted. They are all awful and literally not being truthful.  

I listen to 4 guys, 2 of which are legit reporters./writers with incredible backgrounds.  Jack Curry, Jeff Passan, Pete Caldera and Erik Boland.  Now Bryan Hoch is my guy too, but he's not that "insider guy".   He's just a solid baseball guy in general and you gotta love it.

But that's it, all the rest are ridiculous. That leads me to Josh Hader.  How many days did we hear about this guy and the Yankees and potential interest and possible signing and everything in the Yankees world is sunshine and rainbows? How often? Think about it. I will say it once and I will say it again... the New York Yankees do not have enough to win a World Championship in 2024.  Sure, they have a few to win 88 games, but they need more stability in their pitching department for sure.  Don't agree? That's fine. I know I'm right. You know who else is? Jim Duquette. He thinks the Yankees are a 3rd place team right now. I am with him.

Jim Duquette of MLB Network Radio said on Foul Territory TV that the #Yankees are the third best team in the AL East😳

Thoughts on this take?🤔#RepBX pic.twitter.com/0GZtFmMQzY

— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) January 18, 2024

We need more.  And we're not getting it folks.   Do not let the 1 year signing of Juan Soto fool you.   We could have used Hader... we could use another starter.  We need something.

YANKEES NEW PITCHING TARGET HAS ME LAUGHING OUT LOUD!

I have a few mottos in life. One of them is "You can't get a 'no' if you don't ask" and I believe that. Maybe Hector Neris does too, or maybe he is just crazy!

I'm leaning more towards crazy, personally. The Yankees are interested in veteran reliever Neris, read more HERE. It's an interesting focus for the Yankees considering how it was the strength of the team and one of the best in MLB. I wish they would add another quality starter, but the Yankees should bolster anything and everything they can.

But why Neris? It's a valid question. One of my reasons that I do not want the Yankees to sign Blake Snell is because he's prone to the longball and has control issues. Neris walked 31 hitters in 71 games last year, a sharp increase from the 17 batters he walked the year prior. He also had some undesirable first last year, including his lowest percentage of ground balls in his 10-year career at 34% and the highest percentage of fly balls in his career at 33.5%. Considering some of these numbers come from home at Minute Maid Park, these numbers could be even uglier at hitter friendly Yankee stadium. His velocity is also down, which will be an on-going concern for a soon to be 35-year-old reliever.

Just like the cliche says though, timing is everything. Neris is coming off a career year with a 1.17 ERA over 71 games and 68 1/3 innings and held hitters to a .174 batting average. He also had the second best left on base percentage of any reliever, so it's a good time for him to cash in. However, I wouldn't count on that 1.71 ERA to continue since he's getting up there in age and his career 3.24 ERA. I'm not bagging on his career ERA, it's still good.... but I don't think 2023 Neris will stick around long term.

So you may be asking "why are you laughing?" and I wouldn't blame you. Neris is looking to cash in after a career best season. I don't blame him, all players do it. However, he's asking for a three-year $50 million deal and I think he is crazy but again "you can't get a 'no' if you don't ask." The market for relief pitchers is always tough. You don't typically see these deals given for more than $16 million a year unless you are an elite closer. Oh and, not to a guy who's going to be 35 when the season starts and 38 when it ends. It's just a crazy idea.

Maybe Neris sees himself as that closer type and that's why he's asking for the moon, I don't know. What I do know is that the Yankees are interested and that there is some risk to this guy pitching in Yankee stadium. Oh and....he's not worth his asking price. 

I'm not gonna hold my breath on this one, but it did make me laugh. Next?!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj