When I was in high school, I wrote for the school newspaper. I know you are shocked. But here is the thing. I wrote this piece about the New York Times delivering our journalism "textbook" in a snow drift on a busy intersection on Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island. So an entire set of papers together in twine in 12 inches of snow for high school students to use in class. I blasted them with a headline, "All the News That's Fit to Toss Into a Snowdrift." My point. I am not nearly as angry about Juan Soto going to the Mets as I am with a bunch of other to-do list items that the team needs to take responsibility for. And by the way, if they don't, you won't see me at the Stadium in 2025.
First on my list: Fix the entry into the Stadium. It is an absolute dumpster fire trying to get into Yankee Stadium. And guess what, it's not that way anywhere else. I dread it. You can't enjoy the stuff around the Stadium for too long if you don't get in the line early. Even with Clear, it is a mess. So, fix it. Because it's not a good look for fans nor out of towners who are trying to get a glimpse of legendary New York baseball culture. The Yankees are 30th on the list when it comes to getting into the Stadium with maybe Dodger Stadium almost as bad. Tripadvisor, Reddit, TikTok, and recently NDNation who had a slew of Army-Notre Dame fans entering Yankees Stadium for the game in late November all blasted the Stadium for its disaster of a process. Fix it, fix it now.
Second on my list: Starting pitching. According to MLB.com, “What's the next opportunity?” Cashman said. “We have a lot of different areas to fix on this team; we have vacancies from free agency, so we're exploring trades as well as free agents, comparing that to our internal options that we could promote. Those are the decisions we have to make.” There is no one right now on this roster that can parallel Gerrit Cole in the starting rotation; until yesterday, when the Yankees signed a multi-year deal with Max Fried from Atlanta.
The Yankees also seem to like Tanner Scott of the Padres and of course Corbin Burnes of the Orioles. All three pitchers are just turning 30, which is fine. But as analysts have been saying, one of the reasons Juan Soto got his payday is because of how good he is for his young age of 26. Pitchers seem to have a bit more life beyond 30 than position players but still something to consider. Let's see if I can cross this one off my list.
Third on my list: Nail down your fundamentals. Whether it was an embellishment or just hard knocks, it was embarrassing to watch the Yankees look like fools on the base paths, making errors on routine plays and just not having that spark and hustle it takes to win ball games in 2024 and on display in the World Series. Get that under control. So whatever that looks like, get that process and remediation in place and fix the fundamentals.
Fourth on my list: Bullpen depth. Yea, we had a good bullpen. But you can't count on Luke Weaver every time to bail you out of trouble. It is just not sustainable. I am so glad to see Clay Holmes go, but now what? Who's in the pen? Who can we acquire, who can we home grow? And what will happen with Jonathan Loaisiga, who according to sources, is talking to the Mets. Loaisiga had season ending elbow surgery in April. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training, but will the Yankees be able to keep him? We need some arms, stat.
Fifth on my list: Just because I want to round it out with 5 for 2025, I will stop with one more request which is really two: Hot corner guys. A first baseman who can hit with power, who can make the hard plays, who can drive in runs and lead. I thought that guy was Anthony Rizzo, but clearly the game has beaten him up over the years and he has moved on. Who can take on that role?
And a third baseman. Nolan Arenado could be available. At the age of 33 and despite his no trade clause, the Cardinal third baseman could be on the move. As reported by MLB.com, "Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak stressed that from his Dallas hotel suite on Monday night and backed it up, not only proclaiming his intention of trading 10-time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado, but venturing to guess that not doing so this winter would likely limit any hopes that the Cardinals have of coming out improved on the other side of what he called a “reset” for 2025." Arenado wants to win a World Series. That hunger could bring him to the Bronx.
So, unless there is movement on all of these requests, I am not moving off my couch to the Stadium in 2025. Now back to the New York Times story. I called them out as a 17-year-old high school student and they wrote a letter of apology and took responsibility. Will the Yankees do the same? Will they fix the entry process, get a premiere starting pitcher, hone their fundamentals, deepen their pen and get great guys on the hot corners? God, I hope so. I love baseball, but I am not investing in another season unless they take responsibility and make good.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
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