MAYBE DEVIN WILLIAMS DOESN'T HAVE THE STONES FOR THE BRONX

Maybe it’s just me, but I haven’t bought into the Devin Williams hype since the Yankees picked him up—and nothing I’ve seen so far is changing my mind.

Williams is a talented pitcher, no doubt. He’s got the awards to prove it: two-time NL Reliever of the Year, former All-Star, and one of the nastiest changeups in the game when he’s on. But the key phrase there is when he’s on. Right now? He’s not.

The 2025 season hasn’t been kind to him out of the gate. His command looks shaky, his ERA is climbing, and that famous changeup. It’s not fooling anybody right now. Physically, he doesn’t look 100%, and mentally—well, let’s just say I’m not sure he’s built for this New York market.

What really bugs me is the way he ended up here. According to Dodgers Way, Williams told MLB.com’s Brian Hoch that he was fully ready to head to L.A. The Dodgers wanted him to close, and with Michael Kopech thriving in earlier innings, it sounded like a perfect fit. But just when it seemed like a deal was about to be done, the Yankees came in through the “back door” and made it happen.

Honestly? I wish that door had been locked.

There’s a different kind of pressure that comes with playing in New York—especially in the Bronx. It’s not for everyone. We’ve seen elite pitchers come here and fall apart under the weight of our expectations. Yankees fans aren’t patient, and we don’t sugarcoat criticism. It takes thick skin to survive here. Personally? I don’t think Devin Williams has it.

I could be wrong. I want to be wrong. Maybe he figures it out. Maybe he thrives under the spotlight. But my gut says otherwise.

Meanwhile, we’ve got Luke Weaver—quietly doing his job, stepping up, and looking like the real deal. If Williams keeps stumbling, don’t be surprised if Weaver becomes the guy by midseason. He’s earned a shot, and honestly, he looks more prepared for the moment than Williams does right now.

Time will tell. But if you ask me today? Devin Williams just doesn’t feel like the right fit for the Bronx.

ALLAN WINANS GETS HIS SHOT

Yes, Marcus Stroman got rocked last night. Yes, the box score was uglier than a sunburned Fenway fan in a tank top. And yes, his ERA now looks like a Wi-Fi password. But before the pitchforks come out, let’s stop pretending Stroman is the villain here.

This dude wanted the ball. He knew the rotation was on life support, and he said, “I got this.” He suited up and took the mound like a man walking into traffic to direct it himself—while the front office sat in a lawn chair, sipping lemonade, scrolling Zillow.

Look, Stroman clearly sucked. And now we know why: the Yankees just put him on the 15-day injured list with left knee inflammation. Could that inflammation have something to do with MLB forcing them to play through conditions that would’ve made Noah pause and ask if the ark needed winter tires? Gee, ya think?

After his brief (and brutal) two-thirds of an inning outing, Aaron Boone said Stroman had some knee soreness and went for X-rays. Next thing you know, he's shelved. And guess what? No real help is coming. Brian Cashman must’ve muted his “starting pitcher” Google alert back in March.

In Stroman’s place, Allan Winans has been called up from Triple-A. Nice guy, good story—but let’s not kid ourselves. This isn’t the cavalry. It’s a paper towel on a grease fire.

So no, Stroman doesn’t deserve the heat. He deserves some respect for raising his hand when no one else would, even if it ended with him limping off the hill and into the trainer’s room. He tried to save a rotation that’s already being held together by duct tape, hope, and Clarke Schmidt’s elbow brace.

If you’re looking to assign blame, start with the decision-makers who watched the pitching staff crumble like a cookie in hot coffee and decided their biggest midseason move would be standing completely still.

Marcus Stroman gave what he had. It wasn’t enough. But the real crime is that he even had to try.

Now, welcome Allan Winans. Grab a glove, say a prayer, and try not to trip over the front office’s indifference on your way to the mound.

STILL THINK THE YANKEES HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO COMPETE?

The Yankees rotation is a dumpster fire, and that’s on the front office.

So, here we are. Again. Staring at the flaming wreckage of another Yankees rotation that somehow, someway, no one in the front office thought to fix. Remember when people were giddy over the “new-look” lineup like they’d just discovered fire? Goldschmidt! Bellinger! Woohoo! Yeah, well, guess what? Bats don’t mean a damn thing when your pitchers are giving up touchdowns.

Let’s get this out of the way: Max Fried is a beast. The guy pitches like he’s on a mission from the baseball gods. He deserves better than this clown show surrounding him. Because right now? He’s basically alone in a burning building holding a garden hose.

No Gerrit Cole. Carlos Rodón? He’s a mood ring with cleats—brilliant one start, unwatchable the next. Carlos Carrasco? Looks like he needs a nap just getting out of bed. And Marcus Stroman, the only halfway-dependable guy in the rotation, just got shelled so hard against the Giants he might qualify for FEMA aid. Five runs before a single out. Five. Boone had to yank him after 46 pitches, and only 23 of those found the strike zone. His ERA is now sitting at a grotesque 11.57. That’s not an ERA. That’s a distress signal.

But sure, let’s boo Stroman. Real smart. The guy’s out there bleeding for a team that left him for dead the second Cole hit the IL. You want to boo someone? Boo Brian Cashman. Boo Hal Steinbrenner. Boo the whole smug brain trust that decided "standing pat" was a competitive strategy.

This isn’t hindsight. Everyone saw this disaster coming the second Cole’s elbow barked in March. Bleeding Yankee Blue was screaming about it. But did the Yankees front office act? Of course not. They did what they always do lately: shrug, leak a few excuses to the press, and hope the fans buy the smoke. Cashman gave us his usual “we’re trying” routine. Translation: “We have no plan.”

This franchise is worth $8.2 billion—with a B. And we’re being told they’re strapped? That they’re hoping to snag guys based on facial hair policy changes now? What is this, Yankees or ‘Shark Tank: Beard Edition’? They rolled back the grooming rules to maybe attract some dude with a nice goatee. Incredible. That’s their “big swing.”

Meanwhile, the so-called solution was apparently to cross fingers, squint really hard, and pray Rodón magically turns into Sandy Koufax. He didn’t. And they never got another ace. Because hey, why act like a serious franchise when you can just pretend?

They gave us Goldschmidt, Bellinger, Fried and Devin Williams and expected us to clap like seals while the rotation hemorrhages runs. And now even Devin Williams is a question mark. He’s not himself, the bullpen’s already showing signs of wear, and Luke Weaver—bless him—is about to get over worked and no work at all cause we keep losing.

The offense? It’s good. It really is. But this team can’t win 9-8 every night, and that’s what they’re being asked to do. This isn’t sustainable. It’s not competitive. It’s not even respectable. It’s just the same broken logic year after year—patch the lineup, ignore the rotation, and watch the season bleed out by August.

The Yankees aren't cursed. They’re just incompetently run. And until someone in the ivory tower takes responsibility and actually acts like they want to win, we’re all stuck watching another bullpen meltdown while Cashman dusts off his "we tried" press quotes.

What a disgrace.

STANTON WHO? BEN RICE IS OUR DUDE!

There’s something about underdogs. They’re not supposed to shine. They’re supposed to quietly fill in, maybe hold the fort, and then fade back into the shadows when the stars return.

But Ben Rice? He had other plans.

Thrust into a lineup stacked with big names and even bigger contracts, Rice didn’t flinch. He just hit. And kept hitting. And now he’s one of the 7 best hitters in baseball — yes, seriously — with a 210 wRC+ that looks like a misprint but is very, very real.

No, he probably won’t keep that number forever. He’s not a robot. But even if the numbers cool down, the tools say this might be very real. He’s hitting the ball hard — consistently. He’s not striking out at alarming rates. Every swing feels like it could end up on the highlight reel.

Let’s talk numbers: .306 average, 3 dingers, four RBIs, and enough swagger to make it all look easy. His plate appearances aren’t just good — they’re dangerous. There’s confidence. There’s bite. There’s “why wasn’t this guy starting sooner?” energy.

But of course, the Yankees have a logjam. Paul Goldschmidt is still raking at first. Giancarlo Stanton hopefully returns to the DH spot soon. So, what happens to Rice?

Here’s where things get interesting — and maybe even brilliant.

Empire Sports Media has a huge solution:

"The Perfect (Platoon) Solution
Here’s where things get interesting — and maybe a bit brilliant.
Instead of choosing between Rice and Stanton, why not use both?
Platooning the two might be the cleanest path forward. Let Rice mash against right-handers, which he’s shown he can do with ease. Let Stanton handle lefties, minimizing wear and tear while maximizing impact."

That’s not just clever. That’s practical genius.

Or hey, imagine them both in the lineup. A lefty masher and a righty destroyer? That’s the kind of middle-of-the-order pairing that makes opposing managers lose sleep.

None of this happens, though, without Rice grinding his way to this point. He didn’t complain. He didn’t coast. He worked — in the gym, at the plate, in silence. He added strength, added speed, and when the moment came, he didn’t blink. He delivered. That’s what makes this rise so easy to root for. It’s not hype — it’s hard-earned.

So now we wait and see what the Yankees decide. But one thing’s already clear: Ben Rice didn’t just show up. He arrived. And the longer he keeps hitting, the harder it becomes to imagine this team without him.

Let the stars heal. Let the debates rage. Ben Rice is here, and he’s making sure the Bronx knows his name.

IS KYLE TUCKER REALLY ON THE YANKEES RADAR?

It’s wild to think we’re getting into the Yankees’ season already, and yet... it still feels like we’re just now getting started. I’ll be honest—despite the excitement of that recent home run-filled weekend and all the buzz around the torpedo bats, this season feels strangely dull in my opinion. Maybe you feel differently, but for me, it’s been a bit of a snooze.

Let’s be real: this isn’t a dominant Yankees team. We’re not storming out of the gate with a 14–0 record or anything close to it. We're average. Middling. Just okay. And honestly, that’s exactly what I expected coming in.

Sure, seeing new faces like Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger in pinstripes is cool, and it gave the offseason a nice jolt of energy. The trades, the free agent buzz, the endless speculation—it was the best part of the winter. But the actual games? Meh.

Now, the rumor mill keeps churning, and the latest name thrown into the Yankees orbit is Kyle Tucker. According to Kevin Hickey over at The Sporting News, there’s some speculation about a potential connection between the Yankees and Tucker. Will anything come of it? Who knows. It honestly feels like another story designed to rack up clicks. Isn’t that what most of them are?

Here’s what The Sporting News had to say: “The New York Yankees will have a handful of needs to address following the campaign, and they're expected to be in the market for a superstar slugger.”

Then The Athletic jumped in, noting that Tucker could command upwards of $40 million a year—a price point the Yankees already proved they’re willing to hit after offering Juan Soto $47.5 million AAV. So yeah, it wouldn’t be shocking if they took a run at Tucker in free agency.

But honestly, the more pressing issue for this team right now is pitching. Pitching wins championships, and outside of Max Fried—who’s been the rock of the rotation—I don’t feel all that confident. Gerrit Cole being sidelined still stings. Carlos Rodón has been up and down, and the bullpen is anything but steady.

So why is Kyle Tucker even the conversation right now? It’s a head-scratcher. Maybe it's just the usual silly-season chatter meant to stir the pot and generate headlines.

We’ll see what happens, but for now, this feels like a classic example of off-field noise trying to distract from on-field mediocrity. Just more smoke, not much fire.

PETTITTE'S RETURN TO BASEBALL...AGAIN

The World Baseball Classic is coming back in 2026, and Team USA is already stacking the deck. Mark DeRosa is returning as manager—but the real headline here? Andy Pettitte is back in the dugout as pitching coach.

And let me tell you—I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Seeing Pettitte back in a uniform just feels right. Like pine tar on a bat knob or Frank Sinatra blasting at Yankee Stadium—it’s part of baseball’s soul. And let’s be honest: there are few people more qualified to lead a pitching staff than Andy freakin’ Pettitte.

He’s not just a Yankees legend. He’s a baseball ambassador in my opinion. The guy’s a walking masterclass in how to win with poise, grit, and a perfectly placed cutter. He doesn’t need to shout about his legacy—it speaks for itself.

In 2023, when he was Team USA’s pitching coach, the staff he helped guide made it all the way to the championship game. Under his watch, they finished fourth in strikeouts and sixth in ERA. That’s not a coincidence. That’s Pettitte’s quiet brilliance at work.

Now he’s back, and while the official roster isn’t out yet, odds are good he’ll be mentoring a new generation of flame-throwing arms—names like Paul Skenes and Garrett Crochet have all been floated. And honestly, if you're a young pitcher with a live arm and half a brain, you should be sprinting to learn under Andy Pettitte.

But here’s what drives me nuts. How is this man still not in the Hall of Fame?

The numbers are staring us all in the face. 256 regular season wins. Only five pitchers in modern baseball history with that many wins aren’t in Cooperstown. Five. And none of them can touch Pettitte’s postseason resume.

Let’s talk about that postseason record, shall we?

19 playoff wins. 44 playoff starts. Over 276 playoff innings. He holds the all-time records in postseason wins, starts, and innings pitched—and that’s before you even get to the 28 quality starts. The man was a machine. A dependable, unflinching rock in October. He was the pitcher managers trusted when the season was on the line.

Add those 19 playoff victories to his 256 regular-season wins, and you're looking at 275 total W's. That’s elite territory. That’s Hall of Fame territory.

Andy Pettitte didn’t need to throw 100 mph. He didn’t rely on hype or headlines. He just won. Over and over again. 5 World Series titles. 8 pennants. Countless moments where Yankee fans exhaled because Andy’s got it.

So while the Hall of Fame keeps playing hard to get, at least we get Pettitte where we need him—on a field, in a uniform, helping Team USA chase a title.

I love Andy Pettitte. Always have. Always will. He’s class, he’s grit, and he’s the kind of guy who made baseball better just by showing up every fifth day. And now, he's making it better again, coaching up the next generation of arms.

Team USA? Yeah, they're in good hands.

HEY DEVIN WILLIAMS, THIS IS NEW YORK! FIGURE IT OUT!

Devin Williams doesn't feel good, guys. Give me a break.

Let me just say this right off the bat: I’m sure Devin Williams is a good guy. A solid dude. But I also know that if I just got traded to the New York Yankees—arguably the most scrutinized franchise in all of professional sports—and it’s already April 10th, the last thing I’d want to be saying is that I don’t “feel like myself.”

You’re the newly anointed closer for the New York Yankees. That means something. It’s not spring training anymore, it’s not Milwaukee anymore, and frankly, it’s not time for excuses.

Let’s get real: athletes today make millions of dollars. And for what? To show up “not 100 percent”? If I had a gig like that, I’d be doing squats in the snow and throwing bullpen sessions in my garage in January. You're not a machine—no one’s asking you to be. But if you’re telling the press that you need more “game reps,” maybe you shouldn’t be handed the ninth inning with a four-run lead at Comerica Park.

Now let’s talk about what actually happened.

Devin Williams, in what should have been a routine closeout job against the Tigers, gave up three runs in the ninth inning before being pulled with the tying run standing on second base. After the game, he told reporters, “Haven’t felt, like, 100 percent myself up to this point… Physically, I’m fine. You need game reps and things like that.”

Translation? He’s still working on it. Sorry, but that’s not going to cut it in New York.

Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record—one of the few voices still worth reading on the Yankees beat—summed it up best: “It’s been a cold, cruel beginning to Devin Williams’ pinstriped career.”

And then, of course, there’s Aaron Boone. Always the apologist, Boone brushed it off by saying, “I don’t think it’s far off.” Right—this coming from the guy who ended his own Yankees career blowing out his knee in a meaningless pickup basketball game. Boone always “feels for the guys.” It’s part of the charm. Or the problem. Depends how you look at it.

Meanwhile, Luke Weaver’s just out here grinding. He’s not complaining. He’s not making excuses. He was given a chance and seized it—simple as that. And let’s be honest: there was never a real reason the Yankees had to go out and get Devin Williams in the first place. What they needed was starting to pitch. At least two reliable arms. Instead, they grabbed the shiny toy and now we’re stuck hoping he figures it out mid-season.

Here’s the harsh truth: New York doesn’t care if you’re “still figuring stuff out.” This is the Yankees. The spotlight is blinding, and the expectations are unforgiving. Devin, if you're not ready, you better get ready—fast.

So, to recap: we’ve got Giancarlo Stanton’s elbows acting up like they’ve never seen a dumbbell before, and now Devin Williams is saying he’s not quite himself yet. Must be something in the clubhouse air. Soft.

Listen, everyone’s human. But this is Major League Baseball. This is New York. It’s your job. You’re getting paid like a professional, so act like one.

Figure it out, Devin.

HELLO SCHMIDT & BYE BYE CARRASCO!

Well, Carlos Carrasco had his chance, but he may have just pitched his way out of a job. Spring Training he looked better than he does right now, which earned him a big league contract and a new opportunity. It hasn't taken long for the Spring Carlos to fall back down to Earth.

The Yankees took a flyer on Carrasco. Let's face it we were desperate and it looked like he MIGHT have still had some of his former magic left in the tank. After two appearances of 11.2 innings, 16 hits, 4 home runs and three walks he has an abysmal 7.71 ERA. He's not fooling anyone in the batters box. He's not blowing anything past hitters or deceiving them with movement on his pitches. He's just throwing batting practice.

His blunders come at a dangerous time as Clarke Schmidt is ramping up and almost ready for Major League action, read more HERE. A rehab stint is coming at Double-A and he is predicted to be ready to go by the series against Kansas City April 15th or 16th. That's good news for Schmidt (and us) and bad news for Carrasco, since that lines up with his next potential start. When Schmidt is back the Yankees have every reason, they need to reconsider Carrasco's role on this team....if he gets one at all.

The "if" he gets one isn't so farfetched, either. The old saying goes "you can never have enough pitching" but is Carrasco a safer bet as a starter than say younger blossoming talent like Will Warren? Both Warren and Carrasco had outside shots to make the team in Spring, but there's a difference. Carrasco is past him prime and looks like he doesn't have anything left in the tank, while Warren is also not perfect, but he is younger and has had moments to justify he's ready for the big leagues. Carrasco isn't showing he has enough to keep him on the big-league stage....at least not here.

I will be the first to admit Warren isn't perfect. He is a work in progress. He looked good against the Diamondbacks but rough against the Pirates. He's young, hungry and he has a lot of upsides to him. He just needs more time to be developed. He has potential and that is something the Yankees should prioritize unless they pull of an entirely different move bringing another pitcher in by trade (not likely right now).

The Yankees are in a pickle. They are going to need to make a decision. Do they go with the veteran starter who has experience but will be a risk to try and squeeze five innings out of? Or do they go with the younger guy who has more upside now and can give the team long term value? I think it's an easy choice.

The Yankees are going to have to make the tough decision. Do they demote Carrasco or just DFA him all together? Either way something has to change. Schmidt coming back means the Yankees have better options coming....and this Carrasco is not going to help a team with World Series aspirations.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

ANTHONY RIZZO MAY BE IN DEMAND

 As the new baseball season is in full gear, former Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo remains unsigned—though that may soon change. After two injury-riddled years that slowed his production, the 35-year-old veteran hasn't drawn much interest on the free agent market. But as teams across the league start recognizing gaps at first base and the need for experienced leadership, Rizzo’s value may be quietly rising again.

Despite the recent challenges, Rizzo's passion for the game hasn’t faded. Known for his professionalism and deep-rooted love of baseball, he's long been a player who commands respect in the clubhouse—not just with his bat and glove, but with his presence. Younger players look to him for guidance, and he’s never shied away from mentoring the next generation. His blend of pride in his craft and willingness to share knowledge has made him a beloved figure in every locker room he's been part of.

One potential fit for the veteran slugger could be the Miami Marlins. Bleacher Report’s Kerry Miller recently floated the idea that Miami—currently lacking in veteran leadership—might be an ideal landing spot. "Colorado (Kris Bryant) could certainly use a first baseman. Perhaps Detroit (Javier Báez), too, although Spencer Torkelson has gotten out to a great start to the year," Miller wrote. "Alternatively, a return to his old stomping grounds in southern Florida could be in order. The Miami Marlins are very much lacking for a veteran presence, as no one on that roster is over the age of 30."

Rizzo, who grew up in Parkland, Florida, could offer more than just defense and occasional pop from the left side—he could provide mentorship and a steadying influence to a young, developing Marlins team that badly needs a guiding voice.

Earlier this offseason, Rizzo was candid about his current crossroads, admitting that he's considered stepping away from the game altogether. Most of the offers he's received have reportedly been for league-minimum contracts—an understandable frustration for a player who once stood among the premier first basemen in baseball. Still, Rizzo hasn’t slammed the door shut. His pride, his love for the game, and his role as a mentor continue to tug at him.

If a team like Miami takes the chance, they won’t just be signing a player—they’ll be bringing in a clubhouse cornerstone, a proven leader who still has more to offer than the box score might show.

GLEYBER TORRES PREDICTED TO BE TRADED BY THE TIGERS

 Well, I guess the honeymoon is over.

Look, I love Gleyber Torres. I've defended him a lot.  The bat has pop, the smile’s contagious, and when he’s locked in, he looks like the kind of guy who should be in every All-Star Game until the sun burns out. But if the early noise out of Detroit is true—if he’s really playing hardball again about switching positions—then maybe someone needs to slide him a copy of “How to Make Friends and Stay in the Lineup.”

Torres signed on with the Detroit Tigers this offseason, a team bursting with youthful potential and a hunger to find out which of their shiny young pieces are ready to eat. And let’s be clear: Detroit did Gleyber a favor. They took a flier on a guy whose defensive limitations were well-documented and whose bat had started flashing more “decent” than “dangerous.” They gave him a chance. But now, according to The Athletic’s Jim Bowden, that generosity may be met with the same old “I’m not moving” routine.

Bowden laid it out:

“Torres didn’t want to move to third base for the Yankees last year after they traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr., so he’s likely not going to move to third for the Tigers either. He’s a below-average defender at second base, too.”

Translation: Gleyber, you’re on thin defensive ice. And if you’re not hitting .300 with 25 bombs, teams aren’t going to keep designing rosters around your comfort zone.

Bowden added that A.J. Hinch is the guy tasked with untangling this positional mess. And while yes, it's a good problem to have when you’re trying to juggle a bunch of major league-ready bats, it’s a worse problem if one of those bats refuses to move to where the team needs him.

The whispers of this issue actually started back in March when podcaster Chris Brown casually dropped a tweet on March 17th hinting at the situation. 

It felt like a blip then, but now it’s starting to look like a full-blown thing. We’re not saying Gleyber’s got a full-scale locker room revolt on his hands, but… this isn’t exactly “first-day-of-school” enthusiasm either.

So here’s the deal, Gleyber: you’re talented. Everyone knows it. But you’re no longer the young phenom with endless runway and two All-Star nods in your back pocket. This is the part of your career where you either become a clubhouse asset or a transactional footnote.

Detroit believed in you when others didn’t. If they ask you to play third, short, second, first, or sweep the dugout steps—maybe just smile, grab your glove, and do it. Because the alternative? Getting moved at the trade deadline because you couldn’t adapt? That’s a brutal way to lose another team’s faith.

So as a long-time member of the Gleyber Torres Fan Club, it pains me to say this—but my guy, it might be time to stop worrying about where you’re standing on the field… and start focusing on how to stick around on any field.

Let’s not make this another chapter in the “what could’ve been” saga.

LEMAHIEU TAKES A STEP FORWARD

Some good news on the DJ Lemahieu front if anybody cares... he's making his way back.

If you didn't know, DJ LeMahieu is back with the Yankees joining the team in Detroit. While he won’t be jumping right into game action, LeMahieu will spend the next three days working out with the team. If all goes smoothly, he’s expected to begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Friday. That's huge.

It’s been a long road back for DJ, who saw only one spring training game before getting shut down with a nagging calf injury. With that in mind, fans probably shouldn’t expect to see him in the Bronx until sometime in early May.

And when he does return? Nothing is promised at this point which is crazy to me.

LeMahieu isn’t walking back into a guaranteed role. With Oswaldo Cabrera manning third base and the Yankees getting contributions from other younger players, DJ will have to earn his at-bats—likely competing directly for playing time at the hot corner.

But before anyone writes him off completely, let’s not forget who DJ LeMahieu was just a few years ago.

Not that long ago, he was the guy in the Yankees lineup—spraying line drives to all fields, coming up clutch time after time, and flashing Gold Glove defense across multiple infield positions. He was one of the most consistent, dangerous hitters in the American League and a stabilizing presence both at the plate and in the field. His batting titles weren’t a fluke; they were the result of a relentless work ethic, elite hand-eye coordination, and baseball IQ.

Injuries have taken a toll, no doubt. He played in only 67 games last season and struggled to keep his average above .200, a far cry from the player who once carried the Yankees offense on his back. It's understandable that some fans are ready to move on—baseball can be ruthless like that.

But I’m not ready to throw in the towel. And clearly, neither are the Yankees. They're giving him the time he needs, not rushing his return, and still see value in what he brings to the clubhouse and the field.

It’s easy to forget how quickly things can turn in baseball—for better or worse. LeMahieu has already proven he can rise to the occasion. Now, he’s working to prove he can do it again.

Don’t count him out just yet.

YANKEES LOOKING TO ADD ZAC GALLEN: REPORT

The Yankees swung big this offseason, bolstering their lineup with some impressive moves. But life threw them a curveball in the form of Gerrit Cole’s injury, putting the team in a bind. Sure, their bats are lighting up scoreboards, but whispers about pitching depth are becoming more ominous. When the offense inevitably cools off, the mound could become the Yankees’ Achilles heel.

Rumor has it the Yankees are scouring the market for reinforcements. MLB insider Bob Nightengale suggests Zac Gallen, the Arizona Diamondbacks’ ace, might be on their radar. Gallen, finishing his $13.5 million contract this season, is eyeing free agency—and with it, a hefty payday.

After striking out 13 Yankees in a dazzling performance, Gallen’s talent didn’t just leave hitters flailing; it also set off alarm bells in New York’s front office. The Philadelphia-area native has a soft spot for the East Coast, making him an enticing prospect for the Yankees. As much as the Diamondbacks would love to keep their star, their wallet might not stretch far enough—especially after splurging $210 million on Corbin Burnes.

With Gallen likely set to land a mega $200-million-plus deal, the Yankees might see him as a game-changer for their rotation. His 2024 stats—14 wins, a 3.65 ERA—back up his reputation, and his 2025 start has been just as sharp, including a dominant showing against New York.

Pairing Gallen with Gerrit Cole would be a dream duo, though Cole’s experience and reliability still make him the Yankees’ alpha arm. While Cole keeps batters guessing with his pitch variety and laser-focused preparation, Gallen’s precision and knack for avoiding walks have turned him into a rising Cy Young contender.

But here’s the catch: the Yankees have their own financial hurdles to clear. With Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Max Fried set to make a combined $78.3 million in 2026, their budget is tighter than a brand-new glove. Adding Gallen might require some creative accounting—or a miracle. After all, even baseball dynasties have limits.

BOONE CAN'T QUIT OTTAVINO

Adam Ottavino’s second stint with the Yankees didn’t last long. After making just two relief appearances against the Diamondbacks last week, his time in pinstripes has already come to a close.

The Yankees designated the veteran right-hander for assignment earlier this week following the return of closer Devin Williams from the paternity list. Rather than accept an assignment to Triple-A, Ottavino opted for free agency.

It was a short ride, or so it seemed.  Adam Ottavino is making his return to the Yankees once again. With the team needing fresh pitching help ahead of their Monday series against the Tigers, Ottavino is set to rejoin the roster after being designated for assignment last Friday. 

On Sunday night, the Yankees made room for Ottavino by sending left-handed reliever Brent Headrick to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. 

Earlier in the day, Ottavino had chosen free agency rather than accepting a minor-league assignment. SNY first reported his re-signing. What a crazy few days for Ottavino.

FAMILIAR ISSUES FOR GLEYER TORRES IN MOTOR CITY SPELLS TROUBLE!

There was one thing I liked about Gleyber Torres when he was a Yankee....he was consistently a better hitter than most of the roster. That's it, sadly. So when the Yankees moved on and didn't make him an offer I wasn't disappointed. He forced the Yankees hand with some of his own choices....and I think that could happen again in Detroit.

When the Yankees traded for Jazz Chisholm Jr. last season, it was anticipated that he would play second base and Torres would move to third. Of course that didn't happen, Torres threw a diva temper tantrum and told the media "I'm a second baseman. I play second." That was the beginning of the end for Torres.

Fast forward to the offseason, where he signed a one-year "prove it" deal with the Detroit Tigers hoping to reset his value and cash in on a bigger long-term deal this coming winter. He's already on the Injured List with a strained oblique (deja vu) and the Tigers should really be thinking about this long and hard. Torres not clogging up their second base position makes room for more of their young talent and eliminates the log jam that he willingly creates.

Supposedly, when Torres signed he was open with the Tigers about wanting a short term deal to reset his value that included a permanent position at second base. At the time, the Tigers were anticipating some of their younger talent to spend a majority of the year in the minors if not all of it. Now, it's looking like some of their talent is ready sooner than expected which means the Tigers have a log jam when everyone is healthy.

With Torres out, Tigers can play Colt Keith at second (where he is used to playing) instead of first base. With Keith at first, that bumps Spencer Torkelson from his spot at first base and leaving the Tigers with a puzzle of how to get his bat in the lineup besides a DH spot. All of that could be avoided if stubborn Torres would just slide over to third base.

So it's crazy to me. It puts manager A.J. Hinch in a seriously pickle as he talks to the media about his options and ideas. He insists the idea of Torres to third is "not even a topic" read more HERE. It should be but the details should be different. Players need to realize it's not about them, and the roster should be constructed every day however it gives the team the best chance to win. Also, Torres made himself a RENTAL in Detroit. It's what he wanted. Why does he get to call the shots on where he plays?

Torres is a below average second baseman. The data doesn't lie. The Tigers have some young talent that will be around much longer than Torres. So the Tigers should do what they want, period. I think they will eventually....not yet though. I think Torres is going to find himself traded around the deadline. It will give the Tigers more flexibility with their roster and allow them to get rid of dead weight that is all about himself and not what is best for the team.

This is ultimately what will hurt Torres in the end. He's a diva. Teams don't want divas. The Tigers would be stupid to keep him if their young talent continues to produce. In the end, the loyalty will be to their young talent and not Torres and his ego. He needs an ego check and fast.

Where will Torres end the season? And will he learn his lesson before he hits free agency? 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

GRISHAM WAS THE BETTER MAN IN THAT JUAN SOTO TRADE, HUH?

Aaron Judge said this of Trent Grisham in June 2024 when Soto was hurt and Grisham filled in. 

“Grisham works his butt off every single day. Soto is out right now, he’s going to be back soon and he’s been carrying this team all year. Anytime you go up against teams like this, fans pay to come see us do our thing. They want to see the best out there... Soto is going to heal up fine, but Grish is a heck of a ballplayer and he showed it tonight in a big moment when we needed him. I wasn’t too happy with it, but I think he made a good point; he got his point across with that homer.”  

We should have listened. Right now, Grisham is the better player.  

Now look, things are going to level out.  But remember when Juan Soto was making up garbage trying to justify the Mets signing like the Mets were better than the Yankees in New York? He's not intelligent enough to fool us. We all know that's bologna.

The fact is I may go in hard and am super critical of the Yankees and the move they make, but I'm a gigantic Yankee fan and as long as I've been alive, New York was never a Mets town.  But enough about that.  Soto got what he wanted, he gets to be "the guy" in Queens, but he didn't realize that not having Aaron Judge in the same lineup would be a huge factor with his success.  Soto is good, but maybe he's just not that good? Alonso is not Aaron Judge, plain and simple.

But back to Trent. Grisham played a key role in turning around the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday with an impressive double and a home run. On Friday, during the series opener at PNC Park, he reached base twice with a hit and two walks, going 1-for-3. Saturday's game saw him deliver even more fireworks, blasting a solo home run in the third inning and later crushing a three-run homer in the fifth, right after the Yankees had taken a 4-2 lead.

So, as we watch Soto struggle to find his groove, Grisham has tossed his hat into the head-to-head ring. Hey, I am not complaining.

I hope it continues, that's all I have to say.  

D-DAY COMING FOR OSWALD PERAZA

Oswald Peraza is doing everything right this season, and while the sample size is small, let’s be real: even if he rattles off 30 straight hits in 30 at bats, it probably won’t be enough to save his Yankees career. The unfortunate truth? The writing's been on the wall for a while now. Peraza is out of options, and the Yankees' front office operates in a way that doesn't always reward merit. It’s not fair, but it’s the cold reality of how this team functions.

So far in 2025, Peraza has been used sparingly—just four games, six plate appearances. But he’s made the most of them, going 3-for-6 with a home run and a double. For a player who’s battled inconsistency and injuries, that kind of start should be cause for optimism. Instead, it feels like a countdown.

DJ LeMahieu’s return is on the horizon, and when that happens, someone has to go. Logic says Peraza will be the odd man out, likely designated for assignment—not because of his play, but because LeMahieu’s contract demands a spot, even as his production lags and his injury history piles up. It's frustrating, but it's business.

There’s still a sliver of hope. If Peraza continues to hit, maybe he forces the Yankees' hand and earns more playing time. Maybe Oswaldo Cabrera ends up sliding into a utility role instead like I've been suggesting all along. Fansided recently pointed out the silver lining for Peraza: “The only good news here is that Peraza might be boosting his trade value.” That feels spot on. The kid clearly wants to wear pinstripes, but in the end, this is a business.

Have the Yankees handled Peraza fairly? It’s debatable. He’s had chances, yes, but it often feels like they expect perfection from him—something they don’t always demand from others. Gleyber Torres, for example, was pushed out and now seems much more relaxed in Detroit. You could easily see Peraza following a similar path: struggling to find his place in the Bronx, only to thrive once he’s out of their system.

Time will tell what happens, but if this is the end for Peraza in New York, it won't be because of his talent—it’ll be because of the same frustrating pattern we’ve seen before.

THE YANKEES SCORED A HUMMEL

ESPN insider Jeff Passan lit up the transaction wire Friday afternoon with some low-key but intriguing news: the Yankees have inked switch-hitting outfielder Cooper Hummel to a minor league deal. He’ll report to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, where he’ll try to hit his way into a utility/platoon role with the big club—especially against left-handed pitching.

If you’re thinking, “Wait, who?” don’t worry. That’s the whole point of depth signings. They’re like spare tires—you don’t always think about them, but you’re real glad they’re around when things go flat.

Hummel, 30, spent last season and this spring with the Houston Astros. Though he didn’t make the team out of camp, he did make an impression: in 46 plate appearances this spring, he hit a smooth .316/.435/.447, with seven walks and a healthy OBP that suggests he’s not just up there hacking.

No, he’s not going to send balls flying into the upper deck every night—he’s more brains than brawn at the plate—but for a switch-hitting bench option who knows how to grind out at-bats? Not bad. Not bad at all.

And speaking of Hummels—because we know some of you just Googled “Who is Cooper Hummel?” and found yourself learning about German porcelain figurines instead—here’s your fun fact of the day. Back in the 1930s, an artist named Maria Innocentia Hummel started sketching whimsical kids in pastoral scenes. These sketches caught the eye of German porcelain maker Franz Goebel (great name), who turned them into collectible figurines. The first ones hit shelves in 1935 and have since become the kind of thing your grandma tells you to never touch because they're worth more than your car.

So yes, the photo at the top of the article was a joke. That little ceramic kid with the umbrella on his shoulder isn’t patrolling left field in Scranton—but Cooper Hummel will be soon.

Bottom line: Hummel’s a switch-hitter with a sharp eye and positional versatility. For a Yankees team always in need of glue guys to hold together the roster while waiting for stars to get healthy, this signing might just pay off. If not, well… at least now you know what a Hummel figurine is.

Welcome to the Bronx, Cooper. Don’t chip.

BEN RICE WILL BE A BETTER #22 THAN SOTO

Juan Soto. What a time we had, huh? The lefty phenom strutted into the Bronx, wore No. 22 with pride, smashed baseballs, flexed on pitchers, and led the Yankees to the World Series in 2024. Sounds great, right?

Yeah, well, we didn’t win it. So as far as Yankee fans are concerned, it’s a wash. A very entertaining wash, but a failure nonetheless. You don't hang a banner for “almost.” That’s a Mets thing. They practically throw parades for wild card appearances.

So, while Soto did his best one-year rental impression of Babe Ruth meets a TikTok influencer, the Yankees came up short. And now? He’s wearing blue and orange. Yes, the Mets — the team that thought giving nearly $800 million to one guy was a surefire plan for a championship. Honestly, good for them. Seriously. It’s adorable. But if the Mets think one superstar is going to fix their deeply Metsian DNA, they might want to go ahead and replay the 2024 Yankees season on loop. Case closed. Exhibit A.

Back in the Bronx, meanwhile, the Yankees started 2025 by lighting the baseball world on fire — launching a league-leading 22 home runs in their first six games. That’s not a typo. Twenty-two bombs. No Juan Soto? No problem.

Why?

Because there's a new sheriff in town wearing that freshly vacated No. 22. His name? Ben Rice. Remember it. Rice, originally called up to fill in for the perennially creaky Giancarlo Stanton, didn’t just grab a temporary spot in the lineup — he inherited Soto’s jersey number, which was still radiating superstar vibes when he pulled it over his head. Instead of wilting under that weight, Rice said, “Thanks, I’ll take it from here.”

And he’s done exactly that. As of Friday, Rice is 7-for-19 (.368), with two home runs and two walks. Meanwhile, over in Queens, Soto is hitting .240 with one lonely home run.

Now, let’s pause for a second. Is this a small sample size? Of course it is. But are we still going to overreact and declare Ben Rice a better investment than $800 million Soto? You bet we are. Because here’s the thing: Rice didn’t get handed a Brinks truck. He got handed a chance. And he’s running with it like he’s stealing home.

Back in February, the New York Post reported that Rice had packed on about 10 pounds of muscle during the offseason — mostly in his upper body. Translation: he did not spend his winter thinking about real estate in Battery Park or what temperature the champagne suite needs to be for his family. He trained like a guy who wanted to earn something, not be gifted it.

And it’s paying off.

“I think the ball’s coming off the bat harder, for sure,” Rice said this spring. “Putting more mass on the ball, so it’s going to come off harder.”

In other words: he’s built different. Quite literally.

No one’s saying Rice is a guaranteed star. But he’s already showing heart, hustle, and a bat that cracks like thunder. He doesn’t have a family suite at Yankee Stadium. He has a locker and a number — the same number worn by a guy who’s now a trivia question in Yankees lore: “Who was great for one season but didn’t deliver a ring?” Oh right. That guy.

The Yankees have turned the page. New year. New team. New No. 22. And frankly, it looks better on Ben Rice — because he’s not carrying expectations, he’s earning them.

So thanks for the memories, Soto. Hope the Citi Field sushi’s fresh and the limo to Queens doesn’t hit traffic. Meanwhile, we’ll be over here enjoying a team that doesn’t need $800 million to mash 22 homers in six games.

Rice, rice baby.