THE POST GOT IT RIGHT

Joel Sherman had me from the first paragraph of his piece from the NY Post Saturday evening. "The Mets have taken on so many characteristics of what was anticipated for the Yankees — namely, winning a whole lot early." By a show of hands, how many of you agree?  Exactly.  Sure, we have a rain out to reflect further on the losses to Baltimore and Boston and near-loss in the first game against Detroit but we can't argue that when you look at the Mets, you are saying to yourself, "This should be us."

Sherman gives three main areas/reasons why the Mets are progressing in a way that the Yankees were predicted to do so: Managing, Bullpen and Outfield Depth.

Source: Michael Reaves/Getty Images North America

The Mets have had incredible management from new skipper Mickey Callaway.  It was anticipated, as Sherman points out, that "Callaway — a pitching coach by training — would be more of a wonk." Instead, he has been brilliant with the caveat, he has not had to deal with any issues, yet.  And the leadership he is receiving from new additions Todd Frazier and Adrian Gonzalez has been effectively on point.  This is not downgrading the Yankees' clubhouse leadership but I will say, Aaron Boone does not appear to have the managerial experience necessary to navigate the variety of players on the team.  I don't blame him for the team losing, but I don't think the team is being managed the way it needs to be.  Callaway on the other hand has "helped the Mets keep their prized arms healthier and outfitted with better strategy," reports Sherman.  I have to agree.

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America

Their bullpen does not have the talent that the Yankees' pen has, but yet, their relief pitchers have kept opponents in check.  "The Mets’ pen was 5-0 in the early going and the Yanks’ 1-4. The Mets also had a 1.57 ERA, as converted starters Robert Gsellman and Seth Lugo have been valuable, and Jeurys Familia again has the feel of an elite closer. The Yankees’ pen had a 4.71 ERA — third worst in the AL — with Dellin Betances and Tommy Kahnle particularly raising concerns," reports Sherman. Facts, folks, nothing but facts.

Source: Gregory Shamus/Getty Images North America

Finally, when you look at the Mets outfield, you have to be envious of their depth.  I can't believe I am saying this but it is true.  We had to call up multiple players over the first week or so of the season because of injuries.  911s were sent down to the farm with Jacoby Ellsbury and Aaron Hicks going down early.  And remember at the beginning of the season, we were stacked in the outfield.  Now, the Yankee outfield has been productive at the plate.  The Yankees ".871 group OPS second in the majors to the Pirates. The Mets were fourth at .808, and that is with Yoenis Cespedes mainly struggling at the plate. The quicker-than-publicly-anticipated return of Michael Conforto has benefited the Mets."

Source: NorthJersey.com

When you add up managing, relief pitching and outfield depth, you get the Mets in first by a wide margin while the Yankees are struggling- an unanticipated switch at the birth, of the 2018 season that is.  Let's hope this is just an anomaly and the real Yankees take the field in a double-header with the Tigers today.  Michael Kay has been fired up about this year's team and not in a positive way.  He's been concerned about poor fielding and base running, which should never be underestimated.  I hope Boone and the clan can get it together otherwise it is going to be a long season with an unhappy ending.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

COULD THIS SLEEPER STEAL A STARTING JOB?

Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

I remember spring training 2017 like it was just yesterday. I was tracking Jordan Montgomery and was amazed by him. It was like he came out of nowhere and he kicked butt. He made it impossible for the Yankees not to give him a starting job. It was unexpected and completely thrilling but now I have to wonder is another young kid about to do it again?

I know some people are going to say "don't get ahead of yourself here. Calm down" but Domingo German may be pulling a Montgomery. If he is, that is absolutely epic. At the end of last season I had my money on Chance Adams being the next young kid to get a shot. I still think he will get one this season but if German keeps this up will he beat Adams to the punch?

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

I feel like we have so much talent right now anything is possible. Anyone could come up and pull off the unthinkable and German's start on Wednesday against the Mets was very impressive. The two unearned runs over 2 2/3 innings in the Yankees' 11-4 come-from-behind victory was nice on its own but I really felt like he attacked hitters and most of all he executed his pitches. My favorite part of his outing was when he struck out former Yankee Todd Frazier, Adrian Gonzalez and Jose Reyes in a 1-2-3 inning.

Photo: NJ.com

German did well in the minors last season. He had an 8-6 record with a 2.88 ERA in 19 games between Double-A and Triple-A. Scouts credit his improvement in both his command and also his secondary pitches. It sounds like he is making all the right improvements and when you can strike out the big name big league guys it's going to give the Yankees and German confidence going forward.

Photo: Getty Images

I'm liking what I see so far from German. I won't get overly excited yet but it certainly feels a little like last season. The Yankees have been so focused on finding another starter for some more depth. You can never have enough pitching, but if the Yankees can't add that affordable starter before the start of the season we just might have enough depth to wait for the affordable option to present itself. If the Yankees can't add a guy like Lance Lynn now, maybe German can be the bridge until it does happen. It's good to have options and not be in panic mode.

I'm loving the hype in camp right now. Can German pull a Montgomery and steal a spot after all? Could it be Montgomery's role or does he steal Luis Cessa's emergency starter role? Who knows....but it certainly is fun to watch!

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

ADRIAN GONZALEZ SIGNS... WITH THE METS?

I didn't see this one coming, but then again, I'm not sure the Mets did either.

Adrian Gonzalez has left the Dodgers... and signed with Mets!

ESPN writes:

"Adrian Gonzalez has agreed to a deal with the New York Mets pending a physical, according to ESPN and multiple reports... Gonzalez gives the Mets a veteran presence at first base, where Lucas Duda and Dominic Smith mainly played for them last season. Duda was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays during the season, and Smith, 22, struggled offensively, batting just .198."

Hey, good for the Mets, although you gotta wonder what Gonzalez can really offer at this point.  He is definitely ending the end of his career. You gotta wonder what Mets fans this about this.

Good luck on this one.

WHEN THE MIGHTY FALL...

They stir the pot a little.

The Winter meetings are over and the hot stove was in full gear and even though it's over the rumors are still flying. The Gerrit Cole and Manny Machado rumors are still flying out there but now after the Yankees won the Giancarlo Stanton sweepstakes new rumors are brewing....

The Yankees "Evil Empire" is back in action again so now maybe the Boston-New York rivalry is revived on a larger scale. If Boston has their way it just might be. After this past weekend it certainly looks like Boston may take troublemaker to a whole new level.

Willie J. Allen Jr / AP Photo

According to multiple sources, most notably the Boston Globe and NESN the Yankees recent acquisition of Stanton is only going to be a temporary residence. Hmmmm....interesting angle.

So basically both publications see Stanton playing in New York for 2018 and then getting shipped off to play in LA with the Dodgers, his number one choice. Now that the Dodgers shipped Adrian Gonzalez, Brandon McCarthy, Scott Kazmir and Charlie Culberson to the Atlanta Braves on Saturday my initial thought was "Well, the Dodgers just offloaded a ton of payroll so it looks like they are going to all out to get Bryce Harper."

I still think that. The Dodgers just shed 47 million dollars in payroll and have set themselves up to comfortably get under the 2018 luxury tax threshold. I think they will throw a large amount of money at him and "sell" him on getting back close to home in Las Vegas. He will also be wooed by the idea of playing across town from Mike Trout and playing in the freeway series against the best player in baseball and being the confident guy he is.....he will probably buy into that. I really think Harper wears a Dodgers uniform next year.

Patrick McDermott-USA TODAY Sports

But those Boston publications see Manny Machado as the answer to their prayers and the Yankees wanting Harper over Stanton because of his left handed bat. Boston wishes the Yankees would unload Stanton to get in a bidding war with the Nationals, Dodgers and undoubtedly Boston too.

I don't know who this "longtime major force" in baseball is that NESN sites but there is already a major force with a potential hell of a trifecta in the top of the Yankee lineup that hasn't been seen in a long time. Oh and why the hell would the Dodgers send the Yankees some of their top prospects to get Stanton when they an just go spend money, keep their prospects and sign Harper who is younger? Nick Cafardo didn't think that one through...

Kim Klement/USA Today Sports

Once Stanton gets a taste of the Bronx and hitting with Aaron Judge the Dodgers may be an afterthought....just like Boston and their crazy rumors. I guess you can't blame Boston for making up BS. They are green with envy at this point.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

SHOULD JUDGE PLAY IN THE HOME RUN DERBY?

(June 11, 2017 - Source: Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images North America)

The jury may be undecided on this one. I watch the Home Run Derby every year, but it has been awhile since I have been as interested in it as I am this year. The last Home Run Derby that I really was excited about it was in 2011 when Robinson Cano won it and out-slugged Adrian Gonzalez in the final round. Since then, it hasn't been as interesting......until now.

Photo: Getty Images

The idea of Aaron Judge in the Derby this year is exciting not only for Yankee fans, but for baseball in general. It's hard for baseball fans of any team to ignore, Judge is an exciting player. He's so exciting that putting him in the Derby adds more star power and higher television ratings. That thought process alone basically guarantees him a spot. It's good for baseball.

But is it good for the Yankees? It's back to that never ending debate....the Home Run Derby can be bad for hitters' swings. It's too risky, especially for a rookie on a team in first place with a very possible playoff run in sight. I'm torn for the first time.

One person who isn't torn though, is Joe Girardi who says he has no issues with Judge participating in it. "You watch him doing his work in BP, there are a lot of homers going to right and there are a lot of homers going to center. It's just not pull, pull, pull, pull, pull. Sometimes you worry about the physical nature of (a Home Run Derby) ... them getting hurt. Sometimes you worry about them doing something they don't do in the course of a game. But you watch (Judge in) BP, his first round he's hitting balls out of right field. Some guys are working line drives or groundballs. He's hitting them out. So that's why (I'm OK with it), because to me it would be a normal BP" read more HERE.

(June 8, 2017 - Source: Mike Stobe/Getty Images North America)

Girardi does make a good point, Judge is not a pull hitter and can hit to all fields and the ball won't be thrown like in a game scenario, but it is still a scary thought. The baseball season is long and the Yankees schedule in the second half is going to be brutal with only six off days. It is going to be harder to find Judge some rest time and fatigue can contribute to injuries.

Even Judge sounds unsure about the Derby now. Back in April he sounded ready to play. "The Home Run Derby is awesome. It's a fun event to watch and I'd probably do it if they asked me." But now he sounds uneasy, "I haven't even thought about it, I'll wait to the day (I'm invited), I guess" read more HERE. Maybe he is more focused on the team rather than an individual competition this is still a month away but that is a quick change of heart.

Photo: Getty Images

I guess I don't know where I stand on this yet. It would be cool to watch Judge take on Giancarlo Stanton and maybe even win it all. Girardi may not be concerned, but we still talk about these concerns every year. It's just hard to imagine missing Judge for any length of time right now due to an injury, we've already had enough of those. If Judge does play I will definitely be watching, crossing my fingers and hoping for a win.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

IKE DAVIS HAS A GIG!

Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports

The dude is still working, folks.  You gotta respect the grind.

Ike Davis signed a deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the same guy who thought he got the Clay Rapada scoop before BYB a while back (Read the HERE), tweeted this:

#Dodgers sign 1B Ike Davis and RHP Brandon Morrow to minor league deals.

— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) January 27, 2017

MLB Trade Rumors wrote of Davis:

Photo: New York Post

"Davis, 29, appeared in just eight major league games in 2016, spending much of his season at the Triple-A level with the Yankees’ and Rangers’ top minor league affiliates.  The left-handed hitting Davis has a solid career slash line (.251/.351/.441) against right-handed pitching over his career, though even those numbers were on the decline over the last two seasons as Davis struggled to retain a big league job.  After an impressive start to his MLB career as the Mets’ regular first baseman, Davis has hit just .222/.327/.354 over 1058 PA since the start of the 2013 season, bouncing from the Mets to the Pirates to the A’s and last year’s brief stint with the Yankees."

Photo: AP / David Zalubowski

Well, now he gets another shot. Dodger Blue writes this:

"Assuming Davis does not make the Dodgers roster out of camp but doesn’t opt out of his deal, the 29-year-old presumably will serve as depth for Triple-A Oklahoma City and insurance if Adrian Gonzalez is lost to injury for a prolonged stretch."

Anything Dodgers, they have their finger on the pulse. I endorse them!

Anyway... Good Luck Ike.



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MATTINGLY WILL ALWAYS BE OUR CAPTAIN... BUT NOT TONIGHT

Yes, Derek Jeter is our Yankee captain, but there is something quite comforting about Don Mattingly, and there always will be, at least to me. He was a true Yankee leader and should have probably won a ring during his time in pinstripes if it wasn't for his bad back.  He was only a New York Yankee in his baseball career… until he became the manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.  To me, that may be the strangest visual ever!

Sure, Yankees move on, but in my head, it was never supposed to be Don Mattingly. No, he was only to be in pinstripes and never in another uniform.  Sure, if given an opportunity to stay in this great game of baseball, you move on and Mattingly did and when the Dodgers called, it was an opportunity to shine again.  In the back of my mind, I often think about what it would be like if Mattingly were our manager.  Who knows what type of job he would do for us, but it would have been nice I believe.  That’s not a swipe at Joe Girardi, I like him there, and he won the job fair and square… I do think about it though.

It seems like 3 weeks ago or more that Ken Rosenthal reported that a “source” thought Donnie would be fired as Dodgers manager because they just couldn’t get it together this season. Read GUESS WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN TO DON MATTINGLY?  The thinking was, the Dodgers gave Donnie every tool he needed to win, and they just weren’t winning.  I have always believed that it doesn’t matter who the manager is, a team of just veterans will never win because they are set in their ways.  You have guys like Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez... and all veterans combined is just a recipe for “sameness” and “non-change.”  Sure, the Dodgers have mixed in a few GREAT youngsters, but they need to also mix in alittle momentum and then, then you have something. But it takes time!  Throw in a hungry manager like Mattingly with the will to win and yes, there you have it....but not overnight... eventually. Brass need patience sometimes.  Dodgers brass and all brass for that matter believe that buying veteran guys with talent automatically ensures a championship… that’s not the case and I believe that.

Don Mattingly is a smart manager, he’s a baseball guy and he can mold his club into competitors.  When the Dodgers aren’t playing the Yankees, I root for Donnie.  When they are, then Donnie is just another manager. That being said, how do you NOT love Donnie Baseball.

Mattingly is coming to the Yankee stadium for a 2 game series starting today.  The games will be competitive and every newspaper around the country has billed this as "the Return of Mattingly" and “Payback” or something.  Sure, the Yankees need to win, but to them, it’s just a game. They aren’t reading the papers and they sure aren’t looking to “beat” Mattingly.  There will be hugs and joking on the field, it’s going to be a great reunion with our former captain, but the game still needs to be played and someone needs to lose.  For us Yankee fans, after the joking and smiling we need to put our game faces on and run the Dodgers over like a truck with no brakes… because in the end… that’s the game.

When it’s all over, I’ll see Donnie as a Yankee again, our captain, our leader of the 80’s… but for now, it’s GAME ON!  Welcome back to the Bronx Donnie Baseball… get ready to lose… Go Yanks!

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THE PRESSURE NOW FALLS ON MATTINGLY

"If we lose, we're failures."

That quote above came from Dodgers manager and Yankee Icon, Don Mattingly. This is a guy that played for George Steinbrenner, a guy who never played for second place. George has been quoted saying "Second place is really first place loser." also been quoted as saying . Randy Levine, has been quoted as saying "When you don't win the World Series, it is a bitter disappointment."  Our captain Derek Jeter was brought through the same farm system as Don Mattingly was before him and subscribes to the same mentality.  They speak the same way because they grew up the Yankee way... and so do we, so I get Mattingly and his important quote. The Dodgers made big moves with guys like Hanley Ramirez and Josh Beckett and Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford during the season, and Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu now.  They have plenty of money and their eye on the prize.

The Yankee way has been pounded into our players heads for years and us fans follow the philosphy. We love our Yankees, but we love them to win the whole damn thing. That's why 1996 through 2000 were so damn special. The only downside was Don Mattingly never won a ring with us and now, the Dodgers have handed him the keys to win it all next season...no pressure right?

Mattingly needs a ring, the Dodgers have the dough to give him all the parts he needs to do it. No doubt a few years under his belt as a manager have made him more experienced and while I rarely root for another club, I root for Don Mattingly and always will.

I often wonder about if Donnie's back didn't crap out on him, if he would have been part of that 1996 team, or even maybe 1998, you never know. Nothing against Tino Martinez, but as Yankee fans, everybody feels for Mattingly...Everybody.

Well, now he has his chance in another shade of blue, and with the same type of make-up of talent that the Yankees used to pull off in the offseason. Look, the Dodgers have a shot. And Donnie's right saying what he said to Tim Brown of Yahoo Sports, HERE, if they don't win it all, with the talent they have, the season will be a true failure. Unfortunately, as a manager, it will all fall down on Donnie and he'll be to blame. Is it fair? No. No one needs that.

Hey look... Maybe it will work out in our favor. Maybe if things don't work out OR they do in Dodgertown, it will be right about the time Joe Girardi ends his contract in the Bronx. Then, maybe Donnie comes back to New York to manage our club. I see it now... Donnie Baseball's the Manager, Jorge Posada's the bench coach, Derek Jeter is the hitting coach. The pitching coach is Andy Pettitte and 1st and 3rd base coaches are Bernie Williams and Mariano Rivera.  It's like the band never broke up...or maybe this is all just wishful thinking.

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SABATHIA & TEIXEIRA TO THE DODGERS? HELL NO

I don't normally like writing about what already didn't happen, meaning a story that came out today that suggested that the Yankees got a call from the Los Angeles Dodgers asking about the availability of CC Sabathia and Mark Teixeira but then moved on to the Sox. Joel Sherman of the New York Post had that story, read HERE and it's a great piece today, but we already know the Dodgers have Josh Beckett, Adrian Gonzalez, Nick Punto and Carl Crawford and what's done is done.

Sure, we can imagine what could have happened, but that doesn't do any good after the fact. Look, the Dodgers probably knew the answer from Yankee brass would be "No", but I guess if you are trying to steal a page from the Steinbrenner playbook (Read HERE), you make that call, who wouldn't I guess.

Sherman writes: "...what led to a phone conversation with the Yankees about Sabathia (four years at $99 million left after this season) and Teixeira (four years, $90 million left after this season). The Yanks told Dodgers executives they had no interest in moving either."

But this is the best part, and totally shatters my theory about the Yankees wanting Alex Rodriguez to be the all-time home run champion in pinstripes (WHY THERE'S A PLAN FOR ALEX RODRIGUEZ)...Sherman suggests that the Yankees could have tried to push ARod on them, check it out:

"However, the more interesting concept is Alex Rodriguez. Now there are no signs the Dodgers were interested in A-Rod. Ramirez is playing short now, but they view him as their long-term third baseman with the currently injured Dee Gordon at short. And it is not hard to find executives who think A-Rod would not hold up as an everyday third baseman in the DH-less NL.

But, if nothing else, this episode should dissuade us from using the word “untradeable” to describe any contract. In Crawford, for example, the Dodgers just took on a player who recently underwent Tommy John surgery and, thus, is no lock to be ready for next season. Crawford was miserable under a microscope in a big city in Boston. He will not play for the Dodgers this year and has five years at $102.5 million left after this season.

By comparison A-Rod has five years at $114 million left after this season, has a fading body and is a polarizing figure. Plus, he is six years older than Crawford.

Nevertheless, you could make a case for a Yankees-Dodgers winter deal involving A-Rod..."

Whatever the case, the Yankees are in a pennant race, they're not trading away the Monster and Tex, although it's flattering I guess if you're those guys. But I think ultimately the Yanks and CC and Teixeira genuinely like each other. Alex? Well, let's just say Sherman's right...there is a case for moving Alex.  Me personally? I know his contract is ridiculous and many can't stand him, but I like Alex in the Bronx...but I really REALLY want to see this guy hot in New York... and I feel like it's never going to happen.

Great piece Joel Sherman.

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THE DODGERS ARE STEALING A PAGE FROM THE STEINBRENNER PLAYBOOK

The Los Angeles Dodgers went big this past weekend and clearly Magic Johnson is on his way to become the George Steinbrenner of the West Coast. In case you live under a rock, Josh Beckett, Carl Crawford, Adrian Gonzalez and Nick Punto were traded to the Dodgers for James Loney and 4 minor leaguers.  Read HERE.  It was a crazy weekend if you were a fan of one of those teams.  If you were a Yankee fan, it was just nice to see the Red Sox being disrupted for a change.  It was interesting to me because I just don't know how I feel about rooting for Don Mattingly's Dodgers and wanting guys like Josh Beckett do well... I am not a fan of that guy at all!

This is a picture from Nick Punto's Twitter account of Beckett, Gonzalez and Punto on their way to LA on an airplane.  Man, Twitter's so freaking cool.

What's interesting to me though is the Dodgers and how they'll be perceived.  Lord knows, the Yankees have been bashed for years because they went out and bought players that would help their team win.  Seems like a weird strategy right? Notice the sarcasm.  The Los Angeles Dodgers are doing what they're supposed to do.  If you have the money to purchase guys and guys you think can help your team are available, don't you go for it?

The Yankees did it for years, the Red Sox have done it.  Last season the Rangers and Marlins did it.  Team's are catching on and it doesn't make sense to me that it's the Yankees...always the Yankees, that are the ones that are buying championships.  Why? Why not the Dodgers? They literally bought 4 guys, pretty good ones I might add, that can offer a lot for their club.  Now their is talk that they want to buy into a TV deal... read HERE.... let me guess... the moon is next, right?

Look, I wish the Dodgers well.  But, I wish the media would be alittle more consistant when it comes to teams and their purchases.  The Yankees will forever be hated by the sports media because when George Steinbrenner came in, he came in with an iron fist, demanding wins and in turn, he got wins with guys like Reggie Jackson and Catfish Hunter.

Then again, with Tino Martinez, Paul O'Neill and David Wells.  The media jumped all over him suggesting he was buying championships and then anti-Yankee fans joined in.  All I have to say is, where are those sports pages that are defending the great Yankee teams? My friend Tony said it best in a tweet to me the other day. He wrote:

So true.  Magic Johnson is a business man at the end of the day, if he wants to get whatever players he needs to win a championship, let him.  Shane Victorino. Hanley Ramirez. Josh Beckett. Adrian Gonzalez.  Hell, he had an opportunity, he has the money, he's going for it. It's the American dream, you play to win, in baseball, in life!  So let him, but I just wonder, will the media start blasting the Dodgers for buying a championship? Monitor it...watch it closely, because I have news for you...they won't.  God forbid the Yankees sign a big name starter this winter though, they'll hear it again from around the globe, much like they did when they signed CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett and Mark Teixeira... and won a championship.

Look, all I'm saying is this...at the end of the day, the whole reason for owning a team isn't to just get by, it's to win it all.  So... the Dodgers are taking a page from the Yankees playbook.  I applaud Magic Johnson, but I wonder if he'll hear the same crap us Yankee fans have heard for years... No... I doubt it.

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