DID JASSON DOMINGUEZ FALL VICTIM TO THE YANKEES OVERHYPE MACHINE?

The answer is yes, but please continue reading.

Why haven’t the New York Yankees won a World Series since 2009?

Because blaming the players alone is the laziest take in baseball—and also the wrong one.

Yes, players have to perform. If you wear a big-league uniform, excuses don’t come standard. But let’s stop pretending the Yankees’ long championship drought is just a matter of underachieving athletes. The common denominator here isn’t the clubhouse—it’s the front office. Specifically, the decision-makers who keep betting big on spreadsheets while ignoring the messy, inconvenient truth that baseball players are human beings.

We’ve seen this movie before. Bad casting, bad evaluations, and blind faith in numbers that look great in theory and crumble in reality. Joey Gallo wasn’t an accident. He was a front-office decision. And he wasn’t alone. These moves all trace back to the same source: Brian Cashman and the machine around him.

Back in 2007, Cashman famously said the Yankees had “three years” to rebuild the system and chase another title. Well, congratulations—the system got rebuilt. Multiple times. The championships? Still stuck in 2009, collecting dust next to the old DVDs.

What did thrive during that time was the hype machine.

Stephen Parello of Yanks Go Yard laid this out perfectly when he walked through the Yankees’ long history of prospect inflation. Remember when Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Ian Kennedy were supposed to save the franchise? Or when Eric Duncan was untouchable? Then came Jesús Montero—anointed as the next superstar with mythical scouting grades and zero follow-through. Parello forgot to mention the killer B's in Manny Banuelos, Dellin Betances and Andrew Brackman, but he didn't really need to, it's more of the same.

But then the Yankees did finally win in 2009—and notice how that happened: by opening the vault for CC Sabathia, Mark Teixeira, and A.J. Burnett. Not hype. Not hope. Proven stars.

Fast-forward to now, and the pattern hasn’t changed—only the branding has. Today’s names are Anthony Volpe, Austin Wells, and Jasson Domínguez. The jerseys sell. The slogans hit. The expectations explode.

Domínguez is the clearest example. A talented kid, no doubt—but the Yankees slapped “The Martian” on him and let the marketing department turn him into something he never asked to be. Even Joel Sherman called it out, noting that the nickname alone created absurd comparisons to Mickey Mantle—comparisons no other organization actually believed. That wasn’t scouting hype. That was New York hype.

And here’s the uncomfortable truth: hype is profitable in the Bronx and you are all being fooled. If 100 fans buy a jersey, the team wins financially before the player ever takes a swing. If the kid struggles? He’s the problem. If he succeeds? The front office pats itself on the back and pretends it was genius all along.

Volpe might be the most glaring dilemma yet. Three years in, tons of merchandise sold, and very little return on the field. Internally, the Yankees know it. Publicly, they’re crossing their fingers and hoping surgery magically turns projections into production. But spreadsheets don’t heal players. And humans don’t reboot like software.

This isn’t “self-hating fandom.” This is realism—the same realism Bleeding Yankee Blue has preached for years. The Yankees’ definition of success has shifted. Second place is acceptable. “Almost” is good enough. As long as the money flows, urgency doesn’t exist.

That’s the real rot. So yes, players deserve blame when they fail. But who puts them there? Who overhypes them? Who markets dreams instead of building winners?

The front office.

And until that changes—until the GM is gone, Boone is shown the door, and the organization remembers that banners matter more than branding—the Yankees will keep selling hope instead of championships.

Don’t fall for it. This isn’t a dynasty in waiting.

It’s a business model built on “close enough.”

A TRAGIC DEATH FOR JESUS MONTERO

Jesús Montero, once hailed as one of baseball’s most can’t-miss prospects, has died at the age of 35 in his native Venezuela.

The New York Yankees confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement on Sunday, saying, “The Yankees are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Jesús Montero. We send our sincerest condolences to his family and loved ones.”

According to Venezuelan sports outlets, Montero had been involved in a serious traffic accident several weeks ago. 

Montero’s talent was undeniable from the start. Signed out of Venezuela by the Yankees as a teenager, he made his professional debut in 2007 at just 17 years old. His bat quickly turned heads across the minors. As MLB Trade Rumors noted:

“Montero is best known for having been one of the league’s most elite prospects in the early 2010s. Signed out of Venezuela by the Yankees as an amateur, Montero made his pro debut in 2007 at the age of 17. His second professional season saw him break out at the Single-A level, where he hit .326/.376/.491 with 17 homers and 34 doubles in 132 games. That strong performance earned Montero plenty of attention prior to the 2009 season, when he became a consensus top-50 prospect in the sport.”

The expectations were sky-high. Montero’s power in Triple-A — 21 home runs and a .517 slugging percentage in 2010 — made him the Yankees’ next supposed superstar, the heir apparent to the team’s aging core. But the raw numbers didn’t translate to big-league success.

After a trade to Seattle for pitcher Michael Pineda, Montero’s career took a sharp turn. His tenure with the Mariners was marked by inconsistency, diminished production, and a now-infamous 2014 incident in which he reportedly tried to confront a team scout during a minor league rehab game.   

Seattle eventually waived him in 2016, and while Montero had short-lived stints with the Blue Jays and Orioles organizations, his once-promising major league career never found its footing again.

Montero’s story — from prodigy to tragic figure — is a sobering reminder of how unpredictable baseball can be. For all the hype, the magazine covers, and the scouts’ glowing projections, the game still humbles even its most gifted players.

Jesús Montero was only 35. Gone far too soon, but forever remembered by Yankee fans who once believed they were watching the rise of a star.

JESUS MONTERO & THE ALMOST ALL-STAR

Once upon a time in the Yankees’ farm system, there was a thunderous bat that made scouts’ jaws drop and pitchers sweat: Jesús Montero. With the kind of raw power that drew comparisons to hitting legends like Manny Ramirez and Miguel Cabrera, Montero looked like the next big Bronx Bomber. But for all the fireworks at the plate, there was a catch—literally. His defense behind the dish was...well, let’s just say, less than gold glove-worthy. Some scouts doubted he'd stick at catcher at all, predicting his size would push him out of the squat sooner rather than later.

Still, the Yankees rolled the dice. On September 1, 2011, Montero got the call to the bigs. His first 18 games looked like a Hollywood debut: a .328 batting average, four home runs, and 28 RBIs. He burst onto the scene as a designated hitter at Fenway Park—no pressure—and soon became the first 21-year-old rookie since Manny himself to mash two home runs within his first five games. Yankees fans had stars in their eyes.

But just as quickly as the legend began, it hit a snag. With the team desperate for pitching, and Montero’s position still a question mark, the Yankees flipped their shiny new slugger to Seattle in a high-profile swap for Michael Pineda in the 2011-12 offseason. Part of the reasoning? The Yankees were already sitting on a stockpile of catching prospects like Austin Romine and a young Gary Sánchez, and Montero’s glove never quite caught up with his bat.

Unfortunately, the move to Seattle marked the beginning of Montero’s rapid unraveling. His promise dimmed under performance struggles, weight issues, and then the real kicker: PED suspensions.

The Downfall: Two Strikes, You’re Out

• Strike One (2013): Montero got a 50-game suspension for his role in the infamous Biogenesis scandal—the same Florida clinic that took down a chunk of MLB’s elite for performance-enhancing drugs.

• Strike Two (2016): He was hit with another 50-game suspension for testing positive for DMBA, a banned stimulant. At this point, the comeback trail had become a steep cliff.

By the time the dust settled, Montero had quietly played his final MLB game on October 3, 2015. Despite the fireworks early on, his career ended not with a bang, but a whimper. Official retirement came soon after—a sad, cautionary tale of potential unfulfilled and power squandered.

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

UPDATE ON PINEDA... JUST BECAUSE

Michael Pineda is with the Twins now.

Photo: SI.com

I've always rooted for this guy because when we traded with the Mariners and got him for Jesus Montero all those years ago, Pineda was supposed to be the next big thing.  Well he wasn't exactly. Then he got hurt... and then the Twins grabbed him, and there we have it.

Here's a Pineda update, brought to us by MLB Trade Rumors... just because. What happens next is cute.

(Frank Franklin II/AP)

"...the Twins have a few other pitchers whose injury situations bear watching. Among them is Michael Pineda, who is also working back after receiving a fresh ulnar collateral ligament. Minnesota placed a $10MM bet on his ability to get back to the mound and provide value late this year and (mostly) in 2019. Pineda, Berardino writes, has just begun a throwing program. He says it "feels great' to be throwing again, though of course this is just one step in a laborious process. Pineda’s surgery took place in the middle of July of last year, so he’s well behind May in the process."

Now "feeling great" is Pineda's go-to. We've seen it for years in New York.

Back in 2013...
(Newsday)

"'Feeling great tonight,' Pineda said after pitching for the Class-A advanced Tampa Yankees in Florida State League play against the Brevard County Manatees at Steinbrenner Field. "

He down graded to only feeling "very good" in September 2015:
(NJ.com)

"'I feel very good right now and everything is working good so sometimes you have a good game, sometimes you have a bad game,' he said."

Photo: New York Post

And in May of 2017:
(Newsday)

"'We feel great when the rotation is doing its job,' Pineda said. 'We work to every day give the team the opportunity to win a big game.'”

Whatever the case... I still like Pineda and pulling for him.  I hope he has a great season with the Twins.  He needs that.

And by the way... Jesus Montero? Hasn't been on a pro field since the Seattle Mariners in 2015.  In the 2017-2018 season he plays for the Cardenales de Lara. 

Venezuelan Winter League.  I found that interesting.

ARE AUSTIN ROMINE'S DAYS NUMBERED?

Source: Bob Levey/Getty Images North America

It's weird to think about right now but as the Yankees look to make improvements to their roster and managing staff they could look at the free agent market and make one more addition to the team. I'm just not sold that this would be a big upgrade BUT....could the Yankees also be looking for a new backup catcher?

I like Austin Romine, I think he's a good guy but truth is he is really just an okay defender with a lackluster bat. He actually barely cracks the top thirty in defensive stats and when you aren't a great defender and are a sub-par hitter that just makes it worse. Romine doesn't really stand out as having one great standout skill, which is a problem when you are on a rebuilding and young competitive team.

Photo: Getty Images

So I guess the question is....do the Yankees stick with Romine or look for someone else to backup Gary Sanchez? The Yankees know what they are getting with Romine, he's been around for six years now. He outlasted names like Jesus Montero and John Ryan Murphy and even looked like the more appealing option for catcher back in September when the Yankees were preparing for the Wild Card game against the Twins. Several media sources like NY Daily News and Newsday even wrote pieces calling for Joe Girardi to start Romine instead of Sanchez.

Source: Stacy Revere/Getty Images North America

So if media outlets had so much faith in Romine in a must win game, is there anyone else out there that could be considered an upgrade? There are two catchers that are free agents, Jonathan Lucroy and Alex Avila. I doubt Lucroy would sign with the Yankees for a backup catcher role but Alex Avila is used to a backup role already and could be intriguing.

If the Yankees want to improve their offensive production in their backup role Avila would give more of that then Romine. This season in 376 plate appearances he had a .236 BA, hit 14 home runs with 49 RBI's. It certainly beats Romine's 80 plate appearances and .218 BA with 2 home runs and 21 RBI's. His left handed bat would also come in handy at Yankee stadium. Offensively, he has more to offer than Romine does. Defensively though, he's not a significant upgrade over Romine and his bat outshines his defensive skills.

Could the Yankees make the call and try to sign Avila? Maybe, but he is going to want a lot more playing time and behind Sanchez that's not likely. Honestly who wants to be stuck behind one of the games most exciting young catchers? I am willing to bet it's not Avila.


--Jeana Bellezza

BYB Managing Editor 
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

BYB Posada Original
This is a wonderful image I took of Jorge Posada, available on Laptop cases and Phone cases.

ROMINE'S BREATHING DOWN YOUR NECK, GARY!

Photo: Getty Images

You don't make it to the Bigs and then just stop working hard.  You need to continue and never stop, because the day you do is the day that someone will pass you by.

Photo: Getty Images

Now I don't know if that's what's going on with Gary Sanchez, but you have to think maybe he's dogging it a bit because he knows he's the starting catcher of the New York Yankees. I'll tell you something though; Austin Romine has been around for a while now, and just when you thought the guy was gone, through Jesus Montero, through JR Murphy... through Brian McCann... he's still around. Sanchez better wake up.

I love this piece by Ken Davidoff in the New York Post today. Check out some of it:

"'Blocking balls is very important' on a blackboard. While the Yankees are being a tad passive-aggressive with this Sanchez situation, presumably to leave him a trail of crumbs back to prosperity, we haven’t seen Girardi exhibit this level of aggressiveness with one of his Yankees players, let alone a marquee player.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Since Sanchez committed his 12th passed ball and also oversaw two wild pitches Friday night, in a game the Yankees went on to lose 7-2 to the Indians, Girardi 1) called out Sanchez on the need to improve his defense; 2) started him at designated hitter on Saturday and said he’d return to catching on Sunday; 3) decided to start Austin Romine again on Sunday, without informing Sanchez (according to Sanchez) and 4) put Sanchez through two straight days of rigorous pregame workouts.

'To be 100 percent clear here, I have to improve on defense,' Sanchez told reporters on Sunday, through an interpreter. 'I am not perfect and I understand that. The bottom line is I need to improve.'”

Photo: Getty Images

Look, and it's good that Sanchez is under a microscope and admitting he sucks, but now he's gotta put in the work! Move the feet, be aggressive.  The Yankees don't want to give up on him yet, this is clear, but they can't just let him be lazy back there, and that's right, he has been lazy.  He needs to get it together... he needs to be a better catcher... that's the bottom line.  If he doesn't, trust me, I'd gladly take the harder worker here... Mr. Austin Romine, because believe me, he's breathing down Gary's neck!

I love confidence, I love hard workers and I love balls.  Wake up Sanchez, wake up! Romine's gunning for ya!

WHAT TO MAKE OF MICHAEL PINEDA

Photo: Getty Images

I'll be the first to admit it. When I first saw that the Yankees acquired Michael Pineda, I got a little excited. I had picked him up the year prior in Fantasy Baseball and he did pretty well for me. In his first 18 starts, he went 8-6 with a 3.03 ERA and 133 K's. He was named to the All-Star game as a replacement his rookie year. He very well could of, and maybe should have been chosen in the first place.

Photo: Getty Images

When I saw that Jesus Montero was part of that Yankee deal... I got a little less excited.

Granted the Yankees needed pitching at the time, and we had a few catchers in the system but, how could they trade away their, at the time top prospect, for a kid that had to yet, really established himself?  If I would have known then what I know now, I would have been a lot more excited.

Basically, the Yankees got Pineda for nothing. Think about it. They sent Montero and Hector Noesi to the Mariners, both of whom are long gone from Seattle. Montero is languishing somewhere in the Orioles system looking for another chance while, Noesi is pitching in Japan after being with the Yankees, Mariners, Rangers, and White Sox.

With all that being said, this piece from Newsday shows the reason why, even with those factors, it's hard to call this trade a win.

Photo: Getty Images

"Give the Yankees credit for the Michael Pineda trade. In essence, they got the big righty from Seattle in 2012 for Jesus Montero, who went from can’t-miss prospect to overweight, twice steroid-suspended bust.

And give the Yankees credit for getting Pineda back on the mound after he missed more than two seasons after serious shoulder surgery. They were patient, and Pineda worked hard to come back from an injury that can often mean the end of a career.

That’s where the credit ends, though, for both player and team."

Photo: Getty Images

After missing 2012 and pitching just 6 games for AAA Scranton in 2013, Pineda won the 5th starter role in 2014. Since that time the Yankees have received a lot of foreplay with very little action. He started the 2014 season off great with a 1.83 ERA in his first four starts.

Of course, within those first four starts, there were the now infamous pine tar incidents.

Over and over we have heard about how Pineda has the "stuff" to be a very successful starter in the Major Leagues. In fact, at times he has shown that he does, at least until there are two outs. This issue has been a problem too long now, and I don't know what can be done to correct it. Does Larry Rothschild have some kind of magic trick in his pocket to help corral this? He seems to know as much as us fans do, about what can be done.

“Michael might’ve left Larry scratching his head more than anybody else,” manager Joe Girardi said. On whether he personally spent the off season wondering how to get Pineda better, Girardi said: “Offseason, in-season, mid-season. Every season.”

After this season Michael is a free agent and, more than likely will be wearing a new uniform next year if he cannot somehow overcome his 2 out jitters.

I really hope, as I'm sure all of you do, that this can somehow be fixed. Forget 32nd St. the Yankees need a miracle at 161st St.




--Michael Carnesi
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @sevn4evr

SOMETIMES "IT'S NOT WHAT I WANTED" AIN'T BAD

My last BYB piece bemoaned that Brian Cashman's overly cautious expectations for the Yankees'  upcoming campaign  made me feel like "there's nowhere to go but up -- but only if we're really, really lucky." 

Luckily for me, a few days later  I spied a take from another somewhat well-connected observer who expounded on the subject of luck that took Joe Girardi's shop-worn response to bad luck and turned it inside out.

(John Munson/Star-Ledger)

Yankees VP Gene Michael, who as former GM was credited with developing the bones and sinew of the last Bronx dynasty and still advises Brian on talent, pointed out to the NY Post's Joel Sherman that luck is a two-way street.

“'We got lucky,' he told Sherman.  'I could have traded each of the [Core Four] guys or Bernie [Williams] and didn’t. [Mariano] Rivera was available in the [November 1992] expansion draft [for the Marlins and Rockies] and never got picked. Remember, Rivera wasn’t Rivera until he reached the majors, and it is just lucky that we didn’t trade him before he began throwing well.'

Photo of Ruben Rivera

Brian, who was tending the farm under his former boss at the time, likewise reminisced for Sherman.

 'Ruben Rivera was the most important Rivera in the franchise, not [his cousin] Mariano.'”

Sherman went on to point out that in the 28 years that Baseball America has assembled a Top 100 Prospects list, only four Yankees have ever made the top three: Ruben Rivera (who was ahead of  Derek Jeter and Chipper Jones), Brien Taylor (who got hurt and never saw a day in the Bigs), Joba Chamberlain and Jesus Montero, who in 2011 was ranked third just behind Bryce Harper and Mike Trout.

However, Mariano Rivera, Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano  -- all now considered among the best to have ever played their positions  -- never even cracked the Top 100 list.

The gist of Sherman's piece is that all the highly touted prospects in the world don't guarantee anything because  "there will be Ruben Riveras in this group who will disappoint and Mariano Riveras who will come out of nowhere."

And that, to me, is probably the most comforting expectation I've heard yet. Because there will always be more guys from nowhere than there are from the Top 100. 

It may not be what you wanted. But as long as you get what you need, that'll do.



 --Barry Millman
BYB Writer
Follow me on Twitter: @nyyankeefanfore
  

IF PINEDA CAN LIVE UP TO THE HYPE, WE GOT SOMETHING!

There is no question Michael Pineda was supposed to be the next big thing. A big strong, young pitcher that we were getting for the now chubby Jesus Montero a few years ago. Everyone saw it as a win for us... but neither team won. The Mariners and the Yankees haven't gained much from either guy... and Montero is long gone from Seattle.

But we still have Pineda... and I'm going to make statement... if Michael Pineda can stay in control and finish batters... he will have the year we've all be waiting for.

Pete Caldera of the Bergen Record has a great article today about Pineda and I wanted to share some of it:

(Photo: Jonathan Dyer, USA TODAY Sports)

"...both Pineda and the Yankees really hope it happens this year. Given the thin nature of the Yanks’ rotation, the organization needs Pineda to finally fulfill the promise of being a frontline starter. And Pineda is entering his free-agent walk season, with millions of dollars shinging on his 2017 season....

As CC Sabathia said earlier this week, 'I always come into spring training saying this is the year he’s going to win the Cy Young. He just has so much talent, he just needs to put everything together. But he’s right there.'’’

Pineda needs to get over the hump.  Everyone is rooting for him... I feel like this could be the year!

Nice work Caldera... you da man!

JESUS MONTERO STILL HAS IT...

Wow.

Photo: MiLB.com

Can you imagine?

Remember when Jesus Montero was the next big catcher to come out of Yankeeland? Then... suddenly he wasn't.

Then he was fat, then skinny and really didn't do much for the Seattle Mariners but continue to be fat and skinny until he was just big boned with the Blue Jays. Sometimes weight can be a problem. I know it is for me.   Well... now there's more when it comes to Montero...

Hardball Talk reports that Jesus has just signed a minor league deal with the Baltimore Orioles:

Photo: MiLB.com

"Orioles have signed 1B/DH Jesus Montero to a minor league contract... In 518 plate appearances with the Blue Jays’ Triple-A affiliate in Buffalo last season, Montero hit .317/.349/.438 with 11 home runs and 60 RBI."

(June 7, 2016 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)

And all these years later... Austin Romine is our back up catcher.  BYB was all over that you know. We wrote this back in 2011 in WHY ROMINE MAYBE THE FUTURE, NOT MONTERO ...

"Let's take a look at Romine. He is head and shoulders ahead of Montero defensively."

Clearly that still holds.

CAMPOS ON THE MOVE AGAIN

You all remember Jose Campos who suddenly became Vicente Campos. He was the guy who came over to the Yankees when we shipped Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to the Mariners when we received Michael Pineda.

Campos had injury and while the sports media touted him as being the better end of the deal, Pineda finally pitched and Campos was given up.  He went to the Diamondbacks this season.  And now, according to n Arizona Diamondbacks beat writer, Nick Piecoro, He's on the move again:

Dbacks lose right-hander Vicente Campos on waivers to the Angels. Campos was acquired from the Yankees in July for reliever Tyler Clippard.

— Nick Piecoro (@nickpiecoro) November 4, 2016

Hey, that's life in the major leagues. The MLB is where you see what teams need and if you can hack it... and it's hard as hell. Campos is now trying to make it again.  According to MLB Trade Rumors:

"...The 24-year-old Campos made his Major League debut this season, tossing 5 2/3 innings of relief for Arizona (in one appearance) and allowing three runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts. He pitched across three minor league levels this season between the D-backs and Yankees systems, ultimately spending most of his time at Double-A. In 142 2/3 minor league innings this year, Campos notched a 3.22 ERA with 7.6 K/9 against 2.7 BB/9."

OK then. Maybe the Angels can figure it all out.

MONTERO SLAPPED WITH A 50 GAME SUSPENSION

Quick note about a former Yankee kid.  Jesus Montero. Um... he's in trouble.

Jeff Todd of MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"Blue Jays Triple-A first baseman Jesus Montero has been slapped with a fifty game suspension after testing positive for a banned stimulant, the league announced. Montero was once a hyped prospect, but has been trying unsuccessfully to revive his career in recent years... Of course, Montero was originally a catching prospect; now that he’s limited to first base and DH duties, the bar is raised for his bat. It’s not clear what kind of opportunity he’ll have in the future. For one thing, he’ll need to serve his ban at the start of 2017; for another, it’s not his first, as Montero also took a fifty-game hit after he was caught up in the Biogenesis scandal."

I forgot about that whole Montero-Biogenesis connection.  And to be honest, that's terrible to find out this guy's been caught now twice.

It's amazing.  Remember how great it was when Yankee fans saw Montero for the first time in pinstripes?  Not anymore, huh?

My how the "mighty" has fallen.