YANKEES SWEPT BY THE RAYS & IT'S BOONE'S FAULT AGAIN

Anyone with an actual brain—and more importantly, anyone who understands the feel of a baseball game—could see this coming from a mile away. This Yankees start? Not surprising. Not shocking. Not even mildly confusing. It’s the same movie we watched in 2025, just with a slightly less shiny bullpen and a bench.

Sure, the Yanks came out hot. Great. Hang the banner. But some of us live in reality, not in whatever motivational poster clubhouse speeches are printed on. Because here’s the truth nobody wanted to say out loud except us here at Bleeding Yankee Blue: the moment Aaron Boone has to actually manage—not just smile and nod while things are going well—the whole thing starts to wobble. Are you reading this Jon Vankin from Newsweek? I would love for you to pick-up my story this week... because I've been preaching pure gospel about how bad Boone is and how it was going to go exactly how it has for the Yankees and this horrific manager. 

By the way, this is not a hot take. That’s a pattern when it comes to Boone sucking.

Any manager can look competent when the lineup is raking and the pitching is cruising. That’s not managing—that’s coasting. The real job starts when things go sideways. That’s when you need instinct, guts, and the ability to read the moment. And that’s exactly where Boone falls apart. Every. Single. Time.

Today was the latest masterclass in what not to do.

Down 5–4. Game on the line. Avoid the sweep against the Rays. Season momentum hanging by a thread. And who does Boone roll with? Ryan McMahon—while Paul Goldschmidt, a legitimate bat, sits there as the last option on the bench. First pitch to McMahon? Groundout. Game over. Rays crowd laughs. Boone's decision indefensible.

And no, this isn’t a one-off. This is Boone’s greatest hits album at this point.

April 5: high-leverage moment, Boone hands the keys to JC Escarra. Three pitches later—strikeout. Rally DOA.

April 8: Ryan McMahon, hitting a cool .077, keeps getting run like he’s being honored for lifetime service. Boone’s explanation? McMahon “had been on base four times in the previous three games.” That’s not analysis—that’s a cry for help.

April 10: Randal Grichuk gets the nod against a righty while Trent Grisham, a lefty, collects dust on the bench. Four pitches later—strikeout. Predictable doesn’t even begin to cover it.

And then today—back to McMahon again. Against a pitcher who eats hitters like him alive. Meanwhile, Goldschmidt watches. Again.

These aren’t tough managerial calls. That’s the scary part. These are the easy ones. The obvious ones. And Boone still manages to get them wrong. Because Boone doesn’t manage to win—he manages to avoid hurting feelings. He doesn’t feel the game, he tiptoes around it. And baseball punishes that kind of hesitation every time.

At some point, you have to stop calling it a slump or bad luck. This is who he is. A manager who cannot make the hard decisions, and honestly, sometimes can’t even make the easy ones. And this is exactly why this team isn’t going anywhere meaningful.

You think this holds up in October? In a short series where every move is magnified? We’ve already seen that movie too. 2 horrible moments come to mind.

2024 World Series Game 1—Boone trots out Nestor Cortes, fresh off an injury and over a month without pitching, to face the top of the Dodgers lineup. Predictably, it blows up immediately.

2025 Wild Card Game—he pulls Max Fried after 6.1 shutout innings on just 102 pitches. The bullpen comes in, gives up a backbreaking homer, and the game flips. Season altered because of one unnecessary decision.

And yet, here we are. Same mistakes. Same patterns. Same excuses. Same stupid manager.  Fans chanting “Fire Boone” aren’t overreacting—we’re exhausted. This isn’t impatience. It’s recognition.

Brian Cashman keeps building flawed rosters, Aaron Boone keeps mismanaging the pieces he does have, and Hal Steinbrenner keeps watching it all unfold like it’s acceptable.

It’s not.

This franchise used to demand excellence. Now it tolerates mediocrity dressed up as “process.”

And that’s the most disappointing part of all—because the problem isn’t just Boone anymore. It’s the fact that the people above him keep letting this happen.

Horrible sweep. Embarrassing.

YANKEES CHANCES ARE SLIPPING AWAY

The Yankees remain a roster loaded with talent but handicapped by one glaring weakness — the guy running the dugout. Aaron Boone is less a strategic mastermind and more a self-inflicted obstacle course the team trips over nightly.

Jon Heyman just poured a little salt in the wound, pointing out that the Yankees — with their $300 million payroll — are clinging to a measly half-game lead over the Guardians. Yes, the Guardians: a team with a third of New York’s payroll. If that’s not embarrassing enough, the Yankees’ recent skid has left them 62-55, six and a half games back in the AL East, and losers in six of their last seven. A 5-4 win yesterday barely counts as life support.

Look at Boone's career as manager. He doesn't win. 

And Brian Cashman this year? He basically left the trade deadline with a gift bag containing nothing but pocket lint and excuses.

Even Joe Torre — the man who delivered four World Series titles to the Bronx — is tiptoeing around the truth. Torre said, “I feel for Aaron Boone. I’ve been in that place where you’re trying to rearrange the furniture and hopefully it makes a difference… This club’s too good not to have a run, and there’s still time left.”

Translation: Boone’s not the guy, but Torre’s too classy to say it. Fans aren’t. We’ve seen Boone’s “track record” — overmanaging, ignoring instincts, and somehow choosing the one option that tanks the game. Remember the Nestor Cortes–Freeman debacle? Or bringing in Devin Williams the other night? It’s a constant uphill battle for the players just to overcome his blunders.

This isn’t chemistry, it’s chaos. Not leadership, but manager-loserville.

Sure, the Yankees might stumble into a Wild Card spot. But with Boone steering, it’ll end in the same sad way: an early exit and another round of excuses. The talent is here. The wins could be here. The problem is also here — in the dugout — and until Boone is gone, this team’s ceiling is hitting their heads on it.

Bottom line: fire him.

WHEN WILL THE BOONE CLOWN SHOW END?

It’s time to stop whispering and start screaming — Aaron Boone needs to go. We’ve been banging this drum at Bleeding Yankee Blue for four years now, and the beat hasn’t changed: Boone isn’t the guy. Sure, Michael Kay, a Yankees-paid mouthpiece can keep peddling their “he got them to the World Series” bedtime story, but let’s not kid ourselves — he also managed to not win it.

Remember that error-laden fifth inning that could have been salvaged by an actual leader? Instead, we got Boone’s brainchild: letting Nestor Cortes pitch to Freddie Freeman. That single decision should be bronzed and displayed in Cooperstown under “The Worst Managerial Call in the History of Time.” Boone just doesn’t have the finesse, the decision-making chops, or the leadership instincts you need in October… or frankly, in May. That’s why I’ve sworn off Yankee Stadium until the man is shown the door. I won’t spend a dime on this team until Boone is gone.

Now, the rumor mill is churning about Brad Ausmus as a potential replacement. Great — Boone-Lite. They’ve coached together, which means Ausmus already has Boone’s bad habits hardwired. And even if Ausmus did have fresh ideas, the real cancer isn’t just in the dugout — it’s in the front office. That stupid iPad and Michael Fishman’s “projection analytics” have turned this team into a lab experiment gone wrong. Remember when Aaron Judge hinted the Yankees might be giving players “the wrong numbers”? Yeah, file that under truth bombs.

Boone’s personnel choices? A masterclass in stubbornness. Veterans play because of big contracts, hungrier players on the bench sit. The bullpen? Don’t get me started. Boone inherits a batch of fresh arms at the deadline, and what does he do? Hands the ninth inning to struggling Devin Williams like it’s a gift basket.

Boone has this soft spot for veterans with big contracts. He “feels bad” for them, so he trots them out while hungrier, better-performing bench guys collect dust. He calls it “letting them work through it.” I call it losing games on purpose. Baseball is a business, not a daycare — and Boone refuses to act like a boss.

Meanwhile, the Yankees keep getting burned by sloppy fundamentals: missed cutoff men, brainless baserunning, and defense that looks like a blooper reel. Baseball & CBS Sports guy Mike Axisa put it perfectly — the Yankees win on talent alone because they constantly lose on the margins. And no championship team survives that.

So where do we go from here? The talent is there. Cashman added some depth, Judge is healthy, and the schedule even hands us beatable teams like the Marlins and Rangers. Yet we still manage to lose to them. This year’s summer slump feels deeper, uglier, and more telling. If they want to salvage the season, guys like Fried and Rodón have to pitch like actual aces, the young core needs to step up, and Boone must manage like every game is a playoff game. Spoiler alert: he won’t because he doesn't know how.

 

Boone doesn’t get gut calls. He doesn’t get that computers can’t run a baseball team — humans with baseball instincts can. And while his last name comes from a long baseball lineage, pedigree isn’t performance. Boone is like the slow clone from Multiplicity: technically a Boone, but… not all there and the 4th one.

The clock is ticking, and with the right manager, this team could pivot instantly. But until then, we’ll just keep going through the motions, exactly like we have since Boone first took the reins — and that’s the real tragedy in pinstripes.

DO THE YANKEES HAVE AN EXTRA INNINGS PROBLEM OR A BAD BULLPEN MANAGEMENT PROBLEM?

Great and talented hitting can help win ballgames, but managers can also lose games for teams, and let's not forget that.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: the Yankees go to extra innings... and then fall flat on their pinstriped faces. At this point, “free baseball” just means free heartbreak. And while some fans will point fingers at the players, the real problem is sitting in the dugout, flipping through his bullpen chart like it’s a Cheesecake Factory menu — yes, we’re talking about Aaron Boone.

Let’s get to the meat of it: the Yankees are 1-6 in extra-inning games this season. One and six. That’s not a slump — that’s a full-on meltdown with a side of mismanagement. And while the offense has generally been strong this year, they completely vanish when the clock strikes inning ten. But the real culprit isn’t just the cold bats — it’s Boone's baffling bullpen decisions that keep sinking the ship.

Case in point: the recent loss to the Cincinnati Reds. The Yankees got three solid, scoreless innings from Weaver, Williams, and Leiter Jr. — and then, predictably, disaster struck. Boone left Leiter in for a second inning of work in the 11th, where he promptly served up three hits and two runs, handing Cincinnati the win like a door prize. Yankees lose. Again. Shocker.

And remember that lovely little memory from the 2024 World Series? Yankees clinging to life, Freddie Freeman up in a high-leverage situation, and instead of going to Tim Hill — a lefty built for that moment — Boone decides to toss Nestor Cortes into the fire. It was a choice. Not a good one, but a choice nonetheless. This is one of my favorite podcasts and I watched it after that Cortes game.

Boone’s bullpen management isn’t just questionable — it’s practically a case study in how not to handle pressure. He doesn’t trust his best arms in the biggest spots, and he rides guys too long like he’s playing MLB The Show on rookie mode. It’s maddening. If there’s a blueprint for how to lose winnable games, Aaron Boone laminated it.

Let’s not sugarcoat this anymore: Boone is not a good in-game manager. He may have the clubhouse vibes of a chill middle school gym teacher, but that doesn’t cut it in October — or June, apparently. And while the Yankees are still stacked with talent, it won’t matter if the man steering the ship can’t tell port from starboard.

Here’s the hard truth: the Yankees aren’t winning a World Series with Boone calling the shots. Not this year. Not next year. Not ever. Leadership matters, especially when the game gets tight, the innings get long, and the margin for error shrinks to nothing. Boone folds like a beach chair every time.

So yes, the Yankees have an extra-inning problem — but that’s just a symptom. The disease? Boone’s decision-making. If the front office is serious about championships, they need to stop pretending this guy is the answer. Because right now, he’s the reason we keep getting the wrong result.

Fire Boone. Free the bullpen. Fix the Yankees.

ANOTHER AARON BOONE DECISION LOSES GAME FOR YANKS

Here we go again. Another game, another avoidable Yankees loss, and — spoiler alert — another chapter in Aaron Boone’s How Not to Manage a Bullpen masterclass.

The Yankees coughed up a lost to the Sox. A 10-7 win, Yanks lose. Painful? Sure. Predictable? If you’ve watched this team under Boone, absolutely.

Now, let’s be fair: when a pitcher gets the ball, he’s supposed to do his job. If he doesn’t, that’s on him. But let’s zoom out. Because the question isn’t just who blew the game — it’s why was that guy in the game at all?

Ladies and gentlemen, meet Ian Hamilton. Your ninth-inning guy....against the Red Sox. Yes, that was the decision Aaron Boone made. And no, it doesn’t make sense.

Hamilton hadn’t pitched in a week. He’s been shaky. Yet Boone tapped him to hold the line in the ninth, and it predictably exploded in his face. Or rather, our faces. Because Yankee fans are the ones paying the price for this recurring nonsense.

FanSided said it best in a scathing and accurate breakdown:

“Hamilton pitched the ninth inning and immediately allowed four straight Red Sox hitters to reach base. Two of those runners scored, turning what was a one-run deficit into a three-run deficit. Hamilton was once an important piece in the Yankees' bullpen, and he hadn't pitched in a week, but using him in that game in that spot is just the latest Aaron Boone blunder.”

Boom. Right there. That’s the story. And that’s the problem.

This isn’t Hamilton hate. The guy has had moments. But managing isn’t just about pulling names from a hat — it’s about context. It’s about feel. It’s about not being completely clueless in high-leverage situations. And yet here we are.

Once again, the Yankees hand Boone a lead, and he returns it gift-wrapped to the opponent like a confused mall Santa in July.

We’ve been down this road before. We screamed about it last October when Boone trotted Nestor Cortes out to face Freddie Freeman with runners on and no bullets left. That wasn’t Year 1 Boone. That was Year 6 Boone. And it was still a total disaster.

So fast forward to last night. With the bullpen available, why was Ian Hamilton the choice? Jonathan Loáisiga likely wasn’t an option after back-to-back outings. Fine. But Devin Williams? He threw 14 pitches the night before. Fernando Cruz? Just 9 pitches.

And you’re telling me they were both down? In a one-run game? Against Boston?

Give me a break.

There’s no guarantee they would’ve shut the door, but the odds were infinitely better than running a rusty Hamilton out there cold. This wasn’t complicated. This wasn’t 4D chess. This was “Who’s my best arm tonight?” and Boone somehow forgot the entire board.

And here’s the part that blows my mind: where is the outrage?

Where are the other Yankees blogs? The analysts? The media members? Why aren’t more people calling this out?

The man is bad at this. Full stop. And every loss like this one is a reminder that a different manager might have this team in first place instead of floating in mediocrity. The margins matter. And Boone is consistently on the wrong side of them.

And don’t even get me started on the postgame pressers. You want professionalism from your manager? Boone was literally picking his teeth while talking to reporters after the game.

 

We’re not making this up. The Yankees are bleeding and this dude’s flossing on camera.

It’s embarrassing.

At some point, the Yankees’ front office has to recognize what’s painfully obvious to the rest of us: this team will never win a championship with Aaron Boone as the manager.

You want to beat Boston? Win a division? Hoist a trophy in October?

You don’t do it with a guy who thinks “rested and rusty” is a bullpen strategy.

Tonight is a must-win as far as I'm concerned. The series is still within reach. But if Boone keeps rolling out the wrong guy at the wrong time, this team will keep losing games it should win.

And when that happens — again — don’t blame the bullpen.

Blame the guy picking his teeth in the dugout while the season goes down the drain.

That’s the bottom line.

CASHMAN MADE A PROBLEM FOR THE YANKEES ACQUIRING DEVIN WILLIAMS

Brian Cashman's biggest blunder of the off season was trading for a closer we didn't need. There, I said it. And so here’s a riddle: What do you get when you trade real talent for a guy whose job is to close games, when your team already had a guy successfully doing that exact thing?

Answer: You get Brian Cashman's Yankees.

Let’s rewind to the offseason, where all the Yankees had to do was keep it simple. Really simple. Sign two reliable starting pitchers — we got one in Max Fried (OK, good job, I guess) — and then grab a few strong bullpen pieces. You know, middle relief, setup guys, people who don’t flinch in the seventh with two on and nobody out. That’s it. That was the blueprint.

Nowhere on that list: “Replace Luke Weaver as the closer.” The man was holding down the ninth inning like a bouncer at closing time. Cool, effective, and not the problem. Naturally, Cashman — always one for dramatic overcorrections — blew it up.

Enter Devin Williams, the guy with a “closer’s pedigree” and apparently a reputation that still hasn’t gotten the memo that it’s 2025. Now, Cashman tried to peddle the laughable excuse that this move wasn’t to replace Weaver, just to “bolster the bullpen.” Sure, Brian. And I drink tequila “just for the taste.” You don’t trade Nestor Cortes and Caleb Durbin unless you’re making Devin Williams the guy.

And guess what? He became “the guy.” Unfortunately, “the guy” can’t close a window, let alone a baseball game. Let’s be real. Devin Williams has turned the ninth inning into a high-wire act performed by a juggler with no hands. His command is off; his confidence is shattered and watching him work is like waiting for a car crash in slow motion.

So, I’ll say it: Trade Devin Williams.

Here’s the catch. You can’t. His trade value is somewhere between “expired coupon” and “Yankees Cable Package.” Even Jon Heyman — hardly the voice of Yankee pessimism — admitted executives around the league are “split” on whether Williams can be dealt at all. Translation: The Yankees aren’t getting back anywhere close to what they gave up. Nestor Cortes? Gone. Yet the Yankees still need a fifth starter. Caleb Durbin? Wouldn’t he look nice filling in at second base with Jazz on the shelf? But no, we shipped both out for a closer we didn’t need and who’s now unmovable.

Nice job, Brian. Really crushing the “ineptitude speedrun” this season. And look, Williams has been marginally better lately. He’s had a few clean outings, sure — with the glaring exception of May 5th, when he coughed up three runs to the Padres and turned Yankee Stadium into a haunted house. That’s not growth. That’s temporary containment.

But what really made me snap was the off-field stuff. There are reports that Williams, shortly after arriving, sauntered into Hal Steinbrenner’s office and had thoughts about the team’s hair policy. Look, when you’re blowing saves left and right, maybe worry less about grooming standards and more about earning your paycheck.

Then came the quote that really sent me off the rails: “I just don’t feel like myself.” Oh, boo-hoo. You’re being paid millions of dollars to throw a baseball 60 feet. Feeling a little off? So are we — every single time you take the mound in a one-run game.

Here’s the bottom line: Williams was brought in to be a difference-maker. Instead, he’s been a disaster. Boone keeps running him out there hoping that maybe, just maybe, he'll stumble into a save and spark something. But at this point, it feels like we’re rolling a boulder uphill and pretending its strategic.

I’d love to say I’m optimistic that he’ll turn it around. But I’m not. I’m not holding my breath, crossing my fingers, or rubbing any lucky rabbit’s feet. Devin Williams looks broken, and thanks to Cashman’s latest miscalculation, we’re stuck with the pieces.

COMPLACENCY & MEDIOCRITY WIN THE DAY WITH STOOGE BOONE'S EXTENSION!

We as the Yankees are no longer are the team of grit, passion and championships.  We the fans are just feeding the Yankee piggy bank because of successes of years past.

These days Hal Steinbrenner has become complacent, plain and simple. The Yankees are no longer a team obsessed with winning championships—they're a brand, a massive, money-printing empire where the past is more valuable than the present. The merchandise flies off the shelves, the memorabilia from the glory years keeps the cash registers ringing, and as long as the Yankees logo is still a global icon, actually winning? Well, that’s just a bonus, not a priority. That’s why Aaron Boone—the puppet, the king of empty October appearances—has been handed a contract extension through 2027.

Oh, you didn’t hear? The Yankees just announced this morning that they’re extending Boone for two more years beyond his current deal, which was set to expire after 2025. Why? Because mediocrity is now acceptable in the Bronx. Yes, Boone has a winning record, but since when did that make someone a great manager? MLB Trade Rumors tried to defend him, stating:

"Boone is a divisive figure in the fanbase but there’s a lot of good stuff on his track record. The Yanks have made the postseason in six of his seven seasons at the helm, with the aforementioned 2023 campaign being the lone exception. They have had some tough postseason losses but, as mentioned, just went to the World Series a few months ago. As skipper, he has a regular season record of 603-429, a .584 winning percentage."

Okay, and? So, Boone padding managerial wins is important? WTF. We've all gone soft.

Getting to the postseason and failing isn't an achievement—it’s just prolonging the inevitable. So Boone is what, the best loser in the league? Give me a break. The Yankees lost the World Series last year. Before that, they missed the playoffs entirely in 2023—the worst season in three decades. They’ve been second place in the AL East more often than not under Boone and have exactly one World Series appearance in his tenure.

But sure, "the manager isn’t responsible for that," right? Tell that to Billy Martin. Tell that to every manager who’s ever been fired after a bad season. The reality is Boone isn’t qualified, he isn’t good under pressure, and when the moment is biggest, he panics. Just ask Nestor Cortes and Freddie Freeman—Boone made one of the worst managerial decisions in World Series history, and it cost the Yankees everything in a must-win game.

Let’s be real: Boone is still here because Steinbrenner doesn’t care about winning, and Brian Cashman keeps feeding him nonsense. Cashman even had the nerve to say this, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch:

“I think that is a strength, that is a benefit. I know that if he wasn’t the Yankee manager, it would be a feeding frenzy for him to be a manager that’s coveted elsewhere, objectively. That’s how we see it.”

So, let me get this straight: the Yankees kept Boone not because he was the best option, but because they didn’t want another team to have him? That’s the logic now? That’s the standard in the Bronx? What an absolutely ridiculous take.

And let’s not forget the Yankees marketing machine still playing that 2003 Boone walk-off against Boston like it’s some iconic championship moment. Do they forget what happened after? The Yankees lost the World Series. That homer meant nothing. Just like Boone’s entire tenure.

Great managers are carried off the field. Why? Cause a good manager will LEAD YOU TO A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.  That has never happened to Aaron Boone and with the amount of talent around him... it should have happened at least twice by now. But the reason is simple... Boone is not a great manager.

This extension is a joke. I will apologize if—and only if—the Yankees win the World Series under Boone. But let’s be real: they won’t. Because Aaron Boone doesn’t have what it takes. Joe Torre won four rings and was let go. Joe Girardi won a championship and was cut loose. But Boone? Still here, with zero titles to his name. Why? Because Hal Steinbrenner doesn’t care about championships. The money is still rolling in, even if the Yankees keep coming up short.

Pathetic.

MAYBE STROMAN TO THE BLUE JAYS MAKES THE MOST SENSE

 It makes the most sense because Pete Caldera says so.  

There has been widespread speculation about Marcus Stroman's future and whether he might be on the move. However, the bottom line is that it increasingly feels like the Yankees are determined to trade the right-hander.  We had written a previous article on Stroman and the idea of him going to the Cardinals too. Read ARE THE YANKS TRYING TO SHED STROMAN OR ARE US FANS TRYING TO? for more on that. 

Legendary Yankees reporter Pete Caldera, whose insights I’ve trusted and followed for years, has shared a significant prediction that fans and analysts alike should take seriously. After acquiring Max Fried, the Bronx Bombers traded away Nestor Cortes Jr., yet they still face a logjam in their starting rotation at the big-league level.

Currently, New York has six major league starters, alongside a handful of top prospects poised to join the rotation by 2025. The math is simple: someone else has to go, or the Yankees risk losing players for nothing.

Pete Caldera of Northjersey.com recently predicted a specific move involving Stroman that could resolve this overcrowding:

"Seeking to unload Marcus Stroman's $18 million contract for '25, GM Brian Cashman trades the right-hander back to the willing-to-spend Toronto Blue Jays for two lottery pick prospects," Caldera wrote.

A trade like this would make sense for the Yankees. Offloading Stroman’s $18 million contract for the 2025 season would free up significant payroll space, allowing the team to allocate resources elsewhere.

Additionally, moving Stroman could open the door for the Yankees to address other roster needs—most notably, the opportunity to pursue a better option at third base.

As the speculation intensifies, it’s clear that Stroman’s future in pinstripes is uncertain. Whether the Yankees finalize a deal with the Blue Jays or another team, fans will be watching closely as this story develops. I know I will.

Stay tuned.

Read More about Pete Caldera:

NO ONE DOES THE YANKEES BETTER THAN PETE CALDERA

A BIG CARLOS CORREA NUGGET JUST DROPPED IN MY LAP

DO THE YANKEES HAVE THE MAGIC TOUCH?

Source: NY Times

Gleyber Torres to the Tigers earlier this week was a bittersweet move. He'd be hot, but then he was not and his defensive acumen is extremely weak. So as position players leave and new ones enter through the Stadium turnstile, the question I have for all of you as we move toward our last few days of 2024, do the Yankees have the magic touch for what's ahead in 2025? Or do they need more?

Besides moving ahead with key acquisitions for first base, outfield and starting pitching, the Yankees have some bull pen needs to round things out. Last season, the Yankees bull pen had the magic touch until it didn't. This year, there can be no holes, no flaws if they want to be all in. According to SI.com, "The free agent market for relief pitching always moves slow on an annual basis but should begin to heat up once January and February roll around." Who can bring that magic to the Yankees?

The Yankees added right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz in a trade with the Reds which sent Jose Trevino to Cincinnati. They also picked up Devin Williams from the Brewers in a trade that sent Nestor Cortes to Milwaukee. The Yankees will get Jonathan Loáisiga back as well come February. But they need likely more depth to get the finish line first.

According to Newsweek, "New York could look to add more to the bullpen, with St. Louis Cardinals closer Ryan Helsley being the top option potentially available. The Yankees could attempt to center a trade around Marcus Stroman, although St. Louis has reportedly declined a Stroman for Nolan Arenado deal." Analysts say that adding Helsley and perhaps his teammate Miles Mikolas could give the Yankees what they need. In fact, that could be the exclamation point. 

"Helsley is a two-time All-Star and the reigning Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year. He will be a free agent after this season. Helsley is one of the few players in the league who could give the Yankees an actual decision to make at closer. Devin Williams is also a two-time All-Star and a two-time Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year. Having both guys in the bullpen would make the Yankees nearly untouchable in close games. Mikolas is also a two-time All-Star. He had a down year last season, but the Yankees could hope to help him reach his All-Star form again," reported Sporting News.

Magic Touch or confidence? I think it is a bit of both. And with that bit of both, the Yankees can be the team to beat in 2025. Let's see what the New Year rings in and then see how things progress leading into a very much anticipated Spring Training. And let's hope that Aaron Boone doesn't mess things up. 

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

SOME BASEBALL GUYS SUGGEST STROMAN'S DAYS ARE NUMBERED IN THE BRONX

I mean, it's not too hard to come to that conclusion, but hey, let's talk about it.

I’ll admit it: Marcus Stroman wasn’t my guy at first. When the Yankees signed him, I groaned. This guy? The one who tweets like he’s running for office and talks like he invented baseball? No thanks. But then he put on the pinstripes, flashed that “I’d die for the Bronx” energy, and—what can I say? He grew on me like a late-summer mustache. Turns out, the dude really loves being a Yankee, and on top of that, he’s a stellar teammate. By midseason, I was ready to buy a Stroman jersey. That's not true, but he was fun to watch early in the Bronx no doubt.

But now? It might be time to pack up the #StroShow. Why? Because, well, Stroman absolutely fell apart at the end of the season. I’m talking Titanic hitting the iceberg levels of disaster. He didn’t just lose steam—he lost the whole locomotive. The Yankees couldn’t even trust him to pitch in the playoffs, and for a team with championship aspirations, that’s a huge neon-red warning sign.

On the Baseball Insiders podcast this week, FanSided’s Robert Murray didn’t mince words: “A Marcus Stroman trade would appear more likely than not.” Translation? Stroman’s got one foot out the door and the other on a banana peel.

Here’s the deal: Stroman, now 33, is heading into Year 2 of his two-year, $37 million contract. He’s owed $18.3 million in 2025, with a vesting option for 2026 if he throws 140 innings. That’s all fine and dandy, but after posting a 10-8 record with a 4.07 ERA—and, oh yeah, losing his rotation spot to Nestor Cortes Jr. in September—it’s safe to say the Yankees aren’t thrilled.

The real eyebrow-raiser? Post-All-Star break, Stroman was more pumpkin than pitcher, with a 3-4 record and a 5.40 ERA over nine starts. Things got so bad he was exiled to the bullpen on September 13. Trading him now wouldn’t just be about cutting losses; it’d also free up a chunk of payroll the Yankees could use to snag bigger fish in free agency.

Enter Newsweek’s Zach Pressnell, who’s got a trade idea hotter than New York in August. He suggests shipping Stroman, pitching prospect Will Warren, and outfield prospect Francisco Vilorio to the Astros for starter Framber Valdez.

“This trade works for the Yankees in two ways. First, they get another ace-caliber pitcher to pair with Gerrit Cole and Max Fried. Second, they clear Stroman’s remaining contract, freeing up money to chase Alex Bregman or Christian Walker in free agency.”

Now, will this happen? Who knows. The Yankees don’t exactly have a history of giving up on high-profile signings after one bad stretch (cough, Joey Gallo, cough). But if I’m a betting man, I’d say Stroman’s time in pinstripes is nearing its final curtain call. As much as I’ve come to appreciate him, it’s hard to ignore the writing on the wall—or the pitching stats on the scoreboard.

So, farewell, Marcus?  You came, you saw, you… kind of fizzled. But hey, at least you made me a fan. Sort of.

SHOCK & GRATITUDE IN THAT DEVIN WILLIAMS - NESTOR CORTES TRADE

A true Bronx tale. 

Every day you see Yankee fans holding back tears for a pitcher sporting a glorious mustache, but Nestor Cortes wasn’t just any pitcher. I'm being dramatic, but you know what I mean. We like our guys.

He was our Nasty Nestor—a crafty lefty, a clubhouse sparkplug, and a guy who made a city of 8.5 million believe in baseball magic again. So, when the Yankees pulled off a blockbuster trade with the Brewers last Friday, swapping Cortes and infield prospect Caleb Durbin for the electric Devin Williams, it hit different, but good for everyone.

The trade was the baseball equivalent of a shocking plot twist. For weeks, the Dodgers were the rumored frontrunners to land Williams, Milwaukee’s two-time All-Star closer whose "airbender" changeup belongs in a Smithsonian exhibit. Even Williams himself thought Hollywood was calling.

“I kinda thought I’d be going to L.A.; that’s what I was being told,” Williams admitted during his introductory press conference on Tuesday. “The Yankees snuck in there under the table and got the deal done.”

The Yankees, sneaky? Who knew? Love it though.

While Williams was left marveling at the Yankees’ last-minute chess move, fans in The Bronx were processing the reality of saying goodbye to Cortes.  Drafted by the team in the 36th round in 2013, Cortes left for the Orioles, returned, left again for Seattle, and then came back—like a pitcher in a rom-com who couldn’t quit New York. It was his second return in 2021 that truly cemented his legacy.

By 2022, Cortes had blossomed into an All-Star, baffling hitters with a mix of funky deliveries, pinpoint precision, and pure moxie. The fans loved him. The city loved him. And most importantly, Cortes loved them back.

“Seems like I’ve written this too many times about NY,” Cortes wrote in a heartfelt social media post after the trade, accompanied by photos from his Yankees tenure. “But I’m always grateful and proud of being groomed by the Yankee organization. A city full of life and tremendous support from the fans. Where us as players leave everything out on the field regardless of the outcome because the city is breathing and living by every win. With such a unique journey.”

Unique, indeed. How many other pitchers have pitched a full game with one pant leg rolled up because it was just too hot out?

For fans, the sting of losing Cortes was softened by what they were gaining. Williams is no slouch. A former NL Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star, and two-time NL Reliever of the Year, he’s a flamethrower who makes opposing hitters look like they’ve wandered into a magic show. His airbender changeup is one of the nastiest pitches in baseball—a pitch so absurd that even seasoned batters swing at it like they’re trying to swat a mosquito.

And Williams is already embracing the pinstripes. “It’s a tremendous honor,” he said. “This is the Yankees. This is baseball’s biggest stage. I’m ready to get to work.”

While the trade makes sense on paper—New York needed bullpen reinforcements, Milwaukee wanted a proven starter and an infield prospect—baseball trades are never just business. They’re personal. For Yankee fans, losing Cortes isn’t just about the numbers; it’s about the memories. It’s about his quirky personality, his fearless pitching, and the way he made you believe that baseball could still be fun.

As for Cortes, don’t expect him to disappear from the hearts of Yankee fans anytime soon. This is the city that adores its players, even when they’re wearing another team’s uniform. And knowing Cortes, he’ll probably tip his cap with that signature grin the next time he pitches at Yankee Stadium, even if it’s for the Brewers.

In the meantime, the Yankees have Devin Williams, and he’s ready to deliver. Cortes may have left the Bronx, but he leaves behind a legacy of grit, smiles, and funky deliveries that will never fade.

And hey, baseball is unpredictable. Who’s to say Cortes doesn’t find his way back to New York for a fourth stint? After all, some love stories never really end.

STEINBRENNER'S SPENDING SO YANKEE FANS CAN BE PROUD ONCE AGAIN!

Steinbrenner's spending, Cashman's trading and things are happening.

The Yankees just pulled off a blockbuster, landing star closer Devin Williams from the Brewers, and let me tell you—we couldn’t be more excited. Williams isn’t just any reliever; he’s the reliever. With a dazzling 1.83 career ERA, 68 saves, and a changeup that makes hitters look foolish, Williams brings instant dominance to the Yankees’ bullpen. This is the kind of move that screams, “We’re chasing a championship!”

But let’s not overlook a potential challenge here. Can Williams handle the pressure of a big market? Serious question. A buddy of mine out in Milwaukee raised a good point: “What happens now that he’s on a big stage like in the Bronx? It’s going to be interesting.” He’s not wrong. The Bronx is a pressure cooker. Williams has been lights-out in Milwaukee, but pitching under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium, with the weight of a championship-hungry fanbase? That’s a whole different ballgame. Can Williams handle the pressure when it’s do-or-die in October? We believe in his talent, but it’s definitely something to keep an eye on. That being said, I'll take that chance, I love this move.

Now, let’s take a moment to tip our caps to Nestor Cortes. This one stings. Nestor’s been a warrior for the Yankees—a fan favorite with his funky windup, gritty performances, and big-game mentality. He’s given us so many memorable moments, and it’s tough to see him go. But as much as we love him, it feels like the right time. Nestor, you’ll always have a special place in Yankee hearts. Much respect, and good luck in Milwaukee.

The Brewers are getting a solid arm in Cortes, who’s been a dependable mid-rotation starter with a 3.33 ERA since his breakout in 2021. Pairing him with Freddy Peralta and Brandon Woodruff gives Milwaukee a strong rotation for their own playoff push. Meanwhile, the Yankees add even more firepower to a bullpen that’s already one of the league’s best.

Let’s not forget the other parts of this trade. Caleb Durbin is an intriguing infield prospect with speed, versatility, and an eye for the strike zone. His .269/.374/.407 slash line and 110 stolen bases in the minors show the potential for him to be a future contributor. And while $2 million in cash sweetened the deal for Milwaukee, make no mistake—this trade is all about Williams.

One ripple effect to watch: Luke Weaver’s role. Williams’ arrival likely shifts Weaver back into a setup role, which might feel unfair given how solid he’s been. But this is the Yankees, and fairness takes a backseat to winning. With Williams in the ninth, the Yankees are making it clear they’re all-in for a deep postseason run.

This trade is bittersweet, no doubt. We’re saying goodbye to a beloved Yankee in Nestor Cortes, but we’re gaining one of the game’s elite relievers in Devin Williams. The excitement is real, but so are the stakes. Welcome to the Bronx, Devin. The pressure’s on—let’s see what you’ve got.

F SOTO. THE YANKEES MADE A MONSTER MOVE!

The New York Yankees have done it again! The Bronx Bombers have made a monumental splash in the free-agent market, landing superstar left-hander Max Fried on an eight-year, $218 million deal, according to Jeff Passan of ESPN. This move is massive for a team looking to solidify its rotation and make a statement in their quest for championship glory. The agreement, pending a physical, is one of the most significant contracts in Yankees history and marks the largest deal ever for a lefty pitcher in Major League Baseball.

Credit where it’s due: Bleeding Yankee Blue has been on top of this from the start. We’ve been carefully watching the market and calling this exact move for a hot minute. Yes, folks, we suggested that Max Fried would end up in pinstripes, and here we are—an incredible get for the Yankees and a testament to their ability to outmaneuver the competition.

According to USA Today’s Bob Nightengale, the deal includes no deferred money or opt-out clauses, signaling the Yankees’ full commitment to Fried as a cornerstone of their rotation. Joel Sherman of the New York Post adds that the contract also comes with a full no-trade clause, locking Fried in as a Yankee for the foreseeable future. The competition was fierce, with the Red Sox and Rangers reportedly in hot pursuit, but the Yankees’ deep pockets and determination sealed the deal.

Let’s talk about why this move is so monumental. After missing out on Juan Soto in a bidding war, the Yankees had financial flexibility to go all-in on the market’s top unsigned pitcher. And that’s exactly what they did. According to Jon Morosi of MLB Network, the Yankees initially considered a seven-year deal but were willing to stretch to eight years to secure Fried’s elite talent.

Make no mistake—this is a game-changer in my opinion. Fried’s consistency and dominance on the mound have been unmatched by all but one pitcher in recent years. Since his first full season in 2019, Fried boasts a spectacular 3.07 ERA over 824 2/3 innings. Only one pitcher has bested him in both categories over that span: Gerrit Cole. Now, Cole and Fried will form a devastating one-two punch at the top of the Yankees’ rotation. Nice. The Yankees’ ability to outbid Boston and Texas for Fried’s services is a testament to their determination and allure as a franchise. The Red Sox and Rangers both aggressively pursued Fried, but the Yankees’ willingness to offer that eighth year—and their undeniable prestige—gave them the edge. 

Though Fried's career includes up-and-down postseason performances, it's impossible to forget his six shutout innings in Atlanta's World Series-clinching Game 6 in 2021. That performance showcased his ability to dominate on the biggest stage, a trait that will be invaluable in pinstripes.

And let’s not forget Fried’s ability to rise to the occasion. This is a pitcher built for the spotlight, and there’s no bigger stage than Yankee Stadium. Expect him to thrive under the bright lights of New York and deliver in high-stakes moments.

For all the skeptics who doubted this move was possible, we’ve got just one thing to say: Bleeding Yankee Blue wanted it!  With Fried now in the fold, the Yankees’ rotation is absolutely loaded. Pairing him with Cole, Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt creates a rotation with depth, versatility, and firepower. This move not only improves the Yankees’ chances in 2024 but also sets them up for long-term success. The only thing better would be to now sign Corbin Burnes and unload Nestor Cortes.

Look Yankees fans, get excited. This is the kind of move that changes the trajectory of a franchise. Welcome to the Bronx, Max Fried—we can’t wait to see you dominate in pinstripes!

LET'S KEEP TALKING ABOUT HA-SEONG KIM

Why? Because it makes sense, that's why.

Kim is a name that’s been bouncing around in conversations about how to elevate the Yankees' roster. Bleeding Yankee Blue, Empire Sports Media, and CBS Sports all seem to agree: Kim in pinstripes makes a lot of sense.

Kim is a dream scenario for any team looking to shore up their infield and add speed to their game. Over his four seasons with the Padres, he’s played shortstop, second base, and third base, delivering elite defense at every position. Add in his aggressive approach on the basepaths and you’ve got a player who could completely transform the Yankees’ lineup. In my opinion, if the Yankees aren't gonna keep Gleyber, this may be the move.

Offensively, Kim brings more than just speed. His 12% walk rate over the past two seasons puts him among the league’s most patient hitters, making him an ideal leadoff candidate. Imagine him getting on base and setting the table for Juan Soto and Aaron Judge—his approach would force pitchers to throw strikes, making life easier for the Yankees' heavy hitters.

On the bases, Kim is no slouch. If he joins the Yankees, the team’s projected stolen base totals skyrocket. With Jazz Chisholm (33 steals), Anthony Volpe (28), Ha-Seong Kim (24), and Jasson Dominguez (20) in the mix, the Yankees could combine for 105 steals next season. That’s a level of speed this team hasn’t seen in over a decade, dating back to their 112 stolen bases in 2014. Adding Kim could make the Yankees one of the most dynamic baserunning teams in the league.

Then there’s his impact on defense. The Yankees need stability in the infield, and Kim could provide that. Replacing Gleyber Torres with Kim would improve the team's defensive significantly while adding a bat capable of contributing both consistency and versatility. This isn’t just a swap; it’s an upgrade on both sides of the ball.

There’s also a strategic angle here. Hal Steinbrenner reportedly assured Juan Soto that the Yankees would bolster the roster. Adding Kim, Soto’s teammate for the past two seasons, would be a smart way to back up that promise. It’s not just about the talent Kim brings; it’s about team chemistry and making Soto feel at home. I mean, this will play a small part of it, but it's a part I'll throw in the mix!

Of course, the Yankees will have competition for Kim. The Giants are rumored to be one of his most aggressive suitors. His ability to play multiple positions, combined with his base-stealing skills, makes him appealing to any contender looking for a versatile infielder.

But honestly, for me Kim offers everything the Yankees need right now: defense, patience, speed, and versatility. Bleeding Yankee Blue, Empire Sports Media, and CBS Sports all recognize how impactful he could be in pinstripes. If the Yankees want to reshape their roster and live up to Hal’s "promise", Ha-Seong Kim is the move to make.

Stay tuned.

A "BUEHLER TO THE YANKEES" RUMOR FROM A "BASEBALL INSIDER"

According to MLB Network insider Jon Morosi, there’s “some mutual interest” between the Yankees and Dodgers ace Walker Buehler. Now, before we all start designing mock-ups of Buehler in pinstripes, let’s remember this is the same Jon Morosi who told the world Shohei Ohtani was destined for the Blue Jays. Spoiler alert: Ohtani did not, in fact, end up in Toronto. So, while the idea of Buehler coming to the Bronx is exciting, maybe keep the champagne on ice for now.

Still, the thought of Buehler joining the Yankees is hard to ignore. The 30-year-old flamethrower is fresh off breaking Yankee hearts in the 2024 World Series, where he struck out Alex Verdugo to seal the Dodgers’ eighth championship. Buehler has ice in his veins and the kind of big-game pedigree that would make even Gerrit Cole nod in approval. Adding him to the Yankees’ rotation would be like finding an extra fry at the bottom of the bag—unexpected, glorious, and exactly what you need.

For the Yankees, this move makes all the sense in the world. Their rotation was a rollercoaster last season, and adding a bona fide ace like Buehler would bring much-needed stability. Plus, there’s talk that the Yankees could sign Buehler and flip someone like Nestor Cortes or Marcus Stroman in a trade, perhaps upgrading the rotation and replenishing their farm system at the same time. It’s the kind of savvy move Brian Cashman dreams about.

From Buehler’s perspective, the Yankees are an attractive option. He’s already rejected the Athletics, reportedly because they’ll be stuck playing in Sacramento for the next three years. Who could blame him? The bright lights of Yankee Stadium beat out a temporary ballpark situation every day of the week. The Yankees offer prestige, a winning culture, and a shot at more World Series rings—what’s not to love

While the idea of Buehler in the Bronx is mouthwatering, it’s hard to fully buy into the hype given Morosi’s recent track record. Let’s just say the Ohtani-to-Toronto saga has left us all a little wary. If the Yankees do land Buehler, it would be a game-changing move that reshapes the AL landscape.

Until then, keep dreaming, Yankees fans—but maybe don’t book your tickets for the Walker Buehler welcome parade just yet.