ADDING ANOTHER SIGNING TO OUR TEAM OF MISFIT MINOR LEAGUERS

The New York Yankees have officially crawled into spring training the same way you crawl into a 24-hour diner at 3 a.m.—tired, uninspired, and hoping something on the menu magically fixes your problems.

Case in point: Rafael Montero.

According to MLB reporter Hector Gomez, Montero is joining the New York Yankees on a minor-league deal with an invite to spring training. If he somehow pitches his way onto the big-league roster, he’ll earn $1.8 million, plus a $500,000 signing bonus. If not? Thanks for stopping by Tampa. Don’t forget your luggage.

This isn’t a signing designed to move the needle. It doesn’t electrify the fan base, terrify opposing lineups, or even raise an eyebrow outside the Bronx. It exists for exactly one reason: low-risk, veteran bullpen depth. That’s it. Full stop. No secret upside, no hidden master plan, no “Cashman cooking” subplot. Just another arm to toss onto the pile and hope something sticks.

Montero’s recent résumé doesn’t exactly scream renaissance. In 2025, the right-hander struggled mightily with the Atlanta Braves, posting a 5.50 ERA across 36 appearances before being shipped off to the Detroit Tigers. That’s not a rebound story—that’s a relocation.

And yet, here we are. Another spring training invite. Another “maybe he figures it out” flier. Another reminder that the Yankees’ current roster philosophy seems to be less Death Star and more yard sale. A lot of no-names. A lot of minor leaguers. A whole lot of hope doing the heavy lifting.

This is what passes for roster construction now: plugging holes with bubble wrap and crossing fingers. The Yankees aren’t attacking weaknesses; they’re politely acknowledging them and moving on. The bullpen isn’t being reinforced—it’s being padded with insurance claims.

Montero isn’t the problem. He’s just the symbol. A perfectly reasonable, perfectly uninspiring addition to a team that once collected stars and now collects lottery tickets. Spring training used to be about sharpening a powerhouse. Now it’s about auditions.

Welcome to camp, Rafael. You’re not here because you change the Yankees’ fate. You’re here because you were available—and apparently, that’s the bar now.

A DIFFERENT KIND OF YANKEES PLAYING LAST NIGHT

Source: NY Daily News

I can't take credit for the headline.  My mother, an avid Yankee and baseball fan, texted me this message as I headed for Baltimore for an overnight business trip.  She and I banter about baseball all of the time; there are text messages filled with Yankee uniformed bitmojis and emojis of laughter, sadness, celebration and frustration.  Last night was no different; yet a different kind of Yankees were playing last night.

Source: NY Post Corey Sipkin

"The Rangers had shut the Yankees out on Monday, the first time in over a year. After a bad day offensively Monday, however, their bats broke out Tuesday. They hit five homers off opener Edison Volquez, relievers Ariel Jurado, Jonathan Hernandez and Rafael Montero, the former Mets prospect," boasted the NY Daily News.

Source: NY Post

And James Paxton has shown he can be a different kind of pitcher.  He was dominant last night as he was in his last two starts.  As the News called out in its headline, "James Paxton can be Yankees’ reliable ace." He may have to be with CC Sabathia out for a spell and perhaps not at his best with his latest knee set back and question marks surrounding Luis Severino and Jordan Montgomery.

"Tuesday night, he was dominant. Paxton threw seven shut-out, one-hit innings as the Yankees rebounded for a 10-1 win over the Rangers at the Stadium. The Yankees have won three of their last five as Paxton won his career-high tying seventh straight start," reported the News. In addition, Big Maple had 12 strikeouts and took a no-hitter into the 5th inning.  Now that is the kind of pitching we need to make a dent in the offense that will face us come the post season.

Source: USA Today

Thankfully the Yankees always seem to rebound after tough losses.  We had some tough ones as of late but also a lot of celebrations.  Yes, this is a different kind of team- one with grit, focus and filled with savages.

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

WE HAVE YOUR ALL-STAR FUTURES GAME RECAP!

It's all All-Star week in baseball, and I am absolutely stoked by it. The week kicks off with a Futures Game. A game filled with some of baseballs top prospects. It's always fun to watch the young kids play. Unfortunately, us Yankees fans were tuned into the game yesterday, while the Futures Game was happening. But never fear, we've got your back.

(In Photo: Noah Sundergaard)
Both starting pitchers were from the Mets organization. For the US team, Noah Syndergaard pitched pure heat. He broke in throwing at 96 mph. Rafael Montero also pitched an impressive scoreless first half, for the World team. They definitely made the home team proud.

The World team only managed three hits off of the US team pitching. Red Sox prospect, Xander Bogaerts, hit a couple of singles, and Cubs prospect Arismendy Alcantara hit a solo homer, off of Red Sox pitcher Anthony Ranaudo.

(In Photo: Rafael De Paula)
The only Yankees prospect to make it was Rafael De Paula, who pitched in the 5th inning for the World team. He faced Byron Buxton, of the Twins organization. Buxton was one of the highly anticipated prospects, having made lots of progress already this season, on two levels. Buxton showed incredible plate discipline, but was ultimately struck out by De Paula. The baby bomber gave up no runs that inning.

Diamondbacks prospect, Matt Davidson, was the star though. His two run homer, off of Oakland A's Michael Ynoa, gave the US team the lead. Davidson was named the Futures Game MVP.

Prospects that stood out to me:

Noah Syndergaard (Mets)- Like I said, the kid threw heat. Though he only pitched in the top half of the first, he seemed to need zero adjustment time. He has a good arm, and will be incredibly impressive with more time.

Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox)- He is a talented hitter. He singled back, twice. Though he was caught stealing in the first, because of a strange slide, the adjustment he made in the fourth showed his ability to adjust quickly. No doubt, if he stays within the Red Sox organization, he will be a nice little thorn in our side.

Rafael Montero (Mets)- Montero threw all of nine pitches to get out of the inning. How's that for impressive?

(In Photo: Jesse Biddle)
Jesse Biddle (Phillies)- The left handed pitcher has an impressive curve ball. He has recently been compared to Andy Pettitte. Keep an eye on this young man.

If you missed the game, and would like to see what all the fuss is about, you can watch it HERE.

Final: U.S. 4 - World 2

BYB will have your Home Run Derby recap tonight.

--Erica Morales BYB Senior Writer
@e_morales1804

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