IF THE YANKEES ONLY FIRE BOONE, IT DOESN'T FIX THE PROBLEM!

The "FIRE BOONE" chants are at an all-time high (as they should be). Even though BOONE PREDICTED TO BE TOAST BY SEPTEMBER would make most of Yankeeland happy when it happens....it's not enough. 

That should only be the start. I say should because I don't think Hal Steinbrenner will be smart enough to do what is REALLY needed to fix the organization. He just doesn't have the knowledge (or I would argue desire) to start a new legacy. Firing Baboonie is only step 1 in this gigantic mess of a franchise. The manager is only a small biproduct of the real problem.

Mickey Mouse could be the manager of this team and it wouldn't matter. Until Brian Cashman is gone the identity of the manager is irrelevant. Cashman is the puppet master and even if Aaron Boone is fired, Cashman is just going to bring in a clone of Baboonie. It will be someone else that Cashman can control. The reality is until the ENTIRE organization is stripped down and rebuilt from the top all the way down to the bottom nothing is going to change. I do mean everything. From the coaching staff, medical staff, training staff, scouts, analytics team and contributors in the front office. Burn the whole thing down and start over! As painful as that may sound to some people, it would not be an addition by subtraction.

Unless Cashman and his crazy ideas on how to construct this team are gone this team will not evolve or win. Cashman's ideas are crazy. The rosters he has built over the years are insanely stupid and some of the contracts he's given are certifiably stupid. Some of his most criticized moves include the signings of Jacoby Ellsbury, Kei Igawa, Carl Pavano, and the trade for Javier Vazquez. We can't forget about the extensions given to Aaron Hicks and Aroldis Chapman. I still think about all of these....and Giancarlo Stanton isn't going to be pretty when that is said and done. The list is quite lengthy, he's been screwing up since 1998.

It's painful to think about how we went from a real thinker in Gene Michael who understood that the farm system is meant to develop good talent to benefit the Yankees to Cashman who only values the farm for trade chips. He cant draft the best pieces for the Yankees to develop in the Bronx....they have to be used as trade chips. It hasn't worked out well for us considering we haven't won a championship since 2009.

If the Yankees miss the playoffs for the second time in three years firing Baboonie isn't enough. It's not even a band-aid fix. It's an embarrassment. It's time to strip it down. Time to fly the "Fire Boone" and "Fire Cashman" banners together!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

THE YANKEES ARE STILL PAYING HICKS, FYI

 

Let’s take a moment to appreciate just how spectacularly dumb some MLB contracts are. Not just the Yankees—though they’ve practically perfected the art of burning piles of cash—but MLB owners in general. These guys hand out long-term deals like candy at a parade, then act shocked when the player disappears into the Bermuda Triangle of mediocrity.

Case in point: Aaron Hicks. Remember him? Barely. He was last seen as a warm body in an Angels uniform—briefly—before L.A. cut him loose on May 2, 2024. Now, in 2025, he’s not on a roster, not in a dugout, not even in the conversation. But guess what? He’s still getting paid. Because the Yankees, bless them, locked him into that hilarious seven-year, $70 million deal that runs through this season. Thank you, ESPN, for reminding us just how painful that contract still is.

Hicks once flashed talent. Started hot. Then he collapsed like a wet paper towel. Couldn’t hit. Couldn’t field. Couldn’t handle the Bronx. Just ask Joey Gallo or Devin Williams. Pressure makes diamonds—or in some cases, makes guys forget how to swing a bat.

He had a flash-in-the-pan moment in Baltimore too—blink and you missed it—and then drifted off to Anaheim, where careers go to die apparently. Now he’s out of baseball entirely, but still has a direct deposit hitting his account every month. The Yankees are paying him to do nothing. The rest of us? Just shaking our heads.

And people wondered why I cheered when we dodged the Juan Soto 15-year financial death trap. Sure, Soto’s a stud at the plate, but 15 years? That’s not a contract—it’s a sentence. Steve Cohen can gloat all he wants about snatching him from the Yankees, but enjoy writing those checks in 2037, my guy.

Here’s the thing: MLB owners need to stop acting like fantasy team managers hopped up on Mountain Dew. Very few players are worth locking down for a decade. Aaron Judge? Sure. That guy grinds. But most of these dude's fade. Fast. Complacency sets in, and suddenly you’re stuck paying millions to someone golfing in Florida.

Hicks is just the latest cautionary tale. A once-promising player who fizzled—and is now cashing checks to do nothing. 

It’s fascinating. It’s pathetic. It’s baseball.

HERE COMES JASSON DOMINGUEZ... I HOPE

Alright, let’s talk about the Yankees' offseason moves! Honestly, I love what the Bronx Bombers have been cooking up. From savvy signings to addressing key needs, they’ve made some great choices to stay ahead of the pack. But let me just stop right here and say: bringing Pete Alonso to the Bronx? Absolutely not. Hard pass. Why ruin this offseason?

Instead of chasing Alonso, it’s time to double down on the exciting potential of Jasson Dominguez and find a better choice for first in my opinion. The kid’s got all the tools to shine, and finally giving him a real shot? Chef’s kiss. Cashman seems to agree, saying, “I’d like to see Dominguez get his shot now. He’s young. He’s got to earn it and retain it.” Yes, Brian! Preach!

Let’s not forget: Dominguez is the Yankees’ No. 1-ranked prospect for a reason. Sure, he only played 26 games at the major league level, but in the minors last season, he put up an impressive .314 BA with an .880 OPS in 58 games. Defense? It’s a work in progress, but come on, the guy’s still young. He’s got five-tool potential written all over him.

Since Brett Gardner left after 2021, the Yankees have been on a chaotic merry-go-round in left field—Aaron Hicks, Joey Gallo, Clint Frazier, Alex Verdugo, you name it. Nobody stuck. But now? The stars are aligning for Dominguez in my opinion. Aaron Judge is back in right field, Cody Bellinger is locked in for center, and left field is wide open for “The Martian.”

If Dominguez delivers, he’s not just filling a gap; he’s redefining the position for the Yankees and helping replace Juan Soto’s production from 2024. Dominguez isn’t just another prospect. He’s the guy who could finally give the Yankees long-term stability in left field. Let’s give him the keys and watch him take off!

But seriously, Pete Alonso? Let’s not. We’ve got bigger, better plans. It’s all about Jasson now. Buckle up, Yankees fans—the future is here.

THE NEW YANKEE FAVORITE THAT CAN'T BE TRADED!

Sometimes you read something, and you just yell obscenities out loud because they don't make any sense! That's what I did yesterday. I am really curious to see what moves the Yankees will make at the trade deadline because they have been on fire. Literally anything is possible.... seriously, but one idea I read I'd file under EXTREMELY unlikely. 

So, something interesting caught my eye when I was reading The Athletic. They are also pondering what moves the Yankees will make. I think the Yankees have some opportunities in the infield specifically and the Athletic seems to agree also but they also included a possibility of moving Alex Verdugo! Yes, really.... you can check it out HERE.

I get that the Yankees signed him for one year and he's supposedly a stop gap until Jasson Dominguez is ready for a starting role but why the hell would you trade Verdugo? There are more upsides to keeping him on the team then there are to trade him!

The Yankees are on a good roll. They are doing better than I expected SO if they are really going for #28 this year WHY would you trade him? He's gritty and is thriving in New York! He's a solid lefty bat, plays phenomenal defense and fits in so well in that clubhouse. Seriously, this guy is a gamer and is afraid of nothing. We haven't had this kind of grit and determination in the outfield since Brett Gardner ruled the outfield and then would bang his bat on the dugout roof. Verdugo isn't intimidated by anything happening in the Bronx.

The Yankees have had a revolving door of mediocrity in the outfield since Gardner left and that's downplaying it when you consider Aaron Hicks and Joey Gallo overstayed their welcome out there. The Yankees were tied for LAST place last year in defensive runs saved and the Yankees are now at the top all thanks to Verdugo. He's robbing hitters out there consistently and he's a difference maker. Why would the Yankees want to mess with team chemistry? If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I want the guy that says "I want to f***ing take everybody's hits" manning that outfield every game. He fits in with this team and he has earned his spot. The Yankees are buyers this summer not sellers. Why would they sell a difference maker?

Verdugo wants to f***ing take everyone's hit (and I love it) and I want to tell The Athletic that they are f***ing nuts!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

STEINBRENNER CRIES PAYROLL IS "NOT SUSTAINABLE" & CHANGES ARE COMING!

I can't listen to Hal Steinbrenner talk anymore, it's worse than nails on a chalkboard for me. It's been this way for far too long and I am over it. So, when I read THIS yesterday, I just wanted to scream. Hal just needs to shut up and stop talking.

I get it. No business wants to spend tons of money to operate their business. Baseball is a business. Hal has committed just over $300 million in payroll to this team and that's a ton of money. It's too much money. You DON'T need to spend that kind of money to have a winning team.... period. There are no hard facts to prove only big payrolls win World Series Championships. In fact, teams that are the best of the best DO win championships with less money.

But that's not the Yankee way. It never has been. George Steinbrenner spent money and demanded excellence and championships. Granted, nothing is run today is like it was when George was alive, but the Yankees have always spent money and expected to win. We all know, the Yankees aren't hurting for money by a long shot.

The Yankees can afford anything they want so this hot garbage statement of payroll not being sustainable is crap. The Yankees are the second most valuable sports franchise and are valued at $7.1 billion. Should the Yankees be spending $300 million every year? NO, but they are right now largely because of Brian Cashman and his poor acquisitions. Seriously, the Yankees will be stuck with Giancarlo Stanton through 2027. Even IF someone would be willing to take some of that contract, he's not waiving his no trade clause. Aaron Hicks is still on the Yankees payroll and that was a terrible deal. Jacoby Ellsbury's deal sucked. We can go on and on with his bad deals and have a book of a blog post here. Cashman is a huge part of the problem.

So, I get it when Hal says they are going to rely on a few veterans who do make more money but have proven experience with some young kids who are more cost controlled like Anthony Volpe and Jasson Dominguez, because that makes sense! But Cashman has a long history of making some bad deals and he plays a huge part in where the payroll is now. The fact that the Yankees player development hasn't been very strong also does not help. If you don't grow it, you can't develop it and manage your costs better which means you are going out and paying top dollar to find it. That was in your "deep dive," right Hal? Guess that slipped through the cracks, too.

So, Hal is crying about payroll while he is praising Juan Soto and wants to keep him? Read THE BIG JUAN SOTO TEASE! That doesn't go together. Soto has made it clear; He is going to get his payday. He's had multiple opportunities to cash in with a nice contract and said no in hopes for a bigger piece of the free agent grand prize. If Hal wants Soto, he better be prepared to open his wallet and quit crying about his payroll not being sustainable because these two things do not go together. Also, if that's the case, you shouldn't have went ALL IN over the winter giving up a large haul for a one-year rental. THAT is also not a smart business move.

So, I am tired of Hal's mouth moving. He could have a $300 million payroll for the next five plus years and be completely fine. I'm not saying he should do this, just stating he has the financial means to do so. He's made tons of money since his family bought the team in 1973 for $8.8 million. The Yankees charge an arm and a leg to get into the stadium and buy food and drinks. He also makes more revenue when he makes the playoffs and with tv and streaming deals. Have some cheese with your wine and shut up.

I'm over Hal. Spend money on Soto or don't.... but own your choices, your GM's choices and quit trying to gaslight fans.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

I TOLD YOU AARON HICKS SUCKS

When Aaron Hicks went to the Orioles and had a sudden resurgence last year, the Yankee world was wishing he was back in pinstripes for some reason.  I just sat there thinking, "No it's coming, don't worry."  And here we are.

Hicks is out of a job, because let's face it, the guy cannot play anymore.  I don't fault him for it, baseball is hard.  But the biggest problem I had with Hicks and the Yankees is how the Yankees actually thought this guy was a long term franchise player for them.  Remember when they signed the guy year 7, 70 million? What were they thinking?  And let's put it this way, ESPN here:

"Hicks is still under the seven-year, $70 million contract he originally signed with the New York Yankees, which extends through the 2025 season. The deal pays Hicks $9.5 million in 2024 and $9.5 million in 2025 and includes a $1 million buyout for a club option in 2026. The Yankees are still responsible for all of it minus the major league minimum of $740,000 the Angels will pay him in 2024."

In other words, the Yankees are paying this guy to sit on his couch and a few teams removed from them. The Yankees are bad with money and so I don't wanna hear them complaining about how they don't have to money to sign ACTUAL stars.  

But back to Hicks for a moment, it's over for the guy, at first designated for assignment by the Angels, and then eventually released...

The New York Post writes:

"Aaron Hicks returned to his Yankees form and that didn’t work for the Angels.

Hicks, 34, was designated for assignment by Los Angeles on Monday after batting .140 in 18 games. The outfielder was 8 for 57 with the Angels and had only one hit in his last 19 at-bats."

And now what, the Yankees pay and Hicks doesn't play.  Awful contract.

SPRING TRAINING: CACTUS LEAGUE UNPLUGGED

Source: X

Well the Yankees are about where I expected as spring training moves into its midway point. With injuries already rearing their ugly head and a lot of growth needed, I am confident the Yankees will be competitive this year. And although I am used to following the Grapefruit League, this year, I had the opportunity to support teams out west in the Cactus League. So, if you bear with me, I will give you my take in Spring Training: Cactus League Unplugged.

Game 1: San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, home of the both the Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Absolutely beautiful ballpark with great energy on a Monday afternoon. An absolute picturesque day for baseball. 

The game had depth, with a ton of back and forth, trading spaces for the lead. What was particularly fun was that the Giants seemed more like the New York Mets with Michael Conforto, and J.D. Davis headlining. Also present was the Panda himself Pablo Sandoval. 

It was a treat to see Kris Bryant at first base. He hit a bomb to give his team the lead for a time. The Rockies did eventually push through with a 12-10 win. And yes, you could not only get a sausage sandwich and a bag of peanuts but a fruit stick- literally just that, fruit on a stick.

Game 2: Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ- aka little Wrigley Field. What a different experience. The field was outstanding giving it a Chicago feel in the middle of the desert. Chicago Dogs and Vienna Beef were plentiful. 

And on deck for all to enjoy was former Yankee Mike Tauchman who launched one out to the fences and gave the Cubs the lead in a tightly matched game. Alson the roster was Cody Bellinger, Dansby Swanson and former Met Dom Smith. For the Angels, yes, I believe he knew I was coming and performed exactly as I would expect- Aaron Hicks. What did he do you ask- struck out looking. Yep, I heckled. No, I am not ashamed. 

I enjoyed a Chicago Dog, a tour of little Wrigley, including roof top seating and some interesting beers. The staff could not have been more accommodating, thanking me for coming out. 

I drove past a few other parks including Diablo Stadium in Tempe, home of the Angels, which has some charm according to the locals. On the outskirts of Arizona State University, the park totes images of Mike Trout around campus, hoping to drive in some college students to its old school abode.  

Spring Training Cactus League style was a unforgettable experience. And although I wish I was in Florida visiting the Yankees, it was interesting to see how the other half or so lives out west. As we move into the midpoint of spring training, I am getting excited for what's ahead. Will the Yankees jump out ahead? Will they gel? Will they stay healthy? Answers for another time but the anticipation is amazing- I hope this feeling lasts. 

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

TORRES: "ANYONE WITH A GOOD FAMILY DOESN'T WANT TO LEAVE HIS HOME."

With the Yankees continuing to pick up depth and build up their infield by exposing some top prospects to big league ball this spring, the question again is will Gleyber Torres be a Yankees after 2024? I have not seen much of Torres this spring as the Yankees test out other players in games. He did get one hit against the Minnesota Twins earlier this week but really that is it. Torres enters his final season before free agency this year. Is this his final season in pinstripes?

"I don't want to leave," the 27-year-old infielder said Wednesday. "I want to be a Yankee for life," Torres said. "Torres has a one-year, $14.2 million contract and is eligible for free agency after the World Series. There have not been any discussions about a long-term deal, and he understands why the team might be reluctant after two notable players who underperformed: Luis Severino and Aaron Hicks," reported ESPN.

Torres knows that business is business and he remains motivated to play well and hope it is good enough for the Yankees to pay his asking price when the clock tolls especially since phenom Juan Soto will also have a big price tag following this season.

Source: Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post

 “I think a lot of people on the outside don't know what it’s like playing here (for Yankees)," Torres said to Rojas. "I've been here since the minors and playing here has been incredible. Anyone with a good family doesn't want to leave his home, it's literally like that," reports Enrique Rojas for ESPN. 

I really admire that statement by Torres. Torres has had a home in New York since the Yankees obtained the then 20-year-old in a 2016 trade with the Chicago Cubs for closer Aroldis Chapman. And the weight of the pinstripes are heavy. Not everyone can hack it. But he has, despite having tough defensive bouts over the years. His offense and persistence has kept him in the lineup. Last season Torres despite the Yankees offensive lows, the Yankees second baseman played in 158 games and hit 25 home runs, drove in 68 runs, and slashed .273/.347/.453. Can he have another standout season?

"I think he's highly motivated," Boone said. "I think we saw a more mature approach last year that lends itself to more consistency at the plate. Now it's about putting it all together," reported ESPN.

Hey, I am rooting for Gleyber. I appreciate his sentiment and good work ethic he demonstrates both on and off the field. But also, I am rooting for the Yankees to have a strong season. If he can contribute the way he did last year, stay healthy and be a leader in the clubhouse, the Yankees could give him his pay day. But again, remember there is Soto who has had a terrific start to his spring. Anything can happen.

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

BOONE: YANKEES RELATIONSHIP WITH ESTEVAN FLORIAL IS "COMPLICATED"

I feel like we have suddenly dumbed down to a social media relationship status. I bet Estevan Florial does too, and if by some miracle he doesn't, well he should.

I knew the writing was on the wall before the season started when we wrote THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR ESTEVAN FLORIAL. He had potential that the Yankees loved, but no clear path to the big leagues and his trade value was tarnished. I hated to see the Yankees stash Florial down in Triple-A while they started useless dead weight like Aaron Hicks before finally releasing him in May. Holding onto Hicks for so long was a huge mistake, and now we get to wonder if hiding Florial was also.

Here we are in September and the writing is still on the wall. Florial won't get a shot, and Aaron Boone knows it too. He just won't come out and speak the truth. He won't say anything right now, especially if it could mean saving his job even though he sucks at it. He was asked by reporters why Florial wasn't called up when Hicks was released, and this was his weak answer:

"Yeah, he definitely deserved it. I don’t think any of us would question his talent and it’s been good to see him go out and really put together a strong season," Boone said HERE. "Look, he’s been in the conversation honestly for a long time now because he has had a strong year. Some of it’s been complicated by not being on the 40-man anymore."

I stand by what I said before, WEAK. Weak manager, weak puppet, weak everything so this shouldn't surprise anyone. The Yankees could've given him a shot. The lack of a 40-man roster spot is just hot garbage because Willie Calhoun, Jake Bauers and Billy McKinney were non-roster outfielders who were added to the 40-man roster. Boone's "it's complicated" answer is just hot garbage.

Don't be fooled by it. Florial's one stand-out weakness this season has been his strikeout rate. His .280 average, 24 homers, 69 RBI, 23 steals, and 63 walks in 94 games were all upgrades for the Yankees, especially when you compared his stats with what the Yankees were doing every game. They didn't love his 30% strikeout rate. I don't love it either, but if the guy in your system is succeeding in Triple-A, why not give him a shot? Only answer is they gave up on a 25-year-old kid. They didn't believe in him.

They didn't believe in him. That's all it comes down to. Instead, they believed in Hicks for 8 years and held onto him for so long stupidly. This organization has no intelligence or logic. I don't think Florial was the answer to our prayers, but he could've helped more than Hicks and that I am confident in.

Florial will be a minor-league free agent at the end of the season, and he will sign with another team. This new team will give him more of an opportunity than the Yankees ever did. When he gets that new opportunity, I hope he succeeds and shoves it in the Yankees face. He deserves it.

Florial will be "the one that got away" all because the Yankees screwed up. That's the truth, Boone. It's not complicated.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

I FEEL LIKE NOBODY LIKES BRIAN CASHMAN, EXCEPT HAL STEINBRENNER!

What have you done for us lately, Brian Cashman? Nothing good, that's for sure. I used to think he was creative and adapted to changes within the sport. That was a long time ago. Now he's just dead weight that have made some really bad moves for the Yankees in recent years.

Change is needed in the Yankees organization. It should've happened a long time ago. Hal Steinbrenner, Cashman and Aaron Boone are the experts on how NOT to run one of the richest franchises in all professional sports. They are the best at running a team into the ground and then setting fire to it. This just isn't working.

The last place Yankees with their 56-52 record that are 3.5 games out of a wild card spot and have finally shown us how terrible Cashman's team building skills are. This team would be below .500 without Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole right now. For years we have watched him bring in aged veterans at ridiculous contracts and massively underachieve. He hasn't delivered anything. Yeah, Joey Gallo was such a disaster and so was Aaron Hicks. The Josh Donaldson trade was just stupid and the Yankees as a whole can't hit! We've seen it for years! What about the lackluster inconsistent starting rotation and the compromised defense? Inserting a non-natural outfielder like Isiah Kiner-Falefa only compromises the defense. He doesn't know how to construct a strong team that can win a championship.

By now everyone knows it. We complain about it here. You complain about it on social media, fans are screaming "FIRE CASHMAN!" in the stands and yet Cashman always lives to see another year. I'm sure this year will be no different when all is said and done. Why does failure get rewarded with job security here? Loyalty buys mediocrity apparently. I can't say the same at my job. If my performance was anything like Cashman's, I'd kiss my job goodbye!

There's no accountability here! Ownership has no accountability. The front office has no accountability. Analytics are not analytical at all and have no accountability. Managers have no accountability. Players have no accountability. Yankees medical team along with the strength and conditioning coaches have no accountability. This is just an organization that has run wild with ZERO leadership.

But...we are gonna run a championship with all of this, right? YEAH, sure Hal. Let's stick with the failures. He is the extreme that his father George wasn't. George held people accountable and fired people, Hal wants to hold everyone's hand, sing Kumbaya and have harmony while he is making money hand over fist.

I couldn't care less about loyalty! Brian Cashman has been the general manager since 1998 and has progressively become worse over the years. It's obvious to all of us the the game has passed him by, and he cannot help the Yankees win. He's not capable. It's time to find someone who can.

Only person on Cashman's side is Hal and that is foolish. He needs to step back and think as a businessman and start rebuilding. Then he needs to look at his recent body of work and ask, "is this the guy that can rebuild my team into a World Series champion?" Facts don't lie....and the facts say NO.

NO is the ONLY correct answer here. It's time for Cashman to take a long walk off of a short pier. Nobody likes you anymore, Cashman....

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj