YANKEES BRING BACK A FAN FAVORITE!

Source: AP

Yup, Bleeding Yankee Blue has already reported the great news about Andrew Velazquez, but I wanted to offer my own flair on this great news!

I love it when the Yankees bring back a guy who made an impression not only on the team but the fan base. Local Bronx hero Andrew Velazquez will be fighting for a roster spot this spring now that the Yankees have brought him back in for round two as a Bomber with a minor league deal on Friday.  

According to NJ.com, "Velazquez has bounced around a lot in his 13 professional seasons, mostly as a minor leaguer. A career .189 hitter with 12 homers, 40 steals and 624 plate appearances, the switch-hitter played 125 of his 275 games in 2022 with the Angels. In 223 games at shortstop, he has a .973 fielding percentage that is higher than the .971 Anthony Volpe compiled playing short for the Yankees the last two seasons as a Gold Glove winner in 2023 and Gold Glove finalist in 2024."

Source: NY Times

With all of the transitions and trades this off season, Velazquez will likely start the season with Scranton-Wilkes Barre, which is perfectly fine. He is an excellent fielder who has filled the shoes of Gleyber Torres when he went to the IL back in 2021. Although a short stop, he certainly earned the title of journeyman and could fill in as needed, adding depth to the Yankee roster.

Source: NY Post

As the first acquisition of the New Year, Velazquez represents promise and brings in the baseball acumen that has been lacking in the club over the last several years. Sometimes you have to go elsewhere, bring what you have learned, evolve as a player and come back home and contribute at a higher level. At least, that is the hope. No, he doesn't have the big batting average, but maybe this year, his hitting will catch up with his stellar defense. And a hometown crowd could certainly be a boost for Velazquez. 

Source: NY Post

The next steps for Velazquez after finishing up a stint in the Puerto Rico Winter Leagues - is heading to Tampa to compete in the 2025 spring training experience, an invite that came with his signing. And from there, who knows. But I will tell you what, it is great to have the Fordham Prep alum back with the Yankee organization. Good luck, Squid, here's hoping you have a great spring. 

ALSO READ: THE RETURN OF VELAZQUEZ!

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

THE RETURN OF VELAZQUEZ!

Fun news is you remember this guy... Andrew Velazquez is back with the Yanks, kind of! 

Bronx native Andrew Velazquez is reuniting with his hometown team, signing a minor league deal with a Spring Training invite, as reported by Jack Curry of the YES Network. 

It’s a story that practically writes itself—Velazquez, the kid from the Bronx who grew up idolizing the Yankees, back in pinstripes for another shot at glory.

Velazquez captured the hearts of fans in 2021 when he hit his first career home run wearing the Yankee uniform, becoming an instant hometown hero. Now, at 30 years old, he’s returning to where it all began, ready to grind and prove he still belongs. Sure, he’s not walking into Spring Training as the starter, but let’s not count him out just yet.

After spending two years with the Angels and most recently playing in Triple-A for the Braves, Velazquez is back in hopes to bolster the Yankees’ infield depth. And with Caleb Durbin off to the Brewers, the timing couldn’t be better. Velazquez has the versatility and heart you want in a player fighting for a spot.

Is this a long shot? Maybe. But don’t forget, this guy has already lived the dream once. Could lightning strike twice? Could we see him sprinting across Yankee Stadium, making jaw-dropping plays, and bringing the house down again?

Yankee fans, buckle up. Andrew Velazquez is back, and the Cinderella story might just have another chapter. 

Let’s go! 

YANKEES LOSE VELAZQUEZ, ALLEN & LOCASTRO

Things like this suck, after all, guys like Andrew Velazquez, Greg Allen and a short lived Tim Locastro were a real young energy the Yankees definitely needed... but when a season ends, things like this happen and now those guys are gone.  Too bad.

The New York Daily News writes:

"Shortstop Andrew Velazquez and outfielders Tim Locastro and Greg Allen were all claimed off waivers by other teams on Friday. The Angels claimed Velazquez while Locastro was picked up by the rival Boston Red Sox and Allen heads to the Pittsburgh Pirates....

Velazquez, known around the clubhouse as Squid, gained notoriety for being a kid from the Bronx who achieved a lifelong dream of playing shortstop for the Yankees. He has just 96 MLB games on his ledger, but 28 of those came this year with his boyhood club, mostly filling in when Gleyber Torres went on the injured list....

Allen got into 15 games in 2021 and, like Locastro, was part of the outfield carousel in the middle of the year. The 28-year-old put up the best numbers of anyone in this group, slashing .270/.417/.432 and making good on all five of his stolen base attempts. Allen handled all three outfield positions for the Bombers, who went 11-4 in the 15 games he played in."

But one thing not mentioned was that when they were there, they played like their hair was on fire. They played hard and were energized and that was something we really missed on this Yankee club at times, and that was what the fans loved and wanted.  

Too bad they're gone, but we need to turn the page.

SEAGER, CORREA & THE YANKEES SHORTSTOP RUMOR MILL REVISITED

Source: CBS Sports

How are you enjoying the World Series? Are you rooting for the Braves? Not a fan, but the Yankees did sweep the Braves the last time they made it to the Fall Classic—way back in 1999. That was when the Yankees were consistently good, like dynasty good. But that was a long time ago. We had a great shortstop back then and since Derek Jeter retired, we haven't had consistency in that position. Sure the Yankees had Didi Gregorius and I liked him, but we let him test out free agency, so perhaps the Yankees didn't like him that much. Which leaves us where we are right now. Without a consistent middle infielder who offensively and defensively adds value to the team. And that's where we begin the rumor mill story.

Corey Seager: a hot bat in Los Angeles, the 27-year-old is a free agent and is among a number of shortstops available this off-season. According to ESPN's Jeff Passan per The Michael Kay Show, Seager could be a Yankee come 2022. "The former NL Rookie of the Year, two-time All-Star and World Series Champion has a career .297 batting average with 104 home runs, 364 RBI and a .870 OPS. However, an argument could be made that his defense isn’t always there and for a team who just watched Gleyber Torres struggle mightily defensively all season until ultimately getting moved to second base, perhaps the Yankees will elect to value defense at that position more than offense," reports Yahoo Sports. We need defense—next candidate. 

Carlos Correa: Now don't shoot the messager. I am not a fan either. But he is a premier shortshop and could bring a lot of power to the position.  But the New York Post is spot on here—"If not for the scandal, Correa would look like a potentially terrific fit for the Yankees. He clearly embraces the big stage, as exemplified by the postseason numbers — a .273/.346/.522 slash line and 18 home runs — that he brought into Tuesday night’s Game 1 of the World Series at Minute Maid Park." If Correa was the Yankees' only option this winter, then maybe you overlook 2017, but he's not—next candidate.

Marcus Semien: Toronto Blue Jay's second baseman can also play shortstop and could be a fit for the Yankees given his incredible 2021 season. "He’s coming off a breakout campaign, posting a .265/.334/.538 slash line and a career-high 45 home runs and 102 RBIs, making his first All-Star team in the process," reported ESPN Seattle. But he could get some interest from the Mariners, and he is from the Bay Area, so there will be competition. Yet what better Divison to play in than the AL East and what better team than the Yankees. 

Source: NY Post

Let's not forget the Yankees can home grow their shortstop too. As the Post reminds us, the Yankees could go with who they have in "Gio Urshela, Andrew Velazquez and Tyler Wade out of respect for those youngsters and divert more resources to their pitching staff or first base." But, then we are back where we started. Unless Velazquez or Wade can morph into a Jeter?

Look the Yankees can't fix everything but they have to make some moves to offset this multiyear slump without a World Series bid. 1999 feels like a lifetime ago. The dominance of the Yankees back then was fierce and deep. I want that again. You want that again. So, let's go Yankees—assemble that team, and if that means getting a shortstop, then there are plenty to choose from—so get after it!

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

WHY ARE THE YANKEES WINNING? IT'S SIMPLE... BOONE'S NOT MEDDLING

Baseball is a game.  You get a coach that likes to micromanage and be friends with the players... that's a death sentence. I mean, say what you will about Joe Girardi... but at the end of the day, he was a tough skip. He didn't take shit. He wasn't there to be friends... he was doing his job.

He also didn't try to befriend his players.  And when the game happened... the player's played.  Now it just so happens that when there were tough games Girardi couldn't help himself and micromanaged and probably lost a few because of it.  But in the end... the players played... they got familiar with each other... they used their talents and didn't stress it. IT'S A GAME. 

We're seeing this now with the Yankees.  They like winning, who doesn't? But in the end, Aaron Boone has almost taken a back seat recently.  You can see it. 

He's not up their asses, micromanaging, hugging everyone, trying to have photo ops with his Yankee idols. No... he's letting this team play... and that's the most important part. 

10 in a row is a big deal... but you can't think about numbers... you just gotta think about playing good baseball.  That doesn't include the manager... that all about the players.  I have said it alot, this team looked great on paper in the beginning. I mean sure, we changed some things around and clearly we got better, but the talent was ALWAYS there. We just needed a manager to back up and let them play. They're playing, they're winning, they're enjoying the game they signed up for. That's incredible.

The past few weeks is always about different people contributing. Velasquez, Rizzo, Voit, Judge. Last night it was about Stanton.

The New York Post writes:

"The Yankees continued their stunning turnaround by beating the Braves, a team that was as hot as they were heading into Monday’s game at Truist Park.

Sparked by another strong game from Giancarlo Stanton, who had a solo homer and a two-run double, the Yankees won their season-high 10th straight, with a 5-1 victory.

It’s their longest winning streak since last September and came in the first game between two teams entering with winning streaks of at least nine games since 1901.

With the win, the Yankees pulled to within four games of the first-place Rays in the AL East and began a nine-game road trip with another solid performance from their pitching staff, which has a 2.28 ERA during the streak."

MLB writes:

"Giancarlo Stanton ripped a 119.2 mph go-ahead two-run double to left field -- the hardest-hit ball in Truist Park history -- in the sixth to deliver a 5-1 win in the opener of the two-game series in Atlanta.

“He’s a unicorn,” said manager Aaron Boone. “He does things every night that are a little bit different than anyone else. … Every time he hits a ball, like a ground ball that you see an infielder maybe think he’s got a beat on -- they tend to get through, because they’re hit a little bit harder than you think.


“Everyone gets a kick out of going to the board -- ‘How hard did he hit it?’ A lot of times you miss it -- ‘What was that one?’”

“It’s usually, ‘Is that all I got?’ or cracking about it or something,” added Stanton. “So yeah, we have fun with it.”

And there's that word. Fun. When players aren't feeling the stress of micromanaging, they have fun. Boone's loosened the reigns a bit and that is why we are seeing this happening.  The team was always sound... he just didn't know how to navigate as a manager and was messing things up. 

Let's hope it continues.

YANKEES 9, HENRI 1

Source: Robert Sabo, NY Post

The only thing stopping the 2021 Yankees right now is Hurricane Henri. After winning nine in a row, including a sweep to the Boston Red Sox, the streak stops with the impending storm headed to the New York Tri-State expected overnight.

Source: NY Yankees Twitter

"Sunday’s Yankees-Twins game has been postponed due to the forecast of inclement weather and will be made up on Monday, September 13, at 2:05pm at Yankee Stadium," reported the New York Yankees. So the Yankees get a little break, and rightfully earned given their streak of just incredible baseball.

Source: NY Post

"Entering Friday's game against the Twins, there were only 40 games left. The Yankees are on their way to a number of wins in the 90s, just as we expected. As grim as it may have seemed in June, when they were swept by the Red Sox twice, or in early July, when the catastrophe against the Mets happened, there's a reason we prefer six-month seasons," reported MLB.com. The Yankees pitching, winning in tight games, speed on the basepaths and new acquisitions are the key reasons for the Yankees incredible 360. 

Has this season been the most topsy turvy you've ever season? Perhaps. I don't think I have ever seen so much turmoil amidst pandemic IL, regular IL and just players needing to reinvent themselves in my nearly 50 years watching this franchise. I have seen the Bombers come back and win the World Series in grand style in 1977 and 1978, despite so much loss to the team during those years and being behind the eight ball in July, climbing themselves back into contention in August. 

1977 record: 100-62; 1978 record: 100-63 (yes that 63rd win was the infamous Bucky Dent Green Monster Home Run in the one-day playoff game to decide the division against Boston). This year, the Yankees could fall around 93 wins for the season, and given the tumultuous season just described, it is incredible the 2021 Yankees could get that far. 

Source: NY Post

Guys like energetic Luke Voit, veteran Brett Gardner,  newbie Andrew Velazquez, relief man Jonathan Loaisiga and stud pitcher Gerrit Cole have stepped up and have contributed to the unstoppable Yankees. The newest acquisitions including Andrew Heaney, Joey Gallo and Anthony Rizzo have found a home in the Bronx, very quickly assimilating to big market baseball and adding tremendous depth to this Yankee clubhouse. 

So, yeah, there's a weather delay to the Yankee win streak, but that may only fuel this team's fire and guption for a pennant that was virtually unthinkable a few weeks ago. Only one AL team can enter the fall classic in mid-October and if the Yankees can beat up on Tampa, who is the likeliest contender, they may well be the one team standing to face whoever the NL puts in the ring against them. Perhaps I am the forever optimist, but the Yankees have earned it over the last couple of weeks. Stay safe in the storm Northeasterners. And rest up Yankees- there is more grind ahead!

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR ANDREW VELAZQUEZ

Andrew Velazquez got a shot. Andrew Velazquez is shining for the Yankees right now.

Last night in what was the past play of the game to sweep the Boston Red Sox, he made a play at short to literally bury the Sox for good.

ANDREW VELAZQUEZ OH MY GOD THE KID FROM THE BRONX FINISHES OFF THE SWEEP OF THE RED SOX

RIZZO WHAT A SCOOP pic.twitter.com/C4YOCMIdFP

— Eric Hubbs (@BarstoolHubbs) August 19, 2021

As BYB reader Tony Zeppieri tweeted...

He's right to ask that question... I mean, can we?

The New York Post writes:

"When Velazquez and the returning Anthony Rizzo teamed for a superb final play, the Yankees secured a 5-2 victory over the rival Red Sox, closing out a three-game sweep against their former tormentors and — thanks to the White Sox’s 3-2 triumph over the A’s in Chicago — carving out exclusive possession of the top American League wild-card slot.

They did so with Velazquez, 27, who delivered a pair of RBI singles in addition to his game-ending glovework, earning the cherished championship wrestling belt, which sparked him to offer a heartfelt speech to his teammates.

“In that locker room, with those guys, I’ve dreamt of doing what I just did,” Velazquez said, recounting his words. “In real life, it was way better.”...

“I was just ready for anything there, anything on the ground,” Velazquez said. “I didn’t know if Rougie was going to make a play on it, so I just wanted to see what was going to happen there. And then when I got it, I said, ‘You know what? I’m gonna throw it as hard and as low as I can so that Rizzo can just pick it. If not, I would’ve thrown it in the family section in the second deck.”

Dreams come true and this kid got a shot and ran with it.  And by the way, don't look now...

The Yanks are just 5 games back out of first place. Anything can happen with this team right now... anything.

COBBLING TOGETHER LINEUPS & WINS TO STAY AFLOAT

Source: Twitter

What a crazy series in Kansas City. Amidst soaring temperatures, long games, trips to the IL and new guys in the lineup, the Yankees have proven that anything can happen. And that means they need to "Grit it out" as Yankee announcer Ryan Ruocco shared at the opening of Tuesday night's game against the Royals. Aaron Boone also stated to reporters that “You’ve got to roll,” when asked about the long list of positive cases of COVID-19. Cobbling together lineups and wins are keeping this team afloat.

Source: Vincent Carchietta/USA Today Sports, via Reuters

"While most of the Yankees’ positive tests have been so-called breakthrough cases in which a person tests positive despite being fully vaccinated, (Anthony) Rizzo’s vaccination status was unclear. In June, as a member of the Chicago Cubs, he told reporters he was not yet vaccinated, saying he was “taking some more time to see the data” in what he described as a “difficult decision,” reported The New York Times.

Source: New York Daily News

This and other Yankees on the IL have given other Yankees an opportunity to lead and play positions that they are not accustomed. Although Giancarlo Stanton was groomed an outfielder he has only had five starts out there this season, most coming more recently. Rougned Odor is a second baseman playing third as Gio Urshela recovers from the virus. And with Gleyber Torres out with a sore thumb, the Yankees have brought up Andrew Velazquez to make his debut in grand style. Then there is Luke Voit, who is making things interesting with Rizzo out for an undetermined time. 

But here's the thing, this cobbling that is happening right now will soon be a distant memory. Take a look at the stacked lineup the Bombers will have once the team recovers. 

1. DJ LeMahieu, 2B

2. Anthony Rizzo, 1B

3. Aaron Judge, RF

4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH

5. Joey Gallo, LF

6. Gleyber Torres, SS

7. Gary Sanchez, C

8. Gio Urshela, 3B

9. Brett Gardner, CF

A lineup that NJ.com calls out with glee: "Can you find many more accomplished top five hitters in any lineup in the sport?" Then there is the starting rotation which not only will bring back Gerrit Cole but likely Luis Severino and Cory Kluber. 

So September is shaping up to be an amazing month if the Yankees can continue to cobble together lineups and wins to keep the engines running through the dog days of summer. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof