THE BLUE JAYS CONTINUE TO HAVE A COMPETITIVE OFF SEASON

Where's Brian Cashman?

The Blue Jays are out here acting like it’s an actual offseason. The Yankees, meanwhile, are sitting by the phone waiting for Cody Bellinger to “decide,” which is another way of saying they’ve chosen timidity over urgency. This is not an aggressive winter. This is a franchise crouched behind corporate talking points, already rehearsing the press release: “We just couldn’t find a fit, but don’t worry—we really like our team.”

And sure, maybe they do like their team. The problem is fans don't. We want improvement.

The Yankees have not gone hard for impact bats. They haven’t meaningfully upgraded the defense. They haven’t addressed the rotation with any seriousness. And the bullpen? It didn’t just spring a leak—it flat-out evaporated. Whatever sense of stability fans are clinging to is built on vibes and optimism, not roster reality. This team is far shakier than it wants you to believe.

Contrast that with Toronto, who clearly understood the assignment. The Blue Jays swooped in and signed Japanese corner infielder Kazuma Okamoto to a four-year, $60 million deal with roughly 24 hours left in his posting window. No dithering. Just action. That move followed the additions of Dylan Cease and Tyler Rogers, and they’re still actively working to retain Bo Bichette. That’s three real swings taken by a team that decided being competitive wasn’t optional.

Now here’s the obvious thought the Yankees seem allergic to: Bo Bichette should be the target in my opinion.

If the goal is to win baseball games—and not just win press conferences—Bichette makes too much sense to ignore. He’s a superior offensive player, a proven performer under pressure, and a hitter who actually puts the ball in play. The Yankees’ lineup has been dragged for years over strikeouts and empty at-bats, and rightfully so. Bichette’s 14.5% strikeout rate in 2025 and elite contact profile (83rd percentile in whiff rate) would instantly lengthen the lineup and reduce the black holes that currently define it. This is everything Anthony Volpe is not at the plate, and pretending otherwise doesn’t make the math work.

And even if you fix shortstop, the rotation is also still waving red flags. Gerrit Cole missed all of 2025 after Tommy John surgery and isn’t expected back until May or June of 2026—at best. Carlos Rodón required an October procedure to remove loose bodies and a bone spur from his elbow and is likely to miss Opening Day, with a hopeful return sometime in late April or early May. That’s not a foundation. That’s crossed fingers.

Which is why Zac Gallen should be firmly on the Yankees’ radar. Yes, 2025 was a down year. But he’s a former Cy Young finalist with durability, innings, and upside—exactly the kind of buy-low, high-reward arm serious teams pursue. There were legitimate rumors linking him to the Cubs, and if the Yankees sit this one out too, it’ll be another self-inflicted wound. Passing on Gallen would be organizational malpractice disguised as prudence.

And that’s really the point of all this. The Yankees have done nothing to support this roster, nothing to elevate it, and nothing to make Spring Training feel like the start of something dangerous. It’s sad. Especially when you look north of the border and see a team that clearly understands how to compete.

The Blue Jays are proactive. They’re decisive. They’re acting like contention matters.

The Yankees? They’re waiting on Bellinger and calling it a strategy. Playing defense. Hoping nothing goes wrong. That’s not how serious franchises behave.

And right now, serious is the last word anyone should use to describe the New York Yankees.

My opinion of course.

TRADE JAZZ, VOLPE TO SECOND & GO GET BO!

 I know exactly what I’d do.

Yes, it would be messy—because the Yankees and Aaron Boone are physically incapable of letting go of their prized possession, Anthony Volpe. But in the spirit of compromise, and fully acknowledging that José Caballero would be holding the fort until Volpe returns from surgery and eventually remembers how to play the infield, let me float an idea that sounds insane… yet somehow still protects Boone’s emotional attachment to Volpe.

And yes—it starts with moving Jazz Chisholm.

Brian Cashman recently said the Yankees are “open-minded” when it comes to trading Jazz in order to improve the pitching staff. Open-minded. That’s Cashman-speak for “we’re thinking about it, but only if it doesn’t make us uncomfortable.”

Cashman went on to praise Jazz as part of the solution: athletic, above average, an All-Star second baseman, great defender, power, speed, steals bags, all that good stuff. And you know what? He’s right. Jazz has been a good get.

But here’s where I differ: if you can flip Jazz to land a legitimate starting pitcher, you do it. Period. The Yankees desperately need rotation help, and this roster doesn’t move forward unless someone with real value is sacrificed.

Now, before everyone hyperventilates—yes, that leaves a hole at second base. And that’s where our favorite untouchable comes in.

Anthony Volpe to second base. Relax. Breathe. Boone can still tuck him in at night. I don't want this, but I'm trying to keep Boone happy. He still gets to keep his boy toy.

Look, Volpe isn’t a shortstop. We’ve seen enough. He struggles with the throws, the reads, the footwork, and the moment. Second base simplifies the job. Shorter throws, less pressure, fewer chances to remind us why this experiment keeps failing. Frankly, he probably throws better from second than he does from short.

And the bonus? The Yankees still get to market him. The commercials live on. The branding machine keeps humming. I’m compromising here. Truly. But that still leaves the biggest issue: who the hell plays shortstop?

If the Yankees are serious—actually serious—this is where you go big. You don’t plug the hole with duct tape and hope for the best. You land a real shortstop. A tough one. A proven one.

You get Bo Bichette.

Bo Bichette would be a massive offensive upgrade for this lineup. He’s elite at putting the bat on the ball—something the Yankees treat like a forbidden art form. A career .294 hitter who hit .311 in 2025, led the league in hits twice, and lives on base. He’s the exact opposite of the Yankees’ feast-or-famine philosophy.

Put him next to Aaron Judge and suddenly pitchers can’t just nibble and pray. Bichette balances the lineup, grinds at-bats, and brings an edge this team sorely lacks.

And Volpe? Bat him ninth. Let him be the ceremonial leadoff hitter for the second inning. He can still be the face of Charles Tyrwhitt, still hit .214, and still exist—just no longer in the way of the Yankees trying to win baseball games.

And if Volpe stinks it up at second base? Congratulations—we already have José Caballero, a legitimate utility weapon, ready to step in and actually do useful things.

Will the Yankees ever do this? Of course not. It requires creativity, courage, and a willingness to upset the comfort level of the front office. Three things this organization avoids like the plague.

But should they do it? Absolutely.

Because right now, this offseason has been pathetic. There’s no momentum. No imagination. No sense that the Yankees are a forward-thinking, ruthless, championship-driven franchise.

Moves like this create excitement. They signal intent. They tell fans you’re done spinning your wheels.

Will it happen? No. The Yankees don’t have the stomach for it. But they should. And maybe—just maybe—if enough people start saying it out loud, someone with a spine will eventually listen.

Let’s see what happens.

YANKEES MAKE A SPLASH WITH ORNELAS

That is sarcasm.

’Tis the season for Brian Cashman’s annual bargain-bin Easter egg hunt — that magical time of year when he scours the baseball world not for stars, not for upgrades, but for depth. Glorious, unnecessary, “why are we doing this?” depth. And this week, he proudly placed another shiny trinket in the Yankees’ overflowing junk drawer: Jonathan Ornelas.

Per MLB.com’s transaction log, the Yankees scooped up Ornelas on a minor-league deal after he politely showed himself the door from free agency on November 6. Insider Francys Romero added that the deal comes with a spring training invite and a midseason opt-out if the Yankees don’t shove him onto their 40-man roster. Classic Cashman: sign him, stash him, shrug later.

And you just know what’s coming. By February, Cashman will trot out in front of the cameras with that “trust me, I’m a genius” energy and say, “Well, we made some moves, and I like the group we’ve assembled.” Meanwhile, somehow Bo Bichette will be strolling into Fenway wearing a Red Sox beanie, and the Yankees will be convincing themselves that Ryan McMahon is the second coming of DJ LeMahieu. It’s the same movie every offseason — Cashman’s love affair with spare parts instead of actual impact players.

Now, to Ornelas himself. His big-league résumé: 32 games across three seasons. His calling card? Defensive versatility. The guy has played everywhere except first, catcher, and pitcher — so that's good I guess. He was even the Rangers’ Minor League Defender of the Year in 2022. Sounds great… until you look at the offense.

A .208 career average. Fifty-three total MLB at-bats. Nine of them came in 2025, where he hit .222 — which is… well, numbers technically. Once again, the Yankees grab another perfectly nice human being who cannot, under any known circumstances, hit above .260. It’s a skill, honestly — not the players, the Yankees’ ability to find them.

So yes, it’s a minor-league deal. Yes, it probably won’t matter. But it’s also another tile in Cashman’s mosaic of mediocrity — a reminder that while other teams chase stars, we’re collecting utility gloves like they’re Pokémon.

Anyway… welcome to the circus, Jonathan. Best of luck. You’re gonna need it.

ANYONE'S BETTER THAN ANTHONY VOLPE

Will the Yankees finally snag Brendan Donovan, or are we all just starring in another winter rerun of “Cashman Does Nothing”?

MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand is once again playing matchmaker, tossing the Yankees’ name into the Brendan Donovan sweepstakes. The Cardinals seem ready to part ways with Brendan, mostly because he’s still cheap, productive, and therefore—naturally—on the block. St. Louis is coming off a lukewarm 78–84 “meh” season, and nothing says retool like sending away one of your actually good players.

Donovan will be 29 on Jan. 16, which in baseball years is basically his prime. He’s also under team control through 2027, which is GM catnip. Meanwhile, the Yankees are staring at shortstop again, mostly because Anthony Volpe won’t be back from shoulder surgery for a bit… and also because, well, he hasn’t exactly lived up to the brochure. The kid sucks.

Rumors have tied the Yankees to Bo Bichette—which makes perfect sense because he’s, you know, good. And then there’s my personal favorite, Ha-Seong Kim. The Yankees should’ve gotten him last offseason, but Cashman famously moves at the speed of a DMV line, so here we are. If Donovan doesn’t happen? Don’t worry—Cashman will fall back on his favorite offseason strategy: inertia.

Gone are the days when George Steinbrenner breathed fire down Cashman’s neck and forced actual roster improvement. Now we get “Zen Cashman,” who convinces himself Volpe is just fine and that José Caballero will blossom when he fills in. Plus, I'm personally already daydreaming about George Lombard Jr., give or take the usual Yankee prospect timeline.

But in my universe? Caballero stays put, they stop pretending Ryan McMahon is anything other than a baseball-playing cardboard cutout, and they go get Donovan.

Because let’s be honest: Donovan is a clear upgrade. He hits left-handed—something Volpe and Caballero do not—and he actually punishes right-handed pitching. A career .812 OPS against righties, eight of his 10 homers off them last season, and an .853 OPS in 2025? Yeah, sign me up.

But despite all that logic, somehow this infield that was a catastrophe last winter is STILL a catastrophe, and Cashman seems determined to keep the tradition alive. I like Donovan. I really do. But I’ve seen enough offseasons to know hope is dangerous.

My wallet says Bo Bichette.
My brain says Ha-Seong Kim.
My heart? Brendan Donovan.

Will any of it happen? With this front office? Flip a coin. And assume it lands on its side.

BICHETTE ISN'T RULING OUT THE BRONX

I’m not going to sugarcoat this: I’m ready to pack Anthony Volpe a lunch, call him an Uber, and wave as he crosses the George Washington Bridge. I’ve seen enough. Lovely kid, hustles hard, but at some point we need an actual shortstop, not a motivational poster with cleats.

And yes, I’ve already screamed into the void about the fact that Ha-Seong Kim should’ve been wearing pinstripes last year. (HERE) But no, Brian Cashman decided the infield was fine until he panic-shopped in late August like a dude buying Valentine’s Day gifts at a gas station. Enter Ryan McMahon — who performed exactly how we said he would on BYB — which is to say not great, Bob.

The Yankees do this every year: ignore the obvious problem, watch it become a disaster, and then sprint into a trade deadline frenzy like someone trying to patch a leaking boat with painter’s tape. Last season? Same script. Too many closers masquerading as starters, zero small ball execution, defense that looked like everyone was actively allergic to ground balls. April told us everything we needed to know. We just refused to read the subtitles.

Then came Jake Bird — the reliever who appeared for approximately 38 seconds, vanished into Triple-A Narnia, and honestly might have been teleported to another dimension. I hope he’s okay wherever he is. Maybe he ascended.

Anyway. Let’s move to the fun part:

Bo. Bichette.

Steve Simmons up in Toronto says Bichette might be open to New York. Sure, he’s publicly saying all the sweet loyal stuff about staying with Vlad Jr. and continuing the Blue Jays journey. But apparently the guy has also whispered to a few people that the bright lights of the Bronx do, in fact, hit different.

His deal is up after 2025. Blue Jays slapped a qualifying offer on him, but let’s be serious — he’s not taking a one-year rental when he’s worth an entire penthouse lease.

And we all know what Bo is. He’s the real deal. The swagger, the bat, the hair, the composure — the guy is built for pressure, not for “aww shucks, I’ll get ’em next time.”

Now picture this:

Bichette at shortstop.
Volpe… taking observation notes. Or on another roster. Or hosting a children’s baseball clinic in Westchester. Truly, I’m flexible.

This would be the most meaningful infield upgrade since Derek Jeter walked in and decided to be Derek Jeter.

Volpe was a promising kid until he wasn't. Bichette is a grown man who has already walked into noise, pressure, boos, expectations, and still hit lasers. The Yankees need that energy. They need that presence. They need someone who isn’t going to crumble the moment the Stadium asks for big October moments.

So yes. This needs to happen.

Brian Cashman, if you’re reading this:
Stop being clever.
Stop being cute.
Stop dumpster-diving in August.

Get the dude.

It’s right there.
Don’t trip over it again.

BELLINGER IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. YANKEES WIN!

The New York Yankees are giving me whiplash. One day they look like contenders, the next they look like a Little League team that forgot which base comes after second. (Blame Volpe for that.) Can we just pick a lane already? This constant yo-yo of hope and heartbreak is exhausting.

Saturday’s 3-1 win over first-place Toronto should have been one of those “we’re back, baby!” moments, and, sure, it was — but it came with all the drama this team loves to manufacture. The play of the game? Cody Bellinger — the human defibrillator keeping this team alive — unleashed a laser from right field to gun down Bo Bichette at the plate on Nathan Lukes’ single in the top of the sixth. That throw saved the Yankees’ lead and, let’s be honest, probably my sanity.

“I feel like every win at this point is pretty big,” Bellinger said afterward, which is adorable considering the Yankees have made every loss feel enormous, too. “I got a good jump on it… just wanted to make a good throw.” Well, mission accomplished, Cody. Without you, we’d probably be talking about another ninth-inning meltdown today.

Speaking of miracles, the bullpen — yes, the same bullpen that’s been leaking runs like a busted faucet — actually came through. Fernando Cruz and David Bednar tag-teamed the final seven outs without blowing up the scoreboard. Imagine that: three scoreless innings in a high-leverage game. Somebody give them a medal. 

The win sliced Toronto’s AL East lead to three games, and the Yankees are somehow still clinging to the Wild Card like a cat hanging from a ceiling fan. But here’s the thing — these games are big. This series is massive. This is season-on-the-line stuff. Aaron Boone, of course, had his usual “zen monk” take:

“We know what’s at stake,” Boone said. “We know how important these games are. But you also can’t make them bigger than what they are.”

Sorry, Boone, but no. These games are bigger than big. They’re enormous. Treat them like it. If the Yankees are clawing back now, it’s only because they’ve spent the last four months digging their own grave thanks to your weak decision-making, a front office allergic to common sense, and an analytics department that thinks baseball is played on spreadsheets instead of grass.

Here’s the ugly truth: if this season ends without a playoff run, the Yankees need a full-blown purge. Boone? Gone. Fishman? Gone. Every single number-crunching “genius” who thought math could replace instinct? Pack your calculators and leave.

Because here’s what I believe — if this team played with more gut and less algorithm, we wouldn’t be clawing back right now. We’d already be on top of the AL East, laughing at Toronto instead of chasing them.

But no, here we are, praying the bullpen holds, begging for consistent offense, and counting on Cody Bellinger’s right arm to save the season. Again.

Win today please!

WE'RE WATCHING THE AL EAST SLIP AWAY

 The Blue Jays will not go quietly.

Benching Anthony Volpe? Absolutely the right call. Starting José Caballero at short? Also the right call. The Yankees winning? Well… that should be the easy part, but somehow, they still find ways to fumble it.

At this point, I can’t even bring myself to blame the players anymore. This isn’t just about slumps or injuries — it’s about a franchise drowning in its own mismanagement all season. We were backed into a corner. The obsession with analytics, projections, and "modeling outcomes" has sucked the life out of this team. Aaron Boone? Half the time he looks like he’s solving a Rubik’s Cube blindfolded in the dugout.

And don’t even get me started on that whole Astros series sideshow — the Yankees whining about an "anti-Yankee" umpire conspiracy,  the Ryan McMahon “did he or didn’t he” catch fiasco… Grow up.

Brian Walsh ruled that Ryan McMahon didn’t catch this ball and after some dialogue the call stood pic.twitter.com/WcPI0n6Nc5

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) September 5, 2025

We clearly got squeezed in the Astros series.  There is NOTHING WE CAN DO ABOUT IT. This team sounds like a toddler blaming the teacher for losing recess privileges. Umpires aren’t our problem, boys. I didn't even write about it on BYB, because the whole thing was stupid.

Here’s the reality check: the Yankees are backed into a corner, clawing at excuses like they’re clinging to a life raft. Complaining about bad calls isn’t going to save this season. Winning games against the Blue Jays, Red Sox, and Tigers might. But, sure, keep crying about the ump while Toronto casually slaps you around.

Last night was another lesson in humility. Kevin Gausman completely dismantled the Yankees’ bats — seven innings, three hits, five strikeouts, and the only damage was Stanton’s solo homer. That’s it. That’s the game. Cam Schlittler? He was due for a rough outing, and Toronto made sure it arrived on schedule.

Bo Bichette, meanwhile, continues to make Yankee pitching look like batting practice. Broken-bat RBI double. Sacrifice fly. Crushing souls on repeat. The Blue Jays have now beaten the Yankees eight times in 11 meetings this year and flipped the division race on its head. Back in May, Toronto was eight games behind. Now? They’re not.

Forget conspiracy theories. Forget bad umps. Forget the excuses. The Yankees have a Blue Jays problem, a Boone problem, and — let’s be real — a reality problem.

Right now, they’re four games back. Four games, a manager on autopilot, and a fan base clinging to umpire drama like it’s gospel. 

It’s pathetic.

THE YANKEES NEED TO DUMP THIS BUM

 You should be embarrassed!

Another game. Another mistake. Another coddled quote from Aaron Boone. And another round of gaslighting from the Yankees front office, who seem more interested in selling us a fantasy than fielding a team that can actually win a championship. The obsession with Anthony Volpe—Boone’s golden boy, analytics’ love child, and the poster boy for modern Yankee delusion—has reached a breaking point.

Let’s talk about the moment that lit the match in last night’s meltdown. Volpe fielded a routine ground ball with runners on. Instead of throwing home to cut off the tying run—a play even a Little Leaguer would recognize—he decided to unleash his wet noodle of an arm to first base. The runner, Clement, was halfway down the line before Volpe even cocked his arm. Predictably, Clement reached safely, Nathan Lukes took off for third, and the Yankees were stuck watching a slow-motion car crash of their own making. The very next batter, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., delivered a two-run dagger that sealed the deal. Between that and when he made the stupid throw to third base that was botched, I broke my remote when I threw it at the wall.

But here's the worst part. It was idiotic.  Volpe himself chimed in with a line so tone-deaf it could’ve been written by the Yankees PR department: “We’re going to be aggressive, try to make plays, and back up the pitcher. So that’s baseball. It happens.”

It happens? You saying that after a Tuesday in April is one thing. But it’s July. These games matter. And when you're a shortstop in New York, the most demanding baseball town in America, with a supposed Gold Glove pedigree, you don’t get to screw up like that and hide behind buzzwords. You either make the right play or you’re not who they said you were.

Anthony Volpe is now officially exposed. He is not an elite shortstop. He is not a generational talent. He’s not even average right now. He plays the infield like his dad’s sitting behind the backstop with a checklist. Everything is tight, overthought, and hesitant. He's trying so hard to not screw up, he forgets how to play the game. And Boone? Boone enables it. Because Boone loves nothing more than loyalty—except maybe blind loyalty.

And the front office? A disaster. They handed the keys to shortstop—arguably the most important defensive position on the field—to a kid who never played above Double-A and thought, “Yeah, that’ll fix it.” They don’t use the eye test. They use Excel sheets. They scroll through WAR, launch angle, and exit velocity and declare Volpe the chosen one. Meanwhile, the games are slipping away, one brain-dead throw at a time.

This is the kind of move you expect from the Pirates. The Rockies. The Marlins. Not the goddamn Yankees. But here we are, knee deep in the Anthony Volpe experiment, and it’s looking more and more like a disaster science fair project.

And now, finally, there are whispers—actual whispers—that the Yankees may be looking to replace him. And the name that keeps surfacing? Bo Bichette.

Yes, please.

Bo Bichette is everything Volpe pretends to be. Confident. Powerful. Consistent. Fearless. The guy’s a two-time All-Star, two-time AL hits leader, and walks with the swagger of someone who knows he belongs. FanSided’s Stephen Parello even proposed it outright: the Yankees should go after Bichette in free agency. He wrote, “Bichette would give the Yankees a much higher floor with the same superstar ceiling... He'd cost more in terms of cash than Volpe, but after years of no significant improvement, the cost is warranted.” Translation? Pay the man. Dump the myth.

At this point, give me Bichette’s bat, his confidence, his pedigree, his everything. Because the Yankees need better. We’ve had enough of soft throws, frozen faces, and postgame excuses.

Volpe lost the game last night. Point blank. And this wasn’t a one-off. This has become a pattern. And for a team with October dreams, you can’t afford dead weight at shortstop. You certainly can’t afford delusion at shortstop.

The Yankees handed the job to a kid with no college experience, barely any minor league seasoning, and a few highlight clips from Somerset. They made him the face of a position that has been home to legends. And instead of developing him correctly, they threw him to the wolves. They’re not just ruining their season—they’re ruining him.

The Anthony Volpe Era needs to end. Not because the fans are impatient. Not because we hate the kid. But because we love the Yankees. And watching this front office cling to their Volpe fantasy while Boone coddles him like he’s his third son is insulting.

Boone has to stop managing with his heart and start using his brain. And if the Yankees have any self-respect left as a franchise, they’ll admit their mistake, pick up the phone, and start planning for a future without Volpe at short.

Because right now? Anthony Volpe absolutely sucks. And we’re tired of pretending he doesn’t.

THE THIRD BASE HOLE IS JUST A MINOR SETBACK, NOT DEFCON 1

Normally, when we toss around trade ideas, there’s at least a whiff of logic involved—something that benefits both teams. But this latest proposal? This might be the most absurd, caffeine-fueled fever dream in the history of trade speculation.

Let’s unpack the madness.

ClutchPoints floated the idea that the Yankees should send George Lombard Jr, Spencer Jones, and Ben Hess to the Blue Jays for… Bo Bichette. Yes, the same Bichette who is a solid athlete, a two-time All-Star, and currently slashing a respectable .288/.335/.420—but who’s also on an expiring deal and would need to change positions to even fit on the Yankees' roster.

This is less a trade proposal and more of a cry for help.

Lombard is the future of the Yankees infield. Jones is a potential star outfielder. And Hess? Another live arm with serious upside. Giving all that up for a rental shortstop with declining power and a soon-to-be-monstrous price tag is like trading your Apple stock for a handful of magic beans.

Yes, the Yankees have a hole at third base. No, it’s not the end of the world. Oswald Peraza and Jorbit Vivas can hold the fort while Oswaldo Cabrera recovers. It’s not ideal, but it’s also not DEFCON 1. Let’s stop pretending the Bronx is burning. Also, by the way, with DJ LeMahieu playing well, by the time Jazz Chisholm comes back, DJ will just move to third. Easy Peasy.

And can we cool it with the clickbait? Back in the day, trade rumors had a whiff of credibility. Now? Half the suggestions online feel like they're made up. Like someone skimmed a depth chart.

Bo Bichette is a good player. No disrespect. But trading the entire farm system for him on a rental by the trade deadline? That’s not team-building—that’s fantasy baseball after three beers and a dare.

To ClutchPoints: we’re calling BS. Love you guys, but let’s aim higher. Or at least, let’s aim for realism. That's called journalism.

THAT "BO BICHETTE TO THE YANKEES" PREDICTION IS HOT & HEAVY

Jim Bowden strikes again! You’ve got to love the guy. He’s like that friend who confidently predicts lottery numbers every week—never quite right, but always entertaining. The latest gem from The Athletic’s Bowden? “Bo Bichette signs a five-year, $147 million deal to play third base for the Yankees.”

Now, let’s unpack this. First off, Bichette has never played third base in his entire MLB career. Not even once. Zip. Zero. So, sure, the Yankees signing him would likely mean shifting him to third, but honestly? I’d rather see him stay at shortstop. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t get the whole Anthony Volpe obsession. If the Yankees have a chance to snag Bichette, I’d be the first in line screaming, “DO IT!”

The Yankees’ third base situation has been a mess since Alex Rodriguez retired. A revolving door of mediocrity. So, in theory, adding a guy like Bichette—who is in a crucial contract year and looking to rebound from a tough 2024 season—makes a lot of sense. But would the Blue Jays actually let him go? That’s the real question.

Blue Jays Insider recently pointed out that Toronto should be doing everything in their power to lock Bichette into an extension, especially given the uncertainty surrounding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. “With all the uncertainty surrounding Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and the way Bichette has been playing, it would be foolish for the Blue Jays not to make sure that Bichette is locked into a contract extension before the halfway point of the season.” Sounds like solid advice, but if Bichette is raking this year, he might just feel like it’s time to spread his wings. That’s where the Yankees could swoop in.

Let’s talk numbers. Over six seasons with Toronto, Bichette has hit .290 with 723 hits, 93 home runs, 343 RBIs, and 360 runs scored. That’s veteran production right there. If you’re the Blue Jays, you do everything possible to keep him. But if you’re Jim Bowden? You throw out a wild Yankees prediction just for the fun of it. And honestly? I love it.

This whole Bo Bichette-to-the-Yankees thing isn’t new, though. Back in January, while scrolling through offseason speculation, I came across an article by Nick Prasad over at Last Word on Sports suggesting the very same thing. It was such an outlandish idea at the time that I had to write about it on BYB in a piece titled, BO BICHETTE TO THE YANKEES? COME ON, MAN! My reaction then? Laughter. A lot of it.

I wrote, “Nick Prasad over at Last Word on Sports decided to shake up the offseason boredom with a blockbuster idea that has the Yankees trading for—wait for it—Bo Bichette. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good hot stove debate, but this one? It’s like something cooked up after three espressos and a nap in the Trade Machine.”

At the time, I brushed it off. But now? With Jim Bowden tossing this idea into the universe (probably just for clicks), I’m starting to think… maybe? A trade? A free-agent signing? Something? 

Stay tuned, because if history tells us anything, Jim Bowden’s predictions may not always stick—but they sure are fun to talk about.

BO BICHETTE TO THE YANKEES ISN'T SO FAR-FETCHED AFTER ALL

So, December 31st, I was cruising through the offseason fun when I stumbled upon an article by Nick Prasad over at Last Word on Sports. His big idea? Bo Bichette to the Yankees. You remember, right? 

The thought had me laughing so hard I had to write about it on BYB. In my piece titled BO BICHETTE TO THE YANKEES? COME ON, MAN!, I couldn’t help but poke fun at the whole thing.

I wrote, "Nick Prasad over at Last Word on Sports decided to shake up the offseason boredom with a blockbuster idea that has the Yankees trading for—wait for it—Bo Bichette. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good hot stove debate, but this one? It’s like something cooked up after three espressos and a nap in the Trade Machine."

Prasad's pitch? He suggested that Bichette would be a great investment for the Yankees' infield and lineup, assuming he stays healthy. The proposed trade included key Yankees like Anthony Volpe or Oswaldo Cabrera, along with a prospect. My reaction? "Oh, Nick. God love ya." I laughed it off and moved on, like many of you probably did too.

But then, Bob Nightengale of USA Today comes in with a new nugget, and suddenly, things are starting to make a bit more sense. According to Nightengale, Bo Bichette has "no real interest" in re-signing with the Toronto Blue Jays, at least according to a source. This revelation has me scratching my head, thinking maybe Prasad wasn’t as out there as I initially thought.

Bichette is in the final year of his contract and seems poised to test free agency after the 2025 season. After a somewhat rough 2022 where he posted career-low stats, he bounced back in 2023 with a .306/.339/.475 line, hitting 20 home runs and 20 doubles. Meanwhile, it looks like the Blue Jays might be focusing their efforts on locking up Vladimir Guerrero Jr. instead of Bichette.

Now, does this mean Bichette is destined for pinstripes? Who knows! But it’s certainly a lot more fun to entertain the idea now that we know Bichette might be looking for a new home soon. Fantasy managers, take note: Bichette in a contract year could be just the ticket you need.

As for us Yankees fans? Whether he ends up in New York or not, the drama is just too good to ignore. Maybe Prasad wasn’t so crazy after all. 

Let’s keep those trade rumors coming—because what’s the offseason without a little wild speculation?

BO BICHETTE TO THE YANKEES? COME ON, MAN!

Some of these baseball trade proposals are so far out there, it feels like writers are spending more time in a fantasy league than the real world. Case in point: Nick Prasad over at Last Word on Sports decided to shake up the offseason boredom with a blockbuster idea that has the Yankees trading for—wait for it—Bo Bichette. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love a good hot stove debate, but this one? It’s like something cooked up after three espressos and a nap in the Trade Machine.

Here’s Prasad’s pitch: “Bichette would be a good investment on the infield and in the lineup, especially if he can maintain health. How do we get him to the Bronx? A packaged deal would include a main infielder such as (Anthony) Volpe or (Oswaldo) Cabrera and a prospect.”

Oh, Nick. God love ya.

Let’s break this down. Bichette, a two-time All-Star, has been a cornerstone for the Blue Jays, but he’s coming off a 2024 season that saw his offense take a nosedive. Sure, a change of scenery might help him rebound in the final year of his current contract, but are we really talking about this? Volpe, the Yankees’ golden boy, a Gold Glove winner, and Mr. 60-RBI-a-year, is not exactly someone you toss into a trade willy-nilly. Cabrera, while more of a Swiss Army knife for the Yankees, also brings value with his versatility.

And if the Yankees were a video game, wouldn't it be cool for the Yankees infield to have Bichette at short, Volpe sliding over to second, and Jazz Chisholm at third. “Currently, Anthony Volpe is a hot topic,” Prasad notes. “This may be a key piece for the Yankees to possibly either move over to second base or trade. Why move to second base? To make room for a veteran trade.”

Man, there's a lot going on there to wrap my head around.

Oh, Nick. My guy. A Jazz-Bichette-Volpe infield is certainly fun to dream about, but the reality check is hitting like a 100-mph Gerrit Cole fastball. First, let’s acknowledge the Yankees’ attachment to Volpe, who is more or less the future of the franchise. Second, trading for Bichette and giving up key young pieces feels like swapping a fully charged phone for a battery pack on 10%. And third—well, who’s trading Jazz Chisholm anytime soon? What is happening?

Here’s the thing: Personally, I love this idea but I don't truly see it.  Full disclosure, I adore the Bichette family. Here at Bleeding Yankee Blue, we’ve had some lovely chats with Bo’s mom Mariana (read MOTHER'S DAY WITH THE BICHETTES) and Dante Bichette Jr, and there’s a bond there. But even with all that goodwill, this trade idea is, shall we say, a little far-fetched.

Nick, I get it—the offseason is fun, and we’re all trying to spice things up. But this one? It’s a trade proposal straight out of the multiverse. Thanks for the entertainment, though. You’ve definitely given us something to talk about—and laugh about—until spring training rolls around.

I got a big smile today, the last day of 2024!

I CANNOT IMAGINE VLAD GUERRERO JR IN YANKEE PINSTRIPES EVER!

I laugh so often when I find these nuggets about trades the Yankees should or may be in the running for. Then I read about the idea that the Yankees could be a trade partner with the Toronto Blue Jays and I fell over.  

First of all, it's click bait, nothing more, but when you the read the quotes, it makes sense for both teams from a business standpoint. Here's the issue, Vladimir Guerrero hates the Yankees and trade or no trade, can you really see this being a thing? I don't.  I appreciate Bleacher Reports Zachary Rymer even suggesting it, but it's clear this is a click tactic and nothing more.  We need to move on.

A publication called Heavy Heavy writes:

"The Yankees were listed as a landing spot for three-time All-Star Vladimir Guerrero Jr. by Bleacher Report’s Zachary D. Rymer.

“Let’s assume that, even if coughing up cash was part of the deal, Toronto wouldn’t part with its slugging first baseman without getting at least one top-100 type back,” wrote Rymer.

The Blue Jays could be open to moving Bo Bichette and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. in order to build for the future.

“I don’t think they’re opposed to it,” an unnamed executive told MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand. “They’ve talked to teams about it. The asks were ridiculous, but I think they’re going to try to retool a lot, and using those guys to get pieces may be the way to do it.”

But I think with every trade, there is one factor is that is not talked about when it comes to this stuff... personalities.  Vlad would get crucified in New York... even if he was a Yankee.  And Vlad? He hates us Yankee fans.  Remember this quote from MLB.com from April 2023?

"When asked if he’d ever play for the Yankees at that time, Guerrero replied, “No, not even dead.”

I just see this whole thing as ridiculous and yes, I'm calling out Bleacher Report for clickbait.  

Look, anything can happen. I never in a million years actually thought the Yankees would be as successful as they've been this season.  But this trade makes no sense, that's the bottom line.  

YANKEES BEWARE—THE JAYS ARE COMING FOR YOU

Source: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

I mean it is clear the Toronto Blue Jays want to best the Yankees here in the Bronx in the first week of the season. One would say they are setting a tone. But others say something different which I will dissect later in this piece. Yankees beware—the Jays are coming for you.

The Toronto Blue Jays have been steadily getting better every year. They add to their roster while nurturing their youth and it is the youth that is speaking out about their rhythm that is beating loud against the Bombers. “We’re just a bunch of kids going out there giving it all we got,” Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette said. “We work like professionals and everything like that and we go out there, we just have fun, we trust in our preparation, trust in each other in the locker room. It just honestly feels comfortable anywhere we are. I love playing with these guys, it’s an awesome group," reported The New York Post.

Source: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

Trusting the preparation is the line that got me. They are preparing collectively. And they believe in the work they are doing. I love that. It is honest work-hard-for-a-living talk. It is real and I appreciate hard work and trusting the process. I don't get that sort of feeling from the Yankees who once again only believe they can win with the home run—as evidenced by the last two nights. And guess what, that ain't gonna do it against the Jays or any other team that can hit with runners in scoring position and knock-in heck of a lot of runs. Last night's eighth inning should have been a huge run producer; instead, the Yankees strand two and get one run. 

Source: Associated Press

"They (The Toronto Blue Jays) appeared to be having themselves a jolly good time dispatching the Yankees 3-0 in the opener of a four-game series at the Stadium during which free-agent-to-be Aaron Judge — zero home runs in 16 at-bats — heard some boobirds when he whiffed in the eighth inning," reported The Post. I mean, I know it is early, and eventually, Judge comes around but we can't rely on his home run. We have to rely on hits from not just him, but the rest of the overpaid roster.

"Judge bet on himself to have a monster season so that he can get what he thinks he’s worth on the open market – he’s still saying he hopes to be a Yankee for life – but the pressure is on and his fan base may not be as accepting this year of the many hitless nights that every ballplayer has," reported NJ.com following the Monday 3-0 loss to the Jays. The wrong kind of pressure, I would say. Instead, the Yankees and Judge need to take a lesson from the Jays' playbook on winning for the joy of winning.

“I think that we’ve always been very confident in what we can accomplish. I think that the world is probably a little bit behind what we thought. We’ve known that we had an ability to make some noise for a few years internally. Obviously, we didn’t, but I think this is the first year that people are kinda onboard," said Bichette. 

Source: NJ.com

Maybe the Yankees can get their fuel from the Jays, or maybe how about just playing like them. I think the Yankees are missing a guy that can help in that arena— Brett Gardner. His presence brings much more than just leadership and spirit. He brings that fire and pressure to get on base that this Yankee team is lacking. Two down two to go before we ship off to the other bird nemesis we have a problem besting —those birds live in Baltimore. 

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

GARDY MAY GO YARDY IN TORONTO

Source: ClutchPoints

The rivalry between the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays just got more fierce. Word on the street is that the Jays are eyeing up the Yankees currently most tenured player who they failed to sign. Brett Gardner could fly the coop right over the Canadian border and it is not sitting well with me.

Source: Associated Press

The Yankees have said that they have other more viable options in the outfield, choosing to bypass Gardner despite his deep commitment to the only major league team he has called home. "The Blue Jays have a heavily righty hitting lineup. They would like to add a spare lefty-hitting outfielder with plate patience — an asset of Gardner’s throughout his career. If Gardner is interested in playing somewhere besides the Yankees, multiple executives told The Post they believe he could get a major league contract somewhere because he can still run, defend and is viewed as a hard-working clubhouse leader," reported the New York Post.

I'll tell you what, that quote could not be more true—hard-working clubhouse leader who can run, defend and adds dimension to any lineup. The Blue Jays have already stacked their team with winners including their newest first baseman Matt Chapman. 

Source: New York Times

According to the New York Times, "Among the reinforcements brought in for 2022: starting pitcher Kevin Gausman (whose breakout 2021 season with the San Francisco Giants, with a 2.81 E.R.A., earned him an All-Star spot and a five-year, $115 million deal) and starting pitcher Yusei Kikuchi (who had a 4.41 E.R.A. last year as the Mariners’ lone All-Star). And, of course, there is Chapman, who arrived on Thursday from the Athletics’ spring training site in Arizona and was in the Blue Jays’ clubhouse at 5:55 a.m. on Friday." And could Brett Gardner be the next piece the contending team adds to their arsenal that includes Bo Bichette, George Springer, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and starting pitcher and Cy Young winner Robbie Ray?

Source: Sports Illustrated

According to the Post, "Gardner’s representatives has said the veteran intends to play a 15th season. But clubs that could be interested wonder if Gardner, 38, is so aligned with the Yankees that if he cannot latch on with them he just retires." The Blue Jays have engaged Gardner's representatives just in case he just decides to play out his career on a new team, in a different country but in the same division as his beloved Yankees.

So, we have not seen the last of Gardner. And I believe he is more than ready to contend, more so than his younger peers. I wish it was in New York, but I have to say, if he goes to Toronto, he may very well have an exciting final year, which could see a Jays-Mets World Series. And his Yankees go home empty-handed again.

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

GERRIT COLE CAN SAY 'SAYONARA' TO THE CY YOUNG NOW

I don't put a lot of emphasis on individual awards because I keep my eye on the real prize....a World Series trophy. But even though most of us are super focused on winning the series against the Blue Jays and making it into the postseason, some are also focused on the Cy Young award.

The two favorites for the AL Cy Young are playing in this series and baseball is focused on Jays starter Robbie Ray and our own Gerrit Cole. We watched Cole pitch last night, and we will see Ray pitch tonight against Corey Kluber. If Ray pitches a better game then Cole did....he may be the standout favorite.

It would be nice to see Cole win the Cy Young, but that's something you have to earn and two of his last three starts have been clunkers now. He's struggled in some big games and he did again last night, too. Aside from the stats, here is a good visual for proof.

We could all tell early on, Cole was not on his game and the Blue Jays sat back and capitalized on his mistakes. He did finally settle down after the first couple of innings but by then the damage was done. Cole threw 19 pitches in a two-run first inning and 13 of those pitches were four-seam fastballs. The Blue Jays made contact with 7 of them and put 6 in play including a ball that was right down the middle to Marcus Semien who did not miss. Bo Bichette also had a big night with two home runs including the go-ahead run to win the game. You cannot pitch middle-middle to the Blue Jays and walk away unscathed. They are too good offensively.

Cole's final line for the night looked like this: 6 IP, 5 ER, 6K and 2 HR. Cole allowed 7 extra-base hits last night. He gave up the most extra-base hits on his four-seamer in ANY game he's ever pitched. The Yankees scored 5 runs, that should be enough to win a game. The offense did not fail Cole this time. They have in the past but this time the offense bailed him out when they tied the game and he failed the team by putting them behind in the first place. 

Cole is our ace and we need to rely on him especially in these big games as we fight for postseason berth. He said last night he would be ready to pitch the last game of the season on short rest if needed. The question here shouldn't be "will he be available?" it is "should we trust him and take that risk?" Two of his last three starts have not been good.

We want and need to see Cole pitch well, but that hasn't happened lately and because of that I think he can kiss any hope of a Cy Young award goodbye. Hopefully we haven't kissed the postseason goodbye, because right now that's the ONLY thing that matters and the gap is closer now that the Blue Jays and the Red Sox won last night. 

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Senior Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj