WILL DEFENSE IMPROVE WITH AMED ROSARIO?

Was this a good move? I can't tell.

The New York Yankees are spiraling, flailing, gasping for air — and finally, Brian Cashman is showing signs that he knows it. Saturday night, the Yankees made another move to try and salvage this slow-motion disaster of a season, acquiring infielder Amed Rosario from the Nationals in exchange for Clayton Beeter. It’s the kind of move you make not because you’re confident — but because you’re out of ideas and desperate for any spark. My opinion of course.

The timing of the trade raised eyebrows. New York just sent Allan Winans back to Triple-A and clearly needs arms, not more infielders. But instead of patching the bullpen or upgrading the rotation, they grabbed Rosario, a serviceable bat who’s mostly bounced around the diamond like a utility pinball. It’s almost like Cashman rolled the dice in the dark and hoped the ball landed somewhere near competence.

Let’s talk about the elephant in the clubhouse: Anthony Volpe. The kid is still in the lineup every day. Still the starting shortstop. Still struggling. This "Volpe Experiment" was supposed to be the next Derek Jeter. Instead, it’s closer to the next Pete Kozma. And yet Aaron Boone coddles him like he’s some sacred relic — or maybe a lost puppy he can’t bear to give up.

The signing of Ryan McMahon earlier this week was a proactive step, we’ll give them that. It was a real move. A legit player with a decent glove and some pop. But it didn’t solve the Volpe problem which I believe is a major one. Now, with Rosario in the mix, maybe — maybe — Volpe can actually ride the bench once in a while instead of trotting out there and giving Yankees fans indigestion four at-bats a night.

Rosario himself is no savior though. His bat is solid enough — hitting .270/.310/.426 with five homers over 158 plate appearances in Washington this season. But don’t get too excited. He’s mostly played second and third for the Nats, and his defense has always been... let’s call it "adventurous." At shortstop, his range is limited, and his instincts are suspect. So no, he’s not exactly a gold glove solution.

In other words, the Yankees just added another maybe to a roster already bursting with them.

This isn’t even the first time New York has gone after Rosario. Cashman’s had his eye on him before, which just tells you how long they’ve been running in place — chasing the same names, recycling old trade targets, and praying something clicks.

Let’s be clear: the Yankees should’ve handled third base back in the winter. But instead of doing their homework in December, they waited until July to do group project triage. And now, the damage is visible. There’s no rhythm, no consistency, and no plan. McMahon and Rosario might provide a slight offensive boost, but the real question is whether any of this matters if Boone keeps giving Volpe the royal treatment and the rotation continues to unravel.

When Cashman promised to "go to town," fans envisioned fireworks. Instead, we got... duct tape. And not even the heavy-duty kind — we’re talking off-brand stuff that peels up after a few hours.

So here we are: Rosario’s here, McMahon’s here, and Volpe is still here. The Yankees are frantically rearranging the furniture in a burning house, and Cashman’s trying everything — short of admitting the Volpe mistake.

Hope is not a strategy. Let’s see what happens next... but don’t hold your breath.

CLAYTON BEETER INJURY UPDATE

Clayton Beeter’s name might not be lighting up the headlines, but if you’ve been watching his rehab closely, you know there’s something brewing. After battling a right shoulder impingement that’s kept him off the mound for the Yankees all season, Beeter is slowly but surely working his way back—and making it clear he could be a big-time contributor once he’s ready.

His stint with Double-A Somerset this past week told a tale of two outings. On Wednesday, Beeter looked out of sync, needing 23 pitches to record just one out while walking three and giving up three runs on a lone hit. But if that had fans worried, the next outing was the reassuring exhale we all needed. Beeter returned to the mound looking far more like his dominant self, firing 1.2 innings of scoreless ball, striking out two, walking no one, and not allowing a single baserunner. Oh, and his fastball? It was humming in the upper 90s with the kind of life that makes hitters uncomfortable just stepping into the box.

This isn’t just a flash in the pan, either. His rehab began back in Tampa on April 20, where he tossed 1.1 clean innings. Across just 3.1 innings in Tampa and Somerset combined, the stat line looks shaky at first glance—an 8.10 ERA and three walks—but don’t let that fool you. That’s rehab rust, not a red flag. The real story is in the whiffs: six strikeouts in that short span and plenty of signs that his stuff is playing exactly how the Yankees hoped it would.

The organization clearly sees something, too. Beeter’s rehab assignment was recently bumped up to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, a sign the Yankees want him facing stiffer competition and getting closer to big-league readiness. And make no mistake—this bullpen might be solid, but there’s always room for a guy who can make bats vanish.

Empire Sports Media put it perfectly:

"... there’s always room for another bat-misser, especially one who brings a different look and late-inning potential. Beeter fits that mold—he’s not just depth, he’s the kind of arm that could force his way into important innings if he puts it all together."

And that’s the thing—if Beeter continues trending in the right direction, “important innings” might come sooner rather than later. His stuff plays. His attitude is fearless. And once he’s fully back, don’t be surprised if he’s not just another name in the bullpen—he might be one of the reasons the Yankees lock down October games.

UPDATE OF CLAYTON BEETER RIGHT HERE

Let’s be honest: the Yankees’ pitching hasn’t exactly been striking fear into the hearts of hitters lately. Sure, Carlos Rodón looked sharp in his last outing, but with him, it sometimes feels like we’re always one gem away from a dud. And while Max Fried has been nothing short of sensational, he can't do it all himself.

But here’s a name to keep an eye on: Clayton Beeter. Yep, remember him? The righty who came over from the Dodgers in the Joey Gallo trade—easily the best part of that deal. Beeter’s been on the shelf with a shoulder impingement since spring training, but we’re finally getting signs of life, and they’re encouraging.

Originally thought to be a rotation piece, the Yankees wisely pivoted and slotted him into a multi-inning relief role this season. With his explosive fastball and wicked slider, he’s built to blow past batters in short bursts—and goodness knows, the bullpen could use a little extra firepower right now.

Beeter only made 15 appearances across all levels in 2024 thanks to that shoulder hiccup, but when he’s healthy, the stuff is electric. In the bigs last year, his ERA sat at 4.91—not ideal—but don’t let that fool you. He struck out a ton of batters he faced, which is no fluke. And in the minors? He was lights out: 7 scoreless innings, 12 strikeouts, zero walks. That’s video game-level dominance.

He’s currently on a rehab assignment, and while there’s no firm date circled for his return, the fact that he’s back throwing is great news. If he can stay on track, Beeter could be a real difference-maker in a bullpen that’s begging for consistency.

So, here’s hoping he keeps trending in the right direction—because a healthy Beeter might just be the bullpen boost this team’s been waiting for. 

Let’s go, Clayton.

WITH THE YANKEE PEN HURT, THIS GUY MIGHT BE A PRIZE

An interesting dude has just gone on waivers. As you know, the Yankees are forever in search of that elusive "lightning in a bottle" bullpen arm to carry them through the season. And now, with Opening Day right around the corner, here comes a prime candidate: Justin Lawrence, fresh off waivers from the Colorado Rockies. And with the new hair policy it might be fun... I kid. I kid.

Let’s be real, Lawrence isn’t exactly coming off a Mariano Rivera-like campaign. After a solid 2023 season in which he posted a respectable 3.72 ERA with 11 saves and 78 strikeouts over 75 innings, things went a little sideways in 2024. His ERA ballooned to 6.49, his save total dwindled to two, and his strikeout numbers took a noticeable dip. Not exactly the kind of stat line that screams “must-have,” but hey, we’re talking about Brian Cashman here—a man who never met a reclamation project he didn’t love.

Now, under normal circumstances, scooping up a guy who struggled like that wouldn’t be a priority. But these aren’t normal circumstances for the Yankees' bullpen. JT Brubaker is sidelined with three broken ribs after his unsuccessful game of dodgeball with a comebacker. Scott Effross? Out. Clayton Beeter? Nope. Jake Cousins? Also MIA. So, at this point, why not take a flier on Lawrence?

The Yankees love a project, and Lawrence is nothing if not that. His funky sidearm delivery and mid-90s fastball have their moments, and if nothing else, he’d at least provide some depth in Triple-A. That is, if he has options left—something worth checking before we go all in on this idea.

Of course, claiming him would mean someone else has to go, but who’s really counting at this stage? Cashman could shuffle pieces around, create some phantom IL stints, or simply hope the bullpen sorts itself out in April. It’s not like that strategy has ever backfired before. Oh, wait.

In the grand scheme of things, Justin Lawrence probably isn’t the missing piece that finally gets the Yankees over the hump, but with how things are shaping up in the pen, taking a shot on him doesn’t sound that crazy. After all, desperation is a powerful thing—especially when your bullpen is held together with duct tape and a prayer.

SO ARE THE PHYSICALS GOOD OR ARE THEY NOT?

Aaron “No Championships” Boone is out here running his mouth again, proving once more why so many Yankees fans can’t stand him. His complete lack of awareness with the media is just exhausting at this point.

This time, it comes courtesy of Chris Kirschner from The Athletic, who cleverly posted two tweets just 20 minutes apart. The first one quoted Boone saying, Early returns on the Yankees’ physicals were good. 

Seems harmless, right? Well, not for long.

Because right after that, Kirschner followed up with this: Jake Cousins has a forearm strain. He’s in the middle of a no-throw. Could affect his availability for Opening Day. Clayton Beeter had a shoulder injury. He’s a little behind pace for his build-up.

So, let me get this straight—Boone just told everyone the physicals went well, yet here we are already hearing about key injuries? This is classic Boone: saying things that are immediately proven wrong. It’s embarrassing, and it happens way too often.

Cousins is expected to be an important part of the Yankees’ bullpen in 2025 after an impressive season, where he posted a 2.37 ERA with 53 strikeouts over 38 innings. As for Beeter, his right shoulder issue has slowed him down, though he’s resumed bullpen sessions. The Yankees are optimistic he’s turning the corner, but it’ll likely be a bit before he’s cleared for Grapefruit League action. While he’s mostly been a starter in the minors, he’s under consideration for a bullpen role to start the season.

At the end of the day, here’s the reality: I’m excited about the Yankees’ offseason and the pieces they’ve added, but none of it erases the fact that Boone is still the manager. And as long as he’s in charge, I don’t see a championship in our future.

Some might think I’m making too big a deal out of this, but for me, it’s just the truth—Boone doesn’t get it, never has, and never will. And honestly, it’s a disgrace that Hal Steinbrenner didn’t make a change after coming up short once again.

HOW DEEP IS THE YANKEES PITCHING STAFF?

I am impressed by Luis Gil every time I watch him do his work. He seemed unfazed by the long anticipated first series of the 2024 season against Boston. And he just did his job. His stuff was just beautiful, capturing his 9th win and a 2.03 ERA. 

Source: AP 

But when I look at the way Alex Verdugo performed against his former team on Friday night, I can't help but point out that the Yankees gave up three pitchers to close that deal with the former Boston outfielder. And what a deal that is turning out to be for the Yankees! Not to mention that the Yankees shipped four pitchers to San Diego for Juan Soto. And did I mention that Gerrit Cole hasn't pitched one ball for the Yankees yet this season as his team continues to soar above the AL East and the rest of baseball? The Yankees' pitching staff is deep. And we are now seeing just how far it goes.

"Cashman made headlines for blowing up at the GM meetings in Scottsdale, Ariz., rather aggressively (and slightly profanely) defending himself and his staff following what he himself described as a “disaster” of a 2023 season. Then a month later, he authored perhaps the best week of a career that’s long and storied (well, it’s now been memorialized in a book, I hear). The rivals understandably don’t make many deals together. The trade of Verdugo for a middle reliever and two middle-rung (at best) minor leaguers was interesting but soon overshadowed by the move for the incomparable Soto," reported The New York Post.

Everyone thought Brian Cashman lost his mind making what seemed very risky moves. But now he appears brilliant and the Yankees continue to exude brilliance down their batting order and across their pitching staff.

I watched Cole hurl 10 strikeouts last night in Rochester as a member of the Rail Riders while Gil impressed us up in Boston. And there are many more arms in the minors with the game acumen and pitching greatness to almost make us forget about Michael King and Jhony Brito. 

Ahead of spring training, Boone said this about the trades and battery of arms in the minors, “I do feel like considering what we lost in some trades this year, I think we’re in a much better depth position that maybe I even expected,” he said. “But you know that depth is going to be challenged. We’ll find out,” reported The Athletic. No one even expected Gil to be as good as he is. And there are guys like Will Warren and Cody Poteet who we saw in Kansas City who can step up as needed as the season progresses.

And it does not end there, we have seen how good Luke Weaver has been in middle relief and there is Clayton Beeter and Chase Hampton who is on the rise as The Athletic predicted in February. Not to mention that the Yankees are getting solid starts from their current rotation behind Gil; again all of this depth and success without Cole.

It going to be an exciting few weeks as the Yankees move into the midway part of a very long season. Pitching depth and success can carry any team further than expected. Let's hope this Yankee team keeps that momentum going and the pitching continues to support the incredible run production we have seen so far this season.

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

NEW BABY BOMBERS MAKE THE PITCHING ROSTER!

Depth is something the Yankees need, especially since they are seriously injury prone. It's exciting to see young players work hard and make the Yankee roster. And pitching is so critical, particularly with Gerrit Cole likely out until May or June. The Yankees have some new faces in the bullpen. Let's learn something about them.

"Nick Burdi learned yesterday that he would indeed start the year with New York after entering camp as a non-roster invitee. You will be hard-pressed to find a pitcher with a more unfortunate injury history than the 31-year-old who has not been able to pitch past more than a few months of a season since making his MLB debut with Pittsburgh in late 2018. Burdi’s journey has been punctuated by two Tommy John surgeries: the first in 2017 while with the Twins organization, and the second in 2020 with the Pirates," reported SB Nation. Now the injury record is concerning but what I like about him is his resilience. 

According to the New York Post, "Burdi changed his arm slot to try to alleviate what was causing the injuries and said after his outing Sunday how remarkable it is not to be in pain after every outing and to recover well." So, hopefully he will add value to this team who might be short on starting pitching depth. 

“I feel like at some point, the tides are gonna turn and the health is gonna be there,” Burdi told the New York Post. To be in this locker room, some of the guys I played with last year, we had a saying, ‘We have a jersey, we got a chance.’ To me, if someone’s gonna give me a chance, I want to make the most of it and run with the opportunity.”

Next up is Clayton Beeter who came to the Yankees as part of the deal that sent Joey Gallo out to west. I have really liked what I have seen of Beeter in the minors and this spring but according to CBS Sports, "Beeter has yet to appear in a major-league game, having collected a 3.62 ERA and 165:75 K:BB over 131.2 innings between Double-A Somerset and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2023." 

Source: NY Post

Honestly, major league baseball experience is something you earn, and he will get there, with the right opportunities. He offers long reliever depth, spending most of his time on the hill as a starter. With Luis Gil earning the last starting pitching slot, Beeter will find a home in the bullpen and provide hard throwing depth to the Yankees.

So new baby bomber pitchers will be in Houston on Thursday, with more baby bomber position players still to be selected. Those decisions are pending as Aaron Boone gets ready to take the reins of a new season. Let's hope he doesn't botch up again this year. 

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

POSITIVE VIBES ONLY AS THE YANKEES STRIKE FIRST IN 2024!

Spring training games are officially under way and just like that the 2024 MLB baseball season begins. The Yankees took on Detroit at Joker Merchant Stadium and blew away the Tigers in a 22-10 victory. I know it is only one game and it is only spring training, but the win was exciting because the lineup was filled with newbies and hungry athletes looking for a chance to battle in the big leagues this year.

According to SNY,  "The Bombers' offense came out flying during their first game of the spring, as they struck for nine runs on eight hits and six walks over the first five innings. Trent Grisham, the secondary piece acquired in the Juan Soto trade, got his Yankee career off to a loud start with a 421-foot three-run home run in the top of the second." 

The offense was absolutely explosive as Spencer Jones pinch-hitting for Grisham in the top of the fifth, smashed a towering 470-foot homer. The 22-year-old center fielder is 6-foot-6 and expected to start the season with the Double A Somerset Patriots. He was the Yankees first round pick in 2022 from Vanderbilt University. 

Source: NY Daily News

“Looking forward to him being in big league camp,” Boone said before Saturday’s game. “It’s part of his development, part of that growth process to be around guys he’s going to get to be around here. Hopefully getting in big league spring action and getting [at-bats] and stuff like that. It’s an important part of the development,” wrote the New York Post.

Other members of the lineup who contributed to the Yankee offense included outfielder Oscar Gonzalez, who was picked up on waivers from the Cleveland Guardians, Luis Torrens went 2-for-3 with a home run and 22-year-old infielder Jorbit Vivas also hit a dinger.

The Yankees saw strong pitching from 25-year-olds Luis Gil and Clayton Beeter. Both had good first innings but later gave up a couple of home runs. Recall that Gil missed a majority of 2022 and 2023 after undergoing Tommy John surgery in May 2022. He rehabbed at Single-A Tampa at the end of last season. "In a report from Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that the team wants to "find out about [Gil] as a starter" but didn't rule out using him in the bullpen. The current book on Gil is that he has excellent strikeout stuff, but still needs to improve his command; according to Boone, Gil is focusing on exactly that during the spring." 

Beeter will likely start the season where he ended last season with Triple A Scranton. "According to MLB.com scouts, he has an effective slider, a potentially dominant fastball and an emerging plus curveball. With three pitches, that could make him an effective starter or long reliever at the MLB level."

Day one is a success. And as fans, we all know this is going to be a slow roll and a long season. But with hope like this, we have to remain positive. There is a lot of negativities out there and certainly some of it has come from me. But right now, I feel optimistic—until the Yankees and their brass show me otherwise. For now, it is positive vibes only. 

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

BEETER TURNS HEADS IN SOMERSET OUTING!

Credit: Somerset Patriots

Many Yankee fans were happy when Joey Gallo was sent packing. What isn't talked enough about is how the Yankees got Clayton Beeter in return, and we all hope that works out well for our Yankee future.

Last night he pitched for the Somerset Patriots and it was like butter! Inside the Pinstripes writes:

"...the prospect the Yankees acquired for Gallo had an encouraging organizational debut.

Clayton Beeter, a 23-year-old right-hander, made his first start since the Aug. 2 trade for the Somerset Patriots, New York’s Double-A affiliate. The outing went well, as Beeter threw three innings against the Hartford Yard Goats without allowing a run or a hit. He also struck out six while walking one batter.

Beeter’s fastball sat in the mid-90s...

“I’m real happy with it,” Beeter told reporters after the 9-0 win.... “We put up a lot of runs today, which is really cool to see. This team’s really good, so I’m happy and excited for the rest of the season.”

Stuff like this is always great to see.  I really hope for great things from this kid!

FOR SOME, THE PINSTRIPES ARE TOO HEAVY. FOR OTHERS, THEY FIT JUST RIGHT

Source: USA Today

The Yankees were very active as the trade deadline came and went on Tuesday night. At the end of the evening, the Yankees picked up much needed pitching, dropped some dead weight and ended up becoming a better team today than they were before the big trades. Brian Cashman listened to every deal, every inquiry that came in as any General Manager should, and chose his moves wisely and precisely. Not everyone can play well in New York while others thrive. And that is part of the intentionality behind recruiting the right players to fit the New York pressure and mindset. For some the Pinstripes are too heavy and for others they fit just right.

Source: Sports Illustrated

One of the last moves of the evening was the departure of Joey Gallo to the Los Angeles Dodgers. Although he knew where he stood and expected the trade to happen, there is hope that he can acclimate and soar on another club. "A lot of us really feel for the situation he was in and the burden he felt and carried. I think a lot of us, myself included, very much hope he goes and kind of recaptures what we know he's capable of doing. I'll truly be rooting for him from afar,'' said Aaron Boone as reported by ESPN. The Dodgers gave up their 15th best prospect for the floundering outfielder, a 23-year-old minor league pitcher, Clayton Beeter, who is 0-3 with a 5.75 ERA this season with Double-A Tulsa, striking out 88 and walking 35 in 51⅔ innings. Yankee radio announcer Suzyn Waldman said Beeter has the potential to do great things if he can control his pitches and hopefully wear his pinstripes just right. Good move by Cashman to get something from the lifeless Gallo.

The Yankees also saw their farm-groomed pitcher Jordan Montgomery head to St. Louis on Tuesday for center fielder Harrison Bader who is actually on the IL with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. "Harrison Bader is one of the elite center-field defenders in the game,'' general manager Brian Cashman said, anticipating Bader will return in September. "So he provides a lot of lanes for us,'' reported ESPN. Montgomery on the other hand has struggled mightily this season, wearing very heavy pinstripes. "I still don't really think I've ever performed the way I should here,'' Montgomery said. "A lot better player than I've ever shown, but I think was consistent and definitely worked my hardest," reported ESPN. I am still shaking my head on this one, but hopefully, things will work out. Perhaps Matt Carpenter provided a bit of intel on Bader and if he's anything like him, we have a winner. 

The best trades happened on Monday with the Yankees picking up three pitchers including starter Frankie Montas from Oakland and heavy armed Scott Effross from the Cubs. "Effross, 28 years old, has made 61 career appearances in the majors. Across those outings, he's amassed a 2.91 ERA (146 ERA+) and a 5.67 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He's technically still a rookie, meaning that the Yankees could theoretically retain his rights well into the future, through the 2027 season," reported CBS Sports. Coming from big market Chicago, the Yankees are betting on him to perform well and likely fit in those pinstripes just fine. 

One interesting note is that Cashman fielded a number of inquiries on Gleyber Torres and relief pitcher Lucas Luetge, which clearly he declined. Wondered who they came from? San Francisco, Washington? I guess we won't know until there is a documentary produced about them and that gets revealed in an interview. 

Source: NY Post

I have to feel for those who can't make it in New York but at the end of the day, you have a job to do and you are being paid to perform. At some point, you need to get out of your head and produce like you know you can—clear the mechanism. There will always be those players who fit into their pinstripes and perform mightily but there are others who are weighed down by anxiety and pressure to win. New York is not for everyone but for the ones that prevail, good things come to you. Let's hope this tuned up team gels and reaches their final destination in the fall classic. 

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

IF BALLS JOHNSONSON WAS THE RETURN ON THE YANKEES TRADE OF GALLO, I WOULD HAVE BEEN THRILLED

You're reading the headline and wondering who Balls Johnsonson is. Right? Let me explain.

Balls Johnsonson was a fictional character I made in a videogame I had years ago for the Playstation 2 back in 2002.  Back then I played All-Star Baseball by Acclaim. The game was great because you could make players, store stats and even make up guys.  

Balls Johnsonson was the fastest player and hit for power, always hitting home runs, but totally sucked in the field restricting him from sometimes playing either first base, but usually only a DH. And that made up player was a staple in the games I played after 2002. It was a big joke. Why? Because my mind is demented and that's what I do... sue me. And so, that headline is an inside joke between me and a few of my buddies from back in the day just to give them a laugh. Because the reality is Balls Johnsonson is just a random nobody and today, Joey Gallo was finally traded. It could have been for a bucket of balls, it could have been for a low level single A player... and the bottom line is, it could have been for Balls Johnsonson. The point is, I don't care, as long as Joey Gallo is not in New York.

MLB Trade Rumors wrote:

"The Dodgers are taking a shot on Joey Gallo for the season’s final few months. They’ve reportedly agreed to acquire him from the Yankees in exchange for pitching prospect Clayton Beeter...

Beeter, a righty from Texas Tech, checked in as the #15 prospect in the L.A. system on Baseball America’s most recent rankings. He generates plus life on his mid-upper 90s fastball and has a good downhill curveball, but his lack of control seems likely to eventually push him to the bullpen. The 23-year-old has spent the season in Double-A, pitching to a 5.75 ERA with a huge 36.1% strikeout rate but an untenable 14.3% walk percentage across 18 appearances (16 starts)."

Bottom line, Beeter is better than Balls Johnsonson. He also has the potential to be better than Joey Gallo. That's it. The end.

At the end of the day, Gallo's time in New York is done, and thank God. This is good for the Yankees, but good for the Dodgers and great for Gallo who now has a clean slate.  I wish him nothing but the best.

Boom, the Gallo era is over.