IF THE YANKEES DON'T FIRE HIM, BOONE NEEDS TO WALK AWAY!

Let’s start with a truth bomb wrapped in pinstripes and frustration: Aaron Boone has to go. This is not a hot take. This is a baseball fan’s plea, born from years of empty promises, hollow pressers, and the slow, joyless decay of a team that used to breathe fire under the Bronx lights.

Yes, Boone owns a .581 winning percentage across eight seasons. And yes, that’s the fourth-best among active managers. But guess what? That number is as empty as the Yankees’ trophy case since he took over. A good regular season record doesn’t mean squat when your October resume reads like a disappointment reel. Ask any real Yankee fan—Boone doesn’t lead this team. He babysits it.

Boone’s relationship with his players feels more like a group therapy circle than a baseball team. He coddles. He protects. He nods empathetically when guys boot grounders or forget the number of outs. When Jazz Chisholm Jr. made a brutal baserunning mistake, Boone publicly called it “aggressive baseball.” Privately, according to Athlon Sports, he admitted it was dumb. You know what that is? Cowardice with a side of sugar-coating.

Leadership means calling out nonsense when you see it—not whispering it behind closed doors like you’re afraid of hurting feelings. Boone leads like a middle school vice principal who just wants everyone to get along and eat their orange slices at snack time.

Baseball isn’t a spreadsheet. It’s instinct, pulse, momentum. I caught something the night of August 4th when the Yankees lost 8-5.  During the game, David Cone set of Aaron's brother Bret Boone and I'm paraphrasing, that Bret wasn't the type that used an iPad to go over baseball players and techniques. Cone suggested that Bret Boone goes by gut and feel and "that's why Bruce Bochy" swept him up.  In other words, that's why Bret coaches with Bochy... cause he's smart.  Cone can't talk trash about Aaron Boone in public, but I can guarantee you that was a subtle shot at Aaron Boone because he doesn't use his gut. 

He and the Yankee cronies in the front office us iPads and projection analytics.  That's how I interpreted it. I could be wrong, but that's how I feel. Boone clings to analytics like they’re the Rosetta Stone. He’ll pull a pitcher who’s shoving because the iPad says so, only to put in some reliever who last pitched during the Paleozoic Era. You’re left wondering if Boone is managing the Yankees or simming a game on MLB The Show with auto-manage turned on.

Let’s not dance around it—this team forgets how to bunt, move runners, or even play heads-up baseball. And that’s on Boone and his staff. We’ve seen more cohesive strategy in beer league softball games. 

You think Billy Martin would’ve let this slide? Earl Weaver? Heck, even Joe Girardi would’ve flipped a table by now.  Under Boone’s watch, talent rots and hustle dies. The Yankees can go from world-beaters to bottom-feeders over the course of a single series. They’re not bad because they lack skill. They’re bad because they lack urgency. And urgency starts at the top.

Here’s the cherry on top of this stale sundae: Boone has had a Cy Young winner and an MVP on the roster. And what does he have to show for it? A 22-23 postseason record and not a single World Series appearance. That’s a historic waste of firepower. He’s the first Yankee manager to hold both of those trophies on his roster and still be home in November. That should be a felony in the Bronx.

Even as the Yankees stumble and bumble, you’ve got the usual suspects running interference for Boone. Michael Kay, for one, seems to think Boone is just misunderstood. Why do fans hate him so much, he wonders?

Gee, Mikey—maybe it’s because the Yankees have been underachieving for years, and you’re more concerned about keeping your YES Network paycheck than speaking the truth! And that IS the truth! Kay will never talk about of turn against Boone... because he doesn't have balls. So what does he do? He picks on the fans. 

On the other end, you’ve got Evan Roberts on WFAN telling it like it is—Boone needs to go now. Finally, someone with a mic and a pulse. That God someone else is calling for Boone's firing that Bleeding Yankee Blue.

And so, if the Yankees won't fire Boone. Maybe Boone needs to look in the mirror and recognize that maybe he needs to walk away from the team.  Even in the loss to the Rangers tonight. Boone has Mark Leiter and Dave Bednar up in the pen and Williams pitching to Tellez with the bases loaded. He had an opportunity to take out Williams, but he froze.  Well, Williams pitched and gave up 2 runs. Is it Williams fault? Negative. It's the manager's fault for not reacting and not using his gut. He thought with his stupid iPad.  

I often think about the Ted Williams blueprint.  In 1969, Ted Williams took over the lowly Washington Senators and dragged them to 86 wins, earning AL Manager of the Year. But when things soured and his team nosedived into a 54-100 record in 1972 and they became the Texas Rangers, Williams didn’t hang around like a barnacle. He left. No fuss, no delusion, just dignity. He understood... the leader of the club, him, wasn't doing his job. Ted Williams had the self-awareness to walk away when he knew he wasn’t helping. Boone? He’s clinging to this gig like it’s the last churro at a ballpark stand.

Look, after tonight's loss and just awful managing once again, Aaron Boone must know it's time. Either he needs to be fired, or he needs to walk away.  You don’t need to wait for Hal Steinbrenner to grow a spine or for Brian Cashman to stop rearranging the bullpen like it's fantasy camp. Do what’s right. You’ve lost the clubhouse. You’ve lost the fans. You’ve lost total control and much like I've been preaching here since 2020... you're a terrible leader. You manage in fear.

Just leave. Because leadership isn’t about buddy-buddy relationships. It’s about winning, demanding greatness, and knowing when the team needs something different. And the Yankees, right now, need something very different. So go Boone... go away.

JUAN SOTO: ALL MONEY, NO SWAG!

I'm sure I am not alone but, I have some Mets friends and there tune sure has changed a lot since December. So, after taking it gracefully for months, I decided to have a little fun this week. I found the Juan Soto milk carton several times in my feed on X and I had to have some fun with it. Soto is missing....and Mets fans are hating it.

Meanwhile, yes I am loving it. I will admit that I loved watching Soto look so lost in the Subway Series. I know realistically he won't stay in this slump all season but seriously....what a change from Soto in pinstripes to Soto in that other ugly New York uniform. What's missing?

I think David Cone said it best HERE. I've always been a big Coney fan, so when he talks, I listen. I think he hit the nail on the head here. Not for nothing, he knows what it is like to play for both teams so I really don't think anyone can relate to Soto the way he can.

"It just reminds me of what my ex-manager Joe Torre used to talk about a lot. And he was around it sort of at the end of his career, when analytics started to come into the game and make a big play and all the information in the big data era. He still wanted to talk about the heartbeat," Cone said. "He still managed the heartbeat of the player. And that’s what’s going on with Juan Soto. It’s the heartbeat. It's emotional. There’s no question about it. That's what leads to the confidence in the batter's box. That leads to the lack of the Soto shuffle. That's just feeling it, and that's clearly emotional. That's the human element that's going on with him. And I don't know how you work through that. That's something he's going to have to figure out himself. He's got a good support group around him that is going to give him everything he needs. But bottom line is, Juan Soto's got to feel it emotionally. And until he does, we're not going to see the same old swagger that we're used to seeing from him."

I think he's on to something there and I say that because when I was watching the series, I disagreed with some of what Michael Kay said. When Soto was at the plate being booed, he was smirking. Kay said he wasn't fazed by it, or letting it get to him....and I disagree. Plenty of players have been booed in Yankee stadium, but I feel like many of them did a much better job at just tuning it out as best as they could and just focusing on the at bat. His body language said the opposite and honestly it fueled my reaction to him watching at home. I became MORE vocal with every smirk he gave. He was letting all of the noise around him consume him....so I don't agree with Michael Kay at all. It's like we were watching a completely different series.

I think Soto is dealing with some feelings. I think he didn't want to be in the shadow of Aaron Judge. I think he thrived with Judge's support and protection and now he doesn't have that in Queens and he isn't dealing with it. Now he is the guy that needs to live up to his ridiculous salary and he hasn't figured out how to do it. He's choking, and he's lost the spark that he once had. He's a shadow of himself and until he deals with that his swag is all but gone. He's all money, no results.

So yeah, Soto belongs on the milk carton. He chose to leave the Bronx for the money so now he needs to MAN UP and deal with it. Or don't and let the rest of the baseball world watch him spiral out of control and flush Steve Cohen's money down the drain.

#SORRYNOTSORRY

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

BUT I'M THRILLED JUAN SOTO IS GONE, CONEY!

If there's one person in baseball I can't get enough of, it's David Cone. The guy was an absolute magician on the mound, a fierce competitor, and a true athlete. But somehow, he might be even better in the booth than he was on the field. His insight, delivery, and wit make every broadcast a must-watch. There’s no doubt about it—Cone is simply the best in the business.

Speaking of the best in the business, let’s talk about how the Yankees are winning this offseason while the Mets are sitting in timeout, wondering where all their money went. Juan Soto leaving the Bronx? That wasn’t a gut punch for me—it was a sigh of relief! The Yankees were handcuffed, and now we’re free to make real moves. Meanwhile, Soto darted for the biggest bag he could find, landing with the Mets, and what do they have to show for it? A franchise staple in Pete Alonso twisting in the wind because suddenly, Steve Cohen found the budget button.

The Yankees, on the other hand, shouldn't cry over spilled Soto. They pivoted and went shopping—Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Max Fried? Not a bad haul. Soto’s departure set off a chain reaction that made the Yankees better, deeper, and more balanced. That’s what a real organization does. They adjust, reload, and get stronger. The Mets? They should’ve taken notes from the Yankees before writing a blank check to Soto, because now they’re stuck in financial purgatory.

And if you need even more proof that the Yankees did the right thing, listen to David Cone. The great Bob Klapisch had a fantastic Q&A with Coney about the Yankees and the Soto fallout, and Cone had some classic words for the Yankee fans still crying about it:

Cone: “Get over it... And how you get over it is just by what the Yankees are doing. You pivot.”

Q: Let’s start with Soto, since he was the catalyst to the Yankees’ turnover. Are you surprised he ended up leaving?

Cone: “I was amazed at how far (the bidding war) went. It’s really indicative of the current compensation system. You have someone like Soto, who drives everything up, as far as it can go, to find out what he can get in free agency.

“That’s been the Players Association’s mantra for years. In hindsight, I can understand why (Soto) left. I’ve seen it first-hand. The Cohen family, husband and wife, are dynamic. They can make you feel warm and fuzzy. I could see how Soto was going to feel that way about them.”

Q: Most of my friends who are Yankees fans weren’t as understanding as you, Coney. They’re still in therapy. But your message is about looking ahead, right?

Cone: “Just remember the Yankees aren’t even close to being done. They’re still trying to assess a long-term solution at third base. Is there another Scott Brosius out there? Someone that would fit perfectly – a guy who could pick it and hit some bombs?”

And there you have it, folks. Straight from the best in the business. You don’t dwell. You move forward. And that’s exactly what the Yankees are doing—while the Mets are stuck holding an expensive bag. Tough break.

THE IMPACT OF MARIANO DUNCAN

Mariano Duncan's influence on the New York Yankees during the 1996 season was profound and multifaceted. His arrival marked a turning point for a team on the cusp of greatness, and his leadership and positivity were instrumental in shaping the Yankees' championship mentality. This story delves into Duncan's journey to the Yankees, his role in the team's success, and the legacy of his famous rallying cry.

Mariano Duncan signed with the New York Yankees as a free agent on December 28, 1995. Coming off a stint with the Cincinnati Reds, Duncan brought a wealth of experience and a winning mentality to a young Yankees team. He had already won a World Series with the Reds in 1990, and his veteran presence was seen as a valuable addition to a Yankees roster that was looking to take the next step toward championship contention.

Duncan was 33 years old when he joined the Yankees, a seasoned veteran in the twilight of his career. Despite his age, he embraced the role of a mentor with enthusiasm. His experience and positive attitude made him a natural leader in the clubhouse. According to Joe Torre, the Yankees' manager in 1996, Duncan's influence was immeasurable. "Mariano brought a sense of calm and confidence to our team. He was always upbeat and kept everyone focused on the task at hand," Torre recalled in an interview.

Teammates echoed Torre's sentiments. Derek Jeter, who was in his rookie season in 1996, spoke highly of Duncan's impact. "Mariano was always there with a smile and a word of encouragement. He taught me a lot about staying positive and taking things one game at a time," Jeter said. Duncan's ability to connect with younger players and his infectious enthusiasm helped to foster a cohesive and motivated team environment. 

Mariano Duncan’s famous expression, “We play today, we win today… das it,” became a cornerstone of the New York Yankees’ 1996 championship season, capturing the essence of the team’s approach to the game and helping to build a winning mentality. This section delves deeper into the origins of this phrase, its significance, and how it encapsulated the Yankees' focus during their march to the World Series title. David Cone said, "That phrase, ‘We play today, we win today… das it,’ was on everyone’s lips. It became part of our identity. Mariano brought a level of positivity and simplicity that really resonated with all of us.”

Mariano Duncan brought his famous phrase to the Yankees from his previous experiences in Major League Baseball. Having played for several teams, including the Cincinnati Reds, where he won a World Series in 1990, Duncan had seen firsthand the importance of maintaining a positive and focused mindset. His expression reflected his belief in taking one game at a time and giving maximum effort every day.

Why is that Mariano phrase so important? 

1. Focus on the Present: Duncan’s phrase emphasized the importance of focusing on the current game rather than worrying about the past or future. This mindset was crucial for a young Yankees team that had a mix of veterans and emerging stars. By instilling a one-game-at-a-time mentality, Duncan helped prevent the team from getting overwhelmed by the pressures of a long season and the high expectations placed upon them.

2. Building Confidence: The slogan also served as a confidence booster. By stating, “We win today,” Duncan instilled a belief in the team’s ability to succeed every day. This positive reinforcement was essential in building a winning culture within the clubhouse. Players started each game with the mindset that victory was within reach, fostering a competitive and optimistic atmosphere.

3. Simplifying the Approach: Baseball can be a mentally taxing sport, with players often overthinking their performance and strategy. Duncan’s expression simplified the team’s approach, cutting through the complexities and reminding everyone to focus on the basics: play hard today and aim to win. This simplification helped reduce anxiety and allowed players to perform more freely and confidently.

Duncan may not have been an overwhelming bat for the Yankees back in 1996, but he had a deep influence and to this day he is one of the most important and impactful Yankees of that 1996 team!

--Alvin Izzo

BYB Yankee History Contributor

RODON & THE WORLD OF CRAZY STARTS

I just can't figure out this guy. Carlos Rodon is a great pitcher, but something is not clicking now that he's with the Yankees... it is crazy to me.  Last night he pitched against the Royals and it was a mess once again.  Did you know that Rodon made history last night? He's the first starter in Yankee history to give up 8 runs and not record an out. I want you to think about that. And it's against the Royals.  

Anyway, Yardbarker has more:

"The poor start comes after Rodon reached out to Yankees fans expressing his disappointment over his performance before vying to prove himself over the remaining five seasons of his lucrative contract. Rodon signed a six-year, $162 million deal in free agency with the Yankees in December but has failed miserably to live up to it.

At the time of his signing, many had doubts about Rodon due to his extensive injury history, including Tommy John surgery in 2019 and other forearm and shoulder ailments. Those worries came to fruition when Rodon had his Yankees debut delayed until July due to forearm and back injuries."

And I guess this goes back to Cashman. I mean, was this guy a bum with a bad injury history and he just disregarded it like he did Frankie Montas?  Cashman has really made some bad moves over the past few years. I almost feel like Rodon could fall into the same category.

And it's Rodon and his attitude that is starting to rub people the wrong way.  NJ.com has this:

"Six batters into the meltdown, with the Royals already leading 4-0, Blake came to the mound and Rodon responded by turning his back on Blake, waving the coach away with his glove. The gesture was momentary but nevertheless openly disrespectful toward a member of Boone’s staff.

The exchange was caught on YES, where Michael Kay and David Cone discussed it at length. To his credit, Rodon seemed remorseful and acknowledge it was “embarrassing” conduct for a professional."

And if those guys see it, that means we all do and we all did.

Last night we played in Kansas City. The crowd was not huge, the weather was nice. All Rodon had to do was pitch. But he couldn't get it done.

Looks like all eyes are gonna be on Rodon this offseason as what the hell to do with this guy. Just add him to the list of problems the Yankees have with Cashman and Boone right at the top.  

What an outrageous season to be a Yankee fan... my goodness.

DAVID CONE NAILS IT WHEN IT COMES TO DOMINGO GERMAN!

I always find David Cone great to listen to. There are plenty that don't. That's their opinion and there's nothing wrong with it. As far as I'm concerned, it's subjective. For me, Coney speaks his mind, very honest and says it like it is.  

Now we all know that he, David Wells and Don Larsen were the only Yankees to have Perfect Games before Domingo German joined the club late last night.  Now we have 4. As a Yankee fan, be proud. That's a huge achievement.

Well, Cone spoke about German and what comes with pitching a Perfect Game.  Clutchpoints writes:

"Cone said that German’s life and potentially his career will be altered for the better after the accomplishment...

"...this could really help springboard him to bigger and better things. It did for Boomer in ’98, he became a different pitcher after that day. He really gained a lot of confidence and possibly that could work for Domingo as well."

It is slightly similar to what I was talking about this morning when I wrote  GERMAN FINALLY TURNS THE PAGE TOWARD GROWTH & WHAT ROLE MODELS NEED TO BE, but I was speaking about German's shortcomings of the past and overcoming those disappointments with achievement and moving forward.  The point is, a spark like this Perfect Game could be a huge boost for German, yes on the field for sure, but definitely in life too.  You feel better about yourself, you want to do better.  We're in the realm of a confident pitcher and positive role model as well. 

Clutchpoints continued with an important nugget that many of us have heard but forgot about last night when we were blinded with the Perfect Game:

"There were murmurs that the Yankees were considering taking him out of the rotation. Now it seems that Domingo German will stick around for a little while longer and could turn out to be an important piece for the Yankees as they trudge through the season without Aaron Judge."

German was about to be removed. I believe that! I'm really hoping Boone doesn't man-handle this guy and remove him from the rotation.  German did something great, but the best part of that is not rest, but to keep going.  If Boone was smart, he'd leave German alone and see what other special stuff can happen with this guy.

But there's no question Cone is onto something.  He's got a great baseball mind, and his point of potential future success rings true.  But at the end of the day, it comes down to German.  Can he stay focused and gain confidence? I believe it's in him, but we shall see.

GERMAN FINALLY TURNS THE PAGE TOWARD GROWTH & WHAT ROLE MODELS NEED TO BE

The Story of the day is of course, Domingo German's Perfect Game.

Look, you cannot ignore a great moment in sports.  Last night, German did something that only 3 other Yankees have done before him. Don Larsen, David Wells and David Cone now are part of the Perfect Game club with German. A monster achievement, and definitely catapults him into a more glamourous, elite club in baseball.  It is something special.  With this moment comes maturity, comes being what a role model should be.  I know what you're thinking, and you're right... there's a life lesson here when it comes to German.

I saw it with my own eyes and when it happened, I had weird emotions about it.  Clearly the Yankees won. Clearly the A's were terrible.  But it felt weird to me because it was Domingo German. It wasn't jealousy. It wasn't hate. It was about integrity and character and maturity for me.  For me, my emotions weren't as large as I wanted them to be.  But when I see this man and the journey he took to get here, I was happy for him. Not as an athlete, but as a person. Does that make sense? 

Look, in sports we root for our teams... we root for our guys.  There's nothing better in sports. But something was off with this guy throughout his journey to get here. Yup, I look like I'm raining on this guy's parade. I should shut up, right? Maybe.  Last night when it happened my buddy texted me when it happened. My bud is a Phillies fan. He had no business watching German dominate, but that's the sweetness of sports. He found it, watched it, texted me because I'm the Yankee fan.  I was already falling asleep, so I went to bed with happiness for the Yankees, but fell right to sleep. This morning I wrote the first feeling I had about it.

Sporadic. That's how I've always seen German.  I always feel like this guy is trying to find his way.  The struggles, the accusation of beating his wife, the punishment, the getting caught cheating with substance on his hands... the nights of him getting shelled, the #0 which to him is a way of being provocative, but to me is subliminal for loser.  That's Sporadic to me. I almost feel like most people in sports haven't had a ride that turbulent.   Last night however, I saw a changed man, a long journey and a man that figured it out.

The 24th Perfect Game in MLB History

It Belongs to Domingo German pic.twitter.com/bPQtb9gbmf

— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 29, 2023

As the day goes on today, I will watch the highlights a lot, because over all I will be happy for the Yankees. And yes, to me it symbolizes that sporadic Domingo German turning the page of chaos and uncertainty. Today he looks more mature... more of a role model. Sure, maybe I'm over analyzing it. But that's why you come to BYB right?  

Domingo German deserves congratulations.  He's now in an elite group and because of that more will be expected of him.  He will need to be good the next time out. He will need to now show his own maturity... his own swagger and step up and lead by example.  Maybe that's what will be the difference for me being a true fan of German. Can he carry himself with poise?  Can he grow from this? Can he become a better pitcher and a better person?

I was watching and thinking about it this way. Second chances and redeeming ones self are important in everyone.  We judge people that make mistakes, but what if the person that was making the mistake was you own son or daughter. Would you judge, or would you root for them?

Hypothetical. What if German was my son and he beat his wife and was suspended from the MLB for a while? What would I do? I'd probably rip him behind closed doors, but I'd give him another chance.

What if my son was German and he was caught with substance on his hand and kicked out of a game because of it? Well, I'd rip him behind closed doors and then I'd give him another chance.  And so, as I write this here, I think ultimately, last night's Perfect Game for German was about second chances, wasn't it? It was about him finding his way, not only as a professional athlete, but in life too.

I am not a perfect person, no doubt about that. No one is.  But looking at it that way allows me to enjoy this Perfect Game more for German even more.  And when I think about it that way, he deserves all the praise in the world.  German is even closer to the top of his game, more mature (we hope) and able to stand tall through all the crap and say "Hey, I did this."  For me as a Yankee fan and father... those emotions blend at this moment, and I see that this is a good thing. A good thing for the Yankees, and definitely German.

I leave you with this. I saw this on Twitter and thought it made sense, especially in this situation.

In the case of German, in the case in how I emotionally processed this... it just makes sense. Learn from mistakes, move forward. 

Congrats to Domingo German.  Soak it in, you deserve this moment.  

GERRIT COLE THROWS 2000

On Tuesday night, the Yankees embarked on an important three game series against their division rival Baltimore Orioles. Those Orioles are always muckrakers against the Yankees. And they certainly had Gerrit Cole's number last night in the early innings. But Cole did something great despite giving up two home runs and a two run double, quickly giving the O's a 4-0 lead. But it wasn't enough to beat the Yankees as they walked off with a 6-5 win in extras. Making the night even more special. 

"Gerrit Cole fanned former Yankees prospect Jorge Mateo in the second inning and became the 87th pitcher with 2,000 career strikeouts. He got there in 1,714 2/3 innings, third fastest all-time. Only Chris Sale (1,626 innings) and Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez (1,711 1/3 innings) beat Cole to the milestone," reported CBS Sports. Good for him. He has been a different person, a different pitcher this season. Though he earned a no-decision in Tuesday night's game, he made history.

"In terms of games pitched, Cole is also the third fastest to 2,000 strikeouts. He got there in 278 games, behind only Hall of Famer Randy Johnson (262 games) and the great Clayton Kershaw (277 games)," reported CBS Sports. Anytime I get to mention Kershaw in a piece, it is a good piece!

Recall that last season Cole set the Yankees franchise single-season strikeout record, moving passed Ron Guidry's 248 strikeouts which he threw during his historic Cy Young season in 1978. Anytime I mention Guidry in a piece, it is a good piece! Cole has the opportunity to do much more as long as he stays healthy. He will be with the Yankees through 2028 given his current contract.

"He’s one of eight pitchers to achieve the milestone while wearing a Yankees uniform, joining the likes of Andy Pettitte, C.C. Sabathia, Catfish Hunter, David Cone, Mike Mussina, Bobo Newman, and Dwight Gooden," reported Sports Illustrated. Okay, I am a Pettitte and Catfish fan, so anytime I mention them...you get the point. 

Cole has shown tremendous growth and leadership as well this season. Often he is seen talking with young pitchers, reviewing their performance on the dugout iPad and even providing some much-needed humor when the team was down. His presence is invaluable to this team. Congratulations, Gerrit Cole on this well-earned accomplishment. And let's go Yankees, beat them O's!

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

SHOULD BEN RORTVEDT'S LATEST INJURY BE A CONCERN FOR THE YANKEES?

If you have been anxiously awaiting the debut of Ben Rortvedt, you will have to wait a little bit longer. How much longer? That's a really good question that I wish we knew.

I've been really intrigued with Rortvedt since we acquired him with Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the trade that sent Gio Urshela and Gary Sanchez to the Twins last offseason. His glove could be a golden ticket for the Yankees....if we get to see him in action. He hasn't had any big league action since 2021 where he played in 39 games for the Twins.

So how much longer do we wait to see him in pinstripes? At least a month, bare minimum, read more HERE. Rortvedt had surgery yesterday for a finger ailment that doctors spent days trying to figure out, but couldn't. Ultimately, he saw a specialist who was able to determine that he had an aneurysm near the posterior in his left shoulder, which had impacted the circulation in his hand and fingers. Yikes!

Is anyone else having flashbacks from 1996? All I can think about is David Cone's aneurysm that led to him losing feeling in his fingers. Talk about a flashback. For now, we will continue watching Jose Trevino and Kyle Higashioka and see what happens over time.

I really hope Rortvedt gets some action in pinstripes, but he hasn't been healthy since we acquired him, and that is a concern for me. First it was an oblique injury and then he had knee surgery to clean up his meniscus. It feels like it's one issue after another with him and he's only 25 years old.  

Hard to ignore the injuries here, but I am trying to think about the promise he has with his glove. I've always loved a good, strong defensive catcher. Question is.... will he be ours? 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

FOUR TARGETS THE YANKEES ARE LOOKING TO SIGN!

Aaron Judge is the big fish, but he's not the only one out there. Remember, the Yankees didn't get very far in the post season for a few reasons. Judge wasn't the only reason. Their offense stunk and pitching was a little shaky. I had said it all year; I said the Yankees looked great for most of the season, but it's in those short series that you truly find what kind of team you have. The Yanks didn't have it, and so, we really need to think about what to do to improve.

There are some names attached to the Yankees this offseason. I wanted to share four of them with you. Do with it what you want. The rumor season is always a weird one built up with clicks and ideas. So, in the end, who knows what will really happen. But I wanted to share the names anyway... because it's fun.

Pablo Lopez:

The Yankees liked this guy back in August. But nothing ever happened.  Now, his name is back in the fold and this time he's connected to Gleyber Torres to make it a reality. Jon Heyman tweets this:

Biggest name hear available in trade so far is Marlins pitcher Pablo Lopez. Fish need hitters! Came close to dealing him to Yankees at deadline in a Gleyber Torres deal.

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 8, 2022

Yanks go Yard says this:

"The Marlins need hitters and they have a plethora of starting pitchers, with Lopez slowly becoming expendable because he’s a free agent after 2024 who likely won’t be re-signed due to the other emerging arms in the organization. He’s expected to make $6.3 million in arbitration in 2023, which would be a cost-effective price for a pitcher of his caliber as well as the Yankees’ needs (a No. 4 and 5 behind Gerrit Cole, Nestor Cortes and Luis Severino)."

My take? I think Lopez will turn into another Frankie Montas. Looks decent when not in a big market like New York... nerves get the best of him IN New York.  While I do see Gleyber Torres getting moved this off season, I don't want it to be for Lopez.

Michael Conforto:

Why Conforto you ask? I ask that too... why the hell do we want Michael Conforto?  Heyman writes "Conforto, said to be healthy now, would fit Yankee Stadium..."  But why Jon, because he's available and a lefty hitter? Conforto batted .232 in 2021. And he did not play a single inning in 2022. Hardly a powerhouse and definitely not better than what we already have in the outfield. You wanna dump Hicks for him? Sure, then maybe it's an upgrade. But just getting Conforto for the sake of getting him is ridiculous. Heyman doesn't seem to get that missing a year can be a severe blow to a player's ability. Conforto may be fine, but he also could be a bust. Hard sell. 

Andrew Benintendi:

No brainer. The Yankees had Andrew this year and are interested in retaining him in 2023. Benny wants to come back, and so now it's just a matter of time to get that done. Bleacher Report writes:

"Benintendi was supposed to be their answer after they acquired him from the Kansas City Royals, but his season ended Sept. 2 when a pitch broke his wrist. The 28-year-old hit .304/.373/.399 in 126 games with the Royals and Yankees last season."

It's respectable, and definitely a hell of a lot better than taking a chance on Conforto.

Carlos Rodon:

David Cone says this of Rodon:

"Carlos Rodon is in a class by himself. Upper-90s fastball. Left-handed. Power pitcher. Coming off a great year. He’s a cut above. He’s going to command a big deal wherever he goes, as long as you can get past his medicals. He does have a little bit of an injury history. But he certainly had a great year last year once again with the Giants.”

He is not wrong. Yahoo Sports writes:

"Rodon proved the last two seasons that when he’s right physically, he’s one of the best pitchers in baseball.

The southpaw pitched to a 2.37 ERA over 24 starts for the White Sox in 2021, posting a 0.957 WHIP and an eye-popping 185 ERA-plus.

Then last season, after signing a short-term deal (due to his injury history) with the Giants, he went 14-8 with a 2.88 ERA over 31 starts. He racked up 237 strikeouts over 278 innings, and his K rate of 12 per nine innings was the best in the majors for a starting pitcher."

While it appears to be a smart move, it comes down to money, and how this guy will perform in a place like Yankee stadium.  Plus, you always have to factor in injury, which, is an issue with this guy.

Yes. the Yankees are connected to a lot of other guys as well, including Justin Verlander and Cody Bellinger, but I just don't see those names as guys with a big upside. We definitely do not need Bellinger, and while Verlander has been dominant in 2022, I just don't see this guy wanting to come to New York. I mean, I'd love it, but I don't think the marriage is possible.

More names soon.  Stay tuned.

In the meantime, get to shopping. Great deals on the BYB store! Be sure to check it out. Requests are being taken as well, so let me know what you want made and I will do it!

DAVID CONE WANTS THE YANKEES TO SWOOP IN ON SOTO

 I love David Cone. Should the Yankees listen when he says they need to strike to get Juan Soto?

Audacy says: 

"...appearing on “The Show” podcast, the ex-Yankees pitcher-turned-YES Network analyst encouraged the Yankees to make a serious run at Soto.

"This is Cashman’s one shot,” Cone said. “The Yankees need to do it right now, they really do. The window is there for them, the fanbase is clamoring for it. If you’ve been to Yankee Stadium lately, the crowds are up, the ratings on YES are through the roof, now is the time to strike.

“You look at a top-10 prospects list for the last 20 years, go back 10 years and look at the Yankees top-10 prospect list – maybe one or two of them made it. Anthony Volpe is a nice player, probably going to be the next shortstop for the Yankees, so maybe you carve him out and save him, but pretty much everybody should be on the table if you can get Juan Soto at this point. It would be such a smash for the Yankees to get him in the lineup."

Do we really need Juan Soto? Personally I don't think we do. But I'm not David Cone and I sure as hell have never dealt with the money that the Yankees have to land this guy, not to mention what they are willing to give up.  

Pay close attention to this story folks.  I didn't give it much thought until Coney said something. Now my mind is wondering.  

Secondly... what happened to Aaron Judge if we do land that guy?

Stay tuned.