WHEN IT COMES TO AUSTIN WELLS, THE YANKS HAVE TO STOP PRETENDING

Remember when the Yankees told us Austin Wells was untouchable? Remember when every trade deadline conversation ended with, "The Yankees aren't moving Wells. He's the catcher of the future."

Well...

The future called. It wants a refund.

There comes a point when "potential" expires. For Austin Wells, that expiration date came months ago.

Wells is slashing .155/.247/.258. For those of you who don't spend your nights swimming through FanGraphs, let me translate:

League average is 100. Austin Wells is producing offense at 42 percent of league average.

That isn't a slump. That's an anchor tied to the bottom of Aaron Judge's lineup. His .493 OPS was the lowest among all qualified Major League hitters earlier this month, and his .153 batting average was right there with it. Think about that for a second. Out of every qualified hitter in baseball, the Yankees' starting catcher was sitting at the bottom of the food chain offensively.

And yet...

We're still supposed to hear about his framing? His game calling? His "intangibles?"

Enough. This is the New York Yankees. Not the Savannah Bananas. By the way, he couldn't even play on the Bananas. They're better than him.

Look, you don't get to hide behind defensive metrics while posting numbers that would embarrass a backup middle infielder from 1978. In fact, Talkin' Yanks pointed out something that should make every Yankee executive squirm.

Austin Wells' OPS was the worst by a Yankee with at least 175 plate appearances since Jim Mason in 1976.

Let that marinate. Fifty years.

Nearly half a century. That's the company he's keeping.

And look, Austin Wells deserves criticism. But the bigger failure belongs upstairs. The Yankees drafted Wells in the first round because scouts believed his bat would carry him. They sold us on a catcher who could change games offensively. Instead, they've produced one of the least productive everyday hitters in baseball. That's not on Wells. That's on the people who evaluated him. That's on the amateur scouting department. That's on player development. That's on Brian Cashman.

How many times does this organization get to miss before someone is held accountable?

 Estevan Florial.

Oswald Peraza.

Anthony Volpe still searching for consistency.

Now Austin Wells.

At what point do we stop calling these "growing pains" and start calling them what they are? Evaluation failures. One thing has driven me crazy about this organization for years. The Yankees fall in love with their own prospects. They convince themselves every first-round pick is the next cornerstone.

Meanwhile, other organizations aren't afraid to cash in prospects before their value disappears. The Yankees? They hold onto them until the rest of baseball figures out what they actually are. Then they wonder why nobody wants them. Had Cashman traded Austin Wells after his promising 2025 season, he'd have brought back real value.

Today? You're lucky if another general manager answers the phone before putting you on hold.

Now look, this isn't personal. I don't dislike Austin Wells. I dislike watching the Yankees pretend this is acceptable. There's a difference. Wells didn't ask to be labeled untouchable. He didn't ask fans to believe he was the next great Yankee catcher. The organization did that. And now the organization owns this mess and yet, won't admit it. Because championship windows don't stay open forever.

Aaron Judge deserves better. Gerrit Cole deserves better. Us Yankee fans deserve better. And if Brian Cashman honestly believes Boone putting in Austin Wells every day is good, then maybe we should be restructuring the entire front office.

The bottom line? The numbers aren't lying anymore. They're screaming. Thank god the trade deadline is coming. The Yankees better do something.

ESTEVAN FLORIAL GONZO

Just a quick note as things are floating around out there right between the Christmas and New Years holidays and it's important to talk about.  When it comes to Estevan Florial... it looks like this guy is a goner when it comes to his time with the Yankees. I feel bad for this dude. He was hanging on, dedicated and doing what he needed to do to stay with the club, but it's my opinion that the Yankees front office just didn't like the guy.  It wasn't that Florial couldn't hang, it's just that Florial was never considered part of the Yankee outfield and so, it was time to trade him and they did.

Fansided writes:

"...the Yankees shipped Florial to Cleveland in exchange for starter/reliever Cody Morris. "

And so Florial will find new life in Cleveland and I wish this guy well.   As for Cody Morris, this is what we can say about him, brought to us by big dog Pete Caldera:

"In Morris, 27, the Yankees receive a former seventh-round draft pick (2018) who has compiled a 3.41 ERA over 13 MLB appearances (five starts) with 32 strikeouts, 18 walks and six homers allowed in 31.2 innings.

Last season, Morris made six relief appearances for Cleveland, yielding six runs in eight innings.

Morris made one appearance against the Yankees during the 2022 AL Division Series, tossing two scoreless innings in Game 4 at Cleveland."

And just like that the Yankees will try and stockpile arms and try and make us all forget that we didn't score Yamamoto.  But of course... we won't.

I wish Florial the best. I say welcome to Cody Morris.

BOONE: YANKEES RELATIONSHIP WITH ESTEVAN FLORIAL IS "COMPLICATED"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

ESTEVAN FLORIAL & HIS WILD RIDE

I have always liked Estevan Florial just like I used to love Miguel Andujar. The Yankees had these guys, groomed these guys and eventually they both saw some time in the major leagues with the Yankees. But much like Yankee fans do, the Yankees too moved onto "the next shiny toy".  If you all remember, Andujar moved on... to the Pirates. We wrote MIGUEL ANDUJAR JUST OUTRIGHTED BY THE PIRATES back in January.  Well then it became Florial's turn.

MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"The Yankees announced that outfielder Estevan Florial has been outrighted to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He had been designated for assignment last week when the club added Colten Brewer to its roster.

Florial, 25, has been on the Yankees’ roster since November of 2019. He’s hit just .185/.302/.278 in the big leagues so far for a wRC+ of 69, indicating he’s been 31% worse than the league average hitter. He also struck out in a third of his plate appearances at the big league level.

Despite that uninspiring performance, it comes as a surprise to see Florial pass through waivers unclaimed. "

Yup, you read that right. Just when you thought Florial would be claimed after being on waivers and end his time in the Bronx, nothing happens.  And so, MLB Trade Rumors goes on:

"Florial will now stick with the Yankees but without occupying a spot on their 40-man roster. Since this is his first career outright and he has less than three years of MLB service time, he doesn’t have the right to reject the assignment and elect free agency. He’ll report to the RailRiders "

A tough place to be in. So, what should Florial do? Continue to work. 

I'm a fan. I know this kid can make it. He's 25, hardly old and still totally moldable. I have faith. I want him to succeed.

YANKEES SNAG ANOTHER OUTFIELDER WHILE RELEASING OUTFIELDER ORTEGA

Yup, you read that right.

Quick note. The Yankees have decided to release Rafarl Ortega. MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"Outfielder Rafael Ortega has requested a release from his minor league with the Yankees and that request has been granted, reports MLBTR’s Steve Adams. Ortega had an opt-out in his contract yesterday and has been informed that he won’t make the club’s roster. He is now a free agent.

Photo: Rafael Ortega

The outfielder was competing for a bench job on the roster alongside players like Willie Calhoun and Estevan Florial. Earlier today, Marly Rivera of ESPN reported that Calhoun has been reassigned to minor league camp, while Florial and Ortega were each set to fly to New York as manager Aaron Boone said the final rosters decisions had yet to be made (Twitter links). It now appears that Ortega isn’t going to get a spot and will be free to pursue opportunities with all 30 clubs."

But in the midst of all of this, the Yankees picked up another outfielder.

NJ.com writes:

"The Yankees signed outfielder Franchy Cordero to a major-league contract on Wednesday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reports.

Barring any additional moves in the next 24 hours, Cordero will make the Yankees’ Opening Day roster.

Cordero, 28, played 84 games with the Red Sox last season, hitting .219 with eight home runs, 29 RBI, 17 doubles and 36 runs scored. The left-handed hitter was used almost strictly against right-handed pitching in 2022. "

And there you have it, making moves and making moves. GO YANKEES!!!

        THE YANKEES BASEBALL SEASON IS FINALLY HERE! BUY SOME GEAR!

BADER'S INJURY SUCKS, BUT OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS FOR OTHERS

Spring training has not been kind to the Yankees, so adding Harrison Bader to an already noticeable list of injured players is hard to stomach. The injury bug didn't even wait until the regular season to make its unwelcome appearance, so now what?

I hope Bader is back and ready to go in six weeks. That minimizes missed time during the regular season and also minimizes time in the outfield for some less desirable options like Aaron Hicks. I think we've all seen enough of Hicks and we are ready for some new blood.

So that brings me to the exciting spring we've been watching from guys like Anthony Volpe and Oswaldo Cabrera. I think both guys have made it hard for the Yankees not to put them on the roster. Volpe had a home run against the Red Sox this weekend and Cabrera has literally played everywhere and not only embraced the idea of being a utility man, but he has thrived. He has proven he can handle centerfield even though that was never his focus in his career.

So does Bader's injury give both guys the opportunity to make the roster once the regular season starts? All signs point to "yes" for Cabrera, especially. Both guys have earned it. They bring the excitement, potential and productivity that guys like Isiah Kiner-Falefa and Hicks just don't have anymore and just create log jams. The argument that guys like Hicks and IKF have the experience just don't do enough for me anymore. If Volpe doesn't start the season in the Bronx, it won't be long until we do see him, especially if we can trade IKF. Fingers crossed.

Bader's absence could also lead to opportunities for other outlier candidates like former top prospect Estevan Florial or non-roster invitees Rafael Ortega and/or Willie Calhoun. While these guys are less likely, it's not impossible. Florial is out of minor-league options so he can't be sent down without being exposed to waivers. The Yankees may not want to take that chance in the beginning of the season. Also worth noting, Ortega is already a serviceable center fielder so he may be an easier stop gap than we realize.

We also can't forget that Aaron Judge can fill in at center field also. It's nice to have options for sure, but it will be even nicer to get Bader back to game action. Rest up and get back soon, Bader.

Oh and until then - can we stop with the growing injury list? Sheesh!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

DID JASSON DOMINGUEZ JUST MAKE THE TEAM?

Source: CBS Sports

As Jasson Dominguez slugged his fourth home run in the Yankees - Phillies game on Saturday, the questions on whether the 20-year-old will make the team this spring continue to swirl in the minds of fans and coaches alike. During an in-game interview with Yankee skipper Aaron Boone, he said "Never say never" when it comes to the impressive youths making the team. Dominguez is absolutely making a case to be a big leaguer sooner rather than later despite his lack of reps in upper minor league play.

Source: AP

“I’ve got to focus on the present and whatever I have in front of me,” Domínguez said through the team’s interpreter. “Definitely not something that I’m paying close attention to or thinking about, I’m just focusing on day-to-day stuff and getting that work done," reported NJ.com. With Harrison Bader out on the IL with a strained oblique due to an awkward swing on Wednesday, centerfield is another open position as the Yankees head toward opening day in just over 2 weeks.

The Yankees will have to look to fill that position and consider their best options for left field as well. They could move Aaron Judge to center temporarily or look to someone from a group that includes Rafael Ortega, Aaron Hicks and Estevan Florial. But why not Dominguez who is a natural centerfielder?

Well one reason he won't be in the Bronx anytime soon is because Domínguez appeared in only five games with Double-A Somerset last season, after killing it in 40 games with High-A Hudson Valley Renegades. The other reason may be even more convincing.

"If the Yankees are hesitant to call top prospect Anthony Volpe up to start at shortstop — where they have an open competition — it’s hard to believe they’d be on board with Domínguez effectively skipping two levels to go straight to the Bronx. Volpe has had 89 at-bats in Triple-A and 422 in Double-A. That’s much more than Domínguez," reported NJ.com.

The reality is he just may not be ready. The other consideration is that most of his home runs have come against other peer minor league pitchers, except for Saturday's dinger against the Phillies Connor Brogdon. My reality is this...if the Yankees don't have who they need to kick off this season with a bang, then let the youngster play. Why do we have suffer with mediocrity when we have an incredible depth in our farm?

I have always said that the Yankees or any team for that matter, need to consider their talent closely and put the best team on the field each game. Sometimes they have to go with youth over experience if youth is killing it. Just because you are veteran doesn't mean you the best option. And with the way Dominguez is playing, he may just be the spark the Yankees need to get things going opening day and beyond. 

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

WHO'S COMING & WHO'S GOING - SPRING TRAINING PREDICTIONS

Source: Charles Wenzelberg/NY Post

With the Yankees officially opening up their spring training facilities today, the question remains, Who's coming and who's going? Well it had to be said. I know everyone has a fair shot, but let's be honest, unless the Yankees get particular, and let go of the dead weight, they will be right back where they ended last year—without a championship and losing to Houston. So this spring training is the first day of the Yankees' future—where the winners win and the losers, well they go home.

The first stop is shortstop. Frontrunners to this position include Oswald Peraza, Anthony Volpe and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. But as I wrote just a couple of days ago,YANKEES BETTING ON PERAZA TO STEAL THE SHORTSTOP ROLE, the position is Pereza's to lose.

"The Yankees envision Volpe as a face of their franchise along with Aaron Judge in the near future, but it won’t materialize early this season and may not until 2024. And if Peraza sticks at short, then Volpe might end up at second base, a spot some scouts think he’ll end up. Volpe’s shortstop skills are beyond solid, but Peraza has more range and arm strength," reports NJ.com. So if we start the year with Pereza at short and Gleyber Torres at second, there is still a chance for Volpe to make the team later in the year. 

So what about the elephant in the room? Perhaps two of them: DJ LeMahieu and Josh Donaldson. LeMahieu has his most value at third base for the Yankees, but will his toe be a factor this year, leaving the Yankees with no choice but to play Josh Donaldson? 

"It wouldn’t be an easy call for the Yankees to potentially eat $29 million by releasing Donaldson if they DFA him and can’t find a trade partner, but it’s the best move and the one we’re predicting. LeMahieu’s best position nowadays is third base, so the Yankees might as well put him there and stick with Torres at second until Volpe (or perhaps Peraza) take the starting job at some point this season or in 2024," reported NJ.com.

IKF could serve as a utility third baseman as well as fill in at short as needed. I would say the Yankees keep him for that reason and allow LeMahieu to just stick with one position, in hopes of keeping him healthy. 

There has been so much talk about left field that I really don't want to admit that Aaron Hicks "wins" the job. I really can't believe that the Yankees can't do better than that. The asking price for Brian Reynolds is ridiculously high so at this point he is not an option. I have said that Oswaldo Cabrera is the better choice, letting Hicks "fill-in." He won't be tradable, and he has $30.5 million remaining on his contact. 

"And if the Yankees DFA Donaldson and most or all of his $29 million, they won’t throw away another $30.5 million to move on from Hicks. But if Hicks doesn’t produce, Cabrera or Estevan Florial getting a chance to start in left becomes likely at least until trade deadline options possibly bring in this year’s version of Andrew Benintendi," reported NJ.com.

There will be a rich spotlight on the Yankees spring training this year. I am hopeful that the light is so strong that it works to weed out the players that don't deserve to be there. Hey, if the New York Mets can throw away precious money on mindless Super Bowl ads, the Yankees can do better with sitting down or releasing veterans that have no value to this team. Who's coming and Who's going...The Spring Training Saga and it is about to get started. Get ready for a page turner...the suspense is killing me.

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

BOONE TALKING ABOUT HICKS IN LEFT FIELD IS NONSENSE

I am so elated that the Yankees have parted ways with Aroldis Chapman. And that momentum has given me hope that the Yankees would pass on giving Aaron Hicks an opportunity to land a job as the starting left fielder. But once again, Aaron Boone does not disappoint. He is backing his veteran and says he is the likely starting corner outfielder for the 2023 Yankees.

“I feel like Aaron Hicks has a chance to really bounce back. We saw what Oswaldo Cabrera can do when we threw him into a lot of different scenarios playing the outfield really for the first time and handling himself so well. We’re really excited about him," reported NJ.com.

Although Boone admits that the field is wide open, with four to five possibilities, the fact that he really thinks Hicks can bounce back is just ridiculous.

According to CBS Sports, "Hicks, who is on the books for $29.5 million through 2025, continued his downward trend in production in 2022, slashing .216/.330/.313 with eight home runs and 10 stolen bases across 453 plate appearances. The 33-year-old suffered a left knee injury Oct. 18 that sidelined him for the remainder of the Yankees' postseason run, but after telling reporters at that time that he would require a six-week recovery period, he's likely back to full health at this point."

This kind of crap is what makes hot shots like the Blue Jays Vladimir Guerrero Jr. think the Yankees are the easiest team to beat. In his latest words to Sports Illustrated on Friday, Guerrero Jr. took another shot at his Division rival Yankees by answering a young fan's question about the easiest team to beat in 2022. He didn't hesitate in announcing the Yankees but alas I laugh at him because the Yankees' record against Toronto in 2022 was 8-11. But still, with guys like Hicks demonstrating that we are beatable through lackluster defense and just inconsistent offense, it is laughable that he is even being considered as an outfielder starting frontrunner.

Source: AP

Beside Hicks, there is Cabrera, Estevan Florial, non-roster vet Willie Calhoun, and Rafael Ortega, another experienced corner outfielder who is on the minor league roster. Of course the Yankees could still make a trade, but that is unlikely by the start of the season but much more likely before trade deadline. Of course, if things don't work out the way the Yankees hope for the start of the season.

The Yankees seem fine with status quo, which has bit them in the ass over the last several seasons, waiting too long to make moves that would strategically land them in a more competitive spot in the postseason. "The Yankees' lack of activity in the outfield market this winter is nonetheless a positive development for Hicks, who would have been on the outside looking in for a starting spot had New York not allowed Andrew Benintendi to walk in free agency," reports CBS Sports.

So while I had a day or two to revel in celebration with Chapman's departure, now I am left with that pit in my stomach that Hicks has created over the years through is inability to perform—and look like he's not even trying. I think the Yankees are shooting themselves in the foot by letting Hicks go out there and fight for a job. If we have not seen anything spectacular with him 'til this point, what makes this Hicks's year? 

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

THE BEGINNING OF THE END FOR ESTEVAN FLORIAL

The Yankees have had a busy winter, but they still have one area they could upgrade, but will they?  We are all waiting and wondering if the Yankees will upgrade left field or if they will run with what they have.... for now.

The Yankees have options, but some may be more appealing to fans than others. Some also may be running out of time. I'd like that to be true for Aaron Hicks, and it still could be but.... I think Estevan Florial is quickly running out of time. It's the beginning of the end, but how close is the end?

That's the big question. Sometimes effort and progression don't always make a big league opportunity in the Bronx and it sucks.... but I think that is where we are at with Florial. He's hit well down in Triple-A but he hasn't torn it up either and there's this expensive guy names Aaron Hicks in the way. We can't forget about Harrison Bader and Oswaldo Cabrera also who were both impressive last season. Florial is a former top-100 prospect that has only had 63 big league appearances in the past three seasons and he is out of minor-league options so he can't be sent down without being exposed to waivers. 

The Yankees love his makeup, athleticism and potential the 25-year-old has but he has no clear path for a big-league roster spot. Right now, he would probably be fourth or fifth on their outfield depth chart. Ultimately, I think the Yankees will look to trade him before the season opener. His trade value may not be what it once was, but there are teams out there (especially teams that are rebuilding) that would give him an opportunity in the big leagues to see if they could tap into his potential. There is a team out there that will take a chance on him.

I have really enjoyed watching Florial's journey, but we have some new kids on the block stealing his thunder and a giant roadblock named Hicks in his way. There's no clear path for him in pinstripes so I think the Yankees have a tough decision to make. I think Florial's days are numbered, and I hope I am wrong.... but I don't think I am.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj