REMEMBER WHEN I SAID PEREIRA WAS GETTING TRADED?

The Yankees made another move on Thursday, and this one actually makes some sense—so naturally, we’re suspicious.

In a classic “here, take one of our extra outfielders we weren’t using anyway” swap, the Yankees shipped Everson Pereira and a mystery man (to be named later, probably when the Rays least expect it) to Tampa Bay in exchange for infielder José Caballero. Yep, another infielder. But hold on—this one can run, defend, and do cool things like flip the ball between his legs to start double plays. That’s not just flash; that’s functional flair.

Let’s be honest: Caballero might not be a superstar, but he brings something this team desperately needs—speed, range, and the ability to field a ground ball without needing a prayer and a lucky bounce. He plays multiple positions and isn’t allergic to contact or competent defense. In other words: he’s everything Anthony Volpe was supposed to be before Boone made him the face of the franchise and treated him like a Fabergé egg.

No one's saying Caballero is the greatest. But if he ends up quietly stealing a few starts at shortstop—especially when Volpe's throwing error count creeps into the teens—we wouldn’t complain. In fact, we’d stand and applaud like proud New Yorkers who just watched someone not boot a routine grounder.

As for Pereira, yeah, the kid was mashing in Triple-A—.265 average, 10 homers in 40 games—but let’s not act shocked here. Like Peraza before him, he was clearly being groomed for a role in another team's lineup. He was a good soldier, but his fate was sealed the moment the Yankees decided they'd rather watch outfielders trip over each other than give him a real shot. Remember back in February, I knew Pereira's days were numbered: "The Yankees can’t keep Pereira in the minors indefinitely. Eventually, he’ll either secure a spot on the roster or be moved elsewhere. Given past precedent, a trade feels like a strong possibility."

So, was this a painful trade? Eh, only emotionally. On paper, it's smart. The Yankees need situational weapons, and Caballero fits. The fact that he might also quietly push Volpe out of the everyday lineup? That’s just bonus content.

Welcome to the Bronx, José. Stretch out those legs—you might be running a lot.

PLEASE DON'T TRADE AWAY SCHLITTLER!

If you’ve caught even a glimpse of Cam Schlittler lately, you know the kid’s got it. And by it, I mean the kind of stuff that makes teams drool and GMs nervously clutch their top prospect lists like a toddler with a security blanket. We saw him recently, and to say he impressed would be underselling it. Schlittler didn’t just pitch — he arrived.

Now with the trade deadline rumors swirling like a Bronx blizzard, three names keep popping up in every hypothetical: Spencer Jones, George Lombard Jr., and, yep, Cam Schlittler. And here’s my take — if you’re thinking about trading Schlittler for a rental, you might need to go lie down and reconsider your life choices. Why do I feel like Cashman has a disregard for these kids and will just give them up? I'm worried.

This isn’t just some intriguing prospect with a live arm. Schlittler has the makings of a rotation anchor — a legit front-line starter if he can tighten up the command. Sure, that’s a “work in progress,” but aren’t we all? He’s shown enough flashes to make you believe the Yankees don’t just have something — they have someone.

And look, I get it. The Yankees need an infielder. Probably yesterday. But they also need a real rotation moving forward, and you don't build one by flipping high-upside arms like Schlittler for a quick fix. So the recent chatter about shipping off one of our Big 3 for Eugenio Suárez? Hard pass. Yes, Suárez can play third, and frankly, might be a better shortstop than Anthony Volpe on his off days (sorry, not sorry), but mortgaging one of those guys for a bat who may or may not pan out in New York? That’s how you end up on the wrong end of a “What were they thinking?” documentary in five years.

If the Yankees are going to make a move — and they will — I’m betting Everson Pereira is the guy who gets shipped out. It just makes too much sense. The team has cooled on him, there’s no real fit for him at the moment, and he still has enough shine to draw interest. That’s your play.

So yes, deals are coming. And yes, it’ll cost something to land a legit bat and solid defensive third baseman. But Schlittler? He should be off-limits. The future’s too bright, and the ceiling’s too high. The Yankees need to start thinking long-term while still winning now — and that starts by keeping arms like Schlittler in pinstripes.

We'll see what Brian Cashman cooks up. But if Cam’s name is in the deal? Push the plate away.

YANKEES NEED A STARTER & THIS GUY'S ON THE LIST

Nearly halfway through the season, the Yankees are sitting in second place—and no, this isn’t an early April prank. With the offensive firepower this roster has, you’d think they’d be bulldozing teams. But here we are, wondering if anyone in the dugout has read the Baseball Managing for Dummies manual lately. Yes, we won 6-5 tonight, but all Volpe did was run home. He was 0-4 again.

Max Fried has been dealing for the Yanks, no doubt, but the rotation needs more than one reliable arm to survive October. And let’s not forget—Clarke Schmidt just punched his ticket to Tommy John land. Brutal.

So now the Yankees need to go shopping—and no, not for another outfielder that’s just going to rot on the bench. We’re talking pitching. MLB insider Jon Morosi tossed out a juicy little nugget: a “number of teams” are keeping an eye on Twins starter Joe Ryan. He didn’t drop the Yankees name directly, but come on. You think Brian Cashman isn’t poking around? Please.

Joe Ryan’s stats look like something cooked up in a video game: 8-4, 2.76 ERA, 3.25 FIP, and 116 strikeouts in just over 104 innings. Plus, he’s on a team-friendly deal at just $3 million this year and locked in under control until 2028. Basically, he’s a unicorn.

Minnesota doesn’t have to deal him, but they’re sitting in third place in the Central. And if the Twins want to retool a bit, maybe Cashman can sweet talk them with someone like—oh, I don’t know—Everson Pereira? I’ve said it before, the Yankees don’t seem that serious about keeping the kid long-term. Could be the perfect trade chip. My opinion of course.

Bottom line: the Yankees have to beef up if they want to avoid another faceplant in the playoffs. Pitching should be priority one. Priority two? A third baseman—something that should’ve been handled back when people were still returning Christmas gifts.

Whether Ryan’s really on the Yankees’ radar remains to be seen, but something’s gotta give. Stay tuned, folks. The Hot Stove's just starting to simmer.

A TRADE PROPOSAL THAT BRINGS PITCHING TO THE YANKEES...

Because you know... that's what they need right now.

The Yankees’ rotation is a mess—full stop. There's no sugarcoating it. Carlos Carrasco is there, and while I love the guy's story, he's in the rotation. That's all you need to know.  The starting pitching has been inconsistent, unreliable, and flat-out unwatchable at times. It’s not just the rotation either—the entire staff is struggling to keep this team afloat.

With the trade deadline on the horizon, Brian Cashman has no choice: he must address the rotation. Now.

Forget chasing big-name aces with bloated price tags. The smarter move may be targeting a younger, controllable arm with upside. That’s where Dodgers right-hander Bobby Miller comes in.

Newsweek’s Zach Pressnell floated a hypothetical deal that could bring Miller to the Bronx:
Yankees get: RHP Bobby Miller
Dodgers get: OF Everson Pereira, LHP Brock Selvidge

On paper, it’s a reasonable swing. Miller, once a top prospect in L.A., has shown flashes of brilliance—posting a 2.79 ERA in 9 2/3 innings this year at Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was once ranked as the Dodgers’ No. 2 overall prospect. The talent is there. The question is: can he handle the Bronx?

We’ve seen this story before. Big market pitchers wilt under the Yankee spotlight. Sonny Gray never found his footing. Devin Williams is struggling. Joey Gallo? His career cratered here. L.A. is a big stage, but New York is a different beast. Would Miller survive the scrutiny, the pressure, the chaos?

Still, this kind of move would make sense. I have always believed that the Yankees have been open to moving Everson Pereira (THE YANKEES ARE DOING THAT THING AGAIN...), and this could be the type of calculated risk they need to make—especially when the current rotation plan includes hoping for miracles from Carrasco and duct tape.

Personally? I’m not holding my breath that this exact deal happens. But it should. Or at least something like it. Because this team needs arms—yesterday. Cashman can’t afford to sit idle while the season slips away. The Yankees need pitching help A.S.A.M.F.P., and it’s time to stop playing it safe.

WHAT ARE THE YANKEES GONNA DO ABOUT REPLACING STANTON'S BAT?

There has been plenty of debate among us bloggers and sportswriters about what the Yankees need to replace Giancarlo Stanton. The bottom line? We need a home run hitter. Truth be told, I’m not one of those stat nerds obsessed with righty-lefty splits—I just want a reliable hitter. Righty, lefty, it doesn’t matter to me. What does matter is that Opening Day is just around the corner, and Stanton has officially fallen apart, thanks to his never-ending elbow issues and Achilles problems.

So the real question is: can we just get a replacement and move on?

Pinstripe Alley has made it clear that they believe the Yankees need a right-handed bat, and I respect their take. They argue that, with Stanton out, the Yankees lack a true right-handed power threat outside of Aaron Judge and, hopefully, Paul Goldschmidt. They point out that key players like Austin Wells, Cody Bellinger, and Jazz Chisholm all hit from the left side. Anthony Volpe hasn’t yet proven he can be a consistent offensive force. Oswaldo Cabrera’s power is significantly better from the left side (16 homers) than the right (just three). 

The Yankees seem to recognize this imbalance and are reportedly still scouring the market for a right-handed bat. Everson Pereira was once a possibility, but he was reassigned to minor league camp to continue rehabbing from Tommy John surgery. And now, with Jon Heyman reporting that Stanton won’t return until at least Memorial Day, the need for a righty bat is even more urgent.

I get it—I really do. But honestly? I just want the hole filled. I’m losing patience. J.D. Martinez was a name that kept popping up for weeks, but that talk has completely faded. My stance has been simple: just sign someone who can hit. Alex Verdugo, Anthony Rizzo—who cares if they’re lefties? It’s a DH spot, it’s potentially a one-year deal, and these guys will give you something. Maybe it’s not perfect, but it’s better than doing nothing.

Now, The Sporting News is pushing the idea that Ben Rice could make sense as Stanton’s replacement. They highlight his impressive spring performance, including a home run off Taijuan Walker. Rice, a lefty with a smooth swing, was a 12th-round pick out of Dartmouth in 2021 but has quickly made a name for himself.

So what do we really need? A hitter—plain and simple. Analysts can crunch all the numbers that suggest a right-handed bat is necessary, but at the end of the day, the Yankees aren’t making a move. That tells me Rice may have the inside track for the DH spot. If they truly believed they needed a righty, they would’ve signed J.D. Martinez already.

One thing is certain: this uncertainty with both Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton out is driving us all crazy. The offseason was amazing, and we thought we were set. But now? It feels chaotic. Stay tuned.

WE'LL SEE THE DOMINGUEZ-JONES SHOW SOON, BUT FOR NOW WE WAIT

The Yankees made another round of cuts Tuesday, and if you missed it or live under a rock, Spencer Jones is heading back to minor league camp while Everson Pereira gets sent to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. No surprises here, but let’s talk about what this really means.

Jones has been one of the most exciting prospects in the Yankees' system—built like Aaron Judge, oozing raw power, and this spring, he showed exactly why people are hyped. A .300/.364/.700 slash line, two bombs, six RBIs in just nine games. Sure, the strikeouts need work—nobody wants another Joey Gallo experience—but overall? The kid was raking.

Meanwhile, Jasson Dominguez—who, let’s be honest, the Yankees have practically anointed as the future—hit a measly .219 with a single homer, three RBIs, and a .555 OPS. Small sample sizes? Absolutely. But if the best man is supposed to win, how do you justify keeping Dominguez over Jones when we’ve already seen how the Yankees treat "development" in the minors? Spoiler: They don’t. Just look at Dominguez’s glove work—if you can call it that.

Look, I'm not ranking on Dominguez as much as I am the development that the Yankees are supposed to be working on in the minors.

MiLB.com once hyped him as a “teen phenom ready to debut with ‘otherworldly’ expectations,” and somehow, nobody talked about his defense. Why? Because the Yankees or the baseball writers just don’t seem to care. They fall for the long ball and let everything else slide. It’s frustrating. Erik Boland of Newsday did quote a rival scout acknowledging Dominguez’s defensive regression but still calling him “ready.” Ready for what, exactly? Watching fly balls drop in left field?

This isn’t just a Dominguez problem—it’s a Yankees problem. He was rushed through the system because he hits nukes, and now they’re hoping everything else magically falls into place.And hey, maybe it will.  I cannot wait to see Dominguez in his first full year as a Yankee, but I also want to see Spencer Jones... hopefully together, even if Jones is there as a bench warner and filling in for Bellinger or Judge when they need a day off.  It's exciting.

Look, at least the Yankees are keeping both guys in the picture. If they play their cards right, we’ll see them in the Bronx together soon. Fingers crossed.

HERE COMES SANDY ALCANTARA?

Concern and panic surround the Yankee rotation these days.  And now, just like the wacky offseason, rumors and predictions are swirling.  The latest comes from Newsweek who is predicting that the Yankees will make a trade for Sandy Alcantara, a guy that would be not only an easy fix, but a one day long term pitcher.  Newsweek writes:

"The Yankees could get the best of both worlds by trading for Sandy Alcántara from the Miami Marlins. Alcántara last pitched in 2023 when he posted a 4.14 ERA in 28 starts for the Marlins. A year prior, though, he made 32 starts and posted a 2.28 ERA en route to winning his first National League Cy Young Award. In his last three seasons, Alcántara has averaged 5.2 bWAR.

Trading for Alcántara makes a lot of sense for the Yankees. It solidifies another dominant arm at the top of the rotation alongside Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón."

Notice that last part about being alongside Cole. That's right, the article was written before Cole's injury which makes Sandy even more important today. The trade, as predicted by Newsweek would be to give up Will Warren, Everson Pereira and Marcus Stroman.  But with Luis Gil out, the idea of keeping Stroman would become more important and so, the personnel in this trade would likely have to be upgraded in some capacity.

But there is no question this trade idea makes sense.  For the Marlins, they play for nothing these days, but would they part with a guy like Alcantara who is so valuable to any team though? We need to see.

It is interesting. We recently wrote about Sandy in BOLD PREDICTION SUGGESTS SANDY ALCANTARA WITH BE IN PINSTRIPES. Let's see what happens.

WHAT ELSE DO THE YANKEES NEED TO DO IN AN ALREADY GREAT OFFSEASON?

This offseason, the Yankees have done a lot of good things, and I couldn’t be happier with their approach. Sure, there might be a few more minor tweaks on the horizon, but overall, they’ve put themselves in a strong position heading into the season. Until they figure out how to move Marcus Stroman, any other move is likely going to be small filling in gaps rather than making waves.

Speaking of Stroman, there’s only one trade destination that makes sense to me: the St. Louis Cardinals. The financials work out well taking on his salary would still keep the Cardinals under last season’s $183 million payroll, and they could also move on from a seemingly declining Nolan Arenado. There’s been plenty of speculation connecting Arenado to the Yankees all winter, but personally, I’m not thrilled about that idea. However, if the Yankees packaged Stroman with Everson Pereira, it might be a more attractive deal for other teams. That’s the kind of move that could grease the wheels and make things happen. I actually wrote about this in my piece titled: THE YANKEES ARE DOING THAT THING AGAIN... 

But beyond Stroman, there aren’t a ton of pressing needs. The Yankees will probably focus on smaller-scale adjustments—like adding a backup catcher. With Jose Trevino traded earlier this winter, the team brought in defense-first catcher Alex Jackson from the Reds. That means Jackson could back up Austin Wells, or the Yankees could roll with someone like Ben Rice in that role.

Another thing to keep an eye on is the Yankees’ surplus of pitching. That depth is a luxury, especially this time of year, but it could lead to some difficult roster decisions before Opening Day. Not every arm can make the big-league club, especially with some pitchers out of minor-league options. Finding spots for guys like JT Brubaker or prospect Yoendrys Gómez could work. Or someone like Scott Effross.

Alternatively, the Yankees could leverage this pitching depth to upgrade another position—perhaps at third base—or replenish their farm system by dealing a pitcher before the season kicks off. 

However they choose to play it, the Yankees are in a good place, and I’m excited to see how they fine-tune this roster before Opening Day.

THE YANKEES ARE DOING THAT THING AGAIN...

And I feel like it's happening to Everson Pereira this time.

The Yankees are back at it again—praising a young prospect in the media, a pattern in my opinion that often signals a potential trade down the line. This time, Everson Pereira finds himself in the spotlight, a talented outfielder who, despite his potential, may not fit into the team’s long-term plans.

It’s a familiar playbook. The Yankees have a history of talking up their young talent, sometimes as a precursor to moving them in the right deal. While they seem to appreciate Pereira’s abilities, there’s little indication that they view him as an essential piece of their future in my opinion. That’s why a trade—potentially bundling Pereira with Marcus Stroman—could be a logical move, particularly if they’re looking to finally shed Stroman’s contract.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently spoke about Pereira’s status on WFAN, offering an optimistic assessment of his return following Tommy John surgery.

“Pereira, who I’m really excited about, is back this year,” Boone stated. “He had Tommy John surgery last year. I think he can play into the mix for us.”  He's a mouthpiece so it makes sense to me.

While that sounds encouraging, a closer look at the roster suggests Pereira’s path to consistent playing time is murky at best. Trent Grisham appears to be the preferred option in center field, and when Giancarlo Stanton needs a break from defensive duties, Cody Bellinger could shift to right field while Aaron Judge moves to DH. That scenario once again pushes Pereira to the margins.

The Yankees can’t keep Pereira in the minors indefinitely. Eventually, he’ll either secure a spot on the roster or be moved elsewhere. Given past precedent, a trade feels like a strong possibility. Whether he’s packaged with Stroman or included in another deal, history suggests the Yankees may be preparing for yet another transaction in my opinion. 

I guess we’ll have to wait and see how it all unfolds.

LAME BOONE JUST REVEALED THE YANKEES PLANS...

And it's a whole lot of old news.

Another day, another useless Aaron Boone interview where he says absolutely nothing of value. The guy is a glorified Yankees PR puppet, not a real manager. He’s a lousy decision-maker when the game is on the line, and he’s somehow still in charge of this team. Boone graced the airwaves of WFAN, and if his words were any indication, the Yankees seem done for the offseason.

Boone—ever the master of stating the obvious—said he’ll "likely" have Cody Bellinger in center field and Jasson Domínguez in left. Wow, groundbreaking stuff! Who could’ve possibly predicted that? Oh, right—everyone. There was some chatter that Spencer Jones might make a push to compete with Domínguez, but not from Boone. The surprise twist? Everson Pereira might be in the mix for an outfield spot. Didn’t really see that one coming, but hey, at least there’s something mildly interesting in Boone’s word salad. And of course, Bellinger’s ability to shift between first base and the outfield was mentioned as if we didn’t already know that.

But Boone wasn’t done blessing us with more of the same. He also dropped another "big" update: the team is considering moving Jazz Chisholm back to second base and having  DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Oswald Peraza split time at 3rd. Shocking. Absolutely nobody saw that coming. Oh wait, yes, we did. Bleeding Yankee Blue has been reporting on that in between every rumor tying the Yankees to every available infielder on the planet. It’s almost like Boone just reads BYB headlines and regurgitates them with zero additional insight.

So, to summarize: Boone talked, but nothing new was said. It’s like he has a magical ability to drain the life out of every "update" he gives. 

The real question is, why is this guy still the Yankees' manager? How much longer do we have to suffer through his mind-numbing press conferences? Can we just fast-forward to Spring Training already? Better yet, can we fast-forward to the part where Boone finally gets fired? Because, honestly, that’s the only real update I’m waiting for.

COULD DYLAN CEASE REALLY BE IN THE MIX?

Once again, the Yankees find themselves at the center of a tantalizing offseason rumor: Could they land Dylan Cease in a trade with the Padres? While it might feel like this idea came out of left field, it’s worth remembering the last time we seriously discussed this potential pairing. 

Back in February 2024, the buzz was loud—so loud, in fact, that we speculated whether the Yankees might be willing to part with top prospect Spencer Jones to make it happen. Then, Cease landed in San Diego, and the entire conversation vanished into thin air.

But now, that chatter is bubbling back up—and credit where it’s due: this storyline has been a brainchild of FanSided. Their coverage of the Yankees’ offseason has been great, and I tip my cap to them for reviving this intriguing concept. It’s a brilliant idea, especially when you consider how quiet the Yankees have been and how often their name has been tied to Padres players like Jurickson Profar, Ha-Seong Kim, and even Luis Arráez. Imagine pulling off moves for one or more of those guys in addition to Cease. Sure, it might be wishful thinking to land them all, but working out a deal for Cease or perhaps adding Kim—a player we at Bleeding Yankee Blue love, especially with his upcoming free-agent status—isn’t out of the question.

Cease is the kind of pitcher every contending team covets. He’s a top-tier arm who’s ready to deliver in the postseason, and since he’s set to hit free agency after 2025, he’s unlikely to sign an extension beforehand. For the Padres, who are weighed down by long-term contracts and ownership turmoil, moving Cease now makes sense. For the Yankees, acquiring him wouldn’t require a massive prospect haul, and his contract would give the team financial flexibility heading into next offseason.

Sure, the Yankees don’t have an overflowing treasure chest of assets. But neither do the Minnesota Twins, who have also been linked to Cease. If Minnesota’s thin farm system and limited major-league trade chips don’t scare off San Diego, why should New York feel like they’re out of the race?

A package centered around Clarke Schmidt, Everson Pereira, and Jorbit Vivas could get the Padres' attention. Schmidt offers an MLB-ready arm to replace Cease, while Pereira and Vivas add value to San Diego’s farm system, filling voids left by players like Ha-Seong Kim and Jurickson Profar. And if the Yankees are feeling especially bold, they could revisit Spencer Jones’s name to sweeten the deal.

Look, San Diego might hold onto Cease until the trade deadline, when demand for starting pitchers peaks, but why wait? By acting now, the Yankees could lock in a frontline starter to pair with Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodón while avoiding a potential bidding war in July.

Imagine this rotation in 2025. That’s a staff built to not only dominate the AL East but also to go toe-to-toe with powerhouse teams like the Dodgers for the World Series rematch we Yankee fans are longing for.

Bringing Dylan Cease to the Bronx might feel like a pipe dream, but it’s far from unattainable. With the Yankees connected to Padres players throughout the offseason and the Padres facing their own financial constraints, the groundwork is there for a deal. 

So, hats off to FanSided for sparking a great story.

THE MARTIAN WON'T BE THE ONLY ONE COMPETING FOR AN OUTFIELD SPOT!

The Yankees’ 2025 outfield is shaping up to be an absolute powerhouse, with Aaron Judge commanding right field, Cody Bellinger patrolling center, and Jasson Dominguez penciled in for left. But hold on—spring training promises to bring some fireworks, as two talented prospects, Spencer Jones and Everson Pereira, will battle to steal the left field job from Dominguez.

Let’s start with Jones. At 23 years old, he’s already showing Gold Glove potential. Defensively, he’s sharper than Dominguez, which could tip the scales if "The Martian" doesn’t clean up his act out there this spring.

Leadoff homer for Spencer Jones!

The @Yankees' No. 2 prospect crushes his career-best 17th homer of the season for the Double-A @SOMPatriots. pic.twitter.com/Sn8cSHJA4r

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) September 15, 2024

 And Jones isn’t just a glove-first guy—he’s got serious pop in his bat. Smashing 37 homers with a .270 average is no small feat, and it’s got the Yankees' brass dreaming of a future star.

Then there’s Everson Pereira, another 23-year-old who’s got fans buzzing. This guy is all about offensive upside. Back when he was just 20, Pereira sent 20 bombs into orbit in a mere 49 minor league games. Fast forward to 2024, and he’s still raking—10 homers and an .859 OPS in 40 Triple-A games? Not bad.

But let’s not overlook what makes Dominguez so special. His bat is, simply put, magical. A switch-hitter with both power and poise, he’s a nightmare for opposing pitchers. He’s got the tools to hit anywhere in the lineup, and his ability to deliver in the clutch is already legendary in Yankees lore. A 20+ home run rookie season? Oh, that’s just the appetizer for what he’s capable of serving up in my opinion.

The competition is going to be fierce, no doubt about it. But when the dust settles, it’s hard not to see Dominguez holding down left field come Opening Day. Pereira? I believe he might be a tantalizing trade chip for the Yankees to cash in on later. As for Jones, don’t be surprised if he makes his big-league debut this year—he’s got too much talent to keep hidden in the minors for long.

Whatever happens, this battle for left field promises to be one of the highlights of spring training. Buckle up, Yankees fans—it’s going to be a show!

COULD SHANE BIEBER BE IN PINSTRIPES SOON?

Source: The San Diego Union-Tribune

I haven't been excited about the Yankees lately. Even the Juan Soto pickup didn't give me goosebumps. But, the idea of getting another strong, young pitcher into our rotation, gets me amped up about the possibilities of real contention. According to SI.com, "Cleveland Guardians ace Shane Bieber is in the final year of team control before hitting free agency next offseason," Kuty and Kirschner said. "The Athletic's Ken Rosenthal reported that the Guardians are considering moving Bieber but could hold off until the trade deadline in the hopes that he builds up his value."

Cleveland is interested in building up some outfield depth and the Yankees are perfect trade partners for that. Now that they have added Soto and Alex Verdugo, the Yankees could part with some of the farm for the chance to pick up a veteran starter in Bieber. 

Source: Reuters

"A package centered around Everson Pereira, who struggled after getting called up, could entice Cleveland, especially with the power he showed in the minors. Attaching a good pitching prospect like Henry Lalane should show the Guardians how serious they are about adding Bieber," reported SI.com.

But as quickly as I get excited, I think about injuries both lingering ones with Bieber and the potential of new ones surfacing as the Yankees move through what will likely be a long, grueling season. Remember Carlos Rodon? How about Frankie Montas? As reported by The Athletic, "Rodón was one of the worst pitchers in the major leagues this season. Out of all pitchers who completed at least 60 innings, Rodón’s 6.85 ERA was the ninth-worst in MLB." Yuck!

Source: The New York Post

And also, "Bieber has lost velocity each year since 2020 and is coming off an injury last season, but he was still effective even though his 3.81 ERA was the highest it’s been since his rookie year. Bieber was at his peak when Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake worked with him in Cleveland, so there’s some familiarity here," reports The Athletic. And honestly, Blake really does not impress me, so there's that.

Source: Forbes

So I went from excited to amped to blah. But I will say this, despite Blake Snell showing great stuff last season, he will only turn out to be a Sonny Gray if he came to New York. Could Bieber turn things around in New York, I mean Corey Kluber did but then he fizzled. Could he do something to help the Yankees win and be in contention? Could he find his way into pinstripes come spring? All of this hype is just that, hype, but the reality is the Yankees need someone to pitch alongside Nestor Cortes and Gerrit Cole. And if Montas and Rodon can't turn things around, and Clarke Schmidt continues to just be okay, all the bats in the world can't win the games on the road to the Fall Classic. 

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

ONE MORE DAY

Country music artist Thomas Rhett wrote and recorded a song a couple of years ago called "Slow Down Summer." The lyrics provide a story about how summer slipped away for a couple, wishing it didn't so they could spend more time together. "Wishin' the weather wasn't gettin' colder. Lettin' you go, holdin' onto each other. Closin' our eyes, sayin', "Slow down, summer" I look at the 2023 MLB Yankee Season and sigh, wishing it was over in late August. I never want to rush summer away, but I have admit, I want to rush the Yankees away. One more day and we call it quits with hopes that real change surges through the Yankee organization.

According to ESPN+, "The Mets, Yankees and Padres share some ingredients in their own cocktails of disappointment -- underperforming their advanced statistics, losing true coinflip situations at an unsustainable rate, having more injuries than their rivals and seeing potential team building flaws become gaping holes within months -- but they also have a number of unique features that have led to their respective 2023 dumpster fires."

Some of those unique features for the Yankees include building their team on big contract players who underperformed and found themselves on the IL more than the field. Then they expected way too much of their farm system, bringing up players who were not quite ready for prime time. This has led to more injuries and poor batting averages, pulling down the Yankees' confidence and overall ability to generate runs and win games.

"Combine this risky approach to the top of the roster with some tough injury luck, young players who were slow to fully integrate and some truly baffling moves by GM Brian Cashman over the last three seasons, and it's not hard to see how things went awry," reported ESPN+.

The Yankees need their youth to shine next season if they are going to contend. These guys minimally include Anthony Volpe,  Oswald Peraza,  Jasson Dominguez, Everson Pereira, and Austin Wells. The organization can't afford big dollar contracts in the off season, because their over thirty elite players are simply not giving the team a return on investment. 

One more day and the Yankees' 2023 baseball season will be over. They will watch the playoffs from home, just like you and me. And I can rally around the playoffs and enjoy seeing good teams shine. But I will be bitter that the Yankees blew it again, but this time was the worst I have seen in years. Let's hope the mantra "we can only get better from here" reigns true and there are two less management level people with the team come this off season.

 

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

WILL HARRISON BADER BE BACK? NO ONE KNOWS

Harrison Bader has had his moments in pinstripes.  But this season everything is all over the place.  The team is not consistent when it comes to winning and when it comes to greatness, neither are Harrison Bader or the rest of them.  It's been a mess.

Last fall Bader did amazing things for us down the stretch and it was significant. It was what I expected from this guy who is just a gamer.  But injury has plagued this dude and it bothers many of us.  That being said, we need a good, athletic centerfielder and a guy that can rally the troops like Bader can.  

Not sure what happens to Bader's future in the Bronx, but I am still kind of hoping that he sticks around a little bit longer.  The New York Post writes:

"At the end of the day, it is a results-based world and I do realize my offensive numbers are not where they need to be,” Bader said. “But moving forward down the stretch here, I just want to be what I can offensively for this team to put us in position to help win games. That’s really my entire focus.”

If the Yankees decide not to bring Bader back, the free-agent market is not exactly brimming with alternatives."

Bader is a gamer... he grinds, but the Lord is the only one who knows if this guy can light it up down the stretch this year, AND not get hurt.  

And what happens if we don't sign him? Who else is out there? Who else can play center field?

IKF has shown he can play the outfield, but is he the guy?  What about this new kid, Everson Periera? I just don't know if that's the answer.  And of course, everyone loves the idea of Cody Bellinger on the Yankees, but look, how tired are you of paying big money for stars that age dramatically as soon as they put on the pinstripes?  It's a real issue.  Maybe Bader is the only alternative and to be honest, it's not a terrible one.

Time will tell.  But one thing is certain... we as a Yankee team just can't win consistently this year. I'm pulling my hair out.  It's mind boggling. Maybe today.

MAYBE THE PEREIRA CREW CAN JOLT THIS YANKEE TEAM! VIDEO!

Everson Pereira got his first hit as a professional New York Yankee and his family was so excited, it reminded me of when the Yankees used to win. You gotta see this clip:

A moment to cherish forever 💙

Everson Pereira's family couldn't contain their emotions after seeing him collect his first big-league hit.#YANKSonYES pic.twitter.com/vqVnktu80W

— YES Network (@YESNetwork) August 24, 2023

Look, I was alittle down on Pereira because he came up and appeared to be alittle sluggish. What I mean is he wasn't doing anything! I was beginning to wonder why we called this guy up. I wanted instant satisfaction, I guess.  But the kid plays well, and I am looking for more of this.

Jared Bloom of Sportskeeda writes about Pereira:

"Pereira got his first hit in the majors as he roped a double off Jordan Weems in the eighth inning.

Understandably, Pereira's family in attendance went nuts....

This should be the first of many hits to come. He is the team's third-ranked prospect, just behind Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez....

Pereira is aggressive at the plate, which can hurt him at times. His overaggressive nature tends to lead to more strikeouts than most would like to see. This is something he will have to work on as he progresses."

Look, that is one thing I don't want to see. I don't think this Yankee team needs more strikeouts. I firmly believe the Yankees coaches in the lower levels need to concentrate on what makes these kids get signed in the first place. It's been reported that he's building a lot of muscle and power now that he's a Yankee, but I say keep this kid aggressive but getting hits.  Pereira is not big power hitter and sure the Yankees probably want him to convert to that, but that's why we are losing big time on the Yankees farm... we are ruining players.  Let Pereira's approach be to get on base like he's done since the Yankees signed him in 2017.  It will benefit this team in the future, trust me.

Strikeouts? We already do that way too much.

Congrats to Everson and his family! It was a great moment.

GREG ALLEN MAKES A DECISION TO LEAVE

I am a Greg Allen guy. Just keeping it real.  I like what he offers to a broken-down Yankee team.  Sure, the guys no All-Star, but he's hungry and plays hard and this new Yankee world where they can't keep a lead, I long for that. I long for hardworking, passionate players. Greg Allen is one.  Well now, it appears he's out of there... and he made the decision on his own.

MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"The New York Yankees announced that outfielder Greg Allen has elected free agency after clearing outright waivers. New York had designated him for assignment on Tuesday when bringing up rookies Everson Pereira and Oswald Peraza from Triple-A."

It was a business move and he's at the bottom of the barrel, but I gotta tell you, the way the Yankees handle personnel decisions has been horrible all year.  

Anyway, Greg Allen's gonzo, and for me personally, I'm sad to see him go.

Good luck.

OUR ONLY HOPE

Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

We've reached this point, haven't we? Broken down players, injury, losses, smiles in the dugout like everything's great, a bad manager and a horrendous General Manager that set us up for this. What's the fix? Call up the kids I guess.

Look, I am for literally ANYTHING to fix this Yankees season.  What I don't want however is for the kids to come up, we almost make the playoffs and at the end of the season Hal stands up and declares "We salvaged the season almost making the playoffs and Boone and Cashman are safe." If that were to happen, I would be angry.  And so right this second, the prospects the Yankees call up are our only hope. Sad. I'm happy for them, but sad that it's come to this.

NorthJersey.com writes:

"According to multiple reports, the Yankees are calling up top outfield prospect Everson Pereira along with Oswald Peraza. Jack Curry of the YES Network was the first to report the transaction.

Pereira, 22, in currently enjoying an excellent season in minor-league baseball. In 46 games with Class AA Somerset Patriots, he hit .291 with 10 homers, 31 RBI and a .362 on-base percentage. After moving up to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pereira boasted a .312 batting average, 8 homers, 33 RBI and a .386 on-base percentage.

Peraza has struggled in his 19 games with the Yankees this season, hitting .173 with zero homers and 6 RBI."

And so, we cross our fingers to win a few games, but if you're like me, we root just enough and not overdo it to make Boone and Cashman's job remain.  I firmly believe we need some changes at the top.  As far as the players we have, they haven't done much, there is no way Hal will cut them loose and eat and contract and we all know Cashman is not the guy to make a quick fix to better the team, that ship has said. And so, we are limping through the season once again, it sucks, but predictable knowing Cashman's track record.

I wish Periera and Peraza well. I believe they can jolt this team... it's just too bad it's come to this.