MISSION ACCOMPLISHED & THE 'FAKE NEWS' WORLD OF BRIAN CASHMAN

The Yankees had the blueprint for a clean, stress-free win: Max Fried on the mound, a slim lead, and momentum on their side. Naturally, it all went sideways. Why? Because the bullpen once again treated a lead like a polite suggestion instead of a responsibility.

And the wild part? This wasn’t supposed to be an issue anymore. Cue the flashback—July 31, 2025. Brian Cashman steps up after the trade deadline and essentially stamps the roster with a big “Mission Accomplished.” Reinforcements had arrived: David Bednar, Jake Bird, and Camilo Doval. Three arms, one promise—problem solved.

Except… not even close.

Bird’s already been rerouted to Wilkes-Barre like a package marked “return to sender.” The others? Let’s call it aggressively average. Sprinkle in a few more spare parts, and somehow the bullpen still operates like it’s held together with duct tape and crossed fingers.

Meanwhile, yesteday Fried actually gave them a chance. He settled in, found a groove, and carried a one-run lead into the sixth looking every bit like the ace. Then came the turning point—because of course it did. Former Yankee Oswald Peraza ties it with an RBI double, and Fernando Cruz follows that up by turning a crack into a crater with three more runs.

From there, it became a parade of “who’s that?” and “why now?”—Angel Chivilli (I don't know who this is) and Ryan Yarbrough—and just like that, the wheels weren’t just off, they got lost. The offense, for dramatic effect, vanished right on cue.

So yes, they got run over by an Angels team that isn’t exactly a juggernaut. And the question keeps coming back: how does a team that stockpiles bullpen arms like collectibles still end up with a relief corps that can’t close a door, let alone a game?

I’ll give you the short answer—because the guy in charge thought the job was already finished. “Mission accomplished,” remember? That’s starting to look less like confidence and more like the moment the GPS lost signal.

And it’s not just the bullpen. This is part of a longer résumé that raises eyebrows: the Carlos Rodón deal that hasn’t delivered co-ace results, the gamble on Frankie Montas that came with a warning label attached, a roster that seems permanently one tweak away from the injured list, and an offense that lives and dies by the long ball—usually dies when it matters.

At some point, it stops being bad luck and starts being a pattern.

And if you zoom out? Brian Cashman only really has one unquestioned crown jewel—2009. The rest? All of it traces back to the foundation built by Gene Michael. Since then, it’s felt more like maintenance than mastery.

Yesterday was just another episode in a very familiar series: shaky bullpen, silent bats, and a team that looks less complete the closer you examine it.

And the best (or worst) part? It’s only April 17. Plenty of time for things to improve… or for the same script to keep running on repeat.

THE END OF WHAT MY NEW YORK YANKEES USED TO REPRESENT

Call it dramatic if you want, but this Yankees franchise is no longer living large. The New York Yankees, the supposed gold standard of professional sports, are operating in something that looks a whole lot like survival mode. And I say that as someone who has bled Yankee blue for decades. I have lived through bad teams, weird teams, transition teams, and aging-dynasty teams. What I have never lived through is an offseason quite like this one: timid, directionless, and drenched in alligator arms.

This isn’t patience, gang. This isn’t strategy. This isn’t some grand chess match where Brian Cashman is secretly five moves ahead of the rest of baseball. This is an organization sitting on its hands, congratulating itself for not spending money, while the rest of the league treats urgency like oxygen.

And yet, somehow, we the fans are supposed to be scolded for being angry.

Enter Michael Kay, stage left, wagging his finger at the fanbase like a disappointed substitute teacher. Kay can whine, lecture, and condescend all he wants, but the reality is painfully obvious: his commentary has drifted so far from the lived reality of Yankees fans that it’s become unrecognizable. Let’s not play dumb here. Michael Kay is paid handsomely through the YES Network, the Yankees’ own broadcast arm. That paycheck clears because the organization signs it, not because fans clap politely when the team sleepwalks through an offseason. When Kay lashes out at us fans, it’s not analysis. It’s insulation. His wallet is doing the talking.

And here’s the thing he seems to have forgotten the moment he handed in his fan card: fans are allowed to be mad. In fact, being mad is often the most honest form of fandom. We invest time, money, emotion, and generational loyalty. Anger isn’t betrayal. Apathy is.

The Yankees lost last year. Not “just short.” Not “one bounce away.” They lost. Which means the assignment this offseason was painfully clear: improve the team in a meaningful way. Add impact. Add stars. Add players who scare opposing teams in October.

Instead, here’s the receipt:

Ryan Weathers, acquired for four prospects to “bolster depth.”

Kaleb Ort, claimed off waivers.

Paul DeJong, minor league deal.

Sebastian Pinto, minor league deal.

Trent Grisham, qualifying offer accepted.

Amed Rosario, one-year versatility play.

Paul Blackburn, re-signed.

Ryan Yarbrough, re-signed.

Nick Torres, minor league deal.

Tim Hill, re-signed.

That’s not a championship plan. That’s a clearance rack with pinstripes on it.

Not one All-Star caliber stud. Not one needle-mover. Not one player who walks into a postseason series and forces the other dugout to change its strategy. This is a collection of depth pieces being sold as vision.

Meanwhile, Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón won’t be ready for Opening Day. The shortstop we’re told is “elite” won’t even sniff the field until summer. The catcher who was hyped as the next great stopper hasn’t stopped much of anything and only batting .214. 

And hovering over all of it is Aaron Judge, a generational superstar wasting prime years on a roster that refuses to meet him halfway. Every season that passes without serious reinforcement is another year of malpractice. Judge will retire one day never seeing a championship if this front office continues to lead blind.

The front office’s greatest blind spot remains the same: baseball is played by humans, not spreadsheets. Chemistry matters. Urgency matters. Accountability matters. You can’t model heart, confidence, or fearlessness in a back-office algorithm, no matter how pretty the Excel file looks.

And where is ownership in all of this? Where is Hal Steinbrenner? Where is Randy Levine? Once upon a time, the people at the top didn’t hide when the Yankees underachieved. Now they’re silent, distant, and seemingly detached from the product on the field. Cashman tells us long-term contracts limit flexibility. Steinbrenner promises aggression without recklessness. Fine words. Empty results again.

The Yankees print money. Roughly $700 million a year in revenue. That’s not a small-market excuse. That’s a financial juggernaut choosing restraint while fans are told to be grateful for prudence. There is zero justification for this level of inactivity. None.

Fans have every right to be furious. We pay for season tickets, parking, concessions, jerseys, streaming packages, and cable networks. We show up 162 times a year emotionally, even when the team doesn’t. Wanting a championship isn’t entitlement. It’s the standard this franchise taught us to expect.

And if nothing changes by spring, if Aaron Boone is still wandering the dugout without consequence, if 2026 is once again sold as “trust the process,” then yes, fans should consider drastic responses. Boycotts. Walkaways. Silence where noise used to be. Because loyalty without accountability is just being taken advantage of.

For the first time in my life, I’ve even questioned my own fandom. I’ve thought about walking away for a season. I’ve thought about shutting down Bleeding Yankee Blue, a blog that’s been alive since 2010, because the frustration has curdled into something worse: sadness. This front office doesn’t seem to understand what fans want, or worse, doesn’t care.

It has been a championship drought since 2009 despite sky-high payrolls. Analysts and former players alike have called out unbalanced rosters, outdated thinking, and a fixation on bargain-bin signings. Too many DH-types. No first-base stability. A power-or-nothing approach that collapses under pressure. No urgency. No consequences. No fear of failure.

That’s on Brian Cashman. That’s on Aaron Boone, who would rather be liked than respected. And it’s on voices like Michael Kay, who should be holding this organization’s feet to the fire instead of blaming fans for noticing the smoke. You're pathetic Kay. Shame on you.

Don’t tell us how to root. Don’t insult our intelligence. And don’t pretend this is fine.

This used to be the New York Yankees. Now it feels like a brand slowly being run into the ground by people who confuse comfort with competence. At this point, why not bring Frankie Montas back and call it a day?

Sad.

YANKEES CREEP INTO "FAVORITE" STATUS FOR TATSUYA IMAI

Yankees fans, rejoice—or at least pretend you know what’s going on. Word is the Bronx Bombers have emerged as one of the favorites to land three-time NPB All-Star Tatsuya Imai. And yes, relax, you’re not alone: most of us needed Google to figure out who this guy is, too.

Imai, a 27-year-old righty for the Saitama Seibu Lions, has been lighting up Japan since 2018. He’s made three All-Star teams, carries a career 58–45 record with a tight 3.15 ERA, and he’s officially being posted on November 19. After that, MLB teams will have 45 days to woo him—or he packs his bags and heads back to Japan.

MLB Network’s David Vassegh has already tossed the Yankees’ name into the rumor tornado, grouping them with the Phillies, Blue Jays, Mets, and Padres. Apparently, according to Vassegh’s “Japanese friends”—his words, not mine—the Yankees are right in the thick of it.

The competition makes sense: all these teams desperately need arms for 2026 and beyond. And Imai’s arsenal is the type that front offices drool over. We’re talking a fastball up to 99, a biting slider, and a changeup that makes hitters look like they forgot their glasses. Control used to be an issue, but he’s sharpened that up—so much so that he just posted a 1.92 ERA and 0.89 WHIP. Not bad… though, let’s be real, NPB hitters aren’t exactly the same beasts lurking in MLB lineups.

The elephant in the room? Kei Igawa PTSD...for me at least. Big, glowing, neon PTSD. Yankee fans don’t need another reminder that not every Japanese pitcher is the next Tanaka; sometimes you get the guy who makes you dive behind the couch every fifth day.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are watching the Dodgers printing money, collecting Japanese stars like they’re Pokémon cards—Ohtani, Yamamoto and Roki Sasaki—and they seem to think they can just… copy-paste that blueprint. Here’s the catch: the Dodgers actually spend money. The Yankees? They talk about spending money and then they get a guy like Frankie Montas. Totally different.

Stay tuned. This could get interesting. Or it could get very, very Yankee. We shall see.

MONTAS IS JUST MILKING THE METS DELIVERING A WHOLE LOT OF NOTHING

Look, I tolerated Frankie Montas when the Yankees brought him to the Bronx. Key word: tolerated. I didn’t throw a parade, but I didn’t burn the jersey either. Then came the betrayal. Turns out, Montas was already damaged goods when he strolled into Yankeeland—banged up, kept it quiet, and crossed his fingers that grit alone could get him through it. Spoiler alert: it didn’t. The man ghosted the rotation, took up residence on the injured list, and cashed every check along the way. Honestly, if that’s not performance art, I don’t know what is.

That was the turning point. The injury, the silence, the paycheck—it all screamed fraud. So when Steve Cohen and the Mets decided to add Montas to their circus this offseason, I actually felt a twinge of joy. Not because I like seeing a pitcher flame out, but because, finally, this was their mess. Let the blue-and-orange brigade deal with it. After all, Steve Cohen isn’t exactly Theo Epstein. He’s more like Monopoly Man with a Citi Field season ticket package.

Back in February here on Bleeding Yankee Blue, I wrote this little gem:

“Fresh off a $34 million, two-year contract with the Mets, Montas is once again dealing with an injury... sidelined with a significant lat strain... requiring a PRP injection and at least 6-8 weeks of rest before he can even think about throwing again. Wow.”

Well, it’s June now. Tick tock.

Montas just made his third rehab start—this time against Triple-A hitters. And if this was his grand comeback tour, he might want to skip the encore. Four innings, five earned runs, and four home runs surrendered. Three of those bombs went to the same guy. I mean, come on. This wasn’t a Cy Young audition, it was a demolition derby. Sure, he hit the strike zone—43 of 61 pitches went for strikes—but when every strike leaves the yard, what exactly are we celebrating?

Let’s be clear: Montas looks nowhere near ready for a major league mound. And my question is this—why throw millions at a guy who has a history of hiding injuries from teams paying him to perform like an ace? That’s not just risky—it’s dumb. But hey, that’s the Mets, right? Baseball’s eternal little brother. The redheaded stepchild of the MLB. The franchise that shops at the Yankees’ discount rack and wonders why everything smells like Bengay.

The Mets love a good Yankees leftover. It’s like they’re the highest-paying customer at the baseball pawn shop. “Ooh, you’re selling off a pitcher with shoulder issues and a vague sense of ethics? We’ll take him! Full price!” By the time these guys hit Queens, they’re either broken down, burnt out, or both. And in Montas’ case, the return window closed two surgeries ago.

Let’s zoom out for a second. The league as a whole? It’s broken too. Owners hand out contracts like candy on Halloween—bags of cash with zero accountability. Sure, players aren’t property. No one’s saying they are. But if you’re signing for $34 million, is it too much to ask that you show up to work in one piece? We’ve reached a point where there’s no renegotiation, no repercussions—just rehab stints and rehab checks.

And Mets fans? Brace yourselves. You won’t be seeing Montas take a meaningful pitch for a long, long time. Maybe not ever. And while that’s already tragic, here’s the kicker: the Mets didn’t even sign him because they believed in his talent. No, they signed him because they needed to keep the piggy bank warm for Juan Soto. A guy who can’t field, can’t run, and apparently forgot how to hit. But don’t worry—he’s “trying really hard.” Priceless.

Steve Cohen loves to call himself a businessman. Maybe on Wall Street. But in baseball? The guy’s running an open bar for underachievers. He throws money at every problem like he’s hosting a wedding in Vegas. And sure, maybe the Mets are technically good. But good teams don’t make dumb investments like this. The math doesn’t add up, Steve.

Bottom line: Frankie Montas is toast. And Cohen? He’s not a genius, he’s just a rich guy with a baseball team and a short attention span. Until the Mets stop playing nurse to Yankee castoffs and start demanding performance, they’ll always be what they are—just the Mets.

FRANKIE MONTAS AND THE METS ARE OFF TO AN INCREDIBLE START

 And that my friend is sarcasm.

Remember when the Yankees traded for Frankie Montas, and his physical supposedly came back clean? Only later did we find out he was already dealing with an injury but tried to push through it—making things even worse until he ultimately needed surgery. I covered this in a piece for BYB called DON'T TRY AND BE A HERO, FRANKIE MONTAS, where I wrote:

"He wasn't honest about his injury. He was just trying to be a hero. And when you do that in Yankeeland and you're wrong, you're toast. Why? Because the fan base will crucify you."

Well, history is repeating itself, only this time, it's the Mets' problem.

Fresh off a $34 million, two-year contract with the Mets, Montas is once again dealing with an injury. According to Jon Heyman and Mike Puma of The New York Post, he’s sidelined with a significant lat strain. Newsday Sports’ Tim Healy adds that it’s a high-grade strain, requiring a PRP injection and at least 6-8 weeks of rest before he can even think about throwing again. Wow.

It’s a brutal break for Montas, who was a reliable starter with Oakland, posting a 111 ERA+ over six-and-a-half seasons. But the moment he arrived in the Bronx, his career took a nosedive, and his latest stint in New York—this time with the Mets—is off to an equally disastrous start.

Mets fans, I hate to break it to you, but Steve Cohen may be loaded, but he’s not exactly a baseball genius. Shelling out $34 million for a guy with a history of breaking down? That’s not smart spending—that’s burning money.

Silly.

YANKEE FAN FAVORITE MICHAEL KING BACK ON THE TRADING BLOCK?

Yankees fans loved Michael King. The front office did too. But when Juan Soto in his prime was up for grabs, there was no time for second thoughts. So, King was sent to San Diego, and—surprise, surprise—he thrived. He put up a 2.95 ERA over a career-high 173.2 innings, striking out 10.42 batters per nine. A total win for the Padres.

But here’s where things get interesting. Empire Sports Media just dropped this nugget, saying:

“The Padres appear open to dealing with him, as they are reportedly listening to trade offers. Given King’s breakout season and the fact that he is still under team control, he immediately becomes one of the most attractive trade chips on the market.”

So, if you’re the Yankees, how do you not at least make the call? King was once a Yankee, a good soldier, and he’d be a seamless fit back in the rotation.

But while they’re at it… why not aim even higher?

The Yankees have been linked to Luis Arraez all offseason as ESM points out, and while Aaron Boone’s lackluster WFAN interview hinted at DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, and Oswaldo Cabrera splitting infield duties, the rumor mill keeps spinning. If San Diego is open for business, the Yankees could explore a deal that brings back King and lands them an elite contact hitter to balance out their lineup.

Meanwhile, across town, the Mets have been relatively quiet after signing Soto—besides picking up the very chatty AJ Minter. Their rotation, though? A whole lot of uncertainty.

As BVM Sports points out:

“The Mets do not have a lot of proven commodities in their starting rotation. Sean Manaea will return after a career year and so will Kodai Senga after only making one start during the 2024 regular season. The hope is Frankie Montas can bounce back and David Peterson continues to excel, but neither pitcher is guaranteed to have success. King would be one of the most reliable pitchers in New York’s rotation and could be their ace by the end of the season.”

It makes perfect sense for the Mets to go after King—but are they actually in the mix? That’s still unclear.

Michael King is a hot commodity. The Yankees could try to bring him back. The Mets should make a move. And another team will eventually pounce.

Who’s going to step up? We’ll find out soon. Stay tuned.

IN THE LATEST SAGA OF THE METS WANTING TO BE THE YANKEES...

Steve Cohen and the New York Mets—baseball’s answer to that one person in high school who keeps trying to reinvent themselves to impress the cool kids, only to trip over their own shoelaces. The latest twist in the Mets' ongoing obsession with the Yankees? A desperate grab at bullpen pieces that might as well come with pinstripes stitched in for good measure.

According to Dan Bartels of the New York Post, the Mets are considering a trio of options for their bullpen, including Yankee fan-favorite Tommy Kahnle. Bartels’ tweet sums it up:

"If the Mets don’t spend big in the bullpen: David Robertson, Chris Martin, or Tommy Kahnle could be a fit, per @NYPost_Mets."

All former Yankees by the way.

Oh, the audacity! Kahnle, who practically breathes Yankee mystique, posted a career-best 2.11 ERA, fanned 46 batters, and boasted an absurd 59.8% ground-ball rate. Naturally, this would make him a tempting target for a team that has spent the better part of the last decade looking like they’ve been cursed by the ghost of Bobby Bonilla’s contract.

But wait—this is the same Mets team that’s already poached Clay Holmes and Frankie Montas, two former Yankees by the way. Did I mention that they were former Yankees? Are we seeing a pattern here? Maybe Steve Cohen isn’t building a team so much as he’s collecting Yankees like they’re Pokémon cards. What’s next? A monument at Citi Field dedicated to "Almost Yankees We Paid Too Much For"?

And then there’s the Juan Soto saga. Former Yankee. Cohen’s near-obsessive pursuit of the slugger reportedly included outlandish offers—rumored to flirt with a near billion-dollar price tag and a luxury suite for Soto’s family. Really? NEARLY A billion dollars? That’s Bezos money, not "we're still paying for Max Scherzer’s arm and Justin Verlander’s ghost" money.

But here’s the kicker: the Yankees and us Yankee fans couldn’t be happier about the Mets taking Soto off the market. With their rivals distracted, the Bronx Bombers were free to bolster their lineup and pitching staff, leaving Mets fans wondering if Cohen is secretly a double agent sent by Hal Steinbrenner.

If Cohen wants to mimic the Yankees, here’s a free tip: it’s not about signing players who used to be good in pinstripes. It’s about cultivating a winning culture, making smart investments, and, oh yeah, not treating your team like a vanity project. Until then, the Mets will remain what they’ve always been: the Yankees' shadow, forever chasing the light.

Good luck with Tommy Kahnle, Mets. Maybe he’ll bring some of that Yankee magic with him. Or maybe he’ll just bring another reminder that Citi Field is where pinstriped dreams go to die.

But I actually hope Kahnle comes back to the Yankees. I liked him there, and I know he loved being a Yankee.

THAT FORMER YANKEE RIGHTY HEADS TO QUEENS

The New York Yankees are masters of hesitation, and it’s starting to wear thin. Right-hander Frankie Montas, once viewed as a potential bounce-back candidate for the Yankees, has now signed a two-year, $34 million deal with the New York Mets. The move, pending a physical, highlights a familiar story: the Yankees wait too long and miss out.

Montas, 31, wasn’t perfect last season, throwing 150.2 innings with a 4.84 ERA split between Cincinnati and Milwaukee. But the Mets see him as a critical piece of their rotation as they aim to contend in 2025. Meanwhile, the Yankees are stuck in their usual offseason malaise, watching as opportunities pass them by.

Let’s rewind. After Montas’s disastrous stint in pinstripes in 2022 and a subsequent season-and-a-half derailed by injuries, it seemed logical for the Yankees to offer him a low-risk, one-year deal for 2024. They’d rushed him back for a meaningless late-season cameo, and Montas had expressed gratitude for the team’s rehab support. It all seemed to set the stage for a reunion—one where the Yankees could bet on his upside at a bargain price.

Instead, Montas signed a $16 million deal with Cincinnati last offseason. Sure, it was a gamble for the Reds, but why weren’t the Yankees willing to take a shot at half that cost? He went on to start Opening Day for Cincinnati, struggled to a 5.01 ERA over 19 starts, and was dealt midseason to Milwaukee. With the Brewers, Montas found a groove, striking out 70 batters in 57 1/3 innings, though his ERA still hovered at 4.55.

Now, Montas is heading to Queens, where the Mets are clearly more focused on building a contender than their Bronx rivals seem to be. While the Yankees sit idle, other teams are taking calculated risks to bolster their rosters.  Now trust me, I hated the fact that Montas wasn't truthful of his injury when the Yankees brought him in. It was a bitch move to collect money from the team and then complain that he had the injury "but tried to play through it." It was bull, but now he's better. 

Let’s be clear: signing Montas again wouldn’t have guaranteed the Yankees a championship in 2025. But it’s not just about Montas—it’s about a troubling pattern of inaction and indecisiveness. This is the same Yankee team that has dragged its feet this offseason, content to rest on the laurels of mediocrity while rivals like the Mets make bold moves.

The Mets see a flawed pitcher with untapped potential and a chance to rebound. The Yankees see…nothing, apparently. They’re stuck in neutral, perpetually hesitating while players sign elsewhere.

Yankees fans deserve better. They deserve a front office willing to take better chances and build a team with urgency with good players... Montas aside. Meanwhile, the Mets are showing what it looks like to act with purpose.  Is Soto next for them?

We shall soon see.

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

THIRSTY YANKEES TIED TO NEW PITCHING TARGET

Other teams know there's blood in the water now. Hell, beat writers and other baseball writers know there is blood in the water, too. Losing on Yoshinobu Yamamoto stings, and now everyone watches for what the Yankees do next.

I really think that is what is happening, because I am seeing a lot of chatter on the internet, and some of it is pretty silly. The Yankees are going to make some moves because they have to. Brian Cashman is in the hot seat, and he needs to do everything he can to get people to stop pointing and laughing at him because he sucks at his job.

Since Cashman is a laughing stock, people are hoping he is going to make another drastic move. I still think the Yankees overpaid for one year of Juan Soto and now there's speculation the Yankees could (or should) do it again for pitching. Check out what SI.com wrote HERE. The Milwaukee Brewers may be eager to trade away some of their talent they know they can't keep long term. Many teams would want Corbin Burnes, including the Yankees.

Burnes has some good experience. He was a Cy Young winner in 2021 and is an All-Star, he could be a big help to a contending team but he's also a rental. He will be a free agent after the 2024 season and has already said he is highly unlikely to sign an extension. Patrick Mcavoy seems to think the Yankees should also overpay for him, like they did for Soto because they did it already so "what's one more?" Someone get Mcavoy on the phone and tell him Soto and Burnes aren't quite on the same level. Burnes is very talented, but he's pitched over 200 innings once in his career and Soto is one of, if not the best left handed hitter in the game today. The Yankees downfall last year was not their pitching, ultimately it was their lack of production.

There's one other piece to this puzzle. The Yankees have lost some pitching depth this winter. They traded four pitchers to get Soto and three to get Alex Verdugo from the Red Sox so the Yankees want to hold on to their remaining prospects and deal in free agency instead. Prospects are just what their name suggests.... prospects. However, they still need to hold on to some of them. This leads me to believe that the Yankees are more likely to pivot and try to reunite with Jordan Montgomery or Frankie Montas and hope that Carlos Rodon rebounds as scary as that sounds.

I guess this is an "A" for effort on Mcavoy but a giant "F" for execution and general business smarts. I guess that's what happens though when people smell desperation. The Yankees will pivot, now we just wait and see HOW exactly.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

CASHMAN HAS NO CHOICE, HE HAS TO DO BETTER

Frankie Montas. Joey Gallo. Carlos Rodon. Just 3 names that make you want to pull your hair out.  Cashman made those moves, and those players did nothing for us.  The worst in my estimation has to be Montas who went through a physical and was still hurt because he was apparently hiding and injury. But that comes down to his integrity and the medical staff's lack of awareness when it comes to the human body.  But all of them were greenlit by Cashman who is walking around high and mighty over his Yankee career with literally nothing to show for it. In fact 4 guys he gave up were champs with the Rangers.  4 guys... Chapman, Montgomery, Heaney and Eovaldi.  How in the world is this guy wrong all the time?

The Yanks needs to do something bigly for the 2024 season.  Something that would resemble the 2009 season when George made him go out and get Swisher, Teixeira, Sabathia and Burnett.  But what? Is it Juan Soto and Cody Bellinger?  No one really knows. But Clutchpoints has this:

"Cashman asserted the Yankees would be in the conversation to pursue a host of players:

“We’re knocking on those doors, we’re having those conservations. Hal Steinbrenner and his family have always run it the way that if there’s some opportunity worth pushing on, they’re always there to allow that to happen,” the Yankees GM said, per Bryan Hoch."

Well... that sounds like more of the same to me. The only difference is George is dead, and if he were alive Cashman would be out of a job and George would personally invite these guys up to his box and get a handshake agreement quickly.

Look, the state of the Yankees is in shambles. I don't really think they plan on improving this team, their front office or even take a "deep dive" into fixing anything. I absolutely believe they want us all to forget about it.  

But we're fans... we don't forget.  We need to bring a championship back to the Bronx.  That's the bottom line.

JOBA & WELLS SPEAK OUT ON THE YANKEES HORRIBLE SEASON!

Joba Chamberlain is the recent Yankee hero in my mind.  He says that the fans have a right to be pissed off about the Yankees ridiculous season.  Meanwhile David Wells is shouting that it's not Brian Cashman or Aaron Boone, but instead the players who need to step up and do their job. 

The New York Post writes:

“Everyone’s blaming Cashman, they’re blaming Aaron Boone,” Wells said during an appearance on “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich.” “… So to me, it’s a matter of if the players don’t produce, send them a message, and I don’t care how much money they’re making. Send them down, and let them sit in the minor leagues for a bit.

“Yeah, they got guaranteed contracts, but they’re not getting the publicity that they want in a big-league stadium. Go to a minor-league stadium. It’s not fun when you’re in the big leagues and you go back down, because it’s humiliating when you get sent down. But do your job, and that’s what they gotta do.”

Let me tell you something. Both guys are right.  But when it comes to the fans, they take it personally.  There is no question that Cashman brought in players that did not do their job.  But we're rehashing alot of garbage now.  

Guys like Montas, Rodon just didn't work. Trading Montgomery for Bader proved to be stupid.  Not signing Harper when the Yankees should have bit the Yankees in the ass.  All this is true.  Wells can complain all he wants about how the players needed to do their job, but who can forget the time Wells didn't do his job when the Yankees needed him.

October 2003.  In the first inning against the Marlins, David Wells was pulled from the mound when we needed him most... for... back spasms.  ESPN writes:

"Back spasms forced New York Yankees pitcher David Wells from his start in Game 5 of the World Series against the Florida Marlins after only one inning Thursday...Florida went on to win 6-4, taking a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven series."

David Wells didn't do his job that day. We lost the series. What's my point? I hate when guys can spew their mouth about crap and forget what they didn't accomplish on the field for us fans for merely the same thing.  Say what you will about the players doing their job, but at the end of the day if comes down to the talent on the field and what they can do on any given day. And these players were brought in by YOU GUESSED IT... Brian Cashman.  Cashman thought he was putting the best guys on the field, like Wells, like Stanton or Rodon... but those players failed.  Let me say this again... Cashman brought them in.

Wells is loyal to Cashman because Cashman defended Wells after that 2003 game. That's all it came down to:

"He is as big a competitor as you can find and he fights through a lot of stuff, but today he couldn't get through it," Cashman said."

Joba has stepped up finally to say that fans deserve better, and they have the right to be critical. Great job Yanks Go Yard with this interview!  (34:22)

He said that the fans should be mad and that's all us fans really want. Us fans want to see change. We're the ones that pay a ton of money to see the players that Cashman puts on the field compete.  And when they don't, we want Cashman's head. It's pretty simple. When the Yankees lose, we lose money. When the Yankees win, we feel satisfied because we spent a $1000 bucks on the game that day, money to get tickets, to park and to buy food for our family.  It's pretty simple and to be honest, obscene.  

The prices at the stadium are outrageous... do pardon us fans for not being happy when Cashman gets us Rodon and he lays an egg 5 games straight.  The front office picked Rodon because Rodon was supposed to be good. Analytics, top office guys made that decision and Cashman was in on it.  But at the end of the day, they picked the wrong player.  And so, that's why fans are mad.  And Joba gets that. 

Look, The Yankees will get through this, but only if they make changes.  Wells is a good dude with great opinions... Joba too.  I just love how to players have different perspectives on this situation. It's fascinating to me.

Anyway... Happy Sunday!

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.

YANKS WILL TRY & JUSTIFY TRADING FOR MONTAS IN LATEST STUNT

The Yankee organization must think we're stupid. That or they are just trying to justify the fact that they blew it with acquiring Frankie Montas and want to at least see what he has even though he's an injured liar that wasted everyone's time. Again... part of the blame is on this slug who didn't reveal anything about arm discomfort. He was not forthcoming. The other blame goes to the Yankees medical staff who just failed to see any injury in the physical to acquire him. The bottom line is the whole thing leaves a bad taste in my mouth. So why the hell would I ever want to see this guy in pinstripes again? Why would ANY Yankee fan?

Well... we might and that's the worst part of this.

Sportskeeda writes:

"Montas has now been cleared to pitch and has logged some innings in the minor leagues. Manager Aaron Boone recently said that the 30-year-old Dominican will likely get some work in the team's final series.

Giving Montas some time on the mound is likely due to his current contract situation. He will be a free agent when the season ends and have a short time to show teams his value."

And so, what's the point? Do the Yanks just want to come out of it and say, "We tried?"  The Yankees are playing for nothing right now.  It's just a hangover until the "reevaluation" process when Hal does a "deep dive" into the front office.  Can we just forfeit the last few games and get there already? Why are we wasting our time?

Enough.

THE YANKEES NEVER LEARN, DO THEY?

In an unusual story by Empire Sports Media (and many others), there's an idea out there that the same player that lied to them about his health, and the same player the Yankees brought over to the team without truly doing a real physical of any kind, might be considered a player that could return to the Yankees in 2024 when the season's over in 2023. I'm not kidding.  That's right, slug Frankie Montas may still have a career with the Yankees... it's something the Yanks are mulling over according to reports.

Read this:

"There’s a compelling case to be made that the Yankees could benefit from re-signing either Severino or Montas to a budget-friendly, one-year contract. While letting Severino test free agency could offer him a much-needed change of scenery, the Yankees might be looking to salvage any lingering value in Frankie Montas....

Montas recently began a rehab assignment and made quite an impression, surrendering just one earned run and one hit over an inning while striking out two batters. He was efficient, needing only 17 pitches and landing 10 strikes. If Montas can string together a few more promising rehab performances, the Yankees might be willing to offer him a cost-effective extension to bolster the tail end of their rotation."

What happened to integrity, Mr. Cashman? What happened to holding grudges when guys lie about their abilities? Montas is trash.  Look, you want to re-sign Luis Severino to one year, a home-grown guy who just had a bad season, I can see that. Milk him for everything he's got. I can't see bending over and offering Montas anything.

But we will see what happens.  Look, the Yankees will need a 5th starter at this point.  A one-year deal is all it would be... that's a handful of starts.  The Yankees are big when it comes to trying to find lightning in a bottle.  Why they are choosing the Montas bottle is beyond me, but let's see what happens next.  Ultimately, I feel like it would be a huge mistake.

ANOTHER YANKEE PLAYER HEADS TO THE IL... THANKS CASHMAN!

Brian Cashman collects damaged goods.  

There has to be something within the Yankee organization player selection process that is wacky and wrong and flawed, because everyone who comes over to the Yankees gets hurt... and be that a Frankie Montas who just lied to everyone, or our latest casualty... Keynan Middleton.  Yup, you heard that right.

A brand-new Yankee is hurt.  How convenient.  Give me a break, Cashman.  Are these players vetted?  I am so glad that Steinbrenner is going to do a deep dive into every department the Yankees have... because we need to get to the bottom of this garbage.

The New York Post writes:

"Middleton landed on the 15-day injured list Wednesday, retroactive to Sunday, with right shoulder inflammation...It marked the second time in the last four days that the Yankees have lost a reliever to the IL, with Ian Hamilton suffering a groin strain over the weekend."

Lovely.

Look, there is no way to know if this guy was hurt before he came here, but then you have to question how we train and work with these players in New York... because it's just how many new guys come over... only to be played on the IL.