GREG ALLEN'S STILL GOT IT

Greg Allen is proof that baseball careers aren’t always a straight line — sometimes they’re a pinball machine. The newest stop? Baltimore. After the Orioles shipped out Cedric Mullins at the deadline, they decided to patch up their outfield depth by handing Allen a major league contract for the rest of 2025.

It’s a well-earned chance for a guy who’s spent the past few years as the Yankees’ favorite boomerang. Allen’s first tour in the Bronx began in January 2021, arriving from the Padres in exchange for pitcher James Reeves. By spring training’s end, he was DFA’d and shipped to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre — but he clawed his way back to the majors that summer, posting a .270/.417/.432 line in just 15 games.

Two years later, after a minor league pact with Boston in early 2023, Allen was back in pinstripes by May. In 22 games that season, he put up a .217/.333/.478 slash before closing out the year in Milwaukee’s system. January 2024 brought yet another Yankee reunion — though that time, he never got the call, spending the season between Scranton and Double-A Somerset, batting .223/.335/.351.

So here we are. The Yankees may have treated him like an afterthought, but Allen clearly hasn’t lost the itch to play. 

The Orioles aren’t chasing a playoff berth, but Allen is chasing something more important — another shot to prove he belongs. And for that alone, you’ve got to respect the guy’s grit.

THE YANKEES JUST PICKED UP A GEM

If you woke up a day ago and said, "Well, who the hell is Jahmai Jones?" know that today he is on the New York Yankees.  In the move to offer more stability to the team, the Yankees signed the infielder picking him up off waivers. Believe it or not, it's a solid move.

Empire Sports Media wrote:

"The 26-year-old was designated for assignment by the Milwaukee Brewers last week, and the Yankees are taking a flyer on a prospect who has had some success at the Minor League level this past season. Jones hit 12 home runs in 103 games with a .413 OBP and 122 wRC+ in Triple-A for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Brewers at the highest level of Minor League Baseball but has struggled in the big leagues."

And so, what does it mean? It means depth, but more to that, it's just a solid move.  You may look at this guy and think "Well, who is this guy?". I look at him and see a kid with a shot.  When you have a shot, many times you shine... new environment, new team, a team that says, "We think you can help us."  Like a Greg Allen, Jahmai Jones can help.

Small nugget today, but a good one if you're a Yankee fan.

GREG ALLEN'S BACK! BUT HE'S BEING JERKED AROUND BY THE YANKS

Greg Allen should just tell the Yankees to shove it rather than answer the call. I mean, I love the guy, but what ever happened to self-respect? What's my point? Well, it's clear the Yankees need to fill holes this off season, but let's say what this is, they are using Allen until they don't need the guy anymore and then they'll ship him off or relieve him of his duties. It's a pattern and it's bull. Allen is a good player, solid. He deserves better. Don't know what I mean?

Greg Allen has been back and forth with the Yankees 3 times over the past few years and he's back again. As MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"It’s the third stint with the Yankees for the 30-year-old Allen, who was traded from San Diego to New York back in 2021. Allen appeared in 15 games that season and has since bounced from the Pirates, to the Red Sox, back to the Yankees, to the Brewers and now back to the Bronx."

There's no question Allen is an important part of any team. The dude loves the game, quick as hell, he plays like his hair's on fire, but he deserves a more, better treatment than what he gets from the Yankees and other teams as far as I'm concerned.

Anyway, Allen's back and good for us! Here's the report from the New York Post:

"The Yankees are bringing back a familiar face, once again.  Greg Allen is signing a minor league deal with the Yankees, The Post’s Jon Heyman and Joel Sherman reported, which includes an invite to big league spring training and will pay him $1.1 million if he plays in the majors."

We have a pretty crowded outfield. That being said, I'd love to see him back in the Bronx!

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.

STUD BADER JUST TOOK A HIT

 No other way to say it, this sucks. 

As many of you know if you're big Yankee fans, Harrison Bader has been a significant spark plug to the Yankee team, and now, it appears he may be on the shelf again. Inside the Pinstripes writes:

"Bader exited the New York Yankees' matchup with the Seattle Mariners due to right hamstring tightness.

Bader hurt his hamstring in the top of the third inning when he was hustling down the first base line to beat out an infield single. The 28-year-old appeared to have pulled up lame and was then seen jogging off the field and down the clubhouse steps. He was swiftly removed for a pinch runner in Greg Allen."

Now look, we all knew that Bader put his body through hell when he plays. The dude plays hard all the time and that is no doubt why this guy gets hurt a lot. There's no excuse for a ton of injuries, you know I ride guys all the time.  The issue with Bader is he does deliver a lot, so I don't hammer him as much. But no doubt this one hurts.

The best thing we can hope for is he's out for a day or 2 with soreness and will be back on the field. The dude is productive... he just has to figure out how to stay on the field, that's the bottom line.

HICKS IS A CLASS ACT AS THE YANKEES BOOT HIM

I've always said Aaron Hicks was a good guy and no doubt a great teammate.  But he can't play ball anymore and that's fine. When that happens, you gotta cut bait no matter how much a team owes him. The Yankees did the right thing, they DFA'd him after Greg Allen came back to the team. Read GREG ALLEN'S BACK & IT WILL JUST HELP THE WHITE HOT YANKEES for more on that.

Hicks spoke to the New York Post about it:

“It is what it is,” Hicks said on Saturday, via the New York Post. “It’s part of the business side of it. Just got to move on to the next chapter. This is a very good baseball team. It kind of seemed like it wasn’t working out for me. Obviously with the decision they decided to make, maybe somewhere else might be a little bit better.”

Now, will he get another opportunity with another team? I bet someone will take a chance on him, especially if the Yankees have to pay for him.  

Look, the bottom line is this is Brian Cashman's fault. You don't sign a guy with a contract that ridiculous. 7 years, $70 million.  He is still owed $30 million and 3 more years. It just didn't make sense anymore. In fact it didn't make sense then. The eye test alone could tell you this guy would never live up to that contract.

This is a guy that stated to the press that he was gonna be a 30-30 guy for the Yankees. That he felt like he was right there. Well, don't tell the New York fans something like that ever 'cause they will hold you to that.  And that's what happened... he made that statement and the Yankee fans waited... and waited... and waited.  Nothing.

But you gotta give Hicks some credit today. He is walking away classy.  He could be blasting us fans for crucifying him every night. He could be bitching about management, about the team. He's done none of that. He understands this is a business, and at the end of the day... he just was not delivering.

Good luck Aaron. I hope you find your stride and your team.  You were just not a fit here in New York. We like winners here. We like players who perform. You just ran out of time.  as you say...

"It is what it is."

GREG ALLEN'S BACK & IT WILL JUST HELP THE WHITE HOT YANKEES

Not sure if ya'll remember Greg Allen, but he's a good addition to any team.  

Now Allen has bounced around. He was brought in by the Yankees from San Diego on January 6, 2021 in exchange for James Reeves, a lefty pitcher. He hit .270 (10-for-37) with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 2 ribbies and 5 stolen bases in just 15 games with the Yankees. And then, he was gone, going to the Pirates.

But now he's back in a deal with the Red Sox of all teams. The New York Post writes:

"The team acquired Allen... on Friday night from the Red Sox in exchange for minor league pitcher Diego Hernandez and cash considerations. Allen, who had been playing for the Red Sox Triple-A affiliate, was expected to join the Yankees in Cincinnati, though it was not immediately clear whose roster spot he would take. "

And there you have it, a cameo role became a roster spot for Allen. Gotta love that.

Welcome back GA!

GONZO! SO LONG, ANDUJAR

No big surprise here, but Miguel Andujar is officially gonzo!

Andujar got a new home, just like he wanted. Maybe not exactly like he wanted, it took quite a while but it did finally happen. His most recent request to be traded happened back in June and honestly I wanted him to get his wish which is why I wrote I'M TEAM ANDUJAR BECAUSE THE YANKEES MAKE BAD DECISIONS! It was sickening to watch Andujar get passed over for worthless scrubs like Joey Gallo and Aaron Hicks but things have a way of working themselves out.

So now Andujar is a Pittsburgh Pirate and I hope it works out for him. He deserves to get some playing time ad not be stashed away in the minors as a 27-year old infielder / outfielder fill in. Is he the greatest baseball player? No, hardly. He's a far cry from where he was back in 2018 but he's not getting any younger and he has no opportunity as a Yankee. 

It's funny to look back now and think about how the Pirates asked the Yankees to include Andujar and Clint Frazier in a trade to get Gerrit Cole and the Yankees said NO. The Yankees considered Andujar to be untouchable at the time, and here we are four years later and the Pirates got him for free.

Now Andujar gets to reunite in Pittsburgh with several other ex-Yankees including Manny Banuelos, Greg Allen and Ben Gamel just to name a few. Hopefully this is the only similarity that Andujar sees on his new team because he deserves a clean slate.

So this is it....it is finally the end. It was a long time coming, too. I really think the Yankees should've cut the strings sooner and it is only being done now to free up roster space because it's just another thing the Yankees can't seem to manage properly. Andujar can finally pack his bags, get a fresh start and stop thinking about the Yankees.

Good luck to you, Andujar. I am sorry it didn't work out for you here, but best of luck to you in Pittsburgh.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

YANKEES LOSE VELAZQUEZ, ALLEN & LOCASTRO

Things like this suck, after all, guys like Andrew Velazquez, Greg Allen and a short lived Tim Locastro were a real young energy the Yankees definitely needed... but when a season ends, things like this happen and now those guys are gone.  Too bad.

The New York Daily News writes:

"Shortstop Andrew Velazquez and outfielders Tim Locastro and Greg Allen were all claimed off waivers by other teams on Friday. The Angels claimed Velazquez while Locastro was picked up by the rival Boston Red Sox and Allen heads to the Pittsburgh Pirates....

Velazquez, known around the clubhouse as Squid, gained notoriety for being a kid from the Bronx who achieved a lifelong dream of playing shortstop for the Yankees. He has just 96 MLB games on his ledger, but 28 of those came this year with his boyhood club, mostly filling in when Gleyber Torres went on the injured list....

Allen got into 15 games in 2021 and, like Locastro, was part of the outfield carousel in the middle of the year. The 28-year-old put up the best numbers of anyone in this group, slashing .270/.417/.432 and making good on all five of his stolen base attempts. Allen handled all three outfield positions for the Bombers, who went 11-4 in the 15 games he played in."

But one thing not mentioned was that when they were there, they played like their hair was on fire. They played hard and were energized and that was something we really missed on this Yankee club at times, and that was what the fans loved and wanted.  

Too bad they're gone, but we need to turn the page.

YANKEES POSTSEASON IS HARD TO VISUALIZE

The Yankees win some, but lose some more. With just about 8 weeks left in the 2021 season, the Yankees have a long way to go to put themselves over the hump into the postseason. But can they pull this off despite the challenges they are now facing, and the "easy' schedule still ahead of them at home? Your guess is as good as time.

Bryan Hoch's message in my inbox made me reflect on these easier days with concern following the Yankees loss on Monday night to the O's and the recent news of Gerrit Cole testing positive for COVID-19. Hoch says, "As the Yankees attack a softer stretch of their schedule, they have their sights set upon doing more damage, closing ground in the postseason chase. They’re within striking distance for the Wild Card -- and dare we say, the division is not out of the question."

You know when something is hard for you to visualize? You know, you can't see the blueprint or the course clearly in your head? Yea, that's how I feel right now. The lens is a little foggy. Sure they picked up some pieces that should set themselves up for success but with the lack of consistency and the IL growing, the opportunities to jump ahead are dwindling.

Source: MLB Pictures

I love when pitchers like Luis Gil, Yankees No. 6 prospect and starter for Tuesday night's bout against the Orioles, get the opportunity of the lifetime. It is special. But that feeling is short lived given the amount of work this Yankee team needs to put in to even make the Wild Card. 

This season the Yankees simply have not gotten consistent good at bats and the despite what Brian Cashman calls "good coaching" the strategies are just not translating to performance. The Yankees will win a game big like last night and then get beaten 14-0, like they did against Tampa last week. The consistency and rhythm seems to be off track and it is really unclear to me how they can get there, if they can't win games against the Red Sox and Rays and sweep teams like the Orioles. 

I guess at the end of the day, what is the Yankees' plan? They sent Mike Tauchman to the San Francisco Giants for Wandy Peralta, which was just a joke. On Tuesday, they picked up another outfielder from the Blue Jays in Jonathan Davis, but he is batting a pitiful .143 this season. Why not play Giancarlo Stanton and Tyler Wade in the outfield? Or is that not part of the plan? With Greg Allen back in the lineup, isn't he going to get everyday starts? I just don't see the plan, even if I squink. So, if you can comment or enlighten me, I seek your support. But for now, unless I see the blueprint, the Yankees postseason hopes are invisible to me. 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

 

RYAN LAMARRE IS NEWEST YANKEE HERO

When the Yankees start to groove, they groove. And when stale, high paid athletes can't get it done, sometimes you need a spark to get it all going. A few weeks ago I said that about .200 hitting (minor leaguer) Derek Dietrich and how I was annoyed that the Yankees were letting him go to the Nationals. He was a perfect example of that "spark". No, his average doesn't say anything... but his energy did. And sometimes? Sometimes that's all you need to get a team going.

Tim Locastro was another great example. Not the best player, but a former D3 kid that made it to the majors... and the willingness and energy to make things happen.  He helped the Yanks during his short stint before his injury... an injury he went the extra mile more. It was worth it... and he'll be back.

Now you got a guy like Greg Allen. Fast and fun to watch. No one knows this guy... he's not getting 10 years and $340 million. He's just happy to be out there and play a kid's game in a Yankee uniform... and it's working. Energy high... wins start to happen.

Enter Ryan LaMarre, the latest Yankee hero. A nobody journeyman who just became a fan's favorite player. Why? Here's why...

"The Yankees made some questionable pitching decisions, the Phillies played bad defense, but at the end, the Yankees won 6-5 in extras, thanks to Clutch Hitter Ryan LaMarre’s walk-off single...

With Sánchez at second, Gleyber Torres laid down a sac bunt, and Ryan LaMarre came in to pinch hit."

That was SB Nation. And so I ask you... how can you not be romantic about baseball?

The Yankees have won 4 in a row. That's a winning streak folks. Let's keep going!

Never... NEVER give up on the underdog.

YEAH, I'M ALL IN ON GREG ALLEN

Source: The Day

I barely know this Yankee team. From new starting pitchers to position players making their debut, the Yankees are making it work in the new normal following a COVID-19 spread across the team after the All Star Game last week. One shining star has to be Greg Allen who went 3 for 6 over the weekend against the first place Red Sox. The Yankees snagged two out of three against Boston, giving the team a much needed lift after players went down to injuries and the virus. Allen is in the center of it all and he's loving getting a shot at the big leagues after being shepherded for this moment by one of baseball's greatest players.

Source: WNYC

“Coach Gwynn had a monumental impact, and it was one that I probably unfortunately didn’t even realize the true impact of until I was no longer at San Diego State,” Allen said. “But it was an incredible blessing just having a chance to be there. Having this chance to be under his tutelage ... he was just a phenomenal coach, but even a better person. He loved his players, loved his family and loved to try and make everyone better. And he loved the game of baseball, loved to compete,” said Allen as reported by NJ.com. 

Allen was recruited by San Diego's finest, Tony Gwynn, who at the time was the head coach for San Diego State. Recall that Gwynn died at the young age of 54, but lived to see his protege get drafted in the sixth round by the Cleveland Indians in 2014. Many of the qualities of Gwynn are found in the 28-year-old Allen who has been lighting it up since stepping in for Aaron Judge and the rest of the outfield on the IL pretty much indefinitely this season.

“He can really defend in the outfield,” Boone said. “He can run obviously. He’s given quality at-bats from both sides, even at-bats that haven’t ended in a result necessarily. It’s a big league at-bat. It’s competitive. It’s not a lot of chase. “He can help us,” reported NJ.com.

And help is what the Yankees need. From speed to small ball to quite frankly, consistent offense, the Yankees need to break away if they are going to be competitive and catch the Tampa Bay Rays and the Boston Red Sox for a shot at the post season. 

Right now Rougned Odor, Gleyber Torres, Ryan LaMarre and Greg Allen are holding up this Yankee team. And although I see these new numbers and strange guys in pinstripes right now, I am all in as they seem to be the spark the team needed to get things going. Let's go Yankees! 

--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof

GARDNER MAY BE GONZO!

If you are hoping the Brett Gardner comes back this season, you may be holding your breath right now. I know several people who were hoping that he would be back for the 2021 season and then retire. The latest rumors aren't very good. So if you are one of the ones holding your breath, you may want to exhale.

The latest gossip isn't good. According to multiple sources, NJ.com HERE (subscription required) and MLBtraderumors.com the Yankees and Gardner stopped communicating all the back near
 HALLOWEEN! That's a long time to not communicate at all if the Yankees are interested in bringing Gardner back.

It has to make you wonder what is going on and if the Yankees are genuinely interested. I thought that when the Yankees traded Adam Ottavino that the Yankees could use that money to try and sign Gardy. It made sense, but now maybe they have a different plan.

Is it possible that the Yankees are going to give Greg Allen a shot in the outfield instead? Or now that Eric Cressey said Giancarlo Stanton is "as athletic as I have ever seen him" maybe now he gets another opportunity in the outfield. You can read more on that HERE. Maybe the Yankees are content with what they have or at least feel like they have enough without Gardner until the trade deadline. 

Last week Brian Cashman did make some very non-committed sounding comments in regards to Gardy. 
"You know how we love Brett Gardner," Cashman said on Yankees Hot Stove. "He’s been here for a long time. We’ve bet on him forever. He’s always produced and honored those assessments that we’ve made, so it’s been a great marriage. I’m not saying you know it’s going to continue. I’m not going to say that it’s over. But he’s still on the board and we’re always trying to figure out a way to make ourselves better."

So it's been a great marriage between the Yankees and Gardy, but the Yankees may or may not be in it for HIS long haul. The Yankees may be ready to move on and maybe :figuring out a way to make ourselves better" doesn't include Gardy. I didn't read too much into Cashman's comment at first because this is what we expect from him. But now should we?

I'm not sure if pinstripes is in Gardy's future for 2021. It would be nice to see him retire as a Yankee on his own terms but it might not be the case. That's the tough part about business. It's not personal, but when you spend your entire career in one uniform it can't get anymore personal.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

YAWN - MY REACTION TO BRIAN CASHMAN'S LATEST TRADE

I'm so underwhelmed, so that's why I yawn. I mean, it's hard to get excited about this one.
In case you missed it, don't worry you didn't miss anything earth shattering but, the Yankees made a trade yesterday! *YAWN*

HERE is your headliner if you missed it. The Yankees traded for 27-year old outfielder Greg Allen. YAY? In exchange for Allen, the Yankees sent 27-year old reliever James Reeves to the Padres. I know you are jumping up and down with excitement as you are reading this....

After I finished jumping for joy and read the details it's weird that the Yankees would trade for him at all. Allen was just designated for assignment so the Padres could make room on the roster for Ha-Seong Kim who they just signed from South Korea. I'm really scratching my head as to why the Yankees TRADED for him. We could've waited to claim him off waivers without having to give Reeves at all. Not that Reeves was a very valuable piece for us BUT Allen's production was so replaceable that the Yankees could've acquired a similar player with a league minimum free agent signing....so why TRADE? 

Pointless to go on about that I suppose, but this does mean bad news for Brett Gardner.  If you were hopeful to see him back in pinstripes for 2021 this likely ends his Yankee career. His leadership is going to be missed. It will be hard to not see him in the dugout after 13 seasons but the Yankees went younger and cheaper for the backup outfielder. I guess the bonus here is he is a switch hitter but I guess we are stockpiling outfielders again! I guess he can help fill in when injury plagued Aaron Judge or Aaron Hicks go back on the disabled list. We know that is most likely a WHEN it happens not IF unfortunately.

It's nice to see that the Yankees addressed an area of no need and dismissed Gardner at the same time. That's multi-tasking for you, Cashman! Now, can you stop playing this stupid game of chicken with DJ LeMahieu and stop ignoring our pitching needs?

That would be just great...

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj