THE LOCKOUT IS LOOMING & A FAMILIAR FACE COULD TAKE CENTER STAGE IN NEGOTIATIONS!

Forget about the pit you feel in your stomach right now with Anthony Volpe back in the big leagues. It's about to get really real. The thrill of the regular season is still heating up, but the real drama is going to unfold off the field this winter. Buckle up, this is the start of a very long lockout with a twist that could come out of left field.

The season is still young, but we are already talking about the end of the season. The Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) expires December 1st and Major League Baseball and MLB Players Association (MLBPA) met face-to-face Tuesday to give opening presentations for negotiations, read more HERE.

The league will pursue both a salary cap AND a salary floor, something that players have firmly opposed, including Bryce Harper openly criticizing it most recently when he cursed out MLB commissioner Rob Manfred, check it out HERE.

Even though talks have started, progress on the proposals probably won't be significant until after the season ends. If an agreement can't be reached by March, schedule adjustments for 2027 will need to be made. In a lockout, no transactions can be made so that means no trades or free agent signings. I still remember the last lockout which was 99-days right on the heels of a pandemic. That irritated me beyond belief when Sonny Gray was whining like a baby about money while the rest of us were dealing with our own lockdowns and hardships. That was bad, this could be even worse. 

The anticipated lockout is only in talks, but it already has the attention of Congress. It is rumored that a lockout would cause an intervention from politicians and President Trump would be possible. The last thing I want is congress or the president meddling with America's favorite pastime, but it's possible that politics and baseball could collide in a new way.

In case you hadn't heard, one of my favorites Mark Teixeira is running for the U.S. House of Representatives in Texas' 21st Congressional District in 2026. By the way Mike O'Hara....if you are out there buddy, LOOK Tex is relevant again unlike Greg Bird! Sorry, I couldn't resist the throwback to old times when we traded zingers. Anyway, Tex is a former member of the MLBPA's executive subcommittee so if he wins his race, he could play a pivotal role in negotiating a new deal. Interesting thought to see him go from one of the MLBPA members, to someone who could potentially bring both sides together in a different capacity.  

I've had several people tell me not to worry about this now because "It's too early" but this is going to be a negotiation unlike any other. Baseball as we know it could look VERY different here soon. Things are gonna get ugly....and this is just a warmup for what's to come.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

SCOUTS JUST DROPPED A TRUTH BOMB ON THE 'RED FLAG' YANKEES!

As we get closer to the trade deadline, scouts may have just made Brian Cashman's job even harder. That's not something he needs considering fans already think he's doing a bad job as it is. He hasn't hit any home runs in a long time and that drought may not end anytime soon.

The Yankees have had a long, embarrassing fall from their May peak and now we are all left wondering what comes next. They have a lot of holes to fill in if they really want to be the contending championship caliber team they want us to believe they are. Question is....do they have the prospect pieces to trade for it?

Several scouts have been talking, read HERE and it's not so flattering for the Yankees. "I call them the Red Flag organization," said one scout who covers the Yankees. "There are upside plays, but there are red flags everywhere with results and injury." It's not a surprise either. There are so many areas that are fundamentally wrong within the organization. We were all waiting for Hal Steinbrenner's "deep dive" this winter to expose something useful....but that was a waste of money. Year after year, the Yankees are riddled with injuries and struggle with the same fundamentals. They can't hit and score runs and they don't develop their own talent. It's a harsh reality.

Honestly, looking ahead to what the Yankees need we can all say the Yankees need some help in the bullpen. We can't ignore the liability the starting rotation has become after overperforming at the beginning of the season. What makes it worse, is Yankee hitters not named Juan Soto or Aaron Judge can't hit to bail out their starters when they do struggle so nothing is working the way it should to help this team win. So the Yankees have holes in the bullpen, in the rotation and notably in the infield.

Lots of holes, but do the Yankees have the prospects to get them what they need? "The Yankees get their prospects to hit the ball hard as hitters, and add velocity and spin as pitchers, and they are going to light up the models of teams that value players similarly, so they are going to have items to move," the evaluator said. "But the system is not elite. It is down. There is less to pick from."

Let's talk about what there is to pick from. The Yankees best prospects are Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones, both of which they aren't looking to trade. I can understand holding on to Dominguez, he should be a big part of this team for years to come if he can stay healthy and productive. Then there is Jones.....who I am not sold on. I asked SHOULD SPENCER JONES BE UNTOUCHABLE? back in February. I had a lot of people tell me YES, he should.....but I feel differently. 

I think if the Yankees had an offer to make them better during Spring Training when everyone was talking about him, they really should've considered taking it. At the end of the day a prospect is an unproven gamble and I have always had Greg Bird vibes from him. He strikes out an awful lot and he has a long swing....too long. I just don't see it, but if I am wrong later I will gladly admit it.

As much as I hate to agree with these scouts right now, I do. The Yankees don't have as much to trade with as I would like, because they are bad at developing talent. However, "Brian Cashman is perhaps better than anyone else in trading his [expletive] prospects for something," said another scout. So I guess we wait and see if Cashman is as good as one scout says he is.

I'm skeptical though....Cashman has only been good at sucking for a long time now. Sometimes the truth hurts, and the Yankees lack of good prospect development is a harsh reality.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

                                                                    $16 Tees Sale Right NOW!

IS BEN RICE THE REAL DEAL?

It's Ben Rice fever! My X feed has been going crazy about him. I understand why, he's been refreshing to watch especially with how much this team has struggled lately. Have we seen enough yet to call him "the real deal?" The social media arguments are real!

So far, I like what I see. He's got a good approach at the plate, which is exactly why the Yankees called him up in the first place, check it out HERE. The Yankees didn't bring him up for his expertise at first base, they promoted him because he has a good bat. "He's as advertised," said one American League scout who has seen Rice in two series since being called up. "He has a calm presence at the plate, which you can't teach. He showed it in the minors, but it doesn't always translate here."

So far, it translates and it's worked, but we're only talking about 40 plate appearances in 12 games. It's worked for Rice, and maybe it will help DJ LeMahieu settle in at third base and find that consistency. Anything that works and gives this team that lightning in a bottle they desperately need. The Yankees are putting a lot of faith in a catcher converted to first baseman who has play 12 games in the majors, which is one more game than he played down in Triple-A. Maybe that's why social media has some strong opinions on him.

I said social media had some strong opinions, didn't I? I had a Facebook friend of mine send me a message yesterday. He said he didn't think it would take long for the Yankees to ruin his plate discipline or he might end up catching the Greg Bird curse. Now that's a name you don't hear anymore, and a guy you don't want to be compared to these days. I get it, Bird impressed in the very beginning and then quickly declined. I just don't think it is fair to compare Rice to Bird. Just leave him alone and let him play.

It's too early to make any hard opinions on Rice. As long as he continues to lay off the bad pitches and make contact with the good ones then the Yankees will have a weapon in their back pocket. When I watch him he appears to be laid back, and not letting the pressure get to him. It's always something I look at when you have someone who gets promoted to the big stage with minimal time down in Triple-A. Oh and Aaron Boone likes his "ability to impact the ball"......whatever that means. I think it means his ability to hit the ball with authority, but Baboonie always has to add his Boone babble nonsense.

There's always a lot of question marks when you promote someone so quickly from Triple-A and then plug them into a role that isn't their primary position. I don't think we have seen enough to call him the real deal.....but I've seen enough to want to see more.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

A YANKEES WINTER IS COMING...

Yep, it's an overly done and now dated cliche' "Game of Throne" reference.  I'm just now binge watching... so cut me a break. 

Years ago I wrote a post for BYB where I described walking the cold, gray streets of Manhattan a week after the holidays had officially ended. Trudging lonely sidewalks and passing the dead, discarded Christmas trees. There was just a heavy sense of sadness. Well damn it if I don't feel that way again... AND IT'S NOT EVEN THANKSGIVING YET!!

The Yankee offseason feels like those lonely, cheerless streets of the Big Apple post-12 Days of Christmas. The skeleton Christmas trees symbolizing the Dynasty Years. A time when being a New York Yankee was on every player's wish list...EVEN YOU, VLAD JR!! Ya mutt.

Now it doesn't feel that way, does it? It seems the Yankees have finally put on the leather jacket, trunks and water-skis and JUMPED THE SHARK! (cliche' #2 for ya'll). 

We will most likely lose Aaron Judge to a west coast team willing to pay him. Do I think he take the money over the pinstripe glory? YUP! I think he wants every nickel. I think he is done with Cashman and Co. I think he KNOWS this ship was built with a hole in it.  And, most importantly, I think he symbolizes the new feeling about the Bronx Bombers... they ain't the place to be anymore.

Once that happens the rest will follow suit. Even Anthony "Guys don't stay in the same place anymore" Rizzo is outta here. Why? Aaron Judge pulls a lot more weight in that current clubhouse than Jeter, Paulie, Mo, Andy, Jorge...or whatever Throwback Honoree they can roll out to make us remember when the Boss was at the helm and the Bronx was Burning with excitement.

The best thing about being a Yankee Fan in the George Days was that the team may have been business like - short haircut, no facial hair, no alternate uniforms, etc... BUT there was a PUNK ROCK heart.

The Boss didn't give a rat's ass what the world thought. He went out to get everything and everyone he could... the YANKEES were the F&^#*? YANKEES!!  Now it's... the Corporate Clown Show with his own son Hal as the ring leader. 

It sucks... We are Starbucks. We are a chain restaurant like Outback Steakhouse. Sure, there's steak and a bloomin' onion to hold you over, but it ain't the Old Homestead over on the westside is it?

We are in for a long, cold, joyless haul, gang. The team will try to re-sell Boone and Cashman's plan...peppered with things like Jim "THE KING" Leyritz Day ...but it won't take. They'll push HERE COMES VOLPE...but it'll be a while before we can see if AV is anything like DJ.

No, we're screwed. The bill for seemingly automatic, endless post season appearances built on the Stick Michael Model as come due. Our Fall from Grace with God (of baseball) will be violent and swift. Is it the post Mickey Mantle 1960s bad? No, it'll be worse.

I'm sorry to dump this one on ya, I really am. I could be wrong! I have been (Greg Bird) and will be again. But my gut says batten down the hatches, all hands to their stations, trim the main sail... the black clouds come rolling, weather charging like a nightmare...and it will be. We ain't the place to be anymore, folks.

Fall From Grace may have been a better title than the cliche' crap I chose. I'll let Shane O and the lad redeem me...

 

--Mike O'Hara

BYB Contributor

Twitter: @mikeyoh21

THE BIRD FLIES THE COOP - AGAIN! WHERE'S MIKE O'HARA?

I'm taking a walk down memory lane right now. If you've been reading us for a long time you may remember how much support I used to give to Mark Teixeira. You may also remember how critical I was of this Greg Bird guy. Oh and how much Mike O'Hara and I used to playfully banter back and forth about them. If you remember any of that....WOW you have been reading us for a long time and thank you.

So Mike - I KNOW you are out there still. It's been awhile so I figured I would make your ears burn again. Instead of calling you I am sending out a TEX message (bad joke, I know) and hoping to wake you up from that nap you've been taking. All things you said in BIRD: STILL MY GUY. Since we live so far apart now I figured I'd search for ya on the blogosphere.

But you know, speaking of your guy Greg Bird - more bad news there. I wanted to check in and make sure you are okay because your guy Bird was set free again today, check it out. 

Inside the Pinstripes writes:

"...the first baseman’s release on Wednesday. Bird has spent the entire season with the RailRiders up to this point, struggling in his return to the Yankees’ organization after signing a minor league deal in early April.

Bird appeared in 59 games, hitting .218/.325/.354 with six home runs and 22 RBI."

Are you okay? Asking from a genuine place here because now both of our guys are gone. Yours just happened to be dumped by the Yankees twice now.

So now maybe no one will remember either of us. Actually, maybe they will because we were pretty entertaining back in the day when we stood by our men. Neither of our guys panned out and maybe Bird flies away and joins another team somewhere. I even wish him well because I never wanted to see him fail but I'm also ready for the Yankees to move on from Bird. No need for another reunion.

But seriously, I saw the headline today and had a good laugh. So this is me checking in and dropping a line to say hello. Lots of history with both of these players. Lots of good times at good old BYB. Who knows, maybe we will find a new Bird and Teixeira to banter about.

Good times. Don't be a stranger, Mike!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

THREE GUYS THAT COULD HELP THE YANKEES DOWN THE STRETCH

Not sure you saw all the names popping around. Yes, the Yankees are doing really well, but not only that, stocking some extra guys in the minors that they clearly think could help the team as well has never hurt either.  I wanted to break them down for you, cause, the names are not only recognizable, but they also still have some talent attached to them.

Jake Bauers: This is the newest of the acquisitions. NJ.com writes of Bauers: "Bauers, 26, has played parts of three seasons in the majors leagues with the Rays, Cleveland and the Mariners. He’s a career .213 hitter in the majors with a .655 OPS. He’s played mostly first base and left field in the bigs."

Now here's the thing. Bauers is a minor leaguer. He will see action there, and if they need him at any point, they can call him up and you would hope he could make an impact. What has he done recently? Not much: "Bauers hit .135 with three home runs, 12 RBI and a .547 OPS in 29 games at Triple-A Louisville this season. Bauers hit .099 with two bombs in 21 games since getting off the injured list May 4. He hasn’t played in the majors this year."

Bauers is my least favorite pickup.

Shane Greene:  Yup, if you didn't know, now you know, Shane Greene is back. When it comes to Greene, Sports Illustrated writes: "After his promising rookie year, Greene was shipped to Detroit in the three-team deal that sent shortstop Didi Gregorius from Arizona to the Yankees.

Greene quickly transitioned from a starter to a reliever. In his fourth season with the Tigers, he recorded 32 saves. The next year, Greene was an American League All-Star before he was traded to the Braves at the deadline. From there, Greene spent three seasons in Atlanta before ending up with the Dodgers. In 2022, the right-hander pitched seven times in Triple-A Oklahoma City with Los Angeles, making just one appearance in a Dodgers uniform.

Greene, 33, elected free agency on May 22. The Yankees swooped in..."

Greene is a minor league guy right now, but I expect to see him as the season progresses. I really do.

And then of course there's Greg Bird. NJ.com writes:

"Bird can hold his head high with his performance during the streak. Per RailRiders PR:

He has gone 10 for 27 with two home runs and four doubles during this stretch. Prior to this streak, Bird’s longest hit streak was three which lasted from May 3 to May 6. After batting .149 in 15 games in the month of April, he’s batting .246 in 16 games in the month of May. 2022 is the fourth season Bird has appeared for the RailRiders. The most games he ever played for SWB was 34 back in 2015 (currently at 31 in 2022)."

If Bird can continue to figure out his hitting, I see big things. Wouldn't it be great to see Bird come back up, be hot in pinstripes and come full circle.

So what do you think? Can these guys help or will they hurt? Will they make it back up to the bigs or will they just fade away. I personally think the Yankees made some smart moves... and now we wait and see what happens next. Stay tuned.

GREG BIRD'S BACK. I JUST FELL OFF MY CHAIR

Yup... it happened. Greg Bird's back! 

Inside the Pinstripes writes:

"Former top prospect First baseman Greg Bird has opted out of his minor league deal with the Toronto Blue Jays to sign a minor league deal to return to the Yankees. Bird will report to the Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre RailRiders....

Since leaving the Yankees three years ago, Bird has bounced around on minor league deals with the Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies and most recently the Blue Jays.

Bird put together a monstrous campaign for the Rockies’ Triple-A team in 2021, slugging 27 homers, driving in 91 RBI, and posting a .894 OPS across 112 games."

The Bird is the word... again.

MOUTHY VOIT GONZO

It was only a matter of time. Luke Voit was a solid player for us.  We needed some personality; we needed some ego, and we needed a first baseman right around the time that Greg Bird was really sucking the life out of the team.  And so, Luke Voit showed up and showed promise. 

But then Luke Voit got hurt. And then it happened again and again.  And when he was healthy, he was good and when he was not, we waited. And then he started feeling alittle comfortable and blabbing and when he talked about (and I'm paraphrasing here) "I just want to play" and "I don't know what the Yankees are thinking" and "Maybe I should go to another team", well, the team you're on doesn't really like that. And so, when he made his latest comments "I'm going to stay positive" right after Anthony Rizzo got signed to his deal... you knew it was time for Voit to go.

Luke Voit was traded today... and he was traded for literally nothing.

Bleacher Report writes:

"The Yankees announced Friday they are trading Voit to the San Diego Padres for right-handed pitching prospect Justin Lange.

New York signed Rizzo to a two-year deal Thursday. He hit .249/.340/.428 in 49 games with the Yankees after being acquired from the Chicago Cubs prior to the trade deadline.

Bringing Rizzo back added to a crowded infield rotation for the Yankees. They also have Josh Donaldson, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu. Giancarlo Stanton is likely to be the primary designated hitter in the Bronx this season."

Does Voit hate the Yanks for that? I'm gonna be honest, I always thought the Yankees were using Voit so I'd be pissed if I'm Voit. But tomorrow, I'd be thrilled to turn the page.  The Padres will use this guy and he's gonna go off for San Diego.  

The bottom line is... it was time.

Good luck Luke. You're gonna do great things and San Diego seems like a city that will suit you just fine!

I FEEL LIKE THE YANKEES JUST USED LUKE VOIT

Greg Bird was sucking... and all the sudden this guy Luke Voit comes off the bench and the Yankees started playing him. And you know what? It worked. Voit busted his ass, showed promise and started to really open eyes. This guy was a beast, a competitor, a home run hitter... everything.

And then... out of the blue, and maybe because Voit kept getting hurt, the Yankees brought in Anthony Rizzo as if to suggest that Luke Voit's job wasn't safe. Is it fair? Hey... it's baseball. But one would suggest that the Yankees used this guy to get over the hump and did... and now that is why there is so much talk about Luke Voit being traded.

Couple that with the fact that the MLB is in the final days on instituting the DH rule for the National League too (which is so outrageous, I can't even tell you how much Manfred sucks), and it's very possible that the National League will be blowing up Cashman's phone right now in an attempt to get Voit to come to the National League as a DH over there so they can keep his bat in the lineup.  

Whatever it is, know this Yankee fans. Luke Voit loves New York and wants to be in the Bronx. I love that!

The New York Post writes:

“I want to play first base for the Yankees,’’ Voit said. “If that happens, great. If not, I’ll go somewhere else.”

When asked if he expected to stick with the Bronx Bombers, Voit responded, “I expect to. I’m the only first baseman on the depth chart right now.”

That’s because Anthony Rizzo, who took Voit’s job last year after a July trade from the Cubs, is now a free agent.

General manager Brian Cashman announced prior to the MLB lockout that first base was among the areas of need on the roster. That will still be the case whenever the work stoppage comes to an end ..."

This stoppage has changed the paths of a lot of player's careers, and it has shown me the true nature of the MLB, especially since Manfred came in... this is business. Money needs to be made and it saddens me because these athletes just wanna play and enough is enough.

Voit is a Yankee right this second. We need to respect that. Will Cashman trade him off if he has the opportunity? Only if he finds a first baseman, but even that means that Voit is still valuable as a backup or even DH. 

But time will tell. The one thing I do know is that Voit has proven himself in pinstripes. Injuries are plentiful yes... but when this guy's healthy, he's an animal, and you have to admire that.

Stay tuned...

GREG BIRD TAKES FLIGHT WITH THE ROCKIES

 Hey... good for Greg Bird.

Hey, it looks like Bird has latched onto the Colorado Rockies. But let me just say, this poor guy has just had a string of bad luck over the last few years hasn't he? Read this from Fangraphs:

"...the Rockies announced on Thursday that they’ve signed Bird to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training.

Bird, who’s still just 28 years old, is coming off a more miserable 2020 than most of us. Bad luck in the injury department, a constant throughout his major league career, continued to dog him to the point that he didn’t take a single competitive plate appearance for either of the two organizations with whom he signed minor league deals. 

Cast adrift by the Yankees in November 2019 — we’ll get to the saga that led there — he initially signed with the Rangers last February, and after getting called up from the alternate training site in late July, before he could play a single game, he strained his right calf. After a 10-day stint on the Injured List, he was designated for assignment and elected free agency. Upon signing with the Phillies in mid-September, he came up positive for COVID-19 during his intake testing, and never even made it to the alternate site."

Look, I hope Bird can turn it around. He is still young and has a lot of offer. He just needs some consistency... in a good way, not the bad way.

Good luck kid, go get'um!

THE YANKEES GAVE GARY SANCHEZ A BIRTHDAY PRESENT

It's called a JOB.

Well, Gary Sanchez can breathe a sigh of relief.....for now. Happy Birthday, Sanchez. Your birthday present from the Yankees is another chance to redeem yourself. I guess that means there was a bigger birthday bash but I hope he makes the most of his second chance.

I'm not really surprised that the Yankees didn't non-tender him. Since he has struggled he isn't going to be very expensive so the Yankees can keep him at a lower price and maybe someone will want to take a chance on him and they can trade him later. Plus, he's young. I didn't see the Yankees giving up on him YET and then risk him leaving to be successful somewhere else. Look at how long it took for the Yankees to finally give up on Greg Bird! That took a long time also.

I don't want to give up on Sanchez, but I'm not excited by much that I am seeing. Sure, the home runs are nice but he's "all or nothing" and too often he's nothing and his defense sucks. I want to be in his corner, but he's not making a good case for himself.

I'm not the only one who feels this way either, Ken Singleton also has concerns and even said "I don't know if Sanchez is salvageable. I hope so but Kyle Higashioka is so much better defensively," read more HERE. He's not wrong, Higashioka took his job. We didn't see Sanchez in the playoffs and that tells us a lot.

The Yankees have done everything they can to get Sanchez back on track, the even brought in a special coach to help him and he actually regressed both in offense and defense! If Sanchez wants to stay here, he needs to get himself right again....and I'm hoping that since he signed himself up to play in the Dominican Winter League that he can finally get it together.

I think the Yankees need to watch him closely and see if there is any improvement there at all. The Dominican Winter League is a very short 30-game season and it started November 14th. He's got very little time to make a good impression. 

Spring training is right around the corner....well usually it is. Who knows what will happen with this ongoing pandemic but by the time Spring Training gets underway they should know if they want to keep him or try to trade him.

So it looks like Sanchez is here to stay...for now.

  --Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

     BYB Managing Editor

    Twitter: @nyprincessj

GREG BIRD IS ON THE PHILLIES NOW GUYS

Not a big story, but we like to keep track of former Yankees and so that's why we're telling you this.  Looks like Greg Bird was able to latch onto a new team... the Philadelphia Phillies.

The Philadelphia Inquirer reports:

"...the Phillies announced the signings of veteran catcher Jonathan Lucroy and first baseman Greg Bird to minor-league contracts, and assigned them to the Lehigh Valley training site....

Bird, 27, is a familiar name to manager Joe Girardi. Once a top prospect with the Yankees, he hit 11 home runs and slugged .529 in 46 games as a rookie in 2015 while Girardi was managing in New York....But Bird missed the 2016 season after having shoulder surgery and parts of 2017 and 2018 with ankle injuries. He tore the planta fascia in his left knee last year and was released by the Yankees in November. He signed with the Texas Rangers, who designated him for assignment in August."

And there you have it... no biggie.

We wish Bird luck.