JASSON DOMINGUEZ PLAYED LIKE A TRUE THROWBACK

Maybe this is the old man in me talking, but baseball today feels a little… moisturized. Everybody’s worried about “load management,” preserving bodies, launch angles, recovery days, sleep metrics, hydration charts, and whether a guy’s heart rate got too high jogging to first base. Somewhere along the way, baseball stopped looking like a game played by maniacs and started looking like an HR department seminar.

I grew up watching players who treated the warning track like it was optional and basic human safety like a rumor.

Pete Rose didn’t slide into bases — he tried to assassinate them. The man played baseball like he had unpaid parking tickets waiting at every bag. Headfirst dives, dirt in his teeth, jersey permanently stained brown. Nobody ever accused Pete Rose of “taking a smarter angle.” The only angle he knew was full speed.

Then you had Ken Griffey Sr. and Dave Winfield scaling outfield walls in Yankee Stadium like rent was due at midnight. Those guys didn’t jog toward fly balls calculating risk assessment percentages. They went after baseballs with the kind of recklessness normally associated with action movies and bad financial decisions.

And don’t even get me started on Derek Jeter launching himself face-first into the stands against Boston. The man basically became an airborne folding chair just to record an out. Bloody face, bruised shoulder and Yankee fans still replay that clip like it’s the Zapruder film. THAT was baseball.

And honestly, that’s why I’m rolling my eyes at everyone ripping Jasson Domínguez for smashing into the wall making that catch against Texas. People are calling it stupid. I’m calling it beautiful.

The kid ran 81 feet tracking a rocket off the bat, went full speed into the chain-link part of the wall, got absolutely detonated on impact, lost his sunglasses, lost his hat, probably briefly lost contact with several ancestors — and STILL held onto the baseball.

That’s not stupidity. That’s baseball DNA. That is why you play the game. That is why Sportscenter invented the 10 ten plays!

That’s “the run doesn’t score because I’m catching this ball no matter what happens afterward.”

And yes, he got hurt. Shoulder sprain. Concussion protocol. He’ll miss a few weeks. But since when did effort become something we criticize? Since when did “he played too hard” become an insult?

Baseball was built on lunatics doing unreasonable things for outs. Why? Because it's the greatest game ever made.

You know who else played like this? Aaron Rowand. That man once smashed face-first into the center-field wall in Philadelphia so hard it looked like he got hit by a city bus, then walked away bleeding because he caught the ball anyway. ESPN literally dubbed players like him part of the “All-Run-Through-A-Wall Team.” Aaron Rowand played center field like every fly ball had personally insulted his family.

And then there was Jim Edmonds — a human highlight. The guy treated diving catches like performance art. Half the time he’d leave his feet so dramatically you’d think he got launched out of a cannon.  Jim Edmonds basically created baseball pornography for SportsCenter. Before every phone became a television studio, people waited all night to see the SportsCenter Top 10 because some lunatic center fielder sacrificed his skeletal structure robbing a double in July.

That stuff MATTERED.

Now everybody immediately turns into a risk-management consultant.
“He should’ve protected himself.”
“He needs to think long-term.”
“He’s too valuable.”
“He shouldn’t risk injury in May.”

Man… what happened to us?

 

You play to WIN THE GAME. You play to steal outs. You play to make the pitcher walk back to the dugout screaming into his glove because you just erased a guaranteed extra-base hit.

And what makes Domínguez’s play even better is this: the kid easily could’ve coasted. He JUST came back from an elbow bruise. Nobody would’ve crushed him for pulling up a step early. Most modern players probably make the “business decision” there, let the ball bounce off the wall, and jog after it while pretending they almost had it.

Not Domínguez. He went full-send. And that’s why I respect it.

That’s also why I’ll always love guys like Harrison Bader. Sure, the guy gets hurt a lot. But every inning looks like his mortgage depends on making the next catch. There’s something refreshing about players who still play with chaos in them. Because baseball is supposed to have some chaos.

It’s supposed to have dirt-stained uniforms, guys crashing into walls, catchers blocking the plate, infielders diving into the hole, and outfielders running like their cleats are on fire. Not everything needs to be optimized by a sports scientist with an iPad and a protein shake.

Of course players should be smart. Nobody’s saying careers should end for one catch in May. But there’s a massive difference between being smart and being soft. And lately, the line between those two keeps getting blurrier.

So no, I’m not criticizing Jasson Domínguez. I’m applauding him. Because for one play, baseball looked dangerous again.

It looked emotional again.
It looked gritty again.
It looked like the game I grew up loving.

And honestly?
We need more of that.

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

BADER BACK TO THE BRONX IS A REAL POSSIBILITY

Jack Curry of YES Network floated a familiar name back into the Bronx rumor mill, and no, it’s not a blockbuster. It’s Harrison Bader. And before anyone groans, let’s talk about why that actually makes sense.

Bader already did his time in pinstripes from 2022–23, putting up a modest .237/.274/.353 line with seven homers and 46 RBIs . Those numbers won’t make a highlight reel—but October told a different story. Five postseason home runs in 2022 will do that. It was electric. Remember it? The guy doesn’t hide when the lights get hot.

This is where context matters. Harrison Bader is not a spreadsheet darling. He’s a “balls-to-the-wall, beat-you-to-the-spot, run-through-a-wall” baseball player. A throw back. Gold Glove defense. Legit center-field range. Speed that still matters. Energy that shows up in wins, dugouts, and playoff games.

The Yankees could use exactly that right now. They need outfield defense that doesn’t make pitchers nervous. They need athleticism. They need someone who can put the ball in play, steal a base, and turn singles into doubles with effort alone. Bader checks those boxes in ink, not pencil.

There’s also the business side. He’s a New York native. He wants to be here. And he’s not about to break the bank. The early chatter suggested something like three years at $15 million per year, which—let’s be honest—probably makes the Yankees clutch their wallets. Fine. Then act like a functional front office and negotiate. Two years with a third-year option or opt-out feels like the obvious middle ground. Low risk, flexible, and very Yankees… at least the Yankees they used to be.

This isn’t a splash. It’s a patch. But it’s a necessary one—especially after the Yankees, in my opinion, fumbled the Cody Bellinger situation into oblivion. When you miss on the big swing, you don’t sit there admiring the strikeout. You adjust.

Harrison Bader isn’t a savior. He’s a fix. And sometimes, the hardest-working guy in the room is exactly who you need to stop the bleeding.

Time will tell. But if the Yankees pass on an easy, logical move like this, it won’t be because Bader didn’t fit—it’ll be because the front office didn’t think fast enough.

HARRISON BADER BACK IN PINSTRIPES? I AIN'T PLAYIN'

How would you feel about Harrison Bader swooping back into the Bronx as the Yankees’ ultimate high-energy, break-glass-in-case-of-emergency outfielder? Honestly, this wouldn’t just make sense — it would be fan-service at its finest. If the Yankees re-sign Cody Bellinger, and they’ve already got Trent Grisham, Aaron Judge, Jasson Domínguez, and soon-to-be skyscraper-of-an-outfielder Spencer Jones, then what’s missing? A right-handed defensive monster who plays with the intensity of someone trying to outrun a speeding taxi on 161st Street. That’s Bader, front to back.

And let's not forget what he actually did in New York — because some of you pretend like 2022 never happened. When Bader arrived at the deadline that year, people grumbled. Then October came, and suddenly he turned into the Bronx’s answer to Babe Ruth with Wi-Fi. The man hit five postseason homers in nine games, including absolute moonshots off elite playoff pitching. For a week and a half, he carried the Yankees’ offense like it was a duffel bag. Yankees fans practically had him fitted for a cape.

 

Defensively? Please. Healthy Harrison Bader was a GPS system with legs. In 2022 and early 2023, he made center field look small — diving catches, fearless routes, that ridiculous closing speed that made liners scream for help. The guy covered more ground than a New York real estate developer. And the energy? Through the roof. He played like every game was an audition to become the unofficial mayor of the Bronx.

Now he’s a free agent after turning down Philly’s $10 million option — fresh off a career-best season at the plate — and he’s looking for a multi-year deal. And honestly, if the Yankees want a right-handed hitter with elite defense, New York roots, and the vibe of a caffeinated superhero, Bader is sitting right there.

Sure, the Phillies want him back. Who wouldn’t want a gold-glove-caliber athlete with playoff pop, charisma, and locks worthy of a shampoo commercial? But if the Yankees want someone who’s proven he can thrive here — in October, no less — then Harrison Bader isn’t just an option.

He’s the perfect, high-energy, Bronx-approved choice. Bring him home and let him cause chaos in center field again.

HARRISON BADER ALSO BACK IN THE YANKEE TRADE MIX?

I know the Yankees just got Austin Slater, but why is Bader chatter so significant on the web right now? 

The Yankees are technically winning. Yes, they’re on the right side of the standings most nights, and yes, there’s a good team in there somewhere. But let’s not pretend the ride has been smooth. If you’re a Yankees fan, every game feels like a caffeine-fueled panic attack waiting to erupt. And nothing screams “don’t trust this team” like Anthony Volpe air-mailing the very first ground ball of the game against the Rays.

Sloppy. Careless. And worse—it’s becoming a pattern.

Sure, the Yankees are streaky, and when they’re hot, they sizzle. But their defense lately has resembled something between a Little League tryout and a blooper reel. It’s frustrating. It’s preventable. And it’s the kind of stuff that will get you sent home in October with a sad handshake and an “at least you tried” T-shirt with Boone's face on it. Hmm... Maybe I'll make that T-shirt.

Which is exactly why the Yankees have to tighten up their defense. The lineup can’t carry everything. Not when the shortstop is booting grounders and the outfield sometimes feels like a GPS-less wilderness.

Enter: Harrison Bader, the defensive dynamo who once roamed center field in the Bronx like a caffeinated cheetah.

According to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo, the Yankees—along with the Mets and Dodgers—have shown interest in reuniting with Bader, who’s currently playing for a Twins team that’s going nowhere fast. Minnesota has already started selling, and Bader, on a one-year deal, is seen as a classic trade-deadline rental.

Let’s look at the numbers: 94 games this year, a .254 average, .337 OBP, .439 slugging, and 12 home runs. Not elite, but solid—and more importantly, Bader brings something this Yankees team sorely needs: defense that doesn’t make you spill your beer in frustration.

Yankees fans remember what it was like when Bader patrolled center field. He hustled. He got dirty. He threw his body around like he had a second one in the clubhouse. Was he always healthy? No. But when he was, you never questioned the effort. And let’s be honest: give me a guy playing for his next contract over a “superstar” who jogs to first like he’s saving his energy for a photo shoot.

(Yes, that was a Juan Soto reference. You saw it.)

Bader makes sense for the Yankees, especially as a rental with a mutual option. He knows the team. The fans already love him. And Brian Cashman? Well, he was practically giddy when Bader first arrived. After acquiring him in 2022, Cashman said, "Harrison Bader is one of the elite center field defenders in the game." That wasn’t just fluff. It was truth—and something this current Yankees roster desperately needs.

So, will they pull the trigger and bring Bader back?

We’ll see. But the fact that his name is floating around the Bronx again tells you all you need to know: the Yankees are finally realizing they need help, especially with the glove. And if you’re a fan watching Volpe throw balls into orbit, you’re probably hoping that help arrives before October shows up and reality crashes the party.

HARRISON BADER HAS FOUND A HOME

Harrison Bader was one of my favorite short-term Yankees. I was thrilled when the team acquired him, even though he needed some time to recover from his stint with the Cardinals. While his time in New York was marked by injuries, his energy and passion for the game were undeniable. It's hard to play in New York and with the Yankees, but Bader was able to do it. That should have been taken into consideration when he was up for review on coming back to New York. But instead, he went to the Reds. I didn’t want to see him go, but that’s the nature of baseball—players move on, and so does life.

Now, Bader has found a new home. According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, he has agreed to a one-year deal with the Twins, which includes a mutual option for 2026. If things go well for both sides, he could be in Minnesota for two seasons. The Twins needed depth in center field, and Bader fits the bill.

One of his strengths is his ability to hit left-handed pitching, which will be an asset for Minnesota. Last season, the 30-year-old outfielder hit .236 with 19 doubles, 12 home runs, 51 RBIs, 57 runs scored, and 17 stolen bases while playing for the Mets. However, since leaving the Yankees, he’s bounced around a bit, which can sometimes create a stigma for a player. I believe it and believe it happened to Bader.

I truly hope Bader finds stability and success with the Twins. He’s a competitor, and if he can stay healthy, he has a real chance to make an impact in Minnesota.

WHERE WILL HARRISON BADER GO NEXT?

I’ll say this upfront: I absolutely loved Harrison Bader in the Bronx. Sure, his bat wasn’t always the loudest thing in Yankee Stadium, but when he sprinted across the outfield like a caffeinated gazelle or made a jaw-dropping diving catch, you couldn’t help but root for the guy. Injuries? Yeah, they happened—a lot—but when he was on the field, he brought electricity. Because of my Bader fandom, I’m committed to tracking his next moves and reporting anytime a team so much as glances his way.

Now, let’s talk about the Bader saga. Once upon a time (2018-21), he was the total package: a league-average hitter with elite speed and defense that could make a pitching staff sleep easy at night. He looked like the love child of a highlight reel and a Statcast leaderboard. But in recent years, his bat took a nosedive. From 2022-24, he slashed .239/.284/.360—numbers that might earn you a pat on the back in beer league softball but make GMs think twice in MLB. But I'm not ripping on the guy yet, he's a gamer in my eyes.

When the Mets handed Bader a one-year, $10.5 million deal last offseason, they were clearly hoping for a "remember when he was a star in St. Louis" comeback story. Spoiler alert: that didn’t happen. It was the same story Yankees fans knew well—flashes of brilliance mixed with a little too much time spent figuring out where the IL cot folds. The silver lining? Bader managed to avoid the injured list for an entire season in 2024, his first time doing so since 2018. The downside? His bat still wasn’t what the Mets needed to justify locking him into the lineup every day.

Understandably, Bader wasn’t thrilled about being a part-time player. In an interview with Mike Puma of the New York Post, he opened up:

“I don’t handle it well, I can tell you that, But I certainly don’t let it affect the way I prepare, the way I keep focused when I do get an opportunity to go in there and play, even if it’s later in the game. If anything, it lights more of a fire under my ass.”

Look, you have to appreciate the honesty. He doesn’t like sitting on the bench, but instead of sulking, he channels that frustration into preparation. That’s the kind of chip-on-your-shoulder mentality that could make him a great fit for a new team—maybe one that could actually use him regularly.

So, where could Bader land next? Let’s speculate wildly.

The Marlins seem like an obvious choice. Their outfield right now looks like someone randomly shuffled names from their farm system: Jesús Sánchez, Kyle Stowers, and Griffin Conine. Not one of them is a natural center fielder, which is kind of a big deal when you play in a ballpark the size of a small continent. Plugging Bader’s Gold Glove defense into the middle of that outfield could save the Marlins from turning every gap shot into an inside-the-park home run.

Then there’s the White Sox, who may or may not be trading Luis Robert Jr. this offseason. If Robert heads elsewhere, Chicago will have a black hole in center field. They’ve also got money to burn after cutting ties with some hefty contracts, so why not throw a one-year deal at Bader? Worst case, he’s a defensive wizard on a rebuilding team. Best case, he turns the South Side into a Harrison Bader revival tour.

And what about the Cleveland Guardians? Sure, they’ve got Lane Thomas holding down center field, but with his $8.3 million projected arbitration salary, they might want to trade him and save some cash. Enter Bader, who could offer similar defensive value at a lower price. It’s a move that makes sense for a team that loves squeezing maximum value from its roster.

Whether he ends up chasing fly balls in Miami, Chicago, or Cleveland—or somewhere we didn’t even consider—one thing I believe is clear: Harrison Bader isn’t done yet. His glove, his speed, and yes, his occasional streaky bat mean he’ll always have a role somewhere in MLB. And I’ll be here, watching and cheering for him, no matter where his cleats land next.

YANKEES LAY A PATHETIC EGG

The White Sox have won 29 games all season.  One of those wins for them happened last night against the Yankees.  Baseball is fickle like that.  It's why baseball is great because you never know what's going to happen on any given day.  But for the love of God, the Yankees, you would think were the better team. 70-50 and a half out of first.  On paper, the Yankees are better.  But that's on paper.  The innerds of this Yankee team however have been stalled and inconsistent all year as well as for years.  With Boone at the helm, let's face it... YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU'RE GONNA GET.

The game will be known as "historically bad"... and it was. The New York Post writes:

"But it was the White Sox doing the drubbing, handing the Yankees an embarrassing 12-2 loss in front of 22,815 at Guaranteed Rate Field.

The Yankees (70-50) wasted plenty of prime chances early to do damage — on the way to going 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position and stranding 16 men on base — while the White Sox (29-91) pounded out 18 hits for a season-high 12 runs. "

To add to the embarrassment, Jazz Chisholm may have an elbow injury.  Yep, I love when players play hard, but this is the exact reason why we let Harrison Bader go.  Too many injuries for playing hard.  And now, Jazz appears to be hurt too.  Terrific.

I really have nothing to say about this game. It was a laugher. It was silly. I didn't even watch after a bit... it was painful.  

Look, bad games happen, but this is the name of the game for this Yankee team.  They aren't a truly great Yankee team.  Maybe the other teams are just not that good in our division.  Ever think about it that way?  Maybe we're just not that good. Whatever it is, let's hope they can turn it around.  Because when times are tough, this team's leader in Aaron Boone is gonna say stupid stuff like "we're playing for for a lot every freakin' day."  Whatever the hell that means.  As a fan, we deserve better than this loss... than this manager.  

Sad.

CLEAN SHAVEN HARRISON BADER SENDS A MESSAGE TO CASHMAN: HERE I AM!

Call it desperation, call it respect.  I call it common sense.  Harrison Bader is a better New York Yankee than he ever will be a Met.  And guess what... he's giving the Yankees a signal.  "Trade Deadline coming, Alex Verdugo is shitting the bed... you know what to do."

"We've got a really good clubhouse in here. We're doing a lot of things really well of late. I'm excited to apply it in front of a good crowd. I know how this crowd can be."

Harrison Bader says he's "excited" to be back at Yankee Stadium with the Mets: pic.twitter.com/dFkhNg2zbi

— SNY (@SNYtv) July 23, 2024

Bader was a solid Yankee when he was in the Bronx. I mean sure he got hurt a lot, but if you think about how he performed when he was in the lineup, and especially in the playoffs, it kind of makes up for time missed due to injury.  

Is he the best option for production? Mixed bag, I guess.  But not for me and it comes down to one thing... wanting to be there and contribute.  Don't believe me look at a guy like Marcus Stroman.  I am not a fan, or should I say I wasn't. But there is something pretty respectable about a guy like that. Marcus Stroman WANTS to be a Yankee and it shows. His passion is evident and to be honest, that's something that appeals to me and something that I see in Bader.  

You know Bader wants to come back.  This guy cried when it was over for him in the Bronx.  It just makes sense to get this guy back. I mean, the dude is clean shaven for crying out loud. That's enough for me at this point. 

CASHMAN'S "PLAN B" MEANS MENDING BURNED BRIDGES

No one wants to be Brian Cashman right now. He's in an uncomfortable spot now that he is searching for another starting pitcher, and his best option is a guy he had doubts on. Sucks to be Cashman for more than one reason, so can he smooth talk Jordan Montgomery?

As much as I want the Yankees to add some stability behind Gerrit Cole, I don't have warm and fuzzy feelings about a reunion with Montgomery. Supposedly, Montgomery says there is no "bad blood" with the Yankees, and he said that back in October, read that HERE but Cashman made Montgomery's exit rather unfriendly for someone they want to reunite with. 

At the time, Cashman thought Harrison Bader was going to help the Yankees more. Bader filled a bigger need in the outfield then Montgomery did in the rotation, which is even crazier to think about now in retrospect. Carlos Rodon did not have a good year and Montgomery could have brought some stability and that extra offense we hoped Bader would bring just wasn't enough. Instead, Montgomery moved on and learned some things the Yankees didn't bother to teach him because it wasn't in their analytics binder.

The Yankees didn't believe Montgomery was a playoff pitcher. They didn't think he could help get them to playoff baseball and they didn't develop him. Funny how the Yankees undervalued him but pitching coach Mike Maddux of the Rangers saw the potential. Montgomery developed a good cutter under Maddux and they encouraged him to throw it, not save it. Now he can set up his off-speed pitches with his cutter and suddenly he has blossomed into a stronger pitcher.... the pitcher Cashman never believed in.

I think Cashman dug himself into a hole here, and it is one I don't believe he can dig himself out of. I don't think he can rebuild that relationship and bring him back to the Bronx. Lord knows, if I were Montgomery, I wouldn't take him seriously. Cashman hasn't built a winning team, and there is no reason to believe he's suddenly figured it out. The Rangers have a lot more to offer, hell any team has more to offer at this point.

So now we wait and see if Cashman knows how to rebuild some bridges and if Montgomery believes in giving second chances. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn't look back. I'd move forward.... away from the Yankees. Maybe this is the lesson Cashman needs to learn the hard way.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj 

SOTO FEELING 22

Source: ESPN

Juan Soto is getting used to his new digs as the newest Bronx Bomber. Doning #22, Soto is excited about one thing: winning. Soto's mindset is just the kind the clubhouse needs this season; not to mention his hot bat from the left side. Soto is feeling 22 (which is Taylor Swift's code for feeling free and alive) and I am all about it.

“My priorities right now are just getting to know the guys, really,” Soto said. “I’ll try to get a good relationship and really stick together, get to know those guys and try to get to the same goal [from] Day 1. That’s what my main thing is right now," reported MLB.com. Soto dodged questions about contract extension talks, keeping his focus on being a Yankee and assimilating to the organization.

Source: Forbes

“We just gotta get to know the organization, get to know the team,” he said. “Right now I’m more than excited to get there and see those guys and see how big is Aaron Judge and [Giancarlo] Stanton. It’s going to be pretty cool. That’s what I’m looking for right now, is just to get comfortable on the team and watch how it’s going to be and how we’re going to grow,” reported The New York Post.

This is Soto's third ball club in his six years in the majors, starting with Washington, moving out west to San Diego and now to his new home in the Bronx. Soto will decide if the pinstripes suit him over the 2024 season, knowing that next year he will be a free agent and can go elsewhere.

 “We understand that he’s a free agent at the end of this term, and we understand that it’s a possible short-term situation,” Cashman said. “I know he’s just going to make our team significantly better," reported MLB.com. 

I think my favorite part of Soto's press conference on Tuesday was when he said this, “Whatever they need from me, I’m going to be there,” Soto said. “I’m going to be positive to do it. Whatever spot they need me, I’m going to be ready. Whatever spot in the lineup, whatever position they want me to play, I’m going to be right there,” reported MLB.com.

Soto is wearing 22, after a long line of bearers of the same number including Jimmy Key, Roger Clemens, Robinson Cano, Jacoby Ellsbury (yuck) and most recently Harrison Bader. And his youthful presence and mindset is just what the doctor order for the Yankees. Feeling 22 and ready to go, Soto is a Yankee. Now, who's next?  

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

DESPERATE YANKEES WILL TRY & REUNITE WITH THE GUY THEY NEVER SHOULD'VE TRADED

I've never moved on from the Jordan Montgomery trade. I hated it from the moment it happened. I screamed in frustration and called Brian Cashman every possible obscenity I could think of. It was a stupid move right when it happened, and now after some time has passed, I call it an epic failure.

I know a lot of people really liked Harrison Bader, some even told me he was a favorite of theirs. I never really felt the same. I didn't dislike the guy early on and I don't now but in the end, I ALWAYS want to keep a reliable pitcher, because those are in short supply and add that the Yankees have a terrible injury history it just felt like an irresponsible move. Now that Bader is also gone, the whole chain of events is just embarrassing. 

But can the Yankees make amends? They sure hope so. While we wait to see who becomes the World Series Champion, the Yankees are waiting for the offseason, and thinking about a possible reunion with Montgomery, read more HERE. Likewise, the Cardinals want to reunite with Montgomery also after being one of very few teams to become sellers at this year's trade deadline. I can't imagine what the Yankees have to possibly lure Montgomery back.

I love a lefty pitcher; they can be a dangerous weapon in a rotation. I think Montgomery has come into his own over the past year, he blossomed away from the Yankees where he pitched to a 3.20 ERA in 32 starts. After six years of Yankee tinkering, he evolved as a Cardinal. So, why would he want to come back? 

The Yankees are in a downward spiral of chaos, so I'm not sure why. They are in the middle of an identity crisis because they are supposedly built to win but yet they can't. We all know they haven't because the Yankees are so buried in bad analytics and a GM that just doesn't know how to build a winning team. Aaron Boone is a moron who can't lead, and the medical teams are just pretenders. If I am Jordan Montgomery, I would stay far away from the Bronx and I would tell my agent to laugh hysterically when the Yankees call.

I believe getting rid of Montgomery was a huge mistake. When we did, he turned into the pitcher the Yankees now want back. He thrived away from the Yankees. He shouldn't want to come back. I shouldn't be saying that he shouldn't come back because deep down I would love that.... but the Yankees don't deserve Montgomery. 

I think this season has traumatized me. The Yankees want Montgomery back, they know they screwed up. Montgomery shouldn't miss the Yankees....I will miss him though. He never should've been traded. Maybe this is a lesson the Yankees will need to learn the hard way. They have to change their ways.

Now we get to watch Montgomery pitch in the American League Championship Series and wonder what comes next. Will he reunite with the Yankees this winter? Maybe, but I am not going to hold my breath.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

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!

WHY WOULD THE YANKEES TRADE FOR ANOTHER HURT CARDINAL?

I'm tired to hearing about guys that could help the Yankees. Look, we all loved Harrison Bader for a hot second in the Bronx.  But he's already gone and we're seeing his trade partner Jordan Montgomery shine with the Rangers! A big tree lefty that we HAD to trade away to get an injured Bader, only to replace him with big tree lefty Carlos Rodon and somehow the Yankees got ZERO from all that.  By the way, not to harp on it again, but what the F were the Yankees thinking with all that?  Horrendous.

Now comes word the Yankees may benefit in getting another gold glover from the Cardinals.  You know, a must-have that's gonna help them in 2024?  His name is Brendan Donovan.  Got it.  OK, tell me, what's so special Inside the Pinstripes?

"The Yankees simply need more good hitters heading into next season, and Donovan fills that hole...

"Because Donovan is a pre-arbitration player, it will likely take a lot for the Cards to consider moving someone like him."...

New York has been linked to Donovan in the past and a move could make sense this offseason. The Cardinals seem to have an overflow of young offensive talent and need pitching.

Donovan impressed again in 2023 with a .284/.365/.422 slash line and 11 home runs and 34 RBIs, but appeared in just 95 games due to injuries. If he's healthy, he could really help New York."

And did you notice that last sentence? If he's healthy, he could really help New York. IF HEALTHY. That's no throw away line... that's significant when you think about the Yankees track record.

Why? Why, why, why, why, why. why, why? Why would we do this to ourselves again? And does anyone really think our medical staff can handle another injury? They couldn't handle what we already had?  And if we're gonna go after a gold glover from the Cards that gets hurt a lot, just re-sign Bader. At least then we know what we're gonna get and he LOVED the Bronx. Am I right?

Donovan was shut down in September.  FOX Sports wrote: "Donovan underwent season-ending surgery in August to repair the flexor strain in his right elbow, so a move to the 60-day IL was expected. His spot on the 40-man roster will be filled by Ryan Helsley (forearm), who came off the 60-day injured list Friday."

The bottom line with all of this? The Yankees need to learn from bad mistakes... we've seen this before.  We don't need turmoil; we need sure things.  That's the bottom line.

REDS LOSE BADER FOR THE REST OF THE YEAR

We love Harrison Bader here at Bleeding Yankee Blue.  We do not like him when he's hurt.  I was sad to see Bader go to the Reds, and I vowed to keep following and I will continue to.

Turns out not only is Bader hurt with the Reds, but he's also done for the year.  Wow. MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"... David Bell told reporters that outfielder Harrison Bader won’t return to the field this year..."

But what does it mean for the Yankees and Bader reconnecting in 2024? Lord knows Bader wants a reunion in the Bronx and said as much when he was claimed off waivers by the Reds. AP writes:

" Claimed off waivers by the Cincinnati Reds, Harrison Bader thought about one day returning to the New York Yankees.

“I never thought I'd ever play in the big leagues, let alone in the Yankees uniform,” the native New Yorker said Thursday. “I have no idea what's to come for the future. I certainly hope it's in a Yankees uniform again if that's an option.”

Obviously, the Yankees have a ton of things to fix this off season.  I am personally not sure if Bader is in the cards, but we will have to see.  

But on a personal note, I'll always love and appreciate this guy.  He's a gamer, he's a leader, he's mature and just wants to win. 

BADER IN A FAMILIAR PLACE AGAIN & IT'S NOT OUR PROBLEM

Quick note, but one we heard about a lot when Harrison Bader was with the Yankees. Bader, who is now on the Cincinnati Reds, has been placed on the IL.

Rotoballer writes:

"The Cincinnati Reds placed outfielder Harrison Bader (groin) on the 10-day injured list on Monday with a right-groin strain. ... Bader injured himself on Sunday against the New York Mets and will most likely miss the rest of the regular season. ... If Bader's season is over, he'll finish 2023 with a disappointing .232/.274/.348 slash line with seven homers, 40 RBI, a career-high 20 steals and 44 runs scored in 98 games with the Yanks and Reds."

Get well soon buddy... we're still Bader fans over here at Bleeding Yankee Blue!