THE DODGERS ARE THE NEW EVIL EMPIRE? NOT SO FAST

First, they signed Roki Sasaki. Then came Blake Snell. Next, they brought back Teoscar Hernández. And just when you thought they were done, they went and signed Hyeseong Kim—prompting most fans to Google "Who is Hyeseong Kim?" only to get mad when they realized he was now a Dodger. The reaction across the league? "This is over. It's unfair. One team shouldn't be allowed to sign all the stars!"

If you’re a Yankees fan, this panic should feel eerily familiar. Sound like 1998 to you? The 2024 Dodgers might look like the ’98 Yankees, but they’ve got a bit of the ‘96 Braves in them too—those Braves who boasted a rotation that could strike fear into anyone: Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, and John Smoltz. A trio so good, they seemed invincible in a short series. Well, until they weren’t. The Yankees knocked them off. Repeatedly.

The '98 Yankees were a different beast altogether, one of the greatest teams ever assembled. With 114 wins in the regular season and a postseason that ended with them at a ridiculous 125-50 record, they were a juggernaut. Their ERA? Sixth best in baseball. Their runs scored. League-leading. This wasn’t just a team—it was a finely-tuned, record-smashing machine.

Now, back to the Dodgers. Their roster? It’s a veritable who’s who of baseball talent. Their rotation? Strong enough that their sixth starter might be better than some teams’ aces. Their payroll? The kind of money that makes other teams weep. But before you throw in the towel, remember this: baseball is wonderfully, maddeningly unpredictable.

The 1996-2000 Yankees were a masterclass in smart team building. They built up to it by nailing their drafts, grabbing Derek Jeter early and finding gems like Jorge Posada and Andy Pettitte in the later rounds. They scoured the globe for hidden talent, unearthing Mariano Rivera, and pulled off clever trades like the one that brought Paul O’Neill to the Bronx. Scott Brosius was plucked off the A's bench—no one thought that move was season-defining, but it was.

Clemens joining the squad in 1999 as the moment the Yankees became the baseball equivalent of a Death Star. 

By the early 2000s, the Yankees shifted from precision to sheer accumulation. Jason Giambi.

But back to 1996 for a second, the Yankee build up to their run.  The 1996 Braves were untouchable—until they weren’t. The 2003 Yankees were packed with talent, but they fell to the plucky, wildcard Marlins. Even the Dodgers, for all their might, are vulnerable. Just like the Braves were dethroned by a scrappy, cobbled-together Yankees team in '96, the Dodgers can be beaten.

Yes, the Dodgers have it all: chemistry, depth, star power, and enough financial firepower to outbid anyone. But so did the ’96 Braves. And we all know how that story ended. The season’s not over until the final out. And in baseball, any team can have its Cinderella moment.

So go ahead, be mad at the Dodgers for doing what every team dreams of—stockpiling stars like it's a Black Friday sale. But keep rooting for your team. Because this is baseball, and in baseball, anything can happen. Just ask the ’96 Braves. Or the 2003 Yankees or even the 2001 Yanks. Sometimes, the Goliaths fall. And that’s what keeps the game so exhilarating.

By the way, shout out to Yanks go Yard for keeping us all thinking about stuff like this. Good Article.

--Alvin Izzo
BYB Yankee History Contributor

YANKEES LINKED TO KIKE NOW? COME ON, MAN!

Let me state for the record, this is an old connection between the Yankees and Hernandez, but just recently the idea popped up again.  I personally do not see this happening, but we're trying our best to bring you all these great nuggets, theories, guesses.  It's been an incredibly fun off season for the Yankees. Why no spice it up.

During the free-agent frenzy between the 2023 and 2024 seasons, the Yankees made a pitch for utility player Kiké Hernandez, known for his time with the Dodgers and Red Sox. But it was then that  Hernandez really wasn't interested in the Bronx Bombers, choosing instead to head back to sunny Los Angeles. Hernandez likes the Dodgers, likes the West Coast. At the time, it just made sense.

Hernandez, a sixth-round Houston pick from 2009, added another ring to his collection with the 2024 Dodgers' World Series win, complementing his 2020 championship in the pandemic-shortened season. 

Now Estevão Maximo of Pinstripe Alley threw out this idea about Hernandez. That his flexibility and defensive prowess could create a dream outfield of Hernandez, Cody Bellinger, and Aaron Judge, while still rooting for Jasson Domínguez to shine could happen (in his mind). Hernandez, who played on a $4 million, one-year contract last season, could be a bargain addition, especially with his projected lower market value at 33.  Why the idea is great, I just don't see this.

Now, let’s be real—nobody knows if Hernandez actually likes the Yankees. But we do know he likes money, and with old buddy Bellinger now in pinstripes, the idea of joining the Yankees might not seem so far-fetched.

A tip of the cap to the sports writers for keeping this offseason spicy, even if some rumors are just wishful thinking. This one, though? It’s got a hint of reality, especially with the Dodgers' chances of reuniting with Hernandez potentially taking a hit after Hyeseong Kim’s signing. I say hint, though.

ANOTHER RUMOR. THIS TIME INVOLVING LUX

The Yankees' offseason is in full swing, and it’s shaping up to be less about actual decisions and more about a never-ending stream of infielder rumors. If you believe every report, the Yankees are on the verge of acquiring just about every infielder known to man. It’s a rumor fest, a clickbait bonanza, and frankly, a little exhausting. Still, I like it.

The Yankees have an infield hole that could be filled at second or third base, depending on where they decide to play Jazz Chisholm Jr. in 2025. Reports suggest Chisholm might move back to his natural second base position following Gleyber Torres’ departure. Sounds simple enough, right? But where’s the fun in simple when you can have a full-blown rumor extravaganza?

Despite having DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera, and Oswald Peraza ready to step in, the media won’t rest until every infielder with a pulse is linked to the Yankees. Enter Gavin Lux, because apparently, no offseason would be complete without his name being thrown into the mix or second base or left field.

Sources claim the Yankees showed interest in Lux weeks ago—because old news is still news when it comes to Yankees rumors. Lux could be a sensible trade option, especially since the Dodgers just signed Hyeseong Kim from the KBO. But who needs sensibility when you can have endless speculation?

Lux, 27, brings two years of cheap team control and a career .252 average with 28 home runs and 155 RBIs. A left-handed bat to balance the lineup? Sure, it makes sense. But will it happen? Who knows! What we do know is that the rumor mill will keep churning, providing plenty of fodder for fans and pundits alike.

It’s a comedy, a circus, and a never-ending source of amusement for anyone following the Yankees when it comes to the sports media. And until something is finalized, we’ll keep refreshing our feeds, waiting for the next big (or small) name to be linked to the Bronx Bombers.

Fun stuff, stay tuned.