REPORT SUGGESTS YANKS MISSED OUT ON TATSUYA IMAI

Looks like Tatsuya Imai may have a deal, and it ain't with the Yankees. It should surprise no one.

Oh, Happy New Year by the way. I am going to be totally positive this year. A positivity that can only be created with the vision of sunshine and rainbows. But I live in the Northeast near the Bronx, and it's cold, there's snow and oh yea, the Yankees aren't improving their team. So, there's that.

In my first post of 2026, I can report that the Yanks do not have a deal with Imai. The Astros reportedly do.  Houston finalized a deal with Imai on Thursday, per ESPN’s Jeff Passan: three years, $54 million guaranteed, with escalators that can push it to $63 million and opt-outs sprinkled in for good measure. Clean. Aggressive. Purposeful. Three words the Yankees keep pretending apply to them.

Imai entered the posting system as one of the more intriguing arms available this winter, largely because he resembled recent postseason standouts Yoshinobu Yamamoto and Trey Yesavage. And because no Boras client is allowed to exist without myth-making, Scott Boras went full carnival barker and compared Imai to Yamamoto, the World Series MVP. Scott—please—everyone knows the rule: comparisons are earned after outs, not press releases. Stop. You are terrible for the game of baseball.

What made this signing sting even more was how completely it came out of left field. Newsweek nailed the confusion perfectly, writing:

“Tatsuya Imai, the 27-year-old Japanese right-hander, had until Friday to sign with a major league team before his posting window closed. But in the weeks and days leading up to that deadline, no one seemed to have much information on which teams Imai was favoring.

Almost nobody linked Imai to the Houston Astros throughout his free agency process. Once reports surfaced that he’d signed with Houston, however, the fit immediately made sense.”

That’s Astros baseball in a nutshell: silence, competence, and then—boom—an improved roster. No leaks. No posturing. Just execution.

Meanwhile, the Yankees were once again “linked,” “connected,” and “very interested,” which has become the modern Bronx equivalent of thoughts and prayers. Multiple reports suggested the Yankees were among the favorites to land Imai, hoping to bolster a rotation that desperately needs upside. And yet, when it came time to actually do something, the Yankees did what they’ve mastered this offseason—nothing.

To be fair, YES Network’s Jack Curry had already hinted the interest wasn’t nearly as real as fans believed. As usual, Curry was right. He’s been right so often that at this point Yankees fans should just skip the rumors and wait for Jack's report. He cuts through it.

However you want to spin it, the ending is unavoidable: the Astros made a real move. The Yankees did not. Houston identified a need and attacked it. The Yankees hovered nearby, admired the idea, and went back to shopping the bargain aisle.

And that’s the most deflating part. This offseason isn’t about losing players—it’s about not fighting for them. While rivals quietly get better, the Yankees keep selling patience, restraint, and long-term flexibility. Great. Wonderful. Very inspiring.

Just don’t ask how any of that helps win now.

THANK GOD FOR JACK CURRY

Aaron Boone’s continued presence in the Yankees dugout is beginning to feel less like managerial stability and more like a practical joke gone on way too long. At this point, we’re not even calling for his job anymore—we're just confused how he still has one. 

If baseball is a game of instincts, then Boone is playing blindfolded, dizzy, and using a Wiffle ball bat. Let’s start with the latest eye-roll-inducing blunder. Last night’s game. You probably watched it. Or threw something at your television during it. Devin Williams was clearly cooked, marinating in his own blown-save juices with the bases loaded, and Boone—true to form—stood frozen like a deer in a dugout. Two fresh, capable arms were hot and ready in the bullpen like Domino’s pizza and still… nothing. 

Boone just stared into the abyss and hoped for a miracle. Spoiler: the miracle didn’t come. Williams imploded, and the Yankees lost. Again. Because of Boone. Again.

I screamed. You screamed. And, gloriously, Jack Curry screamed in his true professional fashion on YES in the post-game. If Boone’s seat wasn’t already melting from the heat, Curry tossed another log on the fire. Bravo, Jack.

Curry questioned Boone’s decision to ride with Williams in a pressure-packed moment that anyone with a functional baseball brain could see was about to go sideways. Especially damning? Boone’s pregame comments, which sounded like he had zero intention of being aggressive with the bullpen. It was all very zen. Very “vibes-only.” Meanwhile, David Bednar—who was warm, ready, and actually effective—stood there like a fire extinguisher Boone refused to pick up as the kitchen burned down.

Curry, no longer content with nodding along like a YES Network hostage, said he "would’ve loved to hear an explanation.” Yeah, Jack. We all would. Unfortunately, Boone explanations usually include phrases like “gut feeling” and “he was throwing the ball good,” which translate to: “I didn’t know what else to do.”

The pressure is mounting. Boone’s tone in pressers is shifting from smug optimism to carefully rehearsed panic. He is being exposed. He knows it. We know it. The players probably know it. And guess what? It’s not just Curry anymore. When Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez—two guys who know a thing or two about winning—publicly voice their displeasure with the direction of the franchise, that’s not background noise. That’s Yankee royalty calling out the court jester.

Let’s be very clear: this team is not serious as long as Aaron Boone is running the show. You can’t expect playoff-caliber results when the man at the wheel insists on steering the car into traffic with a grin on his face. We’re past the point of “this is unacceptable.” We’re in full-blown embarrassment territory. This is egregious. This is shameful. This is Yankee baseball wearing a clown nose and trying to juggle flaming knives.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll scream it until I’m blue in the pinstripes: Good teams have great leadership. Full stop. Aaron Boone is not a leader. He’s an unliked mascot with a lineup card.

The Yankees are a rudderless ship. And until the captain walks the plank, we’re just going to keep circling the drain.

Thank you, Jack Curry, for questioning such a stupid manager and bringing it to light on a broadcast that pays you to talk about the Yankees. You did it professionally and yet, are very brave. I hope more start to follow your lead. Something needs to change.

IT'S TIME TO POUR COLD WATER ON THE BREGMAN-YANKEES CONNECTION!

America's favorite pastime is baseball, and it's mine too. Exposing baseball cheaters is another and pouring cold water on cheating free agents tied to the Yankees is another. If the rumors I am reading are true....I might finally get to do the last one.

Ever since the Yankees lost the Juan Soto sweepstakes, they have been tied to Alex Bregman. The Yankees are tied to every free agent so that shouldn't be a surprise at all, but in the very small circle of free agents I don't want the Yankees tied to Bregman is at the top of that list. So, I gagged thinking about it. Now I may not have to, and I rejoice in that thought.

According to multiple sources like SI.com HERE the Yankees are not in on Bregman "right now." Jon Heyman explained "I'm not seeing Mets or Yankees for Bregman at this point," Heyman said. "Obviously he's a great player, he'd help anybody... Yankees, I don't think they're doing anything more big. They've done plenty big. I think they're one of the winter winners to this point," Heyman continued. "So I'm not seeing that for Bregman."

That comes after Jack Curry said the Yankees weren't in on Bregman the week of Christmas on an episode of Yankees Hot Stove. So, two different "insiders" giving us rumors a month apart giving us the scoop. Could they be wrong? Sure, but honestly the Yankees have done a lot (but maybe not done) so far. We've seen how crazy the market is with some of these players (Soto!) so maybe the Yankees are waiting to see if the market cools off.

And that would make sense. Honestly, I see the Yankees getting a left-handed reliever and PLEASE let that be Tim Hill! That's the guy I want coming back. As risky as I think this is, I also see the Yankees giving DJ LeMahieu another shot as a full time third baseman. If they do, I hope it works but that is a gamble that makes me uneasy.

At any rate, the Detroit Tigers and Red Sox have been in extensive talks with Bregman. Talks with the Tigers have "stalled" and the Red Sox are said to be close to an agreement. If the Red Sox sign him, that's a perfect match. A stinky team for the dirtiest of players. No matter if Bregman winds up in Boston or not that doesn't make me fear them more.

So, while nothing is official and can still change even though the Yankees and Bregman are a match on paper, there seems to be no connection. Thank goodness. I'll be happy to pour cold water on this rumor when it's all said and done.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

WILLY ADAMES? YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!

Bob Nightengale of USA Today is back, tossing offseason spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. This time, he’s stirring up the Yankees rumor mill, throwing out a scenario so convoluted it feels like a fever dream. If the Yankees don’t re-sign Juan Soto—because apparently, that’s an option—they might respond with a mad scramble to:

1.Sign free-agent first baseman Christian Walker.

2.Bring in either Willy Adames or Alex Bregman to play third base.
3.Move Jazz Chisholm to second base.
4.Trade for Cody Bellinger.

Simple.

It’s like one of those overcomplicated heist movies where you lose track of the plot halfway through. Classic Bob Nightengale. 

Let’s cut through the noise: there’s no real traction to this Adames-to-the-Yankees idea. It’s speculation, pure and simple, and Bob’s good at that. But hey, it’s fun to imagine. Maybe next Trevor Bauer will go to the Mets.

Willy Adames is coming off a solid year and would be a fantastic addition to any team. He’s one of the best power-hitting shortstops in the game and has said he’d prefer to stay at shortstop. However, he’s also open to shifting to third base if needed—versatility that makes him a tantalizing target for teams like the Yankees or Mets apparently.

For the Brewers, losing Adames wouldn't be great. Not only is he a key player, but he’s also a leader in the clubhouse according to reports. I don't know the Brewers well, but that's the way it seems. 

Adames has hinted he’d take a hometown discount to stay in Milwaukee—but only to a point. As he told The Athletic: "I’m willing to stay here for less money, let’s say, but I just want to be fair for what I deserve in my career. We just have to wait and see where we’re at."

And now we get to the voice of reason: Jeff Passan. When Passan speaks, baseball fans listen. He’s right up there with Jack Curry and Pete Caldera—arguably the top three baseball reporters out there. While Nightengale’s rumors are like a fast-food drive-thru, Passan is the five-star restaurant of insight.

In his offseason preview, Passan doesn’t just toss Adames at the Yankees for fun. Instead, he points to the Giants as the most logical landing spot. With new president of baseball operations Buster Posey prioritizing the shortstop position, the fit is almost too good to ignore.

Sure, Passan acknowledges the Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers could be in the mix, especially with Adames’ willingness to move to third base. But Passan’s call of Adames to San Francisco? That’s the kind of grounded, well-sourced prediction that makes sense.

So, could the Yankees swoop in and snag Adames? Anything’s possible, but this feels more like Bob Nightengale playing offseason DJ, spinning hypothetical hits. Meanwhile, Jeff Passan is the guy calmly taking the pulse of the market—and if he’s leaning toward the Giants, I’m buying it.

It's just how I feel, sorry Bob.

BOONE DISRESPECTS YANKEE PROGRESS WITH ONE HORRENDOUS DECISION

It was an obvious choice for every Yankee fan watching that game last night. In fact, I was proud of the YES network guys who were clearly chomping at the bit to say something about the horrendous Boone decision to bring Nestor Cortes into the game to pitch to arguably one of the best hitters in the game in Freddie Freeman with the bases loaded.  I have said this many times on Bleeding Yankee Blue and I have said it all season; when it truly comes time to strategizing matchups in tough spots for the New York Yankees, Aaron Boone cannot and is not capable to make a good decision. Last night, in the World Series, Boone decided to give Cortes a rehab shot when it was the worst possible time to do it, and it didn't go well for the Yankees. In fact, it exposed him for what he is; 

Rattled.

Inexperienced.

Not Qualified.

Weak.

I applaud Jack Curry, John Flaherty, Bob Lorenz and Michael Kay. They did everything they could without crossing the line to blast Aaron Boone on the worst decision of his managing career.  They were baffled and confused.  They even asked Joe Girardi and he took a shot at Boone suggesting Hill was sitting right there, experience in the post season, weird delivery, lefty and Boone went with Cortes, who is really no longer qualified for that kind of pressure.

I don't know who Andy was in the press room, but he was the guy that I want to shake hands with. Boone was asked why he went with Cortes. He said he liked the "lefty-lefty" match up.   But Andy, much like me was baffled by that answer and he pressed him.  Of course, Boone thought he'd be safe in that press room, but he wasn't and also didn't have an answer. In fact, Boone couldn't answer at all. Why? Well, because he didn't have a strategy... he was exposed for making a horrendous decision.

Aaron Boone disrespected the Yankees progress last night.  Gerrit Cole pitched a good game.  Boone took him out "because he was laboring".  Note to the millions of people watching. Cole was NOT laboring, in fact, he was humming.  Aaron Boone went to the bullpen too soon.  Boone strategized the bullpen like it was Game 7 when anyone can tell you his pick of qualified pitching after Cole was plentiful.  

And so, what he did for the Yankees was back them into a corner with using his bullpen too early, essentially erasing his closer and then made every attempt to try and piece it together.  And what do you do to reward a solid Tim Hill in the World Series? You pass him up for a rehab inning guy who hasn't pitched since September, and dare I say, looked terrified and equally confused that he was even on the mound.

Giancarlo Stanton puts the Yankees ahead.  Erased cause Boone overthinks and is not qualified. The Yankees take a 3-2 lead... erased because the bullpen was used up the wrong way.   He undid everything in that game to not only prove to the Yankee fan base that the World Series is not important to him.  He acted like it was April 15th or something.  The lack of skill, urgency and confidence in Aaron Boone is the exact reason why I have been banging the drum of dread when it comes to the New York Yankees manager. It's the wrong guy, plain and simple.  Aaron Boone has no business managing this ballclub. I mean let's face it, the wins we got were wins Judge, Soto and company got.  You don't need to manage hard in a long season when your two top hitters are hitting.  

I'll say this again. When things get hard, when there are men on base, a struggling pitcher, a team that needs runs, and the need for a manager to TRULY manage a team, this is when Aaron Boone does not understand his job.  That's why guys like Bruce Bochy are successful. Longevity. This is why Tony LaRussa was. Longevity. This is why Joe Torre was. Longevity. Oh yeah... and they are also part of baseball royalty.  They are respected, have a track record and understand the game and finding it on their own.   Boone will never compare to them and never will be successful.  He was handed the job IMO because of his baseball pedigree, the Yankee front office new they were getting a puppet with this guy and his real only claim to fame is hitting a home run to advance to the World Series against the Boston Red Sox with NOW MEANS NOTHING because we never won that World Series and that jack ass injured himself in that same offseason because he was playing a pick-up basketball game.  What's my point? The dude's soft and inexperienced. I don't know how many times I need to say it.  And last night he did the New York Yankees a disservice.  He proved that he doesn't know how to do his job. 

The players are doing their best to not talk trash in public about Aaron Boone, but trust me, every one of them know that he blew that game last night.  

The Los Angeles Dodgers are really, really good.  This wasn't an exhibition.  Boone didn't know where he was last night and I have news for you, I hope to God that Hal got on the phone with this dude and ripped him to shreds.  THERE IS NO EXCUSE FOR LAST NIGHT'S LOSS. It's not like Cortes was the only one available.  It's pretty unreal.

So now the Yankees are in the hole and have to dig out, not by anything they did.  The best we can do in LA right now is get a split.  But what if they don't? Look, the Yankees can do it, but it has to come down to them. I have no faith that Aaron Boone will lead us.  Neither should you.

Say a prayer, cause this World Series just got more complicated and difficult because the guy driving doesn't know how. 

It shouldn't be this way. Us Yankee fans do not deserve this. #FireBoone. Go Yanks.

THE YANKEES ARE CASTAWAYS

Source: AP

Very fitting that the Tom Hanks iconic movie "Castaway" was running concurrent to the Yankees game in Tropicana Field on Tuesday night. Or was it the Tampa Bay Rays game? As my friend texted me after the game, "We RoDONE." The Yankees offense just was lights out, but Carlos Rodon certainly was not- a clear recipe for disaster. The kind of disaster that sent Hanks to a deserted island. Yes, the Yankees are going down the same rough seas, held captive by their own devices and sinking down the standings.

“You can hit some rough spots and we’re certainly as rough as they come right now,” Cashman said. “It can go the other way too rather quickly," reported NJ.com before Tuesday's 5-3 loss against the Rays. On a night that is memorable in Yankees history where Derek Jeter clobbered his 3,000th hit against the Rays back in 2011, things continue to spiral for the Bombers.

"As Cashman noted, this team has several areas to improve upon — those that he’ll need to address before this month’s trade deadline. But Rodón continues to dig his club into a hole every time he takes the ball these days. And to make it even more demoralizing, these starts are all following the exact same trend," reported NJ.com.

Prior to this game, the Yankees went 1-5 over their last homestand which included a sweep by the Cincinnati Reds. And over the last 23 games, they have been the worst team in baseball. So what is the problem? Why are things going so bad? Is it mindset? Is it urgency? Both of these questions came up in the post-game show with Jack Curry and Bob Lorenz.

"It was a tidal wave of success here for the first two months and then you closed out June into July in a really rough patch for an extended period of time," Cashman said. "We got to be playing better than we currently are right now," reported ESPN. 

Is there a rescue in sight? How do the Yankees get on the lifeboat? First, they have to address the pitching which as Curry said, seems to have fallen off of a cliff. Then there is this sense of urgency or lack thereof. What happened to the DAWGS? What happened to the hustle? 

If the Yankees don't right the ship, soon, they will be left for dead. Trades could help. Getting players healthy could help. And with the All Star Break fast approaching, perhaps just a break in the action is in order. "We're going to be open-minded to a lot of different things," Cashman said. "I'm not going to point out anything specific but we definitely have areas to improve upon and we'll do our best. We just got to figure our way through this ourselves and hopefully we can add some outside pieces at some point," reported ESPN.

It is a long season and only the fearless survive. Do the Yankees have those kind of enduring survival skills? Can they weather this storm? I want to say yes. But right now, I just see them sipping coconut juice and building fires like castaways lost and siloed but hopefully not defeated. 

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

DODGERS SIGN YAMAMOTO ALL WHILE JACK CURRY WAS "SMILING"

Jack Curry is by far the best when it comes to getting us Yankee fans information.  He doesn't overstep. He's cautious and smart in his delivery. It's what makes him one of the greatest assets when it comes to us Yankee fans trying to get information.  When it comes to inside information, he's not about to fumble all over other insiders, he keeps it real and thorough and reports the information as it happens. I applaud that... we all should.  It's journalistic integrity at it's best. It's why I started to read him all those years ago with the Times.

Last night was a weird night as a Yankee fan.  I think most of us thought that Yoshinobu Yamamoto was about to be a New York Yankee.  Jack Curry did nothing wrong but offer us information that he was getting real time.  And he did it as a true professional.

Jack Curry confirms that the Yankees have made a substantial offer to Yoshinobu Yamamoto and adds that he's inching closer to a decision

"Stay tuned to this show because you don't know what's gonna happen across the next 60 minutes." pic.twitter.com/wNpvmebe24

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) December 22, 2023

But for some reason the Yankee Twitter Universe made it appear that he was withholding information like the Yankees were seconds away from signing Yamamoto, or already did and was waiting for his 'OK' to give the announcement. Many Yankee fans made it feel like he was a kid in a candy store who just stole the coveted lollipop but was waiting to leave the shop to show all of us he nabbed it.  

I think what Yankee fans did was speculate way too much last night... so much so that Jack Curry was trending on Twitter for a bit. That's not fair to Jack.  Here's the good thing though, when the time was right it was Jack that got it right and us Yankee fans made sure everyone knew that Jack's our guy... the smart one... the thorough one... the one that never gives up on the story because he knows we are all depending on him.    

Yamamoto signed with the Dodgers... and sadly the false narrative Yankee fans pushed about Jack "knowing something" about perhaps Yamamoto going to the Yankees was exposed.  In the end, Jack was always Jack, professional in delivery and doing it with a smile and that's all he was doing.  Yankee Twitter just got ahead of themselves and made that "smile" a thing I guess.  

The New York Post writes:

"The Yankees and Mets went all-in on Yoshinobu Yamamoto — and struck out.

Instead of becoming the next Japanese star in The Bronx or Queens, Yamamoto will join Shohei Ohtani with the Dodgers, The Post’s Jon Heyman confirmed. The signing was first reported by the YES Network.

The winning bid for the 25-year-old right-hander was for 12 years and $325 million..."

And you gotta love this. Alot of folks went after Heyman, protecting Jack once it broke, because after all it was Jack that broke it first.  In fairness, Heyman in his article did give YES credit, but should have been specific to Jack.

I chalk the Jack smile up to confidence. He was on a tight rope last night and the Yankee universe was watching and following his every word and he was extraordinary.   This is the stuff that I applaud so much in this world of baseball insiders and baseball commentators. Getting the story right.  Too often many of these guys get sloppy.  Last night I wanted to hear the Yamamoto news just as bad as you.  But I was marveling at how Jack was delivering. He's good... he'd damn good and I tip my cap.

So what happens now? Yankee fans will be mad at Cashman, but why?  Look, I have my own issues with Brian Cashman, but in the end there's gotta be a limit.  Think about this, the Dodgers just paid this guy $325 million for 12 years and he's never thrown a pitching in the Major Leagues.  I'm not saying he can't be successful in the states. What I'm saying is it feels like a $325 million deal to have two Japanese teammates reunite.  

It's weird to me.  The bottom line is the Yankees had a limit, and that limit was reached.  You can get mad at Cashman all you want, but I call it smart.

And what happens next? We wait and see if this guy can deliver and right now we enjoy the holiday and then hopefully the Yankees can pick up another pitcher or 2 to bolster our rotation.  It's really what we need right now.

In the end, it was a crazy night.  I salute Jack for some great work and of course Bob Lorenz. I tip my cap to the Yankee fans that stayed in on it, and I chuckle at the ones that speculated their pants off last night.  It's speculation that's ruined a lot of great journalism over the past few years. Bad guesses ruin careers and credibility. But Jack never reported wrong.  Sure, this is a Yamamoto post, but it's also a post about good commentary and reporting.

Nice work Jack Curry! You never disappoint.

ADD MOROSI TO THE "BASEBALL NON-INSIDER" LIST

If you read Bleeding Yankee Blue, ya'll know I can't stand bad info and the fact that over the years we have noticed a shift in the MLB when it comes to reporting and getting information out there. This new title of "Baseball Insider" was invented for guys that are "in the trenches" and knew sources and were "getting the inside scoop". But as we have seen, other than guys like Jeff Passan and Jack Curry... the actual baseball insiders aren't that at all.  Put it this way, their one job is to get the info, right? I mean they are the ones with the sources, and we are so relying on them for good information. Their info is supposed to be air-tight.  That's what a "BASEBALL INSIDER" is. Oh my, how we have fallen. 

I look at all the mistakes that are made over the last few years... they're laughable and irresponsible. It's like they are fumbling over each other to get the story out first, but they are not doing one important thing when they report... they aren't getting it right.

It's better to be right than to be first. That's my rule of thumb.  I also would never self-proclaim myself a baseball insider even if I could proudly wear the fake title, because, let's face it, with all the recent mistakes... why would you want to be known as that?

Bob Nightengale's was one of my favorites:

Trevor Bauer would eventually go to the Dodgers.  We all know that time Jon Heyman said that Arson Judge was going to the Giants. 

Clearly he meant Aaron, but he was wrong anyway... and the Yankees even made fun of him a few days ago when they signed Juan Soto.

Jon Soto appears headed to Yankees

— New York Yankees (@Yankees) December 7, 2023

The latest comes from Jon Morosi of MLB.  Now Shohei Ohtani is one of the biggest off-season acquisitions of our generation, and I guess feeling the need to get it right didn't matter to Jon, as long as he was able to get it first.  

Yardbarker writes:

"On Friday, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported that Ohtani was on a flight to Toronto, hinting that an agreement with the Blue Jays was either done or close. That was not the case..."

Well, that proved catastrophic... I would even suggest embarrassing. Morosi apologized:

I'd love to know Jon's source, because clearly he needs new ones.

Meanwhile, what I think was more embarrassing was that the already-exposed "baseball insiders" that were wrong before him for Bauer and Judge were the guys trying to straighten it out for everyone. 

Comedy at it's best.  

I guess to get back in our good graces maybe? I guess they wanted to act like they were still considered "baseball insiders"? How very noble of you Bob and Jon. Seriously, you're already not followed by me.  

Look, who knows... but let's face it, the whole thing's embarrassing. All these guys are out there trying to get the story first... but let's face it, when it comes to baseball insiders, and if you REALLY AND TRULY watch their actions online, the really good ones are air-tight and have to correct information.  This is journalism whether they want to believe it is or not.  You gotta be right... so why not wait!  

Hats off to guys like Passan and Curry, and my guys Pete Caldera and Eric Boland... these guys are tops in the industry.  Thorough and eager to follow some journalistic integrity.  

I no longer follow Heyman, Morosi or Nightengale.  Why would I? Why would you?

Let me also state that my opinion on this is probably different than yours.  That's what makes opinions fun.  I take no offense to readers who won't read me because they don't agree with me. I know that sometimes I come off harsh or rotten or even complimentary to fellow writers.  But one thing I will always believe in is having an opinion, sharing that opinion and following standards of journalism.  I don't expect to be the best every day... but what I do expect of me and my writers at BYB is that we do it with a presentation we can be proud of.  If I didn't believe that, Bleeding Yankee Blue wouldn't be here since 2010.  

Like us, hate us, I don't care.  Respect us? You must.  I'm sure that goes across the board to certain "baseball insiders."

EMERGENCY PRESS CONFERENCE SLATED FOR 2PM TODAY ON YES!

There's heavy speculation the Yankees have their man.  The rumor is, and it's a big rumor... is that Juan Soto will be announced to be a New York Yankee today at 2pm on the YES Network. Or is it Yoshinobu Yamamoto. Whatever it is, tt's no joke.  

Also, I have no way of knowing that is what is happening and neither do any of the baseball insiders.  Not Jon Heyman, not Buster Olney, not SNY, not Andy Martino.   

I stick with guys like Jack Curry, Pete Caldera and Jeff Passan when it comes to legitimate Yankee transactions so those are the guys to listen to. Follow those guys and their tweets.

All of us will be watching the Presser at 2pm today on YES.  

More to follow!

OUR ONLY HOPE

Credit: Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

We've reached this point, haven't we? Broken down players, injury, losses, smiles in the dugout like everything's great, a bad manager and a horrendous General Manager that set us up for this. What's the fix? Call up the kids I guess.

Look, I am for literally ANYTHING to fix this Yankees season.  What I don't want however is for the kids to come up, we almost make the playoffs and at the end of the season Hal stands up and declares "We salvaged the season almost making the playoffs and Boone and Cashman are safe." If that were to happen, I would be angry.  And so right this second, the prospects the Yankees call up are our only hope. Sad. I'm happy for them, but sad that it's come to this.

NorthJersey.com writes:

"According to multiple reports, the Yankees are calling up top outfield prospect Everson Pereira along with Oswald Peraza. Jack Curry of the YES Network was the first to report the transaction.

Pereira, 22, in currently enjoying an excellent season in minor-league baseball. In 46 games with Class AA Somerset Patriots, he hit .291 with 10 homers, 31 RBI and a .362 on-base percentage. After moving up to Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Pereira boasted a .312 batting average, 8 homers, 33 RBI and a .386 on-base percentage.

Peraza has struggled in his 19 games with the Yankees this season, hitting .173 with zero homers and 6 RBI."

And so, we cross our fingers to win a few games, but if you're like me, we root just enough and not overdo it to make Boone and Cashman's job remain.  I firmly believe we need some changes at the top.  As far as the players we have, they haven't done much, there is no way Hal will cut them loose and eat and contract and we all know Cashman is not the guy to make a quick fix to better the team, that ship has said. And so, we are limping through the season once again, it sucks, but predictable knowing Cashman's track record.

I wish Periera and Peraza well. I believe they can jolt this team... it's just too bad it's come to this.

JACK CURRY IS A GEM & MAYBE A GOOD LUCK CHARM TOO

The Yankees are on a hot streak. After taking two out of four games against the Division leading Rays, three out of four against the Toronto Blue Jays and now they are up two against Cincinnati, the Yankees are showing signs of playing like a cohesive unit and pulling from across their talent to win ball games. So what does Jack Curry, an analyst and reporter from the YES Network have to do with the Yankees' success? 

Well coincidentally, his book The 1998 Yankees: The Inside Story of the Greatest Baseball Team Ever just dropped this month and just as the Yankees started climbing back into contention, his book has been climbing the charts of the NY Times Best Sellers List. And it was a great Mother's Day gift, I might add. So much so that Jack Curry sent me his autograph to affix to the inside cover. So, yeah, Jack Curry is a gem and he might be a good luck charm too.

When me son presented me with the book on Mother's Day, I was overwhelmed. I tweeted at Jack Curry telling him it was the best Mother's Day gift ever and he DM'd me saying he would sign it. I can't tell you how touched I am by both my son and Jack Curry. Truly made my day even more special. But now, here's the interesting thing. 

On May 3rd, I had wrote a piece entitled YANKEES IN THE DUMPSTER WITH NO WAY OUT. In this post, I mention the book in this context, "It is bad when the YES Network took to promoting Jack Curry's newest book, The 1998 Yankees: The Inside Story of the Greatest Baseball Team Ever instead of calling what quickly became another boring Yankee, lifeless game. Part of the problem with this team is that they are living in the past, assuming because they are the Yankees they can be what they were. 1998 was an incredible team with tremendous run support and consistent pitching. This team is just the opposite." Fast forward two weeks later and the Yankees turned the corner. They fought back against some of the best teams of the 2023 season. 

Twenty five years after the 1998 team took the field for what became a historic season, Curry revisits that season to unpack how the team was built and why the Yankees were such a "talented, refreshing and successful club," according to the review on Sandman Books. Now, here we are in 2023, and the Yankees are purpose-built again with the opportunity to do something great, once again. Are they the 1998 Yankees? Way too early to tell. Could they be? Maybe. They have the fixtures. They have the talent. All they need is to play like a team. That's the way I see it now. They are doing just that. Playing like a cohesive unit. 

Could Curry's book be the catalyst for this Yankee team? Eh, I mean I am not about lucky charms and coincidences, but it is sort of interesting timing- Curry's book and the Yankees' rebound. I have always believed that when you surround yourself with positivity, you change the perspective. Visits by the Yankees of the past have always yielded good vibes in the clubhouse. Curry's book is just that kind of vibe for both players and fans alike. So the good luck could actually be that the Yankees have found what makes them a team- and it was there all along. Play hard. Respect your teammates. And lead from your position. Be like the 1998 Yankees. And win. 

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