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

FORGET IT. THE YANKEES WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO BE IN THE FALL CLASSIC ANYWAY

Last night I cannot blame on Aaron Boone. Crazy right?

But as a whole, in the bonehead moves he has made, in our 4th place finish last year... in the way he over tinkers, befriends his players, argues balls and strikes in meaningless games, and just plain sucks as a manager because of his inexperience, and now because we have gotten to the World Series and lost it, it only makes sense that we say goodbye to this guy and turn the page on making the Yankee organization leadership brighter and better moving forward. This HAS to be the end of the Boone Era. The experiment didn't work... not even alittle bit! Hal, are you listening?

Look, the Yankees were never supposed to be in the World Series this year.  Let's not fool ourselves. The Yankees have been so inconsistent all season, so the idea of making it to the World Series was a gift.  Did I hope they won this year? Of course, but do I think they actually are the best team in baseball, nope.  I'm a realist, this Yankee team is deeply flawed.

The Yankees made a few minor offseason tweaks even though we all knew they needed better pitching and that was the priority.  We got Juan Soto instead. Now, don't get me wrong, Juan Soto was fantastic, I loved seeing him in pinstripes, but as I said then, we got this guy for one year, what happens if we DON'T win it all?  And here we are... we didn't win it all.  And so, what happens next?

For one, Juan Soto will be a free agent.  That's big.  Seems like we had one opportunity, and it was just now, and yet, we didn't win. And so, if he leaves, do you really think we have what it takes to try and win again? We were lucky to get to the World Series this year WITH Juan Soto. If Juan Soto leaves, you can forget our chances. And that is where you really need to go after our Yankees front office and lightweight manager Aaron Boone.

Leadership in any business is vital, and this guy just doesn't have what it takes to lead this Yankees team.  

It's been a long time since Boone has been in the driver's seat. Here's the problem; he doesn't know how to drive stick.  This isn't a team you just hand over to a JV coach and say, "Here, try and tinker with this." These are the New York Yankees. They are celebrities, personalities and they are wearing the pinstripes and so the stakes are much higher.  While many people didn't like Joe Torre taking over after Buck Showalter in the 90's, the one thing Joe Torre had was experience. He was a long-time player and a manager, and while not a successful manager, he understood the game and surrounded himself with wisdom. In other words, he had a plan.  

I see Aaron Boone as a guy who wants to hang out with the celebrity Yankees, have barbeques, a few drinks, play a pickup basketball game with Cortes and Judge, and just enjoy life as a millionaire. The problem? He's not actually doing his job.  Being in the friend zone with Gerrit Cole doesn't win you a championship.  He doesn't understand the stakes, He doesn't understand much of anything.  

And I'll take it further. Better, smarter and more experienced managers in baseball have been fired for way less than what Boone's mistakes have led this Yankee team over the years.  Buck Showalter is probably one of the most respected baseball minds in the game and the Mets lost a few years ago, and they cut him loose right away.  Billy Martin was back and forth with George Steinbrenner for years, but when he couldn't win, he'd be fired. It was pretty simple.  

The White Sox fired La Russa after the club got off to a 26–38 start in 1986, yet LaRussa is one of only two managers in MLB history to win World Series championships in both the American and National leagues.  What's my point? My point is Boone should have been fired years ago. He's terrible.

Now last night's game you cannot blame on Aaron Boone. The 5th inning for the Yankees was the strangest thing I've ever seen.  You always hear that errors will cost you ballgames, and last night it was evident. It was big. It was horrible.  The Yankee club should be embarrassed. But let me be clear, errors are part of the game, and while no one wants to see the Yankees fold like they did, the bigger issue is our leadership.

Hal Steinbrenner either doesn't have his finger on the pulse or Brian Cashman has fooled him enough to handle this team and tricked big Hal into believing that "close enough" with Aaron Boone is "good enough" and the bottom line is as fans, we are very in tune with what's going on, but as fans we also love to watch our team win it all.  Us fans spend the money, and we root hard only to be heartbroken and then we do it all over again the next year with our shitty manager and a wish and a prayer that we can retain Juan Soto long term.  

None of it makes sense, yet we do it anyway. It's a trap. It's an abusive relationship and we're the ones getting mind fucked every season. And so, my biggest gripe with this team is simple; the management is stale, the hunger only comes when we hit home runs, and the idea of manufacturing runs is a very small part of the Yankees game and that my friends has been going on since the days of Jason Giambi.  We will never break the mold if the manager gives Hal what he "thinks" he wants.  Boone does not think for himself. Boone panders. Boone does what he's told. In essence, Boone isn't running this team as a true manager would.  

I will give Joe Girardi credit for one thing; he was tough as nails when it came to managing this club. He wasn't the best at it, but he also didn't bend over and tried his best to manage the team his way.  Many times, it didn't work, but one time it did and 2009 was glorious.

But 2009 was a long time ago and everyone knows that Aaron Boone's not winning us a championship.  I mean, that lineup never changed in this World Series and there were major problems with our hitting.  I am still baffled by the fact that Boone started Jose Trevino because Austin Wells was slumping just to then pinch-hit Wells for Trevino later in that game anyway.  That's a manager that doesn't trust himself and it's embarrassing.

And so now the season is over.  Last night will I PRAY brings real changes to the New York Yankees manager and coaching staff.  Seeing the Dodgers celebrate at Yankee Stadium was sad, but this is the game.  Someone had to lose and why not us... we don't have leadership anyway.

Finally, I'll leave you with this; Frank Sinatra's "New York, New York" is a staple for the Yankees when we win at the Stadium.  Last night the Yankees played that song while the Dodgers were celebrating.  While this was a total mind fuck for many of your fans, I clearly understood why they did it.  There are 2 reasons actually and while it's my opinion, I know I'm right. 

For one, it was a Thank you. It was a Thank you to the Yankees for the fight. It was a Thank You to us fans for sticking around and believing in the pinstripes. It was a "so long" as we head into the winter, not a "Goodbye".  Maybe it's my maturity, maybe I just understand symbolism, but for the love of God for silly fans and this Jomboy hack to make it appear that the Yankees "messed up" for playing that song are just ridiculous.

idc what it costs, Juan Soto needs to be a Yankee for life

You can't let this generational talent and attitude walk out the front doorpic.twitter.com/yd7a7eh1sr

— Mike Salvatore (@MikeSalvatore10) October 31, 2024

I have been a fan of this team since the old Yankee stadium, 1981, Yankees vs. Dodgers Game 1 of the World Series.  Even before that in '78 when I saw Ron Guidry strike out 18 Angels, but definitely in that World Series. The fans were loud, it just made sense to me that the Yankees were my team. And so, yes, I understand symbolism. I understand appreciation. The Yankees organization as a whole may not appear to be about the fans, but even they understood the gut punch last night.  It was a peace offering, a "we're sorry, but thank you". It was supposed to make you feel good about our team. And Secondly, they probably snuck this in too; While Sinatra was a Hoboken kid, he was a Dodgers fan. 

I know, I know, your brain just exploded. Well calm down, it's not that deep. It's symbolism and a gesture all the same. You may not have gotten it, but it was actually nice and guys like Jomboy make it about them and it's not. 

And so now we crawl into our caves and wait.  Hopefully Boone gets canned, it just makes sense at this point.  Hopefully the Yankees can figure out a way to retain Juan Soto while getting another top starting pitcher.  Hopefully we will see the fall classic next year and we win with a new manager and new hunger and an Aaron Judge who just tees off every at bat.

To our Bleeding Yankee Blue audience.  You are loyal, you are wonderful, and we thank you for your support and love. Many of you have been reading BYB since we started in September 2010. That is a long time, and we love you very much.  To the newbies, yeah, we complain about our Yankees a lot here, but we also celebrate them. Thank you for finding us and we hope you enjoy the ride.

Congrats to the Yankees for making it this far. You weren't supposed to be here, but you did prove many of us wrong and I respect the hell out of that.  I always will.

Go Yanks.

See you all in the offseason. We will not stop writing and will bring you as much news, info and humor as we can.  Thanks for reading Bleeding Yankee Blue.

-- Robert Casey
Chief & Head writer of Bleeding Yankee Blue
Twitter: @BleednYankeeBlu

SOTO LEAVES HIS MARK ON BALTIMORE'S EUTAW STREET

I got a text message from a fan Tuesday night that said, "We already look second class against Baltimore." My response, "It's too early for that talk." And with that comment Juan Soto launched a 471 foot 2-run shot into Eutaw Street. "It's Juanderful", as John Sterling would say. So despite Baltimore being well, Baltimore and taking the first two games of the series, the Yankees keep things exciting with Soto.

Source: David Dermer/AP Photo

"For those who don’t know, Eutaw Street is the festive area that’s located between Camden Yards and the B&O warehouse. Every home run ball that completely clears the right-field wall and lands on the street gets a mini plaque on the spot where the ball lands. Didi (Gregorius) is the first Yankees player to hit a homerun on Eutaw Street since Curtis Granderson did it back in 2013," reported Elite Sports NY. Didi did it in 2019 with a 417-foot home run. In fact, Granderson, Gregorius and now Soto are in great company with other Yankee lore including Jason Giambi (three plaques on the street), Paul O’Neill, Robinson Cano, Johnny Damon, and Nick Swisher. Soto's blast is the 11th by a Yankee. 

Besides this huge home run last night in Baltimore, Soto has been absolutely on fire. According to MLB.com, "He was doing historic things from the first series of the season. Soto became the first player in the expansion era (1961) to record a go-ahead RBI in the 7th inning or later in three of his first four games with a team, and the first to do so in three of his four with the Yankees, specifically, since RBI became official in 1920, according to the Elias Sports Bureau."

We have watched him be selective at the plate, choosing the right pitches to hit. He make hard contact when he does swing, among the best in the majors. And he hits the ball in the air. According to MLB.com, "Soto is hitting .521 and slugging 1.083 on fly balls and line drives, and has always had similar numbers on such batted balls. By hitting fewer grounders, he’s positioning himself for those positive outcomes even more. The culmination of all of this: he isn’t just hitting the ball in the air more overall, but also when making hard contact. 66.7% of his hard-hit batted balls have been fly balls and line drives."

The Soto party is very popular in Yankee Stadium, of course, but even on the road, Soto has more fans than not. Sure he gets boos, but honestly, it is hard to boo for a guy that has a smile and disposition like he has. Now Soto has left his mark, permanently in Baltimore. And his plaque will soon replace the ball that he muscled out there on Tuesday night. 

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

JEREMY GIAMBI SUICIDE IS TRAGIC

Yankee fans all remember Jeremy Giambi as the guy that was thrown out on the most incredible flip play from Derek Jeter to Jorge Posada at home plate in Game 3 of the 2001 ALDS... Yanks vs. A's. 

But Giambi has a career, and of course was brothers for Jason Giambi.  In short, hearing about Gerald Williams death was tragic enough. Cancer sucks... but learning that Jeremy Giambi killed himself is equally tragic and just not right.

You don't have to like the guy, but Jeremy was a competitor. He played 6 years in the bigs, but the other day his life was ended forever in what appears to be a suicide. The New York Post writes:

"Law enforcement was reportedly called to Giambi’s parents’ Southern California home at 11:40 a.m. Wednesday to find him deceased.

Giambi’s agent, Joel Wolfe, said in a statement Wednesday that the family requested privacy...

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of a member of our Green and Gold family, Jeremy Giambi,” the A’s wrote on Twitter at the news of his death. “We offer our condolences to Jeanne, Jason, and his family and friends.”

Suicide is a terrible thing. Prayers go out to the family. So sad.

LOCKOUT LEADS TO LANDING OF MATT OLSON

Now as you all know, we are waiting. And while waiting we can be speculating right? During a lockout like the one we are all experiencing, general managers are prohibited from talking or making trades involving players on the 40-man roster with opposing teams. But as The Athletic suggests, we as fans aren't prohibited from chatting it up and over the last several weeks, we have speculated, we have shared our thoughts and you have shared yours. The talk on the street, from fans, reporters and other insiders believe that once the lockout ends, the Yankees strike. And their first move is for first baseman Matt Olson.

Source: CBS Sports

According to SI.com, "On January 18, Jim Bowden of The Athletic floated a possible trade scenario that could see the Yankees land Olson. In this proposal, the Yankees offer their No. 3 prospect in shortstop Oswald Peraza, promising young pitcher Luis Gil (No. 4 ranked prospect), and maybe throw in right-hander Randy Vasquez (No. 20 ranked prospect) and/or righty Beck Way (No. 22 ranked prospect)." Woah. That is some kind of trade. All of those prospects for 27-year-old lefty bat? Will that be worth it?

"Olson’s left-handed power bat is the perfect fit for the short porch in Yankee Stadium. This move would also help provide balance to a right-handed heavy lineup by inserting Olson in the middle of the order," reports SI.com. 

Source: Associated Press

A couple of weeks I floated the idea of Freddie Freeman to swoop in and free the Yankees of their pennant drought. Recall my words in the post, FREEMAN COULD FILL THE BIG SHOES TEIXEIRA LEFT BEHIND! "Seems like the first base facelift has been a trend for the Yankees. Before bringing in Tex in 2009, the Yankees brought in Jason Giambi to replace Tino Martinez who replaced Don Mattingly. Since Teixeira, it has been a revolving door at the corner and if the Yankees act quickly and think beyond shortstop, they could have themselves a franchise player who could bring in a championship in the next couple of seasons or sooner." Swap out Freeman for Olsen? The A's notoriously look to keep their payroll lean, so they may be more apt to trade with the non-division Yankees and find happiness with lower salary rookies.

Source: San Francisco Chronicle

Olsen brings a heavy bat and two gold gloves along with youth; the kind of impact player that can consistently put the ball in play on this Yankee roster. Olson needs to come in swinging in order to shake up the clubhouse and help this lifeless team gain some momentum in 2022. Will it happen? The Yankees are expected to make a big move as soon as the lockout lifts. This could be the first of a few transactions that the Yankees make in pursuit of a championship. Landing Olson could be a playmaker and game changer for the future of this team. 

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

FREEMAN COULD FILL THE BIG SHOES TEIXEIRA LEFT BEHIND!

Source: Danny Wild/USA Today Sports, via Reuters

My family and I are big Mark Teixeira fans. We loved him, even though he was slow to rise from his winter slumber, not making dent in his average until early June. We loved him defensively at first base and he was good for the clubhouse too. Now the Yankees have another opportunity to bring a power bat and gold glove to a lineup that really needs an ignition, just like it did when they signed Teixeira. This time it could be Freddie Freeman.

Source: Associated Press

"By adding Freeman, the Yankees would be getting a force in the middle of their lineup for many years to come, as well as a gold glove caliber first baseman on defense. Signing Freeman could potentially be a franchise altering move for a Yankees team that is in desperate need of a facelift after coming up short in the postseason over the past five seasons. Freeman also has a strong reputation for being a clubhouse leader as well," writes SI.com. Ironically, it was five years ago that the Yankees Teixeira said goodbye to baseball and retired. Could the Yankees make good by bringing in the NL MVP to the 2022 team?

Seems like the first base facelift has been a trend for the Yankees. Before bringing in Tex in 2009, the Yankees brought in Jason Giambi to replace Tino Martinez who replaced Don Mattingly. Since Teixeira, it has been a revolving door at the corner and if the Yankees act quickly and think beyond shortstop, they could have themselves a franchise player who could bring in a championship in the next couple of seasons or sooner. 

"If long-term money issues are scaring the Braves off from making Freeman a lifelong Braves star, Cashman should swoop in ASAP and make a deal. We’re talking about a left-handed slugger that plays excellent defense, takes walks, hits for power, makes contact and is a leader. It would be the perfect Yankees signing," reported NJ.com.

Source: NJ.com

Many say that the Yankees believe they have their shortstop in the system in either Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe or perhaps both. So spending big money on short could be something they bypass and bring in a fixer-upper instead to fill the middle infield. 

Would Freeman want to come to the Bronx? "The belief is he wants to stay. But if Atlanta doesn’t go to at least six years at $180 million, would he be receptive to exit? The Yankees and Dodgers, in particular, would be ready to pounce. It would be easier for the Yankees to emphasize defense at short with someone like Andrelton Simmons if they could land Freeman’s lefty bat," reports the NY Post. 

Source: Dodger Nation

It would be a great move for the Yankees to bring in Freeman—a power bat with great defense and terrific chemistry. Freeman could be the next great first baseman to come to the Bronx and with him the possibility for a championship. Freeman could fill the big shoes that Teixeira left behind. Now the Yankees just have to make that a reality. 

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

HALL OF FAME 2020 COULD BE A ONE-MAN SHOW

I don't understand how some people can say baseball is boring. There's so much strategy and I love how things can change in a game faster than you can blink. All of the walk off home runs or the unbelievable plays and the pitchers duels keep me interested. Then there's also just the human interest side of it. We all have our favorite players, Mariano Rivera was mine. I loved watching him play and I loved watching him get inducted in the Baseball Hall of Fame this weekend. But have we just seen the most interesting Hall of Fame class for years to come?

It's been fun to watch all of these new names be added to Cooperstown recently. In the last 6 years, the Hall has been working overtime making new bronze plaques for their 29 new additions. That's more guys added to the Hall in the last decade without including the 17 Negro Leaguers that were inducted back in 2006. So, can the trend continue?

It doesn't look likely. According to baseball reference HERE the 2020 potential Hall of Fame Ballots there could be fewer bronze plaques being made not only for next season, but for a few years to come. Looking ahead to next year's first year eligible players include: Bobby Abreu, Jason Giambi, Cliff Lee, Josh Beckett, Eric Chavez, Alfonso Soriano, Adam Dunn, Paul Konerko and Derek Jeter.

The biggest name on the list goes without saying, and that's Derek Jeter. The rest of the guys on the list for the first time were all good players, but even media outlets like Newsday are wondering.....could Derek Jeter be the only one inducted into Cooperstown next year? Could it be unanimous? Rivera was the first to get a unanimous vote, could Jeter be the second?

The first year ballots are not as exciting as recent years so that theoretically opens the door for players returning to the ballot to possibly earn extra votes. But would they get enough votes? The player with the highest votes from last year is Mr. Controversial Curt Schilling with 64.7% of the votes. After some stupid and racist comments back in 2015 and 2016 that hurt his votes he has won back a surprising number of votes the last couple of years which has inched him closer to the needed 75% to be voted in.

So whether you like Schilling or not, the smaller pool of eligible players may help him get voted into Cooperstown. His eventual election into Hall of Fame looks like it is getting more likely. He may not get in next year, but he may get in by 2021 which is his ninth year on the ballot.

The upcoming first year players through 2023 look pretty uninteresting compared to recent years. We could see very small classes for the foreseeable future. Is Jeter the only inductee next season? It will be interesting to see how many votes Jeter does get, and if anyone else shares the stage with him.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

MEET JASSON DOMINGUEZ: "THE NEXT MIKE TROUT"

Wow, no pressure or anything with that comparison and yes, there are two "S" in his name. The Yankees just used more than 90% of their International Pool money to sign one guy named Jasson Dominguez out of the Dominican Republic. Just one guy! That is unheard of. That's one hell of an investment.

Who on earth would compare a 16-year old kid to Mike Trout? That's crazy. Well scouts and other baseball officials are singing this kid's praises. Did the Yankees just strike liquid gold with this signing? Or did they put spend too much money on one guy? Time will tell, but a lot of people seem to think that this is money well spent, no matter how risky this move is.

Jeff Passan of ESPN has a great write-up on this HERE. Here are just a few things people are saying:

"I know this sounds crazy, but....he's like Mike Trout. And Trout wasn't close to this good when he was 16," said one general manager.

"Jasson has a game that's very much like Mike Trout -- except he's a switch hitter.I know it's a little unfair to put them next to each other. I've been doing this for a long time, he's the greatest talent I've seen," said Ivan Noboa, Dominguez's trainer.

"He's the best July 2 player I've ever seen," said another international scouting director.

"He's the kind of player that kind of makes the hair on your arm stand up." High praise from Yankees own International scouting Donny Rowland, HERE.

So you get it by now. He may only be a prospect now but people seem to think this kid is the next big thing. That's a lot of weight to carry around for a young kid. It's clear that the Yankees have gone all-in on this kid. The Yankees believe he could be a shortstop, or even a catcher but they believe his future is an outfielder, specifically center field. Dominguez is described as a five-tool player which includes speed, power, hitting for average, fielding and arm strength. His nickname is "The Martian" because of his out-of-this world talent, and even named after former Yankees slugger Jason Giambi. His name and his talent both scream future Yankee icon.

I was surprised to hear the Yankees spend so much money on one prospect, but I dig everyone's enthusiasm about this kid. The Yankees haven't been shy about spending a lot of money in the Dominican Republic and it has paid off so far: Gary Sanchez and Luis Severino were both signed from here as teenagers.I think the Yankees know what they are doing.

Welcome to the Yankees, kid. We are all anxious to see what you've got!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

SCHWARBER TOPS YANKEES LIST

Interesting nugget and one that's been circulating for about a month now.  The Yankees appear to be interested in lefty hitter Kyle Schwarber, a Chicago Cub.

Jeff Passan of Yahoo Sports has that story:

"As he was ascending the Chicago Cubs’ minor league system, Kyle Schwarber was referred to by more than one scout as an “ox.” In the kindest terms, naturally. And now, with Cashman, the New York Yankees’ general manager, controlling the July trade market with his cache of dominant relievers, he gets to covet whomever he pleases. And atop that list is Schwarber, whose monstrous left-handed swing is made for Yankee Stadium. 'Cash thinks he can hit 50 home runs there,' one source with knowledge of the Yankees’ plans said, and, well, that isn’t altogether farfetched. Schwarber is a 30-home run hitter in any park, presuming he comes back from the torn ACL that has sidelined him almost all of 2016."

OK, so if you read all that there's a lot to digest there.  First off, he's coming off an torn ACL, which, many come back from no problem, but we're already going in with an injury case. All I'm saying is if you rank on guys like Mark Teixeira all day, shouldn't you be questioning everyone with injury?  Don't get me wrong, Tex is much older... just making a point.

Secondly, how many times have you heard that a lefty's swing was "made for Yankee Stadium"?  Alot. Remember Jason Giambi? He benefited. But a guy like Brian McCann can't seem to consistently crank it out, but that's what we heard from Brian Cashman after we got him.

Look, I am NOT suggesting Schwarber is a bad idea.  I love it, but the rumor season can get alittle nuts and while we need to see and read every nugget about these players and teams, I just don't know what to make of this yet.

Yup, I'm being skeptical... for me, it's the right way to handle this type of rumor.

A TRUE YANKEE

When the Skipper picks up the bullpen phone and tells the coach, “Get O’Hara up and throwing”, you do hop to. (Read #MILLERISAYANKEE for more.) So let me warm up the ol’ soup bone and flex the so-called “O’HARA WISDOM” (not sure that is a real thing, but I dig it.)

What makes a TRUE New York Yankee? Is it just wearing the famed Pinstripes? Nope. Is it saying all the right things at your introduction presser? Nah uh. Is it being a homegrown, core 4-type player? Well, that helps, but it’s not what makes a Yankee. What makes a Yankee is a combination of things. Andrew Miller possesses ALL of them. He buys into the tradition. He is selfless and cares about one thing, winning. He LOVES being in the Bronx and wants to stay above all else. He has OUTSTANDING warm up music (That’s a personal note. Johnny Cash? I’m sold.)

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)
In all seriousness I wish we had a team of Andrew Millers. He is cut from the mold of a Paul O’Neill, Tino Martinez or David Wells. NONE were homegrown Baby Bombers, but I dare you to say none of them are TRUE YANKEE BLUE! Hell, the Boomer wore Babe Ruth’s cap, took the silly fine and would have played for free if THE BOSS asked him too. That’s what makes a Yankee to me. It’s not about the accomplishments right away…no, it’s that desire to accomplish for the team, the fans and the city. It’s to be a part of something bigger than yourself. 

Andrew Miller embodies that. When the Yankees made the move for Chapman did Miller fuss like a Papelbon? No sir! Did he ask for more money or to be traded? Not on you life. Andy simply said, “I want the best for this team.” Kids, grab a pen and take notes. That’s how you do it. On top of everything else Miller is also OUTSTANDING! He is filthy and is the best of the 3 Headed Monster called NO RUNS DMC. 

Being a true Yankee is not an easy thing to be. There have been really good players that I think are truly forgettable in the grand scheme. Tex. Not a real Yankee (despite the ring). I’m sorry. He isn’t a Yankee the way Paulie, Tino, Coney or Boomer were. HE. JUST. ISN’T! Yup, Mattingly was his hero. Sorry, still doesn’t cut the Guldens. I’d say Jason Giambi was more a true Yankee than Tex. Or here, think of it this way. I think Luis Sojo was a Real Yankee. What did he accomplish? He was a ride along guy on some great teams, but Luis was an awesome addition to that clubhouse during his time in the Bronx. He gave all he had to the uniform.

It’s an exclusive club. Talent alone won’t get you access. To be a True Yankee you have to be a Yankee Fan in a way. You see the club for all it stands for and are willing to do all you can to be sure when the PA plays NEW YORK, NEW YORK the scoreboard shows the Bronx Bombers with the W. Andrew Miller is that kind of guy. Let’s keep him here…trade the guy with the rental sign on his back and 103mph on the radar gun.

** Let’s hope Andy Miller runs on as a True Yankee for a long time. **

  
  
--Mike O'Hara, Senior "Features" Writer 
Follow me on Twitter: @mikeyoh21