THE ART OF BEING COMFORTABLE, NOT COMPETITIVE

Let's face it, the Yankees off season has been weak. There was a time when the New York Yankees owned the offseason. Many were convinced that this December was their month. The Winter Meetings were their playground. But the headlines and rumors were loud and nothing ever happened.

This Yankees’ offseason feels like a dud. A wandering through an abandoned shopping mall where the lights are on, the doors are unlocked, but nobody inside seems interested in doing business.

This isn’t “measured.”
This isn’t “strategic patience.”
This is an offseason defined by inertia, wrapped in corporate buzzwords and defended by a front office that seems genuinely confused as to why fans are upset.

If you want to understand why Yankees fans like me are frustrated, you don’t even need to look at the transactions page. Just listen to Brian Cashman talk.

Throughout December, Cashman repeatedly framed the Yankees’ inactivity as a product of a “tough market” and a lack of appealing options. He openly admitted that there wasn’t much inventory he was interested in and described the offseason as being stuck in a phase of “information sharing” and “preliminary conversations.”  For a small-market team, maybe that flies. For the New York Yankees, it lands like an insult.

This is a franchise that prints money, plays on the sport’s biggest stage, and still charges fans premium prices for a product that just finished another season short of a championship. Hearing Cashman talk this offseason like it’s a brainstorming retreat instead of a roster-building sprint is jarring. Cashman didn’t sound aggressive. He didn’t sound urgent. He sounded… comfortable.

And comfort is the last thing Yankees fans want to hear after years of early playoff exits, roster imbalance, and bullpen roulette. One of Cashman’s favorite words this winter has been engaged.

The Yankees are “staying engaged.” They’re “trying to match up.” They’re “monitoring options.”

That language may play well in boardrooms, but it plays horribly in the Bronx, especially since it's been years since we've won.   Because while the Yankees are “engaged,” other teams are actually doing things. Rivals are making trades, retooling rosters, and addressing obvious weaknesses. Meanwhile, the Yankees’ most notable activity has been a parade of depth signings and minor-league deals — moves that might matter in Scranton but don’t move the needle in October.

Re-signing Paul Blackburn? Fine depth.
Adding Zack Short on a minor-league deal? Harmless.
Bringing back familiar faces on modest terms? Safe.

But safe doesn’t win championships.
Safe doesn’t excite fans.
Safe doesn’t fix what’s broken.

The Yankees entered the offseason with glaring needs: bullpen reliability, lineup balance, and impact talent. Cashman even acknowledged the roster imbalance — particularly the left-handed heaviness — yet December has passed without a single move that meaningfully addresses it.  Instead, the plan appears to be the same one we’ve seen before: internal solutions, bounce-back candidates, and hoping variance works in their favor.

Hope is not a strategy.
Hope is what teams sell when they don’t want to spend.

The bullpen, which wobbled throughout the season, has been treated as something that might magically stabilize itself. The lineup, which still lacks fear factor beyond its stars, remains mostly unchanged. And the rotation depth — always a concern — has been padded with insurance policies instead of upgrades.

This offseason isn’t about improving the Yankees. It’s about maintaining the status quo and calling it flexibility. Even when discussing players like Jazz Chisholm Jr., Cashman’s comments perfectly encapsulate the Yankees’ directionless tone. Chisholm is “part of the solution,” but the team remains “open-minded.” That’s not a plan — that’s a hedge.

Everything this winter has felt hedged. No strong declarations. No bold vision. No sense that the Yankees are trying to impose themselves on the league rather than react to it.

For a franchise built on dominance, that mindset feels alarmingly small.  This isn’t just about one slow offseason. Yankees fans have seen this movie before. The pattern is familiar:

Downplay the market. Talk up internal growth. Avoid long-term risk. Frame inactivity as discipline. Eventually, something small happens late in the winter, and it’s sold as a calculated win. But fans aren’t buying it anymore. We are tired of hearing why something didn’t happen. They’re tired of being told patience is the plan. They’re tired of watching rivals act while the Yankees analyze.

The frustration isn’t reactionary — it’s cumulative.   What makes this offseason sting isn’t just what the Yankees haven’t done — it’s who they’re supposed to be.

These are the New York Yankees. The brand alone should tilt markets. The payroll should scare agents. The urgency should be obvious. Instead, December 2025 has exposed a front office that appears more concerned with avoiding mistakes than making statements.  And that’s the real problem, isn't it?

Championship teams take risks. Dynasties don’t wait for perfect conditions. The Yankees used to dictate terms — now they negotiate with caution.

Yes, the offseason isn’t technically over. A move could still come. Something splashy could still happen. But the tone has been set, and it’s unmistakable. This has been an offseason of excuses, careful language, and low-impact moves — all from a franchise that once made winter its own personal highlight reel.

If the Yankees want fans to believe again, it won’t come from being “engaged.” It’ll come from being bold. Until then though, this winter will be remembered not for what the Yankees did — but for how loudly they didn’t. And this is the worst part, and maybe I'm just stupid for thinking this way.  Forever I felt as though this Yankee front office was there to help improve the team for us fans.  It's crystal clear to me these days that this isn't about us fans at all... and yet, we pay the bills. And what do we get in return? Not much, we spend money, we spend our time, and we don't see improvement.  But we collectively should be allowed to dictate in some capacity what this team should and should not do.  But we don't.  That's why I've given up on paying a dime to this franchise.  

Until there is improvement... I won't be around, and I will continue to attack this dying franchise and horrible, complacent front office.

TRADE JAZZ, VOLPE TO SECOND & GO GET BO!

 I know exactly what I’d do.

Yes, it would be messy—because the Yankees and Aaron Boone are physically incapable of letting go of their prized possession, Anthony Volpe. But in the spirit of compromise, and fully acknowledging that José Caballero would be holding the fort until Volpe returns from surgery and eventually remembers how to play the infield, let me float an idea that sounds insane… yet somehow still protects Boone’s emotional attachment to Volpe.

And yes—it starts with moving Jazz Chisholm.

Brian Cashman recently said the Yankees are “open-minded” when it comes to trading Jazz in order to improve the pitching staff. Open-minded. That’s Cashman-speak for “we’re thinking about it, but only if it doesn’t make us uncomfortable.”

Cashman went on to praise Jazz as part of the solution: athletic, above average, an All-Star second baseman, great defender, power, speed, steals bags, all that good stuff. And you know what? He’s right. Jazz has been a good get.

But here’s where I differ: if you can flip Jazz to land a legitimate starting pitcher, you do it. Period. The Yankees desperately need rotation help, and this roster doesn’t move forward unless someone with real value is sacrificed.

Now, before everyone hyperventilates—yes, that leaves a hole at second base. And that’s where our favorite untouchable comes in.

Anthony Volpe to second base. Relax. Breathe. Boone can still tuck him in at night. I don't want this, but I'm trying to keep Boone happy. He still gets to keep his boy toy.

Look, Volpe isn’t a shortstop. We’ve seen enough. He struggles with the throws, the reads, the footwork, and the moment. Second base simplifies the job. Shorter throws, less pressure, fewer chances to remind us why this experiment keeps failing. Frankly, he probably throws better from second than he does from short.

And the bonus? The Yankees still get to market him. The commercials live on. The branding machine keeps humming. I’m compromising here. Truly. But that still leaves the biggest issue: who the hell plays shortstop?

If the Yankees are serious—actually serious—this is where you go big. You don’t plug the hole with duct tape and hope for the best. You land a real shortstop. A tough one. A proven one.

You get Bo Bichette.

Bo Bichette would be a massive offensive upgrade for this lineup. He’s elite at putting the bat on the ball—something the Yankees treat like a forbidden art form. A career .294 hitter who hit .311 in 2025, led the league in hits twice, and lives on base. He’s the exact opposite of the Yankees’ feast-or-famine philosophy.

Put him next to Aaron Judge and suddenly pitchers can’t just nibble and pray. Bichette balances the lineup, grinds at-bats, and brings an edge this team sorely lacks.

And Volpe? Bat him ninth. Let him be the ceremonial leadoff hitter for the second inning. He can still be the face of Charles Tyrwhitt, still hit .214, and still exist—just no longer in the way of the Yankees trying to win baseball games.

And if Volpe stinks it up at second base? Congratulations—we already have José Caballero, a legitimate utility weapon, ready to step in and actually do useful things.

Will the Yankees ever do this? Of course not. It requires creativity, courage, and a willingness to upset the comfort level of the front office. Three things this organization avoids like the plague.

But should they do it? Absolutely.

Because right now, this offseason has been pathetic. There’s no momentum. No imagination. No sense that the Yankees are a forward-thinking, ruthless, championship-driven franchise.

Moves like this create excitement. They signal intent. They tell fans you’re done spinning your wheels.

Will it happen? No. The Yankees don’t have the stomach for it. But they should. And maybe—just maybe—if enough people start saying it out loud, someone with a spine will eventually listen.

Let’s see what happens.

THE YANKEES MAKE SOME CHANGES BUT WE NEED MORE!

A week after the Yankees were eliminated in the ALDS by the Blue Jays and some coaching changes are being made. That could be music to any fan's ears but before we all get excited, will they be the "right" changes? 

Of course, we all want those changes to include Aaron Boone because he's a proven loser since 2018. He's a well liked loser though to Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and others so as much as we want to see him get dumped the Yankees have made no indication that he will be fired. Multiple sources, like the New York Post HERE say Baboonie is expected back for a ninth season, but a couple familiar faces will not be.

The Yankees are rumored to NOT be bringing back first base and infield coach Travis Chapman. That's not a big loss. After watching Anthony Volpe (VolpE6 as I call him) become a liability and the laughing stock of this team I think this is an early Christmas or Hanukkah gift! It's worth mentioning also that there was a public riff between Chapman and Baboonie back in August. Baboonie yelled at Chapman after a baserunning error from Jazz Chisholm and later expressed regret for it and wished that it was handled privately. Funny how Baboonie gets in a tizzy with Chapman and then he isn't invited back, huh?

The bigger name on this list of names not returning is longtime bullpen coach Mike Harkey. He's been around since 2008 and is one of Baboonie closest confidants. He's the only coach on this team that actually knows what it feels like to win a championship. He's not a regular face by any means but it is odd to think about a different guy in this role. Maybe it is time though after the Yankees bullpen finished with a 4.37 ERA and was the eighth highest in the majors.

After two years as the Yankees hitting coach James Rowson may be leaving the Bronx for a promotion. The Yankees have given the Minnesota Twins permission to speak to Rowson about potentially returning to Minnesota as their new manager. He previously was the Twins hitting coach from 2017-2019 and is highly respected there. Now that the Yankees achieved the highest-scoring offense in the majors this season under Rowson's coaching this feels like a no-brainer for the Twins if both sides want to reunite.

This is just the start. According to the Athletic HERE, Pitching coach Matt Blake and catching coordinator Tanner Swanson have club options. I would be surprised if Blake's option wasn't picked up because he has a lot of support with Cole and he didn't completely suck. Bench Coach Brad Ausmus and third-base coach Luis Rojas now have expired contracts. I'd be lying if I said I would miss Ausmus so I am going to spare you.

So the Yankees could look very different from a coaching perspective next year. But does it make a difference if Baboonie is still managing and Brian Cashman is pulling his puppet strings? It's still insanity no matter how you rejig everyone else.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

IMAGINE IF RICE & CHISHOLM PLAYED GAME 1?

If they were, we would have already won this series and be moving on.

Look, there’s an old rule in baseball that doesn’t require an algorithm, a PhD in data science, or a $5 billion front office with a department of 40 people crunching numbers in Excel: play your best players. 

Simple, right? Not for the New York Yankees, who managed to make Game 1 of this series look like a masterclass in self-sabotage.

Ben Rice? Benched. Jazz Chisholm? Invisible until the 8th inning. Two of the most electric players on the roster were treated like spare parts while Aaron Boone and his analytics disciples tried to galaxy-brain their way through the night. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work.

By the time Jazz actually got into the game, the damage was done. And after it was over, he looked furious—and honestly, who could blame him? This is a 30–30 player. He’s the kind of guy who manufactures runs out of thin air, steals energy from the opponent, and injects life into his own team. Yet Boone and his iPad brigade decided the best move was to let him collect dust until it was basically too late. Congratulations, gentlemen, you reinvented the art of wasting talent.

Rice’s situation was just as bad. The kid has been a spark plug, and instead of rolling with him, Boone went with Austin Wells behind the plate. Look, Wells is a nice player in theory, but there’s “serviceable catcher” and then there’s “you left a real hitter on the bench for this?” Rice sitting there while Wells got the start was a move straight from the Yankees’ Book of Bad Decisions—a book Boone has dog-eared to the point of destruction.

And what happened next? Exactly what every fan and every rational baseball mind knew would happen: the Yankees lost. The offense looked lifeless, the energy was nonexistent, and Garrett Crochet made them look like extras in his personal highlight reel.

Now, fast-forward to Game 2. Clearly, the noise from fans and media was deafening enough that the Yankees had no choice but to adjust. Suddenly, Rice was in the lineup—and promptly homered. Jazz was there too, working a gritty seven-pitch walk that turned into a run when Wells of all people drove him in. But the real Jazz moment came when he sprinted around the bases, helmet flying, and beat the throw with a headfirst slide. That’s what happens when you actually unleash your playmakers instead of hiding them.

And now, the series is tied. Just like Bleeding Yankee Blue predicted: loss in Game 1 thanks to Boone and the nerds overthinking themselves, rebound in Game 2 out of necessity. Game 3? The real test.

On the hill will be Cam Schlittler. The kid’s been one of the bright surprises of the year. Sure, he’s had some shaky outings—that’s part of being young—but his stuff is legit. He has the chance to put the team on his back. But here’s the catch: the Yankees’ offense has to show up. They looked alive tonight, but can they sustain it? Or will Boone and his merry band of “data specialists” once again try to outsmart the game of baseball?

Because let’s be honest: this front office is addicted to tinkering. They love spreadsheets more than they love wins. They see a player like Jazz, who thrives on chaos, and immediately try to squeeze him into a neat little algorithm that strips away everything that makes him dangerous. They see Rice’s bat and say, “Well, technically, the numbers say Wells frames pitches better against lefties on odd-numbered days when Mercury is in retrograde.” It’s nonsense. And Game 2 proved it, because sometimes when it comes to athletes, you have to manage with gut and feel.

And then there’s Boone—the king of overreaction. His managerial style is basically one long knee-jerk reflex.  He doesn’t manage games so much as he manages his nerves, and more often than not, it blows up in the Yankees’ faces.

The formula for tomorrow, in my opinion, couldn’t be simpler. Rice behind the plate. Jazz in the lineup. Caballero at shortstop. Let the athletes actually play the game. Hit early, run hard, pile up runs, and give Schlittler room to breathe. Because here’s the thing about the Yankees bullpen: no matter how many times Devin Williams dances out of disaster, it always feels like a grenade with the pin halfway out. You don’t want to hand them a one-run lead and hope for the best. You want insurance runs, and you want them fast.

But will Boone follow the obvious plan? History says no. History says he’ll overthink it, he’ll shuffle the lineup even though this one works, he’ll use his bullpen like a toy chest, and by the 7th inning everyone in the Bronx will be pulling their hair out. This isn’t new. Boone has made a career out of turning winnable games into tragedies. He overthinks, he overtinkers, and he reacts to the wrong situations at the wrong times. And then after the game, he leans into the microphone with that same tired grin and says, “I liked our at-bats.”

Enough. Yankees fans aren’t asking for miracles. We’re asking for common sense. 

Play your best players. Stop worshipping at the altar of bad data. Stop letting Aaron Boone use a playoff game as his personal science experiment.

Tomorrow is a must-win. The Yankees already followed the script: lose Game 1, win Game 2. Game 3 is up for grabs. If Schlittler is sharp, they’ll have a chance. But the real question—the one hanging over everything—is whether Boone and the analytics crew can resist the urge to meddle. Because if they can’t, the Yankees will be doomed by the same thing that’s killed them all season: stupidity from the dugout and the front office.

The Yankees have the talent to win. The only thing standing in their way is their own brain trust. Which, unfortunately, is the dumbest part of the organization.

WHEN YOU DON'T HAVE BASEBALL BRAINS, IT SHOWS!

Why the Yankees continue to trust Aaron Boone, I will never know. It infuriates me more than I will ever be able to truly articulate. The guy who hit a clutch home run back in October 2003 who beat the Red Sox in the ALCS and went to the World Series just got beat by the Red Sox.....badly.

He just showed all of baseball what not to do. He gambled big time against Alex Cora and the Red Sox and it bit him in the ass. I used to make fun of Joe Girardi and his binder back in the day but Baboonie doesn't have a binder. He doesn't even have a brain. He's the real life Scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. He has no brain, only bad analytics. 

I think Casey said a lot of what I feel in BOONE & THE ANALYTICS DEPARTMENT LOST GAME 1 FOR THE YANKEES. Boone pulling Max Fried after 7 innings and replacing him with Luke Weaver was asinine! I guess Baboonie wanted to save him for his next big start in March? It's a big contributing factor to the loss....you need to trust your ace more in these scenarios. It doesn't make sense to go to the bullpen too quickly. You just don't know who doesn't have it on any given night. But that's not the only problem.

It's the same story. The offense didn't do enough last night. Yes, Garrett Crochet is a freaking beast of a pitcher, but the offense still could've done more. If Anthony Volpe (or as I like to say VolpE6) can make something happen it's not impossible. More importantly, by the time Aroldis Chapman made it into the game the Yankees LOADED THE BASES WITH NO ONE OUT.....and couldn't bring runners in! The Yankees can't get out of their own way. They just can't stop failing! 

So we have two big failures in pulling Fried too quickly and then not driving in runs. What else? Benching Jazz Chisholm until late in the game is a joke. He's too much of a spark plug. Some people are irate that Ben Rice did not start. I get it, I think it's a valid point. However, I'm okay with him not starting and leaving him as a powerful bench guy for an opportune moment. That's okay. Rice on the bench should ALWAYS find a way into the game at some point. He's been hot as of late. Not plugging him in was the mistake....because Boone has no brain. Thank god Baboonie wasn't a manager way back when. I swear if this was 1927 he would've benched Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig! He has no common sense.

You always need to put the best team on the field, but when you have a short three game series you have to be even smarter. There's no room for error here. Play the guys who are hot and maximize the opportunities. This is exactly what Baboonie did not do. 

Brainless bubblehead Baboonie doesn't have the brains it takes to win....and we saw it again last night. If he only had a brain, he's the new scarecrow. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

BOONE & THE ANALYTICS DEPARTMENT LOST GAME 1 FOR THE YANKEES

It was predictable. Everyone with half a brain knew Garrett Crochet was going to carve the Yankees. He’s that good. The guy’s not just solid—he’s a freak of nature, the type of pitcher who makes professional hitters look like they’re holding pool noodles instead of bats. And the cruel twist? Crochet has the Yankees’ number. He doesn’t just beat them—he humiliates them. So, when I say I expected the loss tonight, I’m not being dramatic. I was just being realistic.

Now, Max Fried. My guy. One of my favorites. He’s as good as advertised—an absolute horse. He’s a four-pitch maestro, he competes, and he wanted the ball. He earned the ball. And yet, somehow, the Yankees’ brain trust—if you can call it that without choking on the irony—decided to pull him. Fried is still better than 90% of the arms in that bullpen. But apparently, the spreadsheet said otherwise. So, in trots Luke Weaver, who, let’s be honest, has about as much variety as a dollar-menu cheeseburger. Two pitches compared to Max's 4. I mean, what did you think was gonna happen? Max Fried called out Boone tonight after the game.  They asked if he had more left in the tank. Fried said, "Yeah, I felt good....I had enough in the tank."  Boone is a fucking idiot.

This is the Yankees’ analytics department in a nutshell: run by numbers nerds who’ve never thrown a ball harder than 45 mph in their lives. They treat pitchers like they’re apps you can just “close out” and “reopen” when the matchup looks prettier on an Excel sheet. Meanwhile, the game is happening in real life. Max Fried isn’t a column of data—he’s a competitor. He wanted the damn ball, and he still had plenty left. But no, Fishman and his crew of Ivy League “geniuses” decided it was time to meddle again. And Aaron Boone? Well, he’s too dumb and too soft to push back. He’s just the smiling puppet nodding along as the front office tugs his strings.

Then there’s Anthony Volpe. When I saw his name in the lineup, my immediate thought was: “This motherfucker didn’t even earn a playoff start. Why the hell is he there?” But sure enough, he runs into a pitch and parks one in the seats. Great. Good job, Anthony. You did your job for once. The problem? Boone acted like he’d just witnessed the Second Coming. He practically splooged all over the microphone when a reporter asked him about it. I mean, calm down—it was a solo shot in a game you lost. Nobody’s building a monument over it.

And don’t get me started on Jazz Chisholm. Why was he riding the bench until the 8th inning? This is a 30-30 player, an everyday sparkplug, a guy who brings swagger and production. But apparently, the analytics department’s Magic 8-Ball said tonight wasn’t his night. By the time Jazz got in, he was steaming, and rightfully so. You don’t waste a talent like that until garbage time. Boone once again looked clueless, fumbling his way through the decision like a substitute teacher who lost the lesson plan.

Let’s not pretend we didn’t all see this coming. Crochet was always going to shove. That part wasn’t shocking. What was shocking—scratch that—what was infuriating was the way the Yankees actively sabotaged themselves tonight. This wasn’t just Crochet’s brilliance. This was organizational malpractice. Boone and the analytics department straight-up handed this game away.

Max Fried pitched his heart out. He had the game in control. And instead of letting your ace ride it out, you piss all over his effort because some formula says “third time through the order” is scary. Newsflash: the other team is scary too, and pulling your ace in favor of Luke Weaver doesn’t suddenly make Crochet throw fewer strikes. You don’t win playoff games with Microsoft Excel—you win them with guts, instincts, and players who actually know what the hell they’re doing. 

But that’s the Yankees’ problem, isn’t it? The front office is obsessed with looking like the smartest guys in the room. They think they’re reinventing baseball when really they’re just burning it to the ground. And Boone? He’s not a leader. He’s a yes-man. A cardboard cutout in a hoodie. A motivational speaker without the motivation. When your manager’s biggest contribution to a loss is gushing over Anthony Volpe’s solo homer, you know you’re screwed.

So, did I expect a win tonight? No. Crochet was always going to dominate. But did Boone and Michael Fishman make sure there was zero chance of stealing one? Absolutely. They stripped the Yankees of their one shot by yanking Fried and screwing with the lineup. That’s not leadership—that’s sabotage.

Tomorrow? Who knows. Depends which Carlos Rodón shows up—the bulldog or the batting-practice machine. But tonight? Tonight was an unmitigated disaster. Proof that a solo homer from Volpe means jack shit when the organization is too stupid to get out of its own way.

The Yankees lost. Nobody should be surprised. This is what happens when you let analytics nerds and a dumbass manager run the show.

#FireBoone

THE PLAYOFF BOUND YANKS... BUT CAN THEY WIN IT ALL THIS TIME?

The Yankees are officially playoff-bound. Pop the champagne, right? 

Well… not so fast. The real prize isn’t sneaking in through the Wild Card door like some bargain-bin shopper on Black Friday. No, this is the Yankees. The bar has always been — and should always be — the American League East crown. That’s the standard.

Last night’s walk-off — courtesy of none other than José Caballero (not the shortstop or the catcher who decided to clock in at the 9th inning) — gave us one of those “finally, some life” moments. And Boone, in classic Boone fashion, celebrated with: “Don’t take that s–t for granted. We are in the playoffs, we’ve got a lot more to do, right? We’ve got a lot of bigger goals. But enjoy this, celebrate this right now and come get ’em tomorrow.”

Great speech, champ. Almost convincing. But here’s the problem: the Yankees should already have this division wrapped up. The fact that they’re clawing back in September says less about the roster and more about a manager who insists on shoving square pegs into round lineup holes. Boone’s obsession with his “golden boy” Volpe at short has been the hill he’s willing to die on. And yet — it was Caballero who delivered the knockout blow. Irony loves the Bronx.

Meanwhile, Jazz Chisholm is out here talking like a man who gets it: “I feel like I’m very proud but I feel like I’d be prouder with a ring on my finger and saying that we won the World Series.” That’s the mentality. Forget just “getting in” — the mission is rings. Period.

Now, credit where it’s due: I didn’t think this team would even make October with Boone steering the ship. That’s on me. But here’s where I stand firm: this squad is too good to be a one-and-done. The question is whether Boone is capable of leading them deep. Spoiler alert: history says no.

The game itself was equal parts maddening and thrilling. Eleven men stranded, offense snoozing for eight innings, then suddenly, the ninth-inning panic button gets smashed. Anthony Volpe tied it up by racing home on a wild pitch — and Caballero finished the job after a nine-pitch war, dropping a single into center that scored Judge and cracked the tension. An incredible finish, yes — but why does it always take until the brink of death for this team to show a pulse?

So here we are. Clinched, but not satisfied. There are five games left, and the AL East is still dangling out there. Can the Yankees actually grab it? Absolutely. Do I trust Boone to lead the parade? Absolutely not. If he somehow fumbles this postseason with this roster, the solution is simple: cut this guy loose and find someone who can.

But for now — congrats to the Yankees, congrats to the fans who’ve suffered through the ride, and congrats to José Caballero, the unlikely hero. One dramatic walk-off down, but the real work? 

That starts now.

JUST ANOTHER STUPID LOSS TO A LAST PLACE TEAM

"...it’s Warren vs. Trevor Rogers, and let’s be honest—Warren has been a coin flip all year. Heads: solid outing. Tails: bullpen at it again in the 4th inning. Which, again, brings me back to the point: if this team wants to actually make October matter, the rotation has to learn how to carry its weight."

--Robert Casey, Bleeding Yankee Blue

I'm not saying I'm right, I'm just saying that the Yankees played a last place team, and their starter was a coin flip. And last night they lost. That means 3 games out of first place in the AL and ranking as the top Wild Card spot with a 3-game lead over Boston. But time is running out, and playing this stupid game of grab ass right before the end of the season is nerve racking for any fan... but blame the Yankees administrators and manager for inconsistency, unclear goals and a team that gets jerked around more than a snake in my clogged shower drain.  

For us fans, it's no longer fun. It's agony watching this front office and manager trot out this team. If they would just let them play, we would not be in this situation. Instead, they sit Caballero for Volpe like they think no one is gonna notice and Volpe is 0-3 again. By the way, I thought Volpe was hurt? But no... they lie, they gaslight us all to try and prove to the Yankee fan base that they know what they're doing.  

Caballero was consistent while he was filling in for Volpe.  Nearly every night he was getting a hit, scoring a run, knocking in an RBI.  Volpe? 1 for his last 7 in 2 games. Trust me, there is a significant difference.

This is just me looking at the numbers every day while Cabellaro was the starting shortstop.  You don't have to be a brain surgeon to know that he is consistent and making an impact, and so naturally that translates into making gut decisions, meaning, obviously this guy needs to be on the field every night, and that's just his batting numbers... his defense is better than Volpe as well and so I ask... why did Boone sneak Volpe back on the field?

The Yankees spent Friday night in Baltimore doing what they’ve done far too often this season: wasting opportunities and letting Aaron Boone’s decision-making hang over them like a rain cloud. They managed just one measly hit off Rogers in six innings, then made a late push against the Orioles’ bullpen, only to fizzle out in a 4-2 loss at Camden Yards.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. at least gave us something to cheer about, launching a two-run bomb in the seventh that officially punched his ticket into the 30-30 club. Great for Jazz, not so great for the Yankees, who once again flirted with momentum but refused to commit.

So, what was the issue? Was Rogers lights-out? Was Anthony Volpe’s 0-for-3 just another brick in the wall of offensive frustration? Or maybe it’s Boone treating his lineup card like a Sudoku puzzle. I’ll take “a little bit of all three” for 500, Alex.

Meanwhile the Blue Jays got walloped by the Royals, gift-wrapping a chance for the Yankees to gain ground. Naturally, they said “no thanks” and stayed three games back in the AL East with just eight left, and don’t forget Toronto owns the tiebreaker. Yes, the Yankees still hold the top wild-card spot ahead of the Astros and Red Sox, but it’s hard to feel secure when inconsistency is the house style and Boone’s game management makes you wonder if he’s secretly working for the opposition.

Look, leadership matters. Real leadership creates clarity, unity, and direction. It builds trust, inspires people, and gives everyone a fighting chance. Boone, on the other hand, doesn’t even seem to be fielding the right nine players on a given night. The man couldn’t lead a marching band down Broadway, let alone the Yankees into October glory.

More baseball today. Maybe a win. Maybe another comedy of errors. Either way, Yankee fans, keep the rosary beads close.

DON'T LOOK NOW, BUT THE YANKEES ARE BURYING THE SOX

The Yankees have woken up.  Now if we can continue to stay consistent and bury the Red Sox, I will be a very happy guy. The Yankees showed up at Fenway on Saturday night and reminded Boston who’s boss, taking a 5–3 win that not only clinched the series but also sent the Red Sox to their third straight loss. 

September baseball at Fenway is supposed to be dramatic—unless, of course, you’re a Red Sox fan watching Aaron Judge walk all over your pitching staff.

Judge reached base four times and scored twice, Cody Bellinger drove in two runs like it was second nature, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. turned the night into his own highlight reel, adding three RBIs and a solo homer. Meanwhile, Max Fried kept cruising, collecting his league-leading 17th victory with six strikeouts, looking every bit like a man on a mission toward October.

And yes, Anthony Volpe was absent again. No, the Yankees aren’t suddenly cruel—they’re just wising up. Volpe’s bat has been dragging at .206 with a .661 OPS, and his defense has slipped too. Enter José Caballero: high-energy, steady glove, and most importantly, not handing free outs to the other team. This isn’t Little League where everyone gets a turn—this is the Yankees chasing wins, and Caballero helps deliver them.

The Bombers knocked Brayan Bello around for four runs before the Red Sox could even think about damage control, padding their cushion to 2½ games over Boston for the top wild-card spot. The Blue Jays, however, continue to hog the top of the AL East, refusing to hand over any ground.

So the stage is set for Sunday night: Yankees aiming for a sweep, Red Sox praying to stop the bleeding. One team’s building October momentum, the other’s looking like they’re already shopping for tee times.

THE YANKEES AREN'T FOOLING ANYONE, AARON JUDGE ISN'T OKAY!

The Yankees just won 4-of-6 on a difficult stretch against the Houston Asstros and Toronto Blue Jays and as happy as I am about that, I'm worried about something else. The series wins were nice, but we got our first glimpse of Aaron Judge back in the outfield and....it wasn't great. 

Friday was Judge's first game playing the outfield since July 25th, and the Blue Jays wasted no time testing his arm out there. It took no time at all for them to see that Judge wasn't his usual self out there. The Jays had the bases loaded and two outs when a ball was hit into right field. By the time Judge fielded the ball, Daulton Varsho was on second base and was waved home by the Jays third-base coach. It's a ballsy move when Judge is healthy because he can gun down almost anyone out there. Few outfielders have a better arm but Judge isn't healthy as we could see. Instead of throwing home, he lobbed a throw to cutoff man Jazz Chisholm Jr who was in close proximity to Judge instead of throwing home which allowed the Blue Jays to score an additional run.

 The Jays weren't sure which version of Judge they were going to see out there and wanted to test it. "There was a little bit of unknown with how he was going to respond," Blue Jays manager John Schneider said HERE. "He's got a great arm. At that point, it's Varsho at second, so you don't really know because he can run. But we wanted to test it." Clearly it worked well for them.

Sunday we saw similar plays. In the second inning, another fly ball was hit to Judge. This time, Judge threw to Anthony Volpe instead of throwing home. Later in the inning, another fly ball was hit and Judge lobbed it to Chisholm again. Judge claims his thought process was to just get the ball in as quick as possible by using the cutoff man, which leads a lot of us to ask if he is physically capable of making the throw.

It's a fair question to ask. If he can make the throw, why isn't he? And if he can't make the throw then why is he out there? It's the Yankees trying to get creative to get Judge back in the outfield. We all want to see Judge back in the outfield, but considering Aaron Boone said "I don't think we’re going to see him back to throwing like he normally does at any point this year," just three weeks ago, check it our HERE if you missed it. Then he tried to walk it back the same day and said "Maybe that's a little (overstated)." It's concerning and infuriating.

So after two nights in the outfield, Boone's comments seem to be correct. Judge is clearly not at full strength, and the Yankees are trying to get cute and creative at this point. The Blue Jays exposed it first, and now it could really bite the Yankees in the ass....especially if playing Judge in the outfield makes this injury worse. 

The Yankees hope he can get back to as close to 100% as possible over the coming weeks. In the mean time though, Boone is gonna give soundbites like "We're handling it how we handle it, OK?" and hope and pray for a miracle....because that's what the Yankees do.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

YANKS WIN, BUT GIVE OUTS TO ASTROS BECAUSE OF VOLPE

Why Aaron Boone continually puts Anthony Volpe in the lineup is anyone's guess. The Boone Boy Toy gets special treatment and Yankee fans are just fed up. Look at a guy like Trent Grisham who legit earned his spot into the Yankees lineup day in and day out and is red hot doing his job every day.  Volpe? He gets to "Try" and "Develop" in September.  For Boone, Volpe is "almost there". It is an absolute tragedy, and the Yankee front office should absolutely be embarrassed.  You cannot hide this guy... not even in a coat closet at this point.

The Yankees won last night and that is terrific. Just 2.5 back of the Blue Jays, there is no question they can hopefully and safely take the AL East division, which is the goal. But putting in guys who cannot hit do not help matters. If you're going to win, win with your best guys on the field. I mean its September 3rd, at what point is Boone going to start to actually manage his team? Projection analytics don't work with Volpe. He's a dead fish at this point. Take him behind the barn and shoot him.

 

Max Fried showed everyone what an actual ace looks like, carving through Houston’s lineup for seven innings like it was spring training tune-up work. On the offensive side, Trent Grisham’s grand slam had the kind of “don’t-bother-shifting-in-your-seats” impact, while Jazz Chisholm Jr. dropped not one but two bombs, just in case the Astros needed extra reminding of who owned Daikin Park. Final score: Yankees 7, Astros 1.

Now, let’s be clear: this wasn’t just a nice September win, it was the start of a season-defining gauntlet — twelve games against four contenders (Astros, Blue Jays, Tigers, Red Sox). The Yankees (77-61) are still hanging 2 ½ back of the Jays in the division and technically sharing the top wild card slot with Boston. But let’s be honest — nobody in pinstripes should be aiming for a consolation prize. The Yankees aren’t supposed to “sneak in.” They’re supposed to walk through the front door, flip over the dinner table, and announce they’re here to run October.

But while the night was mostly champagne-worthy, there’s one image that refuses to leave my head: Anthony Volpe, frozen on a pitch right in the zone. Stares at it.

Funniest part of this isn’t Framber Valdez intentionally crossing up his catcher

It’s Anthony Volpe taking a 93-mile-per-hour fastball right down the middle pic.twitter.com/h1bUtc7hNM

— Baseball Quotes (@BaseballQuotes1) September 3, 2025

Right down the pipe, middle-middle, and Volpe looked about as ready as someone who forgot their bat in the dugout. It was the kind of at-bat that makes you stop celebrating Grisham’s grand slam just long enough to wonder how this kid is still out there in the lineup.

So yes, a win is a win, and the Yankees flexed muscle on both sides of the ball. But if the goal is the division — and it better be — they can’t afford too many “Volpe moments” dragging down the October run. We are giving outs away. In close games? we lose because of that.

Don't worry "Love struck" Boone will still call Volpe “special” after watching that whiff last night.

Pathetic. Go Yanks.

THE YANKEES ARE CARRYING BOONE ON THEIR BACK...

Cause it's clear that he can't help them.

The Yankees did it again. Yes, you read that right. They won another game. I know, I had to double-check too (I'm kidding!) Suddenly, they look like an actual baseball team and not some weird lab experiment gone wrong from the analytics department. Seven wins in a row. That’s not just a streak, that’s a pulse.

Sure, they beat the White Sox—but hey, let’s not nitpick. A win is a win, and when the opponent is basically a minor league club in major league uniforms, you take it, smile, and pretend it was hard.

Aaron Judge launched his 42nd home run because that’s what he does—carry this team like he’s moving furniture by himself. Cody Bellinger chipped in with a bloop single in the 11th that gave the Yankees the lead, and suddenly people are whispering that Bellinger is actually better than Juan Soto. And honestly? They might not be wrong.

I mean, if you’re one of those spreadsheet-loving nerds who talks in acronyms like fWAR (seriously, it sounds like a bad video game), Bellinger is outpacing Soto this season. He’s hitting, running, fielding—and unlike Soto, he doesn’t look like he’s allergic to defense. At this point, Soto is just a guy who swings really hard, while Bellinger is giving you the whole package. Hot take? Maybe. Correct take? Absolutely.

Meanwhile, Austin Wells homered (still batting .210), Jazz Chisholm Jr. doubled in another run, and even Anthony Volpe managed to look competent for a moment, driving in one more. Miracles everywhere. The Yankees are now just two games back of Toronto.

So, here’s the deal: keep winning, take the division, and ride that momentum. Because let’s be honest—the Wild Card is for teams that like participation trophies. The Yankees should be aiming higher... meanwhile all Boone talked about weeks ago was hoping to "squeak into the wildcard"... the dude was already giving up. But not us fans. 

But to win the World Series? That requires Aaron Boone to somehow not mess it all up. And if history tells us anything, Boone has the magic touch of turning a contender into a postseason pumpkin. Seven wins in a row or not, the only question is: can the players keep saving this team in spite of him?

THE YANKEES ARE COMING!

The Yankees, believe it or not, are alive. Six wins in a row, suddenly breathing down the Blue Jays’ necks, only three games out in the division. This is what baseball is supposed to feel like — clawing, chasing, surging. Forget that Wild Card nonsense. That’s just Major League Baseball’s way of selling participation trophies. The division title is what matters. That’s the ticket to October with actual momentum.

Now, before anyone starts handing out halos, let’s be clear: Aaron Boone didn’t magically flip a switch. The guy still pencils in his golden child Anthony Volpe like he’s Derek Jeter’s long-lost cousin. Yes, Volpe hit a home run last night. Yay, balloons. He’s also hitting .209, so let’s not suddenly start sculpting a statue outside Yankee Stadium. The kid still sucks. I would have rather have seen Jose Caballero playing short.

This win streak isn’t about Boone’s managerial genius (spoiler: he doesn’t have any) or Volpe’s rare connection with a baseball. It’s about the team finally waking up. Carlos Rodón was locked in again, and the Yankees have now won each of his last five starts since August 6. It feels like Rodón might have remembered why the Yankees pay him all that money.

Then there’s Trent Grisham, who decided to uncork a grand slam — his second of the year — because why not? The craziest part? Boone barely used him last season, as if burying decent talent on the bench was a hobby. Now Grisham is producing like a real difference-maker, and you just know he’s going to cash in during free agency somewhere else next year. Good for him.

Jazz Chisholm put it best: “We want the division.” That’s the energy. That’s the kind of swagger this team has been missing.

The Yankees are now 11-3 in their last 14, with the only losses coming against the Red Sox (because of course). Critics will point out that this run has come against the bottom-feeders of the league — but newsflash, those bottom-feeders are on everyone’s schedule. Beating them is literally part of the job description.

The real test starts Tuesday when Houston comes to town. That’s when we’ll find out if this is a temporary sugar rush or the beginning of something real.

DO THE YANKEES ACTUALLY HAVE A SHOT AT WINNING THE AL EAST?

The Yankees are four games back, folks — but don’t panic just yet. Somehow, despite Anthony Volpe playing like he’s auditioning for “Worst Player in Baseball,” the Bronx Bombers are actually making this thing interesting. Winners of five straight, they’re suddenly playing good baseball, and Jazz Chisholm is out here speaking it into existence: Yankees. AL East champs. Book it.

And honestly? I kind of believe him.

“We want to win the division,” Chisholm said, per Yankees beat writer Bryan Hoch. “We don’t just want to get to a Wild Card spot. … Right now, it’s just like, we’re going to go out there and win that, and then we’re going to go and win the World Series.”

That’s not quiet confidence — that’s Jazz confidence. The man just smacked his seventh homer of August in Thursday’s 10-4 win over the White Sox, tying his season high for any month. The Yankees are finally swinging the bats, pitching like their lives depend on it, and somehow making fans think, “Yeah… maybe this team isn’t dead yet.”

But here’s the catch: if New York wants to win the East, they can’t keep dragging around dead weight. And yes, Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells — I’m looking directly at you. Harsh? Sure. But if these two keep flailing at the plate and booting balls in the field, they’re going to turn this playoff push into a slow-motion car crash.

Chisholm gets it. He’s not talking about backing into October baseball through some sad, participation-trophy Wild Card slot. He wants the crown. He wants the flag. He wants the damn parade.

“We’re never satisfied with second place,” he said. “We just lost the World Series last year. That’s second place, and we still weren’t satisfied. I don’t think we’re going to be satisfied coming in second or third in the division. That would be even more upsetting than losing the World Series. Right now, we’re going to go out there and win (the division) and then we’re going to go win the World Series.”

This is exactly the swagger the Yankees have been missing. None of this “just get in and see what happens” nonsense. Wild Cards are for teams that ran out of gas — not the Yankees. You win the division. You plant the flag.

Now all that’s left is for Volpe and Wells to… you know… remember how to play baseball.

Because if Jazz is right — and somehow, I think he is — October in the Bronx is going to feel like old times.