JORBIT VIVAS CALLED UP

The Yankees have brought up infielder Jorbit Vivas, giving him another chance to make his long-awaited major league debut. He steps in for outfielder Trent Grisham, who was placed on the paternity list. Vivas has been off to a strong start at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, batting .343 through his first 20 games.

This isn’t Vivas’ first time with the big-league club. He was previously called up in July of last year when J.D. Davis went on the injured list, but he didn’t get into a game before being sent back down just three days later. That means he's still looking to appear in his first MLB game—something he’ll be hoping to achieve this time around. I'm excited for him.

The 24-year-old spent the offseason playing in the Venezuelan Winter League and joined the Yankees in December 2023 as part of a trade with the Dodgers. In that deal, the Yankees acquired Vivas and left-hander Victor Gonzalez in exchange for former first-round pick Trey Sweeney.

Big moment!

TORRE MAY BE DEFENDING BOONE, BUT IT DOESN'T CHANGE THE FACT THAT BOONE'S NO LEADER

Joe Torre is the latest guy to back up Boone (or I guess any manager who has struggled.)  I mean look, the big thing happening for the past four years when it comes to Aaron Boone is that he just doesn't know how to get over the hump.  

When players are clicking, pitching well, hitting well, that's always a great thing for a manager, because, well, things are just working.  But a manager's job is the hardest when they have to manage through tough stretches.  Boone don't know how to manage through tough times.  And that's where I have my biggest beef with Boone.  

He's not good at the ultimate challenge of righting the ship.  He doesn't know how to navigate through tough times and that is evident when you see him losing his mind in front of the press with profanity.  He's been exposed at that point, and he knows it.  And so, banging on the desk and suggesting that "It's right in front of us" may be a true statement, but you're never gonna achieve it if you don't know how to manage your players.

Fans will say "this is Cashman's fault, fire him."  I am not a big Cashman guy these days either, but he got the players that he could because he thought he could get us moving this year.  In essence, he really only got Soto and Verdugo.  It just so happened that the Yankees went on a tear in the beginning of the season... call that luck.  

But in the end, the players leveled out, as we predicted here at Bleeding Yankee Blue, and now, with the team in turmoil, you need a manager to lead.  A manager to take the reins, to dictate what needs to be done... not just saying "It's right in front of us" every night. 

Enter Joe Torre who makes a great statement, but an obvious one. And to be honest, he really didn't move the story forward in my eyes as much as I love the guy. Audacy has this:

"You don’t know what happens behind closed doors," Torre explained, as shared by Ryan Chichester of Audacy. "You may be sitting there in your seat saying, 'You have to do something about this guy,' but you don’t know if he has done something. 'Boonie' doesn’t miss anything. He understands what’s necessary to go out on the field and not necessarily win, but get the effort on a regular basis."

Torre suggested it's important for a manager to know how to interact with different players at different times.

"They’re not all the same, so you can't really treat them all the same," Torre continued. "You have to treat them all fairly."

"You have to gain perspective here by saying that it’s 162 games," Torre added. "Yeah, you hate to lose to the crosstown rivals. There’s a certain embarrassment to that…you’re the Yankees."

So break this down. 

First off, Joe and Bob Boone are buddies. You don't think Joe's doing a favor there for the old man's kid? Of course he is, but there's more to it... Boone misses a lot. Torre is wrong about that.  Boone makes terrible personnel changes, pitching changes, horrible lineups batting JD Davis fourth.  He doesn't go by feel, he goes by analytics and that idiot Michael Fishman in the analytics Yankee office needs to be bound and gagged and thrown in the women's room because he's wrong all the time.  That's one.

Then what’s the point of having a fucking manager. Seriously. What are you talking about.

— Robert Casey (@BleednYankeeBlu) July 25, 2024

2.  Manage a game by feel.  Watch the way Bruce Bochy works... analytics is important, but so are matchups in the moment.  The best hitter in the game could come up to the plate, but you don't know how he's truly feeling. Same with the pitcher pitching to him. And is it cold, warm, rainy? Whatever analytics were compiled in a matchup, think about it, BUT THINK ABOUT THE MOMENT YOUR'E IN.  Sometimes you need to make adjustments based on a gut check.  Boone doesn't leave the book of analytics... Boone follows it like a bible and at this point it has really hurt him.  

3.  Manage the team, don't be managed.  Aaron Boone is a puppet. He is told what to do, how to build the lineup, who to play.  This has been going on since he got there and the reason why we know this is because when Joe Girardi started to do it his way, he was asked not to come back.  We all knew when Boone was being interviewed for the Yankee managerial job, he wasn't qualified, and I think that's what bothers a fan like me most. No experience... just a puppet mentality.

Now Torre is right to say that we don't know what he does behind closed doors with his players. Sure, makes sense, but what we also know is that he coddles, and he coddles more than most managers. He's a player's coach, not a manager that commands respect.  

There is a difference;  Bochy is "buddy-buddy" with his guys, but his guys respect him to guide him through the tough times.  I personally feel like Aaron Judge saying Boone "backed up his guys" last year was a pretty surface thing, meaning, it wasn't that deep because Boone isn't that deep.  Sure, Judge is right to back his manager, but Boone "backing them up" and commanding respect from his guys are two very different things.  Boone doesn't command respect. Boone just likes to have the title of manager of the New York Yankees. It doesn't mean he actually knows how to do it.  

In the end, I love Joe Torre, but let's face it, it doesn't change my mind and it shouldn't change yours either. Boone is no leader. 

He never was, he never will be.  We won't win a championship this year.  And it's all because of him.  

Boone ain't no Patton.  He's more like Paddington Bear and that's exactly how the Yankee front office likes it.

Just keeping it real.  Now go buy my new design below!

I SAW THE LINEUP FOR YANKEES VS. METS GAME & I GAVE UP

Can someone share how the heck these lineups come to be? I was discouraged once I got the lineup alert to my phone. Jahmai Jones leading off, JD Davis batting cleanup what in the actual...? Yeah, I saw the lineup for the Yankees-Mets Series and I gave up.

"In the last month, the Yankees have too often been a top-heavy mess. Anthony Volpe and Alex Verdugo particularly cratered and the first and fourth spots in the order now feel like a reality show with anybody capable of landing in those slots. In the Subway Series opener Tuesday night, it was Jahmai Jones and J.D. Davis, who you might have forgotten were even on the roster," reported The New York Post. I certainly forgot about them. 

Source: Corey Sipkin for the NY POST

But everyone knows who is leading this team: Juan Soto and Aaron Judge. Even former Yankee Luis Severino jabbed at his former team by calling the Yankees "a two man team." According to the Post, "The Yankees pretty much must find a righty complement for Verdugo (.196 batting average .556 OPS versus lefties) whether it is Jasson Dominguez or comes from the outside. This is just another area Gleyber Torres (.208 vs. lefties) and DJ LeMahieu (.118) were hurting the Yankees." 

The Yankees will need to be at the table for the trade deadline which is quickly approaching. The Series against Tampa was the best of times, worst of times kind of series. Sure they split but it was so lopsided. And it revealed so many glaring holes in the Yankees lineup. So as much as I hated the starting lineup in Tuesday's bout against the Mets, I see the desperation, which is equally concerning.

"We dominated most of the first half, so I don't think this is only about one or two players," Soto said. "It takes every single guy in the lineup and our relievers in the bullpen and everything, so I think it's not only a two-player team. I think it's a really good team right now," reported ESPN. 

It is a weird part of the season we are experiencing right now. A time of uncertainty and a time for revisions. The Yankees are in the midst of both. If they can find a way to win in New York before they leave for Boston and then to a series against the best in baseball Phillies, they may have the fuel they need to withstand some tough games ahead. But hitters better hit, because the lineup on Tuesday looks like surrender to me. 

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

YANKEES ADD INFIELD STABILITY

The Yanks have been busy all year, with wins and ways to improve. I like it, I like it a lot. It's much better than last season.  Too bad Boone's still manager.  Anyway... here's some news. The Yankees have acquired JD Davis.

The Sporting News writes:

"The New York Yankees acquired infielder J.D. Davis and cash considerations in a trade with the Oakland Athletics, the team announced Sunday.

In exchange for Davis, the Yankees sent infielder Jordan Groshans, a 24-year-old with a .590 OPS in 50 games at the Double-A and Triple-A levels with the Yankees this season...

Davis was designated for assignment by the Athletics on June 17, but the Yankees clearly wanted to make a move to acquire the veteran.

A corner infielder, Davis appeared in 39 games with the Athletics this season. He has a .236 average with four home runs, five RBI, nine walks..."

Now this is hardly a major move, but this will at least provide some stability with the idea of Rizzo out and Ben Rice at first and DJ LeMahieu is hardly lighting it up, Cabrera around when needed and Jon Berti on the 60 day IL. Love the Yankee Depth Chart... it's awesome. So, what expect to see here is hopefully a new team and new energy from Davis and now the Yankees have more options. 

Nothing major but could prove to be a nice piece.  We shall see.

SPRING TRAINING: CACTUS LEAGUE UNPLUGGED

Source: X

Well the Yankees are about where I expected as spring training moves into its midway point. With injuries already rearing their ugly head and a lot of growth needed, I am confident the Yankees will be competitive this year. And although I am used to following the Grapefruit League, this year, I had the opportunity to support teams out west in the Cactus League. So, if you bear with me, I will give you my take in Spring Training: Cactus League Unplugged.

Game 1: San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, home of the both the Rockies and the Arizona Diamondbacks. Absolutely beautiful ballpark with great energy on a Monday afternoon. An absolute picturesque day for baseball. 

The game had depth, with a ton of back and forth, trading spaces for the lead. What was particularly fun was that the Giants seemed more like the New York Mets with Michael Conforto, and J.D. Davis headlining. Also present was the Panda himself Pablo Sandoval. 

It was a treat to see Kris Bryant at first base. He hit a bomb to give his team the lead for a time. The Rockies did eventually push through with a 12-10 win. And yes, you could not only get a sausage sandwich and a bag of peanuts but a fruit stick- literally just that, fruit on a stick.

Game 2: Los Angeles Angels vs. Chicago Cubs at Sloan Park in Mesa, AZ- aka little Wrigley Field. What a different experience. The field was outstanding giving it a Chicago feel in the middle of the desert. Chicago Dogs and Vienna Beef were plentiful. 

And on deck for all to enjoy was former Yankee Mike Tauchman who launched one out to the fences and gave the Cubs the lead in a tightly matched game. Alson the roster was Cody Bellinger, Dansby Swanson and former Met Dom Smith. For the Angels, yes, I believe he knew I was coming and performed exactly as I would expect- Aaron Hicks. What did he do you ask- struck out looking. Yep, I heckled. No, I am not ashamed. 

I enjoyed a Chicago Dog, a tour of little Wrigley, including roof top seating and some interesting beers. The staff could not have been more accommodating, thanking me for coming out. 

I drove past a few other parks including Diablo Stadium in Tempe, home of the Angels, which has some charm according to the locals. On the outskirts of Arizona State University, the park totes images of Mike Trout around campus, hoping to drive in some college students to its old school abode.  

Spring Training Cactus League style was a unforgettable experience. And although I wish I was in Florida visiting the Yankees, it was interesting to see how the other half or so lives out west. As we move into the midpoint of spring training, I am getting excited for what's ahead. Will the Yankees jump out ahead? Will they gel? Will they stay healthy? Answers for another time but the anticipation is amazing- I hope this feeling lasts. 

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

FORGET THE SUPER BOWL, NEW YORK IS READY FOR SPRING TRAINING

Source: The Sports Daily

With Super Bowl Sunday one week away that only means one thing… baseball is almost back! For me the best parts of the Super Bowl are snacks and commercials anyway, so why not look beyond that to the dawn of a new season? Yankees pitchers and catchers report on February 13th while the Mets open for business the day before on February 12th. I, like you I’m sure, could not be more excited.  Baseball will soon be back as the 2019 Spring Training kicks off in a playful, relaxed way - giving guys time get loose and get ready for a long season ahead.

I actually attended a few spring training games during the 2016 season, and it was a great experience. Not only did I get to see some of the new acquisitions play, as well as some of Mets prospects, it was great to see veteran players in a more laid back setting.

Source: MLB.com

Like George Steinbrenner Stadium, home of the New York Yankees in Tampa, Port Saint Lucie in Mets land is an intimate field, where you can see absolutely everything going on no matter where you sit. You’re physically closer to the game and this does mean you need to keep an eye out for baseballs making their way into the stands more frequently and being more a part of the action than at a usual in-season game. And because of the relaxed atmosphere, players are more likely to talk to you and even sign autographs. 

Source: NY Post

As a Mets fan, my favorite part of Spring Training, besides the rum buckets, (clearly another benefit) was getting to see Mets ace Jacob Degrom’s wife and their then newborn son just hanging around the team store. Needless to say, I did not know what to do with myself since Degrom is my favorite player. Being close to the sights and sounds of the game is a great reason in itself to hop a plane to Florida or Arizona.

Another nice element of pre-season baseball is the World Baseball Classic, and in 2016,  I was able to go to Marlins Park to watch USA play the Dominican Republic. Marlins Park is definitely one of the more impressive baseball stadiums. This is of course, despite the huge Christian Yelich poster on the elevator doors. With Yelich with the Brewers now, I guess that site is no longer with us. RIP! 

Source: NJ.com

The Mets have certainly had a busy offseason adding a number of new players to rival the Yankees’ signings. Signing Jed Lowrie (2B), JD Davis (3B), Edwin Diaz (RP), Robinson Cano (2B), Justin Wilson (P), Wilson Ramos (C ), as well as a number of minor league players, it will be interesting to see how the new additions mesh with their returning Met teammates.

Source: NJ.com

According to an article by northjersey.com, General Manager Brodie Van Wagenen said the team is not planning on making any other big moves during this offseason. The main goals have been accomplished, including creating more depth to the lineup as well as improving catching and relief pitching. 

"We feel really good about what we accomplished. We feel really good about the team we have at this point in the offseason," Van Wagenen said. "Hopefully feel like we’re at a little bit of a competitive advantage to teams that still are trying to build their teams at this point. We’re very happy with the offseason so far."

Source: Houston Chronicle

One interesting acquisition is JD Davis, a third-baseman who the Mets may try out as a pitcher. Although he is seen as a good hitter, Van Wagenen may be interested in trying Davis out at a two-way player. 

"J.D. Davis gives us another really versatile offensive-minded player," Van Wagenen said. "With what he's accomplished the last couple of years in Triple-A and the Minor Leagues, he's proven that he can be an added value to us on the big league roster."

Source: The Runner Sports

Whether we see Davis in the infield, outfield, or a pitcher, I know he’ll make a great and diverse player for the Mets. The Yankees are pretty much done with their acquisitions as well with no Manny Machado signing anywhere, yet. The Yankees will draw their excitement from their new pitchers, Adam Ottavino and James Paxton, and essential infield piece Troy Tulowitzki. Of course crowd favorites Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will also engage fans once again as the Yankees, like the Mets compete for a post-season pass by the end of September.

That’s a long way off for now...but each sunset does brings us one day closer to the start of the 2019 season, so, we're in the home stretch. Let the final countdown to Spring Training begin!

--Missy O'Rourke
BYB Contributor
Twitter: @missy_orourke