IT'S TIME TO BRING UP KOLE CALHOUN

We keep doing this thing where we see Aaron Hicks in the lineup and we all cringe.  Aaron Boone is acting like Hicks belongs there, like he earned it, but we all know he's playing him because the Yankees are paying him a boat load of money he doesn't deserve. And so, they are trying to justify it, but not go public and just say it. That's because deep down they know that dude shouldn't be anywhere near a baseball field.  

You know who's making things happen and is the perfect replacement for Hicks right now? Kole Calhoun.  I'm a few days late to this, but have you seen Kole's numbers down at Scranton-Wilkes Barre? .444 average with 3 homers.That's 12-27.  I know it's the minors, but the guy is hungry! We need to feed this guy! Bring him up! 

In comparison, Hicks is batting .153. Hardly a threat.

Fansided writes:

"With experience all over the outfield — he played 29 games in Hicks’ left field spot for the Rangers last season — Calhoun is the perfect option to replace Aaron Hicks whenever he’s up to major-league speed. The Yankees clearly don’t want to spend more to fix an already-expensive issue of their own creation, but Calhoun doesn’t require that. A simple call-up and he’s there as the replacement fans have been looking for.

That doesn’t mean that Kole Calhoun will revolutionize the New York Yankees but, given the net-negative that Hicks has been, it’s well worth a look."

And that's the key here, he IS well worth a look.

I love to reward solid players.  Kole needs a shot! Hicks needs to go away.

YANKS JUST SNAGGED ANOTHER OUTFIELDER WITH STANTON ON THE MEND

Quick note as the Yankees continue to play decent so far this season, even though many of their top guys are on the shelf.   Look, I said it once and I'll say it again. It's only April so having guys hurt now it fine by me. We wanna be full staff soon though... I hate when our guys are hurt.

OK, the new edition with Stanton hurt and unable to play outfield? MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"The Yankees announced Thursday that they’ve signed free-agent outfielder Kole Calhoun to a minor league contract...Calhoun, 35, hit .250/.314/.281 in 35 trips to the plate with Seattle this spring and is looking to rebound from a tough pair of seasons in 2021-22. Over that two-year span, the longtime Angels right fielder slashed just .208/.269/.343 in 606 trips to the plate between the Diamondbacks and the Rangers."

Hey, is the move a smart one? Hey, it's filler. Calhoun is no spring chicken, plus they have Willie Calhoun too. The point is we gotta see what we get from him. At least it gives the Yankees options which is really what we need right now.

Welcome to the Bronx Kole. Let's get some.

JUDGE'S LASER SHOW

If you didn't see it... watch it now:

.@TheJudge44 with a LASER.

This throw was over 100 mph! pic.twitter.com/DXxweIYT47

— MLB (@MLB) May 26, 2018

Last night Judge was on fire defensively, actually 2 solid plays last night.  Mandy Bell of MLB.com has the story:

"Aaron Judge proved once again why runners may want to think twice about challenging his arm. Judge had not just one, but two assists from right field that played a crucial role in the Yankees' 2-1 victory over the Angels on Friday night.  With runners on first and second in the third inning with a 1-0 lead, it appeared that Justin Upton was going to tie the game with a single to right. But in one fluid motion, Judge scooped the ball off the ground on his glove side and fired a perfect strike to the plate to throw out Kole Calhoun who was attempting to score from second.... 

Photo: Getty Images

Not only did Judge save a run, but his laser from right field clocked in at 100.5 mph, according to Statcast™, which made the out even sweeter for the outfielder.... 

But Judge was only getting started. In the seventh inning of what was a 1-1 game, Martin Maldonado sent a long, looping fly ball down the right-field line that dropped right on the chalk. As Maldonado tried to extend his single into a double, Judge threw out his second runner of the night with a nonchalant flick of the wrist from the right-field corner to Didi Gregorius."

This is the stuff folks.  This is the stuff we need to appreciate with this team.  So happy we have Aaron Judge in pinstripes.

I'D RATHER HAVE CLIFFORD THE BIG RED DOG THAN CLIPPARD.....

So maybe that is a bit dramatic, but a this point I have had enough.

It's been awhile since I have reached my boiling point with the bullpen specifically. In fact, the last time I got this fired up over a reliever was back in the days of Chris Capuano. It got so bad that eventually called him Chris CRAPUANO. Thank goodness he is gone...but now I have someone new that has replaced him.

(June 19, 2017 - Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America)

I don't understand how all of the wheels of this kick ass Yankees team have managed to all fall off at the same time. The Yankees looked lifeless on Tuesday night. The excitement over home runs by Gary Sanchez and Aaron Judge (24th!!!) were completely deflated after Tyler Clippard's latest blunder.

I get that every once in a while guy are going to give up some runs or blow a lead. It happens, it's baseball and these guys are human. What I don't get is why Joe Girardi has so much faith in this guy. I watched him long before he was ever a Yankee and I wasn't a fan then either. Clippard is just a hot mess.

Source: Getty Images

This was the third time Clippard allowed the game-tying or go-ahead home run to the first batter he's pitched to in his last seven outings. Ummmm.....hi.....that's REALLY bad. If Girardi's binder doesn't tell him next time "HEY DON'T PUT CLIPPARD IN THIS ISN'T A GOOD MATCHUP FOR HIM" next time then we are screwed. If this doesn't make the Yankees completely lose faith in him I don't think anything will.

Clippard left a 78 mph meatball for Cameron Maybin in the 7th inning which turned into a tie game. But of course, the train wreck didn't end there he then gave up a double to Kole Calhoun and an RBI triple to Yunel Escobar in the same inning. When it was all said and done he was pulled (too late) to a loud exit of "boo" birds. Clippard wasn't the only reliever to implode and I won't say he is the ONLY one to blame but right now he is the only one I want to scream at.

Source: Getty Images

Oh, and the other thing I don't get? Girardi's refusal to use his best reliever for more than one inning! Dellin Betances is going to pitch one inning and one inning only. Forget the high pressure or game changing scenarios. Girardi won't use the best reliever with the best chance to preserve a lead before getting to Aroldis Chapman. NO! Let's just use meatball throwing Clippard!

(Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)

This seven-game losing streak is their first in ten years and now the longest losing streak in the American League this season. Not a good stat to own. The Yankees really need to re-evaluate a lot of things including the bullpen and upgrading Clippard before it is too late. This is where we need a veteran to stand up, use some command presence and be a leader. It's time to right the ship. We need to start winning again. We need a Jorge Posada team meeting because we ARE better than this.

Oh and Clippard just needs to HIT THE ROAD JACK! And don't come back. At this point, I think Clifford the Big Red Dog is by far more entertaining and useful than Clippard is. That is another sad stat. At least he doesn't blow baseball games.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ