METS DISFUNCTION, MINTER, ALONSO & MAD MAX CHAOS

When we last checked in on A.J. Minter and his newly discovered hatred for the Yankees, it was equal parts baffling and laughable. Here’s a guy who’s never been involved in the so-called “rivalry” between the Yankees and Mets, yet he’s posturing as if he’s a historian of New York baseball. Minter, let me save you some embarrassment—zip it. You clearly don’t know what you’re talking about. If you’re trying to stir the pot, at least do some homework first. Jeana Bellezza nailed it in her piece ARE THE YANKEES AND METS REALLY RIVALS? Go read it, Minter—you might learn something. Shut your pie hole.

But now, thanks to his misplaced commentary, Minter has officially secured a spot on the list of people Yankees fans can roll their eyes at. He didn’t have to try hard; he just had to be himself. Over at Yanks Go Yard, they dissected this whole debacle perfectly. Ever since Steve Cohen took over as the Mets’ owner, there’s been a growing chorus of Mets fans declaring their team the kings of New York. Minter seemed to hop on this train by insinuating that “real fans” support the Mets, while Yankees fans are just bandwagoners who “don’t know baseball.” It’s a laughable narrative, but apparently, some people have bought into it. Spoiler alert: this argument has all the depth of a kiddie pool.

Here’s the reality: the Mets have been underdogs for most of their existence. There’s nothing wrong with that—it’s actually part of their charm. But ever since Cohen started throwing around Monopoly money like he’s playing on easy mode, things have gotten… complicated. David Stearns is now stuck trying to make sense of Cohen’s spending spree, which included an eye-popping sum for Juan Soto, but apparently no budget left to re-sign cornerstone players like Pete Alonso. Instead, they’ve resorted to scraping the bargain bin, picking up guys like Minter and Winker. It’s giving off major “we blew all our money on the main course and forgot about dessert” energy.

And yet, Cohen and his fans seem to think they’ve dethroned the Yankees as New York’s team. History, however, tells a different story. The Yankees are the most decorated franchise in baseball history. The Mets, meanwhile, have made headlines for things like Bobby Bonilla Day and collapses so epic they could headline a Broadway show. Sure, Cohen has tried to reshape the narrative, but no amount of PR spin can erase decades of reality. The Yankees have rings. The Mets have regrets.

But let’s talk about Cohen’s grand plan—or lack thereof. Sure, he shelled out a fortune for Soto, but at what cost? Alonso, arguably the heart and soul of the Mets, is still waiting for a contract that makes sense. Meanwhile, the roster looks like a mismatched puzzle. Even Mets fans are starting to question what they signed up for.

Chants of "We Want Pete" at an Amazin' Day event featuring David Stearns, Steve Cohen and Carlos Mendoza

➡️ Tri-State @Cadillac pic.twitter.com/J1ScpvmjW6

— SNY (@SNYtv) January 25, 2025

 They wanted a ruthless owner who’d do whatever it takes to win, but now they’re realizing that kind of ruthlessness comes with strings attached. The team has lost its identity, and the front office looks more like a soap opera than a well-oiled machine.

Hearing Mets have some level of interest in reuniting with Max Scherzer on a one-year deal https://t.co/SV4afFFaB4

— Pat Ragazzo (@ragazzoreport) January 24, 2025

And now, because the Mets can’t seem to help themselves, they’re reportedly sniffing around Max Scherzer. Again. According to Pat Ragazzo on SI, the Mets were one of several teams to watch Scherzer throw a bullpen session and are considering signing him to a one-year deal. The question is: are they doing this because they genuinely think it’s a good move, or are they just trying to keep pace with the Yankees? Honestly, it feels like a little of both. The last time the Mets brought in Scherzer, it ended in disaster. But hey, why not rinse and repeat?

Here’s the bottom line: since Cohen took the reins, the Mets have managed to spend more money than anyone thought possible, yet somehow still feel strapped for cash and short on answers. Sure, they’re inching closer to the World Series, but at what cost? They’ve lost their sense of direction, and their roster-building strategy looks like it was pulled from a hat. And all of this seems to stem from one thing: Cohen’s obsession with beating the Yankees. He overpaid for Soto just to ensure he didn’t lose out to the Yankees, and now he’s saddled the team with financial constraints that make the Wilpons look responsible by comparison.

In the end, though, the results speak for themselves. The Yankees remain the standard of excellence, while the Mets are still trying to figure out who they are. As Derek Jeter once famously said, they’re “just the Mets.” And no amount of money—or bad takes from A.J. Minter—is going to change that.

YANKEES APPEAR "ON HOLD" UNTIL STROMAN IS GONZO

The Bronx Bombers appear to be spinning their wheels—and it’s all thanks to Marcus Stroman’s contract. According to Joel Sherman of the New York Post, the team can’t make big moves until they free themselves from Stroman’s hefty paycheck. Problem is, unloading his deal has been tricky.

Why the struggle? Well, there’s still a decent lineup of free-agent pitchers who are way more tempting than Stroman. Imagine this: instead of paying Stroman $18 million in 2025, teams could snag guys like Max Scherzer or Jack Flaherty on short-term contracts. You can see why Stroman’s deal isn’t exactly flying off the shelves.

Speaking of Flaherty, the Yankees have danced this tango before. Remember back in November (read here) when we all thought Flaherty might be donning pinstripes? Turns out, the Yankees were this close to trading for him at the deadline, only to back out after taking a peek at his medical reports. But guess what? Flaherty proved them wrong, pitching solidly down the stretch and into October. Yankees, if you’re still overthinking his health, it’s time to breathe deep and roll the dice—pitchers aren’t made of vibranium, after all. Sign the guy and watch the magic happen.

As for Scherzer, the idea of him signing a short-term deal with the Yankees is spicy. But let’s be real: Max doesn’t exactly scream "pinstripe passion." Still, it’s a good sign the Yankees are sniffing around that kind of talent. But again, everything comes back to Stroman.

Here’s the tea: Stroman’s 2023 season was... meh. He went 10-9 with a lackluster 4.31 ERA over 29 starts. By playoff time, he wasn’t even on the Yankees’ ALDS roster. And to make matters worse, if he pitches more than 140 innings in 2025, his contract triggers an $18 million player option for 2026. Talk about a landmine. No team is jumping at the chance to take that risk, and the Yankees need to think long and hard about how to package him in a trade.

In the end, the Stroman experiment was like trying a new recipe that looked amazing in the cookbook but tasted like cardboard. The Yankees took a chance, but it just didn’t work out. Time to cut the losses, clear the books, and aim for pitchers who can actually bring the heat. Let’s hope Cashman has a trick or two up his sleeve because the Yankees can’t afford to be stuck in neutral much longer.

YANKEES CIRCLING SCHERZER?

Max Scherzer is back in the spotlight, and the New York Yankees aren’t missing a beat. According to Pat Ragazzo of Sports Illustrated, the Yankees were among several teams attending Scherzer’s bullpen session earlier this week at Cressey Sports Performance’s pro day. Scouts walked away impressed with the three-time Cy Young winner’s showing. The event also featured former Yankee Lou Trivino, who was another pitcher the Yankees kept an eye on.

Scherzer, who is reportedly eyeing a one-year deal, remains a fascinating option despite questions about his health and durability. Since 2019, he’s only reached the 30-start milestone once, raising concerns about his long-term reliability. But when it comes to starting pitching, demand never wanes, and Scherzer’s résumé speaks for itself.

Even in a limited 2023 season with Texas, the veteran ace showed flashes of brilliance. Over 17 starts, he posted a 3.57 ERA with 93 strikeouts, averaging 88 mph on his fastball and maintaining a solid 22.6% strikeout rate. While his velocity may not be what it once was, Scherzer still has the tools—and the competitive fire—to be a game-changer for a pitching staff in need.

The Yankees, always in search of ways to bolster their rotation, seem to be keeping their options open. Could Scherzer be the next big name to don the pinstripes? Only time will tell.

Stay tuned.

THOSE BLAKE SNELL TRADE RUMORS ARE BACK AGAIN!

It hasn't been easy breezy for Blake Snell since last season. He didn't get the long term blockbuster deal he dreamed of. His first three starts of the season did not look good and then he landed on the Injured List in April. He's working his way back but now he's front and center in the rumor mill again. Would San Francisco consider trading him?

If the Giants don't climb out of the dumpster, maybe. The Giants spent a good chunk of change over the winter and expected to be stronger this season and hopefully, give the Dodgers a run for their money. They added Snell AND Logan Webb to form one of the best rotation duos in baseball. Webb has performed well to this point, Snell on the other hand has an 11.57 ERA and has been on the Injured List recovering from an Adductor strain.

Currently, the Giants are 19-25, 10 games out of first place and sitting in fourth place. I never really expected the Giants to give the Dodgers a run for their money but.... I didn't think they would struggle this bad so early into the season. I guess it's no surprise that the trade rumors are already flying, check it out HERE.

Snell should be back soon, but when he does come back if he pitches well, it may not be enough to help save the season and could force an embarrassing fire sale in San Francisco. So, it's never too early for trade deadline talk, right? Well, here come those Blake Snell trade rumors again, hope you aren't still tired of them from the winter because they are back.

The Yankees are always tied to everyone, but the Yankees made an offer to Snell before, that he didn't accept. The Yankees are also a favorite to compete for the World Series this year, so it could make the Yankees go "all in" to try and get him again. His $38.5 million player option for next season could make it hard for the Giants to find a trade partner, but it's not completely impossible. The Mets just dealt Max Scherzer and his $43.3 player option, but he also agreed to exercise his option to his new team in advance. I highly doubt Snell would do this and I can't say I would really want him to.

The Yankees are off to a great start, and I hope it stays that way. A contending Yankees team means they will be buyers and look for the right piece to make them even stronger late in the season. Another top starter to help Gerrit Cole should be on the wish list. They should continue to look for that piece and be ready to make a move.... I just don't think it will be Snell. 

For now, the rumor lives on....

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

TINO & SWISHER CALL OUT MLB'S BAD UMPIRING & I'M HERE FOR IT!

I've been thinking a lot about Aaron Judge and his recent game ejection. One of the biggest names in baseball who plays the game the right way and with no ego tossed by another bad umpiring call. The umpire controversy is not going away and not getting better. In fact, it's getting worse.

Almost two years ago, I wrote about MLB's experimentation outside of traditional umpiring in RUMOR: ROBOTS ARE COMING TO A MLB STADIUM NEAR YOU. MLB is still experimenting with an electronic strike zone in Triple-A this year where hitters and pitchers can challenge balls and strikes. Even if that isn't the answer, something has to be done about the controversy that has passionate fans everywhere riled up. Even some of our Yankee favorites think change is long overdue, read more HERE.

Anytime Nick Swisher and Tino Martinez have anything to say, I am going to listen intently. I appreciated Tino's passion when he called Judge's ejection "terrible. Aaron Judge never loses his temper, and he didn’t in that situation either. He walked away; he wasn’t in the umpire’s face. He walked away like he should’ve done, and he put him out, which was a little too much by the umpire." As passionate as Tino was Swisher took it a step further and said "He didn't say anything. He said, ‘You were s***, you've been bad all day,’ which was true. I watched the game." 

So MLB is at an impasse, and Rob Manfred needs to do something. When you have veterans like Max Scherzer who have influence with the MLBPA and respected former players vocalizing how they feel, it can't be ignored. It needs to be fixed!

It won't be an easy fix, but I think the "ranking" of these bad umpires with consequences is a good place to start. Fans know there is a human element to this game. Nothing will be perfect, bad calls will be made, but it doesn't have to be so frequent. Those who have good stats and accuracy, get to stay at the big-league level. Those who don't perform, get sent down to the minors. That is how you get more credibility back in this game. It weeds out the undesirables like Angel Hernandez and C.B. Bucknor (amongst others) out of important games.

If it were only that simple though. The umpires have their own union just like players have the MLBPA. Unions are very powerful, and the umpire's union is no exception. Obviously, unions are going to act in what they feel is in the best interest of their workers AND it's not like there is a big supply of MLB umpires. 

No matter what, there needs to be some sort of accountability for the sake of this game. While Manfred sleeps at the wheel, MLB's credibility suffers. I hate turning on a baseball game and seeing the same bad umpires all the time, so I appreciate Tino and Swisher's candor. 

Something's gotta give.... before I write about this again in another two years and it's worse. What's it going to take?

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

WHEN IT COMES TO THE YANKEES, LET'S PUT IT THIS WAY...

Are you mentally checked out? Let me put it to you this way: Have you stopped investing time and money in the 2023 Yankees? I am looking for a series to stream and other hobbies to occupy my time between now and the World Series. I ran over 130 miles in the month of July, can I do 150 in August? Where will you allocate your time now that the Yankees have sent a message that they are no longer competing? Honestly, I don't even know if they are building.

Source: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

"There was no enormous trade-deadline splash in The Bronx on Tuesday. No 6 p.m. gasp at Yankee Stadium when a game-changing trade hit social media or lit up the pre-game blather on the scoreboard. No thunderous bat for left field. No starter who might replace the struggling Luis Severino or even just add insurance to the pinstriped rotation," reported Yahoo Sports.

Just status quo. Nothing brewing. No sense of urgency. They have given up. And therefore, so have I. Work is a lot. Plenty of other things to do than watch the Yankees piss their talent and season away. Just need to figure out what to do with all my newly opened calendar space.

According to CBS Sports, "The last place Yankees -- made two minor trades at the deadline, picking up relievers Keynan Middleton and Spencer Howard in separate deals, and that's it. They neither bought nor sold, and they didn't address their season-long left field problem either." 

"We're in it to win it. We stayed the course because of that," GM Brian Cashman said after the trade deadline. "This was the best play for us with the team we have, still within striking distance," reported CBS Sports. Are they serious? What world are they living in? And it must be nice to simply not care and get paid a lot of money to not care.

"The trade deadline makes you wonder whether anyone upstairs, specifically Cashman and owner Hal Steinbrenner, has a grasp on reality and the team's current situation. Are they honest with their self-evaluation? Do they understand they have an aging roster and have struggled to finish off the development of their young players at the MLB level, or that the other four teams in the AL East are on the rise? They're so sure of themselves even though the team on the field inspires no confidence," reported CBS Sports.

The Yankees have been coasting since 2009, living off their prior wins and complacent with where they are. They are not racing toward anything. They are stuck in the salary mud, with deadbeat, used to be players not interested in doing anything but giving us lip service that they are trying.

Let's put it this way...if the Mets are two years out from having a championship team, unloading key fixtures in Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander to AL teams that are contending, where are the Yankees? Three years, four years out? What are they doing to improve? 2023 was a disaster but unless the Yankees are going to have a hard look at that themselves in the mirror will 2024 be any different? 

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

STOP YOUR YAPPING! VOLPE NOT GOING DOWN!

If you decide to make a commitment and hire an employee with less experience but great potential, there is work to be done. As Forbes points out, “Mentors can provide a valuable sense of connection and support for individuals early in their careers, while also helping develop soft skills such as effective communication, decision-making, and collaboration,” says Valencia Brown, Manager of Global Talent Enablement at Skillsoft." With this said, despite his lower batting average, Anthony Volpe has tremendous potential and opportunity to be great. And the mentoring has only just begun. So, stop your yapping, Volpe is not going down.

Source: CBS Sports

Hal Steinbrenner confirmed the Yankees commitment in the young shortstop before Tuesday night's game against the cross rival Mets. "I think defensively he’s been pretty solid. Pitchers have adjusted to him now. He’s going to have some adjustments to make himself. I don’t think any of this is out of the ordinary. I told Anthony at the end of spring training, ‘You are the starting shortstop of the New York Yankees. This isn’t a three-week trial.’ So [he’s] going to be that, through the ups and downs,” said Steinbrenner according to The New York Post. 

Source: JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Entering Tuesday night's battle at Citi Field, the 22-year-old was batting .186 with nine home runs and a .605 OPS in 67 games. He continues to battle strikeouts, but he brings tremendous speed to the bases, agility in the field and the world is at his feet. As I type these words, Volpe cranked a double down the third base line to bring the Yankees back into the game against the Mets. He later scored and helped the Yankees take the lead and knock the Mets' Max Scherzer out of the game.

“When we made the decision to go with Anthony at the start of the season, it wasn’t that we thought he was just going to light the world on fire right away. We expected that there’d be some ups and downs. But one of the things we’re betting on is the person, too, knowing he’d be able to handle some of the inevitable adversity," said Aaron Boone according to The Post. I would love it our skipper would step up and model some better behavior for our young star. Throwing temper tantrums and getting thrown out of games isn't doing it. 

“There is no greater feeling of accomplishment than helping others recognize their potential and see their worth by sharing my experiences to provide a greater perspective on how to get where they desire to go," said Brown according to Forbes. 

If the big bats and veterans were in the lineup right now, the magnifying glass would not be so clearly fixated on the young Volpe. And honestly, I think the spark and speed he brings is worth taking a chance on the rookie. The bat discipline and consistency at the plate will come. It just takes time, and commitment, both of which will come and I applaud the Yankee leadership for standing behind Volpe.

So in the words of the ever popular Taylor Swift, "Players gonna play, play, play, play, play And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate (haters gonna hate) Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake I shake it off, I shake it off." And those naysayers who base their judgment on a player who has played less than 67-games in his first big league season, chill out. Volpe is here to stay. And the Yankees leadership is backing him. 

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

Like this? Also Read:

HEY ANTHONY VOLPE, IT'S NOT YOU... IT'S US. KEEP FIGHTING!

STEINBRENNER CONFIRMS WHAT BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE JUST SAID

GARY SANCHEZ CAN'T KEEP A JOB

Disturbing news in the Gary Sanchez baseball world.  Even the Mets don't think he's very good.

Quick note because this guy was once considered an absolute unit to well... not at all. The New York Post writes:

"...the Mets elected to designate the former Yankees catcher for assignment...Sanchez played in three games with the Mets, recording just one hit in seven at-bats.

He caught Max Scherzer in a doubleheader against the Guardians, and he went 1-for-3 with two strikeouts and an RBI at the plate that game."

Now look, this is a pretty small sample size, but let's keep it real, the guy isn't helping himself by striking out as much as he does, and this doesn't help things at all.

Who knows what the future will bring for this guy. I just never saw it in him. I never understood what the scouts saw all those years ago.

IT'S NOT EVERY WINTER THAT A PLAYER LIKE AARON JUDGE BECOMES A FREE AGENT!

Source: LM Otero

You can't skim the social sites without seeing an Aaron Judge headline every fifth post. Local newspapers and national ones alike, plus the hundreds of sports beat reporters and blogs have a mention of Judge somewhere in their articles and posts 10 hours ago, three hours ago, 15 minutes ago, The Daily News said, ESPN posted, Bryan Hoch stated that...and with good reason. It's not every winter a player the caliber of Aaron Judge is available on the open market. The question is, who will be lucky enough to land him?

Source: CBS Sports

"The Dodgers are one of the few teams who have shown a willingness to hand out the kind of contracts required to shop at the top of the market on a consistent basis. They absolutely have the financial flexibility to do so this offseason, too, after allowing Trea Turner to enter free agency without an extension and declining Justin Turner's option," reported CBS Sports. Certainly not necessarily new to the conversation, the Los Angeles Dodgers are always looking to add more to their arsenal. Last season they picked up superstar Freddie Freeman. The year before they picked up ace pitcher Max Scherzer and before that they exploded with a contract for then free agent Mookie Betts. The Dodgers are not afraid of digging into their deep pockets to pick up the right players for their evolving team. And this year will be no different.

Source: LM Otero

"It's not easy to clock what the Dodgers starting nine might look like because of their versatility, and because they have some other pressing questions to address this offseason -- like, who plays shortstop, and what about third base? Predictably, the Dodgers have been linked to the top free-agent shortstops, including Carlos Correa, and have even been rumored to have interest in Willy Adames of the Milwaukee Brewers," reported CBS Sports. So maybe the Judge addition is not as essential as these key infield positions. That leaves their in state rival the San Francisco Giants who have been linked to Judge since before he officially announced his free agency.

                                                                           Source: LM Otero

Recall the Aaron Judge was wooed by the San Francisco Giants and visited with the team and the higher management over several days last week. According to MLB Network’s Jon Morosi, “I believe that once Aaron Judge knows where at least the initial Giants offer comes in, and I do believe one is forthcoming, that there will be a fairly robust conversation to where we could see Aaron Judge signing with a team within the next two weeks, by the end of the Winter Meetings." The Winter Meetings kick off on Sunday and end Wednesday, December 7th. With an offer coming perhaps as early this week, the Yankees and maybe even the Dodgers will have opportunities to outbid and woe the slugger accordingly. 

Source: Tony Gutierrez

Judge was a Giants fan growing up. He met a number of iconic Californian sports figures while in San Francisco. But he has already tasted what it is like to be a part of one of the most winningest sports franchises in history. He has felt the nostalgia. He has been a part of history himself in breaking Roger Maris's record of 61 home runs. He has the opportunity to be the next Yankee captain. You can't top that, even if you are Steph Curry, one of the frontliners in the Giants wooing sessions for Judge.  

I am glad Judge is being lauded, celebrated, wooed after. He deserves it. But after all the fanfare subsides, I hope he can quietly reflect on the player he is and the one he wants to become. It's not every winter we get to witness this kind of lovefest over a player. But this year, is Judge's year and let's hope he chooses well. 

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

COULD YANKEES AND METS STEAL EACH OTHER'S FRANCHISE PLAYERS?

Source: New York Post

Well, how's that for a headline? It's an interesting idea but I am not so sure how real it is. I mean anything can happen—it is Hot Stove season after all. But could the Yankees and Mets swap their greatest modern day franchise players? Jacob deGrom just entered the free agency market joining Aaron Judge who wasn’t thrilled with the Yankees’ $213.5 million offer in spring. deGrom officially opted out of his current contract on Monday. Events leaving me and many others to question: Could the Yankees and Mets steal each other's franchise players?

According to the New York Post, "The belief is that the Yankees will be willing to top Judge’s $36 million a year asking price from back in spring, before he became the AL single-season home run record holder, and if deGrom wants to top Max Scherzer’s record $43.3 million Mets salary, as some suggest, the strong indications are that it will not be with the Mets." But would the Yankees buy deGrom over Judge? Would they even be given that choice?

Source: Charles Wenzelberg/New York Post

The Mets locked up their trumpet-themed closer Edwin Diaz earlier this week. The Yankees picked up Luis Severino's $15 million team option for 2023. The Mets now seem focused on keeping their center fielder Brandon Nimmo a Met and the Yankees, well keep Judge a Yankee. So is the idea of franchise swapping futile?

According to the Post, "The speculation that either New York team may try to steal the other team’s marquee franchise player — i.e. the Mets signing Judge, the Yankees signing deGrom — has no noticeable legs. There’s an era of good feeling between our local teams, and while that may not last, it seems very evident right now. Neither side seems up for an intracity war. " Well that's good. But are the Yankees willing to let Judge sign his career way to the San Francisco Giants? And what will happen to deGrom? 

Hot Stove and others predict Judge will receive a big offer from the Giants while deGrom could be a welcome addition to the pitching staff of the new manager of the Texas Rangers, Bruce Bochy—ironically a three-time World Series manager for yes, the San Francisco Giants. Irony is everywhere.

Source: Yahoo Sports

Stealing franchise players could well, cause a riot in New York. And truthfully speaking, not good for the sport. The Yankees need to be focused on signing Judge and keeping Anthony Rizzo. And if the Mets let deGrom walk, they need to think about who they are replacing him with on a pitching roster that was very unforgiving at the end of the 2022 season. The Hot Stove is heating up with more interesting trade concepts coming in over the next few weeks leading up to the Winter Meetings in December. 

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

A RIDICULOUSLY SUBJECTIVE & SKEWED TOP 5 MLB PLAYERS LIST JUST CAME OUT...

Baseball is built on fandom and the players are there because they are talented. And picking guys as "top" guys is usually based on popularity, who's hot, who's not and once again... the fans.

Ben Verlander came out with a top 5 MLB players list today. I don't understand why we are hanging on every word Ben Verlander says but we are.  I mean, what are his credentials? He's Justin Verlander's younger brother. He played baseball. OK... and then what?  My point is why is he important? But this isn't actually about Ben. DON'T TROLL HIM. He's a good dude, has great ideas, he's a good-looking guy, smart.  

But to put his name on a "TOP 5 MLB Players" list is to just get this guy trolled and that's not fair to Ben. Why? Because look at the list FOX is getting behind.

First off, are these the Top 5 MLB Players of the Decade? Of the season? Of the week? Why do you ask? Here's why.  

Mike Trout may be the best player in baseball since he got into the pros. That's a fact. Bryce Harper had a great week last week, is he in the Top 5?  And we all know Cody Bellinger is a total gamer even though he's batting .202. What about him? Should he have been considered? And let's even go further as a baseball AND Yankee fan...

When you're talking the most meaningful hits with games on the line, bottom line is this year, at this moment, it's Aaron Judge! Hands down. 

Judge SHOULD be #1.  But you want to know why Ohtani is #1? Because MLB props this guy up because he's a two way player. But you know what? There should be more two ways in the Major Leagues. Here's the problem high schools and colleges make players 'pitchers only' or players and they don't have a choice. And so, by the time they get to the Majors they don't get to choose to be a two way. But Shohei Ohtani is an international player, signed a big contract and he was able to demand what he wanted.  And now, because of that, he's beloved.  But look at his numbers...

Ohtani is a .257 hitter this year. And pitching? His ERA is 2.78 and a 3-2 record this year. Strikeouts? 46 in 6 games. HARDLY THE BEST.

You know who's better? Several pitchers, but Max Scherzer is 4-1 with a 2.66 ERA and 55 strikeouts. 

And what about Justin Verlander? 5-1 with a 1.38 ERA? Those numbers alone move Ohtani down the list, maybe even knock him off the list. And what's worse is Justin was ignored. Why? Because Ben Verlander can't pick Justin because they're brothers.  And that's the ONLY reason, but we all know that Verlander is better than Ohtani.

Look, I in no way want to give Ben Verlander a hard time. But lists like this one are clearly political and strategic and orchestrated and silly.  And the biggest word? Subjective, especially if you're a baseball fan, because we all have lists.  

If we're making lists, here's my 19-year old's list, who, by the way, has no credentials other than he plays college ball and loves the game. 

1. Aaron Judge

2. Manny Machado

3. Mike Trout

4. Nolan Arenado

5. Rafael Devers

And by the way... YOU WILL HAVE DIFFERENT PICKS. That's my point... backing a list that is so skewed is madness.

And I'm curious... what's your list? If you're on Twitter, RT and list your top 5. I'd love to see it.