MAYBE DEVIN WILLIAMS DOESN'T HAVE THE STONES FOR THE BRONX

Maybe it’s just me, but I haven’t bought into the Devin Williams hype since the Yankees picked him up—and nothing I’ve seen so far is changing my mind.

Williams is a talented pitcher, no doubt. He’s got the awards to prove it: two-time NL Reliever of the Year, former All-Star, and one of the nastiest changeups in the game when he’s on. But the key phrase there is when he’s on. Right now? He’s not.

The 2025 season hasn’t been kind to him out of the gate. His command looks shaky, his ERA is climbing, and that famous changeup. It’s not fooling anybody right now. Physically, he doesn’t look 100%, and mentally—well, let’s just say I’m not sure he’s built for this New York market.

What really bugs me is the way he ended up here. According to Dodgers Way, Williams told MLB.com’s Brian Hoch that he was fully ready to head to L.A. The Dodgers wanted him to close, and with Michael Kopech thriving in earlier innings, it sounded like a perfect fit. But just when it seemed like a deal was about to be done, the Yankees came in through the “back door” and made it happen.

Honestly? I wish that door had been locked.

There’s a different kind of pressure that comes with playing in New York—especially in the Bronx. It’s not for everyone. We’ve seen elite pitchers come here and fall apart under the weight of our expectations. Yankees fans aren’t patient, and we don’t sugarcoat criticism. It takes thick skin to survive here. Personally? I don’t think Devin Williams has it.

I could be wrong. I want to be wrong. Maybe he figures it out. Maybe he thrives under the spotlight. But my gut says otherwise.

Meanwhile, we’ve got Luke Weaver—quietly doing his job, stepping up, and looking like the real deal. If Williams keeps stumbling, don’t be surprised if Weaver becomes the guy by midseason. He’s earned a shot, and honestly, he looks more prepared for the moment than Williams does right now.

Time will tell. But if you ask me today? Devin Williams just doesn’t feel like the right fit for the Bronx.

DODGER PITCHER TRIES TROLLING RIZZO, BUT I DON'T KNOW WHO HE IS

Michael Kopech, a guy whose name you probably had to Google, decided to take a swing at Yankees first baseman Anthony Rizzo on the Baseball Isn’t Boring podcast. Spoiler alert: much like his pitching career, it didn’t land. Kopech, who’s been about as relevant as MySpace in 2024, used his time on the mic to mock Rizzo’s well-known leadership and constant mound visits during high-pressure games.

“I’m just gonna say it,” Kopech started, which is usually code for I’m about to embarrass myself. “Rizzo made hundreds of mound visits in the World Series games. You could almost see the pitchers’ faces, just like, ‘What could they be talking about right now?’ We had a running joke in the bullpen of ‘Rizzo visits remaining.’ Every time there was a visit, it was Rizzo.”

Okay, Mike. First of all, Rizzo’s mound visits are the stuff of legend. He’s the guy everyone wants in the trenches — calming pitchers, cracking jokes, and leading the team with class. Yankees fans love Rizzo because he’s the heartbeat of the clubhouse. Meanwhile, Kopech is over here acting like a Dollar Store Trevor Bauer, taking cheap shots to stay relevant.

The irony? This is coming from a guy who, if we’re being honest, is mostly famous for sharing a bullpen with better pitchers. Kopech’s contributions to his team are about as memorable as a mid-July rain delay. And yet, here he is, throwing shade at one of the most respected players in the game.

Kopech didn’t stop there. He went on to pat himself on the back by talking about how Max Muncy and Miguel Rojas came out to “settle him down” during games.

“To put in perspective of how it was for us, our guys were doing it at the right time,” Kopech said, somehow managing to turn the podcast into an audition for a Participation Trophy Hall of Fame.

Let’s be clear: Kopech talking about “the right time” is like a backup dancer criticizing Beyoncé’s choreography. Nobody’s here for your take, buddy. The Dodgers may have had the last laugh in the series, but Kopech trying to use Rizzo as a punchline reeks of desperation.

And it’s not just Kopech. His teammate Joe Kelly also took shots at the Yankees, claiming their defensive mistakes in Game 5 helped the Dodgers win. “They started kicking the ball around and playing Yankee baseball,” Kelly quipped. But at least Kelly’s been around long enough to have his own highlight reel of annoyance. Kopech, meanwhile, is hanging on by association, like the guy in the group project who takes credit for everyone else’s work.

Here’s the thing: Anthony Rizzo doesn’t just lead; he defines what it means to be a team player. He’s the guy everyone wants on their side, the glue that keeps the clubhouse together, and the kind of player who gets standing ovations from Yankees fans no matter what. Kopech, on the other hand, is... well, let’s just say his career highlight so far might be this podcast appearance — and that’s not a compliment.

So, Michael, maybe focus less on Rizzo’s mound visits and more on figuring out how to not be the bullpen punchline yourself. Because right now? You’re not a guy taking jabs at the Yankees. You’re just a tool.

YANKS LOOKING AT TOP RELIEVERS AT THE DEADLINE

The Yankees are good, but they just want to be better and you have to respect that.  In the latest blown save by Clay Holmes, it's no surprise a new revelation has come out about the Yankees wanting to bolster their relievers down the stretch. And it was Jon Heyman who had the nugget and I wanted to share it all with you.

The New York Post and Jon Heyman writes:

"In addition to Marlins shutdown reliever Tanner Scott, the Yankees are believed to like White Sox reliever-turned starter Garrett Crochet, who leads the AL with 103 K’s...Scott will go, and is believed to be drawing interest from the Phillies, Orioles, Dodgers and others.

The closer market isn’t bad with five viable options possibly hitting the block: Scott, Kenley Jansen, Mason Miller, Carlos Estevez and Michael Kopech.

Teams are being told the A’s have no great desire to trade Miller, but interested teams are hopeful Oakland may re-evaluate after the All-Star break."

And so for me, this is just a lot of names and really speculation. I mean, there is no doubt the Yankees will try and pick up a few pieces.  I would assume Gleyber Torres or a Anthony Rizzo is at the top of their list to trade, but it's only June... a lot can happen.  For now... we see if the relievers in the Yankee pen can hold it down in the meantime.

Stay tuned.