RICE HAS BEEN A REVELATION, BUT COULD THE DERBY COME BACK TO HAUNT HIM?

If there has been one constant bright spot in the Yankees' lineup this season, it's been Ben Rice.

What started as an opportunity has turned into a full-fledged breakout, and Rice has rewarded the Yankees' faith in him every step of the way. He's evolved into one of the most dangerous left-handed hitters in baseball, giving the lineup power, patience, and a mature approach that has made him one of the American League's biggest surprises.

At the All-Star break, Rice had established himself among the league leaders with 29 home runs, nearly 70 RBIs and an OPS hovering around .970, while consistently producing quality at-bats and driving the baseball to all fields. His advanced metrics are just as impressive, with elite exit velocities, hard-hit percentages and barrel rates confirming that this isn't smoke and mirrors—Ben Rice has become one of baseball's legitimate impact hitters.

Perhaps what's been most impressive is how complete his offensive game has become. Rice isn't simply swinging for the fences. He's taking walks, hitting with runners in scoring position, and consistently delivering in big moments. Whether he's launching tape-measure home runs or lining doubles into the gap, he's become the type of hitter opposing pitchers genuinely fear.

He's been everything the Yankees could have hoped for—and then some.

That made Monday night's Home Run Derby such an interesting—and perhaps concerning—storyline.

Rice accepted the invitation to participate, making it a memorable family affair by having his father, Dan, throw batting practice to him. It was one of the more heartwarming moments of All-Star Week and something Rice will undoubtedly treasure forever. Unfortunately, the results on the field weren't nearly as memorable.

Rice managed just seven home runs, the fewest of any participant, and was eliminated in the opening round. Afterward, he admitted he became overly anxious and rushed his swing instead of staying within himself. Even so, he called the experience a success because he was able to share it with his father.

The Derby itself isn't the concern.

What happens after the Derby is.

For decades, baseball has debated the so-called "Home Run Derby Curse." Is it real? Or is it simply coincidence?

There have certainly been players who fueled the legend.

Bobby Abreu put on one of the greatest Derby performances ever in 2005, crushing an astonishing 41 home runs in the opening round. But after the All-Star break, his production dipped noticeably, and many pointed to the Derby as the culprit.

Josh Hamilton's unforgettable 2008 Derby performance remains one of baseball's iconic moments after he blasted 28 first-round home runs. While he remained productive overall, his second-half numbers declined, reigniting debate about whether the Derby had altered his swing or simply worn him down.

Aaron Judge experienced something similar in 2017. After winning the Derby in Miami, his second-half production dipped significantly. Was it because of the Derby? Or because pitchers adjusted to him and the grind of a 162-game season caught up with a rookie? Even Judge himself has never blamed the event, but the discussion has lingered for years.

Of course, there are just as many examples proving the opposite.

Pete Alonso has won multiple Home Run Derbies without seeing his swing disappear afterward. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. has participated and continued producing. Juan Soto has remained one of baseball's elite hitters regardless of Derby appearances.

That's what makes this debate so fascinating. Is there truly a curse? Or do fans simply remember the slumps and forget the players who kept right on hitting? Now that question belongs to Ben Rice.

Could one night of trying to launch every baseball into the upper deck throw off the smooth, controlled swing that has made him one of the Yankees' best hitters? Could his timing be affected? Could he begin overswinging in search of home runs?

Or will this simply become a fun memory from an incredible first half before he picks up exactly where he left off?

Personally, there's every reason to believe Rice will be just fine.

Everything we've seen this season suggests he's more than just a slugger. He's a disciplined hitter with an advanced understanding of the strike zone, tremendous bat speed, and a mature offensive approach that doesn't rely solely on brute force. Those qualities generally survive temporary mechanical hiccups.

Still, baseball is a game built on rhythm, timing and routine. Even the smallest change can snowball into something larger. The Yankees don't just need Ben Rice to be good in the second half. They need him to continue being one of the most dangerous hitters in their lineup. If he does, the Yankees' offense remains capable of carrying this club deep into October. If the Derby somehow disrupts that rhythm—even temporarily—it becomes one of the more intriguing storylines to watch over the next several weeks.

Hopefully, years from now, fans will remember Ben Rice's first Home Run Derby not because it started a slump, but because it marked the season he officially announced himself as one of baseball's brightest young stars.

The Yankees—and their fans—are certainly hoping that's exactly how this story ends.

SCOTT BORAS & THE YANKEES ARE PLAYING A DANGEROUS GAME OF CHICKEN!

This could be a defining moment for the Yankees winter. All eyes are on Scott Boras, Cody Bellinger and the Yankees...and after Saturday's news dropped it doesn't sound promising.

According to Buster Olney HERE contract negotiations are "at an impasse." The Yankees have offered a five year deal with "at least" a $30 million average annual value which they believe is competitive. However, Boras and Cody are asking for a seven year deal and the rumor mill says Cody wants closer to $37 million a year. Did the Yankees make a competitive offer?

That's what everyone is debating. If you look at what the market has already commanded, it is definitely speaking. Pete Alonso signed a five year $155 million deal with the Orioles and Kyle Schwarber signed a five year $150 million deal with the Phillies. This is where the market gets tricky. Based on what Alonso got, one can argue that Cody got a fair value, but then there is Schwarber. A guy that has mostly served as a designated hitter the last two years signed a deal that is supposedly similar to the offer the Yankees made to Cody? Hmmmm.

That's where this gets hard. If Schwarber's offer is similar to what the Yankees offered Cody the Yankees might need to ask themselves just how badly do they want Cody back. Do I think they need to go seven years? No, and as bad as I want Cody back I am not loving the idea of signing him for seven years. However, the Yankees may need to go that sixth year and give him a slight increase on an average annual value basis. It's not unreasonable.

At this point, the Yankees are supposedly shifting gears and approaching the rest of their offseason like Cody won't be coming back. At this stage, the Yankees assume the market has gone cold. Maybe it has....we'll see but they are not going to bid against themselves.

Remember, at the Winter Meetings, Scott Boras got cutesy with a poetry attempt and hinted that there were eight teams interested in Bellinger. Who knows if that's true or if Boras was fibbing on that BUT that is definitely how Boras operates so embellishing the truth on that is not out of the realm of possibility.

Boras is now and has always played a good hand of poker. He said Cody had interest in as many as eight teams....but that could realistically also mean one or two. There's a fine line between flat out lying and bluffing. It's how Boras operates and gets the best deals for his clients so I never underestimate him. Right now the Yankees are calling Boras' bluff and I just hope it turns out in their favor.

I don't know how this is going to pan out but what I DO know is the Yankees won't have another 94 win season with regular outfield playing time with Trent Grisham in center field and Jasson Dominguez in left field. Hell, the Yankees shouldn't even gamble with Spencer Jones either. They need stability out there, and that's exactly what Cody brings.

Cody is a big part of the Yankees plans for a successful run this season. Our rivals have all made improvements while we have not. The Yankees can't stand firm here. A game of chicken is not the answer. Someone needs to blink here and get this done. 

If it doesn't happen I am going to lose what little sanity I have left.....

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

WOAH! THERE'S A MICHAEL KING BIDDING WAR HAPPENING RIGHT NOW.

It's almost Christmas and one team is about to get an early present. Michael King is ready to return to the AL East, now we just wait and see who he pitches for.

According to SI.com HERE, the Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox and the Yankees are all finalists in the Michael King sweepstakes. I really don't know how I feel about the idea of King coming back. I guess I am indifferent compared to Casey who wrote I REALLY HOPE A MICHAEL KING REUNION IS NOT IN THE CARDS. I have nothing against King, I guess I just am not itching for a reunion. I am looking for new shiny options.

On the other hand though....the Yankees NEED options. Both Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon are going to miss time at the beginning of the season and let's face it you can never have enough pitching. This is true for ANY team but especially the Yankees who seem to have the most untimely injuries partnered with a very ineffective training and medical staff that exasperate everything.

King is very familiar with the Yankees so there's one plus to consider in all of this. We know some guys just can't handle the bright lights and expectations here and that is not a concern here. Also, it would take some of the pressure off Luis Gil and Cam Schlittler who could slide down in the rotation. It would also allow the Yankees to use Will Warren in more of a swingman role. There's some strategy here that could work.

As far as our other AL East rivals, this could get interesting. The Orioles are on a quest to find strong pitching after upgrading its offense with the Pete Alonso signing. King would instantly be the strongest arm in their rotation and would make the Orioles a stronger team in 2026 then they were this season. Boston on the other hand is a bit of a head scratcher. Right now, their rotation is full especially after adding Sonny Gray.

If the Red Sox do sign King, it could be part of a strategy used to then trade some of their up and coming arms for an impact bat similar to what the Orioles just did. Adding the impact bat also makes the Red Sox a stronger team which could make the battle for the AL East that much tougher. Last year it was a race between the Blue Jays and us but now this could become even more difficult on the Yankees. 

So now we wait and see what happens. Does King reunite with the Yankees or do the Red Sox have a shot at snagging the guy that grew up in Rhode Island and went to Boston college? It's not something I was interested in. Now that I see how it can change the landscape in the AL East....I'm paying attention.

Do you want King back? Comment and tell us what's on your mind.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

BELLINGER IS KEEPING US ALL GUESSING

I hate the games within the game. Baseball used to be simple: pitch the ball, hit the ball, pray the bullpen doesn’t spontaneously combust. But thanks to Scott Boras—Baseball’s Self-Appointed Emperor of Drama—we now have offseasons that feel like hostage negotiations run by a guy who thinks he’s starring in Succession.

Let’s get one thing straight: Scott Boras absolutely wrecked the sport’s sanity. Oh, he’s phenomenal at getting his clients rich. Nobody disputes that. If you’re a player and you want a gold-plated jacuzzi installed in your contract, Boras is your guy. He will squeeze every owner until they’re begging for mercy and signing checks with shaky hands. But if you're a fan? Forget it. Boras has turned free agency into a months-long opera where every aria ends with, “Sources say he’s considering all 30 teams.”

He’s great for his players, sure. But for baseball? He’s like putting greased wheels on a runaway shopping cart and rolling it down a hill.

Look at Pete Alonso. Boras pushed him so hard last year he practically emerged from negotiations like a bag of overworked laundry—wrinkled, mishandled, and marked “fragile.” By the time the dust settled, Alonso could only swing a one-year deal with the Mets. Why? Because Boras dragged him through a circus so long that teams just watched from afar, sipping coffee and whispering, “Yeah… we’re good.”

Then Alonso said “enough,” walked himself back to Queens, and delivered a monster season—because he took control. Not Boras. Alonso saved Alonso.

Now we pivot to Cody Bellinger, whose offseason story already feels like it was co-written by Boras and a malfunctioning Instagram algorithm.

Let’s run down what we actually know:

• Bellinger is a free agent.

• He was a Yankee.

• The Yankees would like him back.

• That’s it. That’s the whole plot so far.

And then he posts a photo of himself in a blank, logo-less hat—basically the baseball equivalent of entering the Witness Protection Program—and now we’re left squinting at social media like it’s a Dan Brown novel. Anytime Boras is involved, everything feels like a coded message:
Is he hinting at something? Is he trolling? Are we supposed to “decode” the hat?

Meanwhile, the Yankees—masters of slowness, champions of hesitation, pioneers of dragging things out until other teams actually finish their business—continue to “monitor the situation.” Cashman says he wants Bellinger back. And sure, he says it with conviction… but he said he wanted pitching for the last five years and somehow still ended up signing guys who need immediate Tommy John brochures printed for them.

Other teams—the Dodgers, the Mets—are already lurking with actual intent. You know, that thing the Yankees used to have before Cashman started approaching offseasons like a man shopping for a winter coat but refusing to buy one until spring arrives.

And here’s the kicker: Bellinger isn’t some middle-of-the-road gamble. The guy mashed in 2025:
.272 average, 29 homers, 98 RBIs, 89 runs across 152 games.
At Yankee Stadium? He basically turned the place into his personal amusement park:
.909 OPS, 18 bombs in 80 games.

Defensively? He was great—center field, left field, right field, first base. Plug him anywhere and he excels. He was good for the Yankees, great for the Bronx, and honestly one of the rare Cashman acquisitions that didn’t require an apology letter later.

But here we go again:
Boras playing chess while pretending it’s 4D underwater reverse chess.
Cashman sitting there staring at the board like the pieces might move on their own.
Yankees fans waiting like we’re in line at the DMV.

Will Boras inflate Bellinger’s market into the stratosphere? Probably.
Will Cashman drag his feet until the Dodgers or Mets swoop in? Wouldn’t shock a soul.
Will this turn into another offseason where the Yankees act like they have all the time in the world while every other team is out there actually doing things? Almost certainly.

So now we wait.
And wait.
And wait some more.

All because Scott Boras loves long, dramatic offseasons…
And Brian Cashman loves moving at the speed of a chilled glacier.

Baseball deserves better.
The Yankees need Bellinger.
The Bronx wants Bellinger.

But will this front office actually beat Boras’ game for once?
Or will they get played—again?

Pull up a chair. The circus is in town.

ALONSO TO THE RED SOX?

Well, Pete Alonso has officially packed up his bats and walked out of Queens — and honestly, who can blame him? After being treated like an afterthought by the Mets last offseason, the Polar Bear decided to bet on himself, and spoiler alert: he won. He’s declining a $24 million player option because apparently, hitting .272 with 38 home runs and leading the National League with 41 doubles earns you the right to shop around. Go figure. Also, good for him.

According to MLB Trade Rumors, Alonso sits just behind Kyle Schwarber and Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami as one of the top power bats on the market — which is basically a polite way of saying “someone’s about to overpay him, and it won’t be Steve Cohen.” Alonso is reportedly looking for a seven-year deal this time, because after the Mets’ lukewarm courting last winter, he’s not just dating for fun anymore. He wants commitment — and maybe a front office that actually calls him back.

Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly tossed out a spicy prediction that the Red Sox could swoop in, especially with uncertainty surrounding Triston Casas’ knee. Kelly suggests Boston might “replace Alex Bregman with Pete Alonso,” which is interesting. But hey, the idea of Alonso mashing bombs over the Green Monster is fun to imagine for Red Sox fans — especially if it means sticking it to the Mets from a few hundred miles north.

Now, I’m not exactly in the Pete Alonso Fan Club, but even I can admit the guy deserved better from the Mets. The problem last offseason wasn’t just the Mets’ indecision — it was Scott Boras. The super-agent nearly froze Alonso out of a long-term deal by overplaying his hand, dragging out negotiations so long that even Steve Cohen admitted the talks were more exhausting than dealing with Juan Soto. And when Steve Cohen calls something exhausting, you know it’s bad.

In the end, Alonso did what smart players do — he's choosing peace, freedom, and the open market. Maybe he’ll end up in Boston, maybe somewhere else. But one thing’s for sure: wherever he lands, he’ll get paid, he’ll hit dingers, and he won’t have to pretend he enjoys answering questions about the Mets’ “future direction.”

Stay tuned — the Polar Bear’s about to find a new cave, and this time, he’s charging admission.

SOUNDS LIKE BOONE IS BRAINWASHED WHEN IT COMES TO VOLPE

Anthony Volpe is not an elite shortstop.  We were lied to and fooled. There are people that can pull out analytics projections all they want. There are scouts out there that claim that he is, and to be honest, he might have been at some point in high school. But the kid never played college ball and was rushed to the major leagues and while the adrenaline was still high, Volpe made a nice run for himself in a major league uniform in his first year.  But now, it's becoming clear, he's a kid in a big uniform... and no, he is not elite.

And with his continuing slump both at the plate and in the field, the walls are closing in on the Yankees, Volpe and Aaron Boone, Volpe's biggest brainwashed cheerleader. 

Michael Kay went off about the Boone love fest with Volpe. He pointed out the facts and still managed to expose Boone for being obsessed. I've said it once, I'll say it again; I think Boone's relationship with Volpe is downright weird. And finally people are seeing it too.

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Kay tells a story about how Meredith Marakovits asked Boone a question about if Volpe could have made the play when the ball was hit to him on his backhand side by Pete Alonso.  Boone said it was 50/50 and then Kay very alertly noticed that Boone was getting mad and Jason Zillo, the Yankees media relations guy decided to move things along and get Boone out of there. 

Well, this is where it gets truly bizarre. Boone got up to leave and he turned to Meredith Marakovits and mouthed the words, "He's Fucking Elite."  When Michael Kay revealed this, I fell off my chair. Boone actually thinks that this kid is good.  I mean, he's not, but for some odd, and strange reason, Boone defends this kid like he's the next Derek Jeter. It's not only misguided, it's crazy and delusional.

Then Kay says what needs to be said. For Boone to be continually angry about answering questions about how bad Anthony Volpe is is no good for anyone. And I'll add to that... how about own the fact that this kid doesn't have it and maybe, just maybe the Yankees and Aaron Boone are wrong about this kid!

As Kay says "Stop telling me he's playing great!"

Volpe is what Volpe is, a kid of privilege that is in over his head and needs to be removed from the shortstop position for the New York Yankees... and while we don't have a top shortstop to replace him, think about a way to get rid of this guy.  The trading deadline's coming up, we have new shortstops waiting in the minor leagues... there are options.  But one thing Aaron Boone needs to stop doing is drooling over this kid that may have been a good shortstop 3 years ago but is now a .214 error maker.  

Trust me when I tell you, no team needs that, not even the Mets.

Aaron Boone is obsessed and brainwashed, and I have to tell you... that's the other part about what's wrong with this team.  A manager that is freaking clueless.  

Jeez.

JUAN SOTO IS MISERABLE, YA'LL!

There’s a storm cloud over Citi Field, and no, it’s not leftover smoke from the last dumpster fire that rolled through Flushing. This one’s got a name. A face. A payroll-devouring contract.

Juan Soto. The glummest $765 million man in baseball history.

The so-called generational star is trudging through his first season with the Mets like a guy who just realized his dream house was built on a toxic waste site. The spark? Gone. The bat speed? Dropping. The smile? Apparently left in the Bronx last October, and good riddance.

Michael Kay recently dropped a quiet nuke on Mets fans: “Very, very glum,” he said about Soto’s demeanor. “No hop in his step. Doesn’t smile much… I’m not gonna say he is unhappy. Because how can you be unhappy with a $765 million contract?”

How? Simple. You sign with the Mets.

Now here’s the kicker — according to Kay, Soto actually wanted to stay in the Bronx. The Yankees didn’t botch negotiations. No, his family steered him to the Mets because they were “comfortable” with Steve Cohen.  That’s not just a bad decision. That’s a generational mistake.

And you know what? Good. Let him be glum. Let him drag his feet. Let him smile once every lunar eclipse and turn every strikeout into a therapy session. He’s not our problem anymore — he’s theirs. The Yankees let him walk, and they were right to do it.

Because here’s the reality: Juan Soto is playing like a man who peaked at 25. His slash line? .247/.379/.437 — numbers that would barely get Isiah Kiner-Falefa a contract in Japan. His OPS+ is the lowest it’s been since he was legally old enough to buy a scratch-off. And his bat speed? It’s dropped 2 miles per hour. That’s not a slump — that’s erosion.

He’s already been bumped from the No. 2 spot in the order — a “spark” move, they called it. What’s next, batting seventh behind Pete Alonso and the ghost of Daniel Vogelbach? The only spark happening in that lineup is the fuse on Steve Cohen’s ulcer.

And look — we’re not going to pretend we feel sorry for Mets fans. You chased him. You cheered when he signed. You mocked the Yankees for letting him go. And now?

Now you’re stuck with 15 years of slow groundouts, dead eyes, and mopey press conferences from a guy who looks like he’s regretting every second of it. 

And Mets fans — you deserve this. You went all-in on a star who didn’t want to be there, who clearly isn’t built to lead, and who already looks like he’s counting the days to his first "minor back tightness" IL stint.

Meanwhile, the Yankees are laughing all the way to October. With Max Fried anchoring the rotation, a clubhouse that actually enjoys showing up to work, and zero albatross contracts dragging them down, Bronx fans are sleeping just fine at night. No regrets. No second thoughts. No, “What if we had just matched the Mets' offer?”

You can keep him.

And Juan? You should be ashamed. You were supposed to be the next great star. Instead, you're baseball’s most expensive sulk. You let other people steer your career into baseball purgatory. You chased a $765 million “comfort deal” and now you’re stuck in the most uncomfortable situation in pro sports: being a Met with expectations.

So go ahead. Keep frowning. Keep pressing. Keep waving at sliders like they insulted your family. Because this is the choice you made. You’re the face of a franchise that turns gold into sawdust.

And for Yankee fans watching from a safe, Soto-free distance?

We’re just sitting back, smiling, and saying:

Thank God he’s not in pinstripes.

SHOCKER: SOTO'S FEELING THE PRESSURE OF CHOOSING THE WRONG TEAM

There’s a storm brewing in Queens — and its name is regret.

Juan Soto was supposed to be the answer. The Mets’ near billion-dollar swing. The superstar who would bring Citi Field back to life, stack MVPs, and carry the team on his broad shoulders all the way to October glory. But here we are, not even halfway through Year One of his 15-year megadeal, and it already looks like Steve Cohen’s grand experiment is turning into a very expensive case of buyer’s remorse.

Because what we’re watching unfold isn’t a coronation — it’s a cautionary tale.

Soto came to the Mets to be the man. But the problem is… he’s not. That title still belongs — definitively, unmistakably — to Aaron Judge who is the king of New York. And no amount of money, press conferences, or forced “fresh starts” in Queens can change that.

This weekend was the clearest example yet. While Judge was tearing the cover off the ball, Soto was barely a presence. He didn’t just get outplayed — he got owned. Judge looked like a superhero, a natural-born leader who carries his team with poise and power. Soto, on the other hand, looked like a guy who wandered into the wrong borough and immediately started wondering how fast he could get back to his Uber.

But the most damning moment didn’t even happen on the field. It came from behind the scenes, courtesy of Bob Klapisch of NJ Advance Media, who reported that Soto agreed to be miked up for ESPN in the second inning — and then backed out at the last minute. Why? Because he was “tired” of answering questions about Aaron Judge. He didn’t want to talk about why he chose the Mets. He didn’t want to talk at all.

And then he ghosted reporters after the game, pulling a classic “I’ll be right back” move to go see family, never to return. It was a Houdini act that fooled no one.

Mets execs are reportedly “concerned” about Soto’s energy. His mood. His commitment. And honestly, they should be. This is a guy who was marketed as a once-in-a-generation superstar, a five-tool phenom with the bat of Barry Bonds and the charisma of David Ortiz. But what they’ve gotten so far is a player who can’t run, can’t field, and looks like he’s one bad game away from asking his agent if there's an escape clause in his contract.

And as if things weren't embarrassing enough, the one time Soto looked genuinely happy this weekend according to Klapisch? It was during batting practice — chopping it up with Judge, Aaron Boone, and Jazz Chisholm like a kid who snuck into the cool lunch table and forgot where his locker is.

It’s clear now: Soto never stopped wanting to be a Yankee. That dream died when the Yankees passed on giving him a lifetime deal. So, he did the next best thing — he took the biggest check. But with that check came pressure, expectations, and, unfortunately for Soto, reality.

Because reality is, Aaron Judge is that guy. Always has been. Since the moment he broke into the league, he’s been doing things Soto can only dream about. He’s the face of the Yankees, the heartbeat of the clubhouse, and the guy every player — including Soto — still gravitates toward.

Judge didn’t just stay with the Yankees. He became the Yankees. He turned down overtures from the Giants and others not just to win — but to lead, to be the captain in a city that eats its stars alive unless they shine brighter than Times Square.

And shine he does.

Judge is what Soto wanted to be — a superhero, but in Queens, beloved by fans, respected by rivals, and absolutely terrifying at the plate. Judge hits for power, plays Gold Glove-caliber defense, and leads by example. And let’s not forget — he carried the Yankees when they were injured, underachieving, and battered, putting the entire city on his back.

Meanwhile, Soto is out here acting like a moody transfer student who can’t believe his new school doesn’t have better lunch options. He even managed to annoy Pete Alonso — the one guy who was supposed to be his partner in crime — by implying that pitchers go at him different now because, gasp, Judge isn’t behind him. Talk about bad optics. Especially when Alonso is currently hitting better than Soto. You don’t throw shade at the guy who’s raking. Not unless you’re producing like peak Miguel Cabrera. But Soto isn’t.

This whole saga has already veered into sitcom territory. Soto wanted to be King of New York. Instead, he’s Judge’s jester — stuck in a long-term relationship with a team he doesn’t seem excited about, in a city that already crowned someone else the face of baseball.

And Yankees fans? Oh, they’re loving every second. Not just because the Yankees dominated the series — but because we dodged a bullet. We watched the Mets drop a Brink’s truck on a guy who can’t even commit to answering a few mic’d-up questions, while our guy quietly continues to build a legacy worthy of Monument Park.

Let’s call it what it is: Juan Soto chased the money. Aaron Judge chose greatness.

And that, more than anything, is why one man wears the crown — and the other wears a very expensive reminder that he made the wrong choice.

Suck it Soto, you chose wrong.

THERE'S A BEN RICE #22 CRAZE & I'M ALL ABOUT IT

Let’s just call it what it is: Ben Rice is that dude. 

The Yankees gave him a shot, and he didn’t blink — he sprinted through the door like he was late for batting practice. The kid came in hot, made his presence felt, and is now slapping the league around with that thunder bat of his.

Meanwhile, over in Queens… Juan Soto is pouting in his private family suite because Pete Alonso isn’t Aaron Judge. Boo-freakin’-hoo. WHAT. A. DICK. What a terrible teammate.

Oh, and about that jersey number? Rice is rocking #22 for the Yankees. Soto’s wearing #22 for the Mets and did for the Yanks. The number itself means nothing to the process — but it’s a beautifully petty cherry on top. Because Rice is what #22 looks like when it actually gives a damn.

Yankee fans are already howling. One fan said, “#22 has a 1.081 OPS in front of Judge just like last year.” Except this time, it’s Ben Rice doing the damage, not Mr. One-Year-Rental himself. Rice didn’t ask for the spotlight — he just took it.

In 17 games to start the 2025 season, Rice is hitting .317 with a .414 OBP, five RBIs, two stolen bases, and has even taken a turn as the DH while Giancarlo Stanton nurses his annual “vintage wine body” injury. We’re already out here trying to make room for Ben Rice on the field because his bat needs to stay. This isn't about potential anymore. This is about production.

Thursday, April 17 — Rice puts on a clinic in a 6-3 Yankees win over the Rays: 4-for-5, a double, three singles, two RBIs. He’s slashing .273/.385/.618 in 65 plate appearances with 5 homers, 7 RBIs, 12 runs, 10 walks, and two bags swiped. The man’s not just surviving. He’s thriving.

Now let’s check in on Soto, the ex-Yankee turned Mets mascot:
Through 19 games? A .221 batting average, three home runs, seven RBIs, one stolen base, and a .361 OBP. And a family suite. That’s about it. He’s a one-tool player and it’s being exposed like a fraud on Broadway. Juan Soto left the Bronx for cash and clout, and now he’s realizing life without Judge is a cold, lonely place. He wants to play with Aaron Judge again. What a bitch.

The Yankees? They’ve turned the page. New season. New squad. New #22.

Ben Rice is here. Juan Soto is gone. And Yankee fans have never been happier to see a so-called superstar whine his way across town while a grinder like Rice builds a legacy in pinstripes — one scorching swing at a time.

#Ben22 

#SotoWho

#CashSoto

#NoSuitesOnlySwings

JUAN SOTO NEEDS AARON JUDGE

I mean... the dude admitted it.

Judge doesn't need Soto however.

In a head-scratching comment that managed to both praise Aaron Judge and throw shade at his own teammate, Juan Soto recently admitted he misses having Judge hitting behind him in the lineup. Now, on the surface, sure, Judge is a monster. No one’s denying that. But when you say that out loud while playing with Pete Alonso — a guy who’s been absolutely raking this year — it’s not just tone-deaf, it’s downright disrespectful.

If I’m Pete Alonso, I’m storming into that Mets clubhouse, flipping over Soto’s imported shampoo bottles, and ripping him a new one. Because let’s be real: Pete’s out here carrying the Mets offense on his back like he’s trying to climb Everest, while Soto’s… well, striking out. A lot.

Take Wednesday’s disaster against the Twins. Juan Soto — the $800 million man — struck out three times. According to Héctor Gómez, that’s the first time he’s worn the Golden Sombrero since July 2024. Through 65 at-bats this season, he’s hitting a weak .231 with just 15 hits. That’s not "superstar" production — that’s “should we move him down the lineup?” production.

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And yet, he has the audacity to act like he’s only struggling because he doesn’t have Aaron Judge protecting him? Come on. If you’re really that dependent on one guy hitting behind you, maybe you’re not the guy you think you are.

Here’s the truth Juan doesn’t want to hear: he wanted to be the man in Queens because he wasn’t the man in the Bronx. The Bronx is Judge’s town, and everyone knew it. But guess what? Queens isn’t your kingdom either, big guy. Not when Pete Alonso is playing like an MVP and you’re sulking in the corner with your .231 average and your "remember when" swagger.

Steve Cohen handed Soto the keys to the castle, but so far, he’s just parked in the driveway listening to old Nationals highlights. The Yankees, bless their cold, calculating hearts, dodged a massive bullet by not backing up the Brinks truck for this guy. Soto's got power, yeah. But 800 million dollars for a home-run-or-bust, Judge-envying, clubhouse-disrespecting diva? Yikes.

Enjoy the ride, Steve. Hope you like spending half a billion on someone who peaks in October... of 2019.

JUAN SOTO MAKES EXCUSES FOR HIS "JUAN SO-SO" SEASON

 There, I said it. Juan Soto needed Aaron Judge to be a successful player for the 2024 Yankee season. Not have sympathy for this ego maniac, I surely don't.

Juan Soto finally admitted the obvious: he’s not the same hitter without Aaron Judge behind him. And you know what? Good. It’s about time he owned up to it. Because the rest of us have been watching him flail around like he left his swing in the Bronx and took only his ego to Queens.

In a stunning moment of unintentional comedy, Soto told The New York Post’s Mike Puma:

“It’s definitely different. I had the best hitter in baseball hitting behind me. I was getting more attacked and more pitches in the strike zone, less intentional walks and things like that. I was pitched differently last year.”

No kidding, Juan. You had Aaron Freakin’ Judge in the on-deck circle. Of course, pitchers didn’t want to walk you—they were terrified of what came next. But now? You're in Queens, and guess what—nobody’s afraid anymore. Certainly not of the Mets lineup, and apparently not of Juan Soto without a security blanket.

Let’s not forget: Soto chose this. He chased the cash. Fifteen years. Seven-hundred sixty-five million dollars. A generational bag. He said goodbye to the Bronx after one glorious season where he racked up 41 homers, 109 RBIs, and a league-leading 128 runs, then ran off to the Mets thinking he could carry a franchise on his back. Spoiler alert: he can't.

This season? It’s not a Juan Soto season—it’s a Juan So-so season. Sure, he still walks. Good for him. The guy’s OBP is hanging on like a Mets fan in October. But pitchers are now attacking him differently because there’s no Judge behind him and, more importantly, no reason to fear who’s next.

And that brings us to Pete Alonso. Quietly hitting .345 with 4 homers and 19 RBIs. Doing his job. Carrying his weight. Meanwhile, Soto publicly implies the lineup around him is a downgrade from what he had in the Bronx. What a teammate. It’s one thing to admit Judge made your life easier—it’s another to publicly throw shade on the guy batting behind you now. Alonso deserves better than that. The whole Mets clubhouse does.

Soto wanted to be The Man. But being The Man means you take responsibility when things don’t go your way. You don’t start dropping “well actually, they pitched me different last year” lines like you’re in a therapy session. You suck it up, step up, and rake. That’s what a $765 million player is supposed to do.

And the worst part? Aaron Judge is doing just fine. Correction—he’s obliterating baseballs, yet again. He’s thriving without Soto. He didn’t need Soto. It turns out Soto needed him.

Judge moved on and leveled up. Alonso’s holding his end down. Soto? Making excuses and playing the smallest violin in Queens.

Let’s be clear here: if you’re making nearly a billion dollars to play baseball, you don’t get to play the victim card. You don’t get to moan about pitch selection. You don’t get to make passive-aggressive digs at your current teammates. What you get to do is hit. And Juan Soto, for all his swagger, hasn’t done nearly enough of that.

The only thing he’s truly elite at right now is cashing Steve Cohen’s checks. Honestly, if I were him, I’d be hitting bombs and kissing Cohen’s billionaire ring every day like it was part of my contract. Instead, we get public pity parties and passive blame-shifting. Weak.

So here’s the truth: Soto’s ego wrote a check he can’t cash without Judge in the picture. And now he’s finding out that being “the guy” means you can’t point fingers when the going gets tough.

No sympathy. Just facts.

GRISHAM WAS THE BETTER MAN IN THAT JUAN SOTO TRADE, HUH?

Aaron Judge said this of Trent Grisham in June 2024 when Soto was hurt and Grisham filled in. 

“Grisham works his butt off every single day. Soto is out right now, he’s going to be back soon and he’s been carrying this team all year. Anytime you go up against teams like this, fans pay to come see us do our thing. They want to see the best out there... Soto is going to heal up fine, but Grish is a heck of a ballplayer and he showed it tonight in a big moment when we needed him. I wasn’t too happy with it, but I think he made a good point; he got his point across with that homer.”  

We should have listened. Right now, Grisham is the better player.  

Now look, things are going to level out.  But remember when Juan Soto was making up garbage trying to justify the Mets signing like the Mets were better than the Yankees in New York? He's not intelligent enough to fool us. We all know that's bologna.

The fact is I may go in hard and am super critical of the Yankees and the move they make, but I'm a gigantic Yankee fan and as long as I've been alive, New York was never a Mets town.  But enough about that.  Soto got what he wanted, he gets to be "the guy" in Queens, but he didn't realize that not having Aaron Judge in the same lineup would be a huge factor with his success.  Soto is good, but maybe he's just not that good? Alonso is not Aaron Judge, plain and simple.

But back to Trent. Grisham played a key role in turning around the series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday with an impressive double and a home run. On Friday, during the series opener at PNC Park, he reached base twice with a hit and two walks, going 1-for-3. Saturday's game saw him deliver even more fireworks, blasting a solo home run in the third inning and later crushing a three-run homer in the fifth, right after the Yankees had taken a 4-2 lead.

So, as we watch Soto struggle to find his groove, Grisham has tossed his hat into the head-to-head ring. Hey, I am not complaining.

I hope it continues, that's all I have to say.  

BLEEDING YANKEE BLUE THANKS NEWSWEEK FOR THE LOVE!

It’s not every day that Bleeding Yankee Blue gets recognized, and when it happens, it’s usually ESPN The Magazine’s Peter Keating labeling me as the “get off my lawn” guy—a cranky old man who doesn’t get that hustle isn’t always necessary over a grueling 162-game season. What a ridiculous take that was for Keating, weirdo. You can read about it HERE.

But this time, the spotlight shines on a different idea: my belief that Anthony Rizzo could thrive as a Player-Coach in the Yankees’ dugout. His presence and wisdom are vital to the team’s camaraderie, and I genuinely think it could make a huge difference. Rizzo isn’t just a solid veteran; he’s a glue guy—the type of player whose influence goes well beyond the stat sheet.

In my piece, COULD RIZZO EVOLVE INTO A PLAYER-COACH ROLE WITH THE YANKEES?, I wrote:

“Rather than seeing this as the end of Rizzo’s journey, I think it could be the start of something pretty special,” I shared. “Especially if the Yankees are paying attention. Picture this: The Bronx Bombers offer Rizzo a unique one-year deal, not just as a player but as a ‘Player-Coach Mentor.’”

I stand by that. Rizzo’s leadership, experience, and championship pedigree would be an asset to the Yankees. He’s one of only two players on the projected 2025 roster with a World Series ring. As Jon Vankin of Newsweek pointed out, “If Rizzo were to return, he would be one of only two players on the 2025 Yankees roster with a World Series championship on his résumé. He homered and drove in five runs for the Chicago Cubs in the 2016 World Series, a historic victory for the Cubs — their first and, to date, only World Series win since 1908.”

That’s exactly the point. Rizzo understands what it takes to build a championship team. He can lead, motivate, and maintain positive morale, helping to bring that winning mentality into the Yankees’ clubhouse. He’s a natural with the younger players, offering guidance and a steady hand as they navigate the pressures of wearing the pinstripes.

Imagine Rizzo pulling a struggling rookie aside, sharing a story from his own journey, or rallying the clubhouse after a tough loss. His impact could extend far beyond his bat and glove—he could be a cultural cornerstone, a leader by example, and the voice that bridges generations in the clubhouse.

There’s not much more to say here other than a heartfelt “Thank you” to Jon Vankin and Newsweek. Newsweek has been giving us our due over here like we would to any publication giving unique takes. They shared our story on Pete Alonso a few weeks ago too when we wrote: SCOTT BORAS RUINED ALONSO.

Here is their piece HERE.  The shout-outs made my day, and I truly appreciate the love! Moments like these remind me why I do what I do—sharing the passion, the hope, and sometimes the wild ideas that keep the Yankees Universe spinning.