DIRTY RED SOX SKATE & CLOWN CORA DOES TOO

Are we surprised? I'm not.

Last week we shared STEVE PEARCE MOCKS RED SOX CHEATING INVESTIGATION AS "A JOKE" and we called for Rob Manfred to get off of his lazy butt and release the report on the Red Sox. He said it was done and he was just holding onto it. Well....we finally got it.

MLB has released it's findings HERE but here is an excerpt:

So Steve Pearce mocked the investigation and called it a joke, but obviously it wasn't. Sure, players were not involved like the cheating Asstros in 2017, and yes, this was not a player driven scheme. But dirty disgraced Alex Cora didn't even have involvement in this according to Manfred? I find this hard to believe.

But guess what, Pearce? It wasn't a joke because your team cheated long before you ever put on the Red Sox uniform. You may not have cheated, but the team you played on, still cheated and they did it after getting in trouble the previous year!

The Red Sox have a culture problem. In 2017 the Red Sox got busted for using Apple smartwatches to relay decoded signs from the team video room to the dugout.

Photo of J.T. Watkins

Anyone wanna take a guess on who was involved with that? The SAME guy involved in this incident a.k.a J.T. Watkins. It's acknowledged in Manfred's report, find it for yourself if you don't believe me.

But this is why I am mad. The Red Sox cheated in 2017 and got caught. They told MLB they were "sorry" and they wouldn't do it again. Fast forward to 2018 where they cheat yet again so what is the punishment?

That's it? First, J.T Watkins should be fired and not allowed to work for MLB, period. He should not be suspended and then not be allowed to return in the same capacity. That does nothing, we see how much integrity this guy doesn't have. A draft pick is nothing for the Red Sox.

They have a cheating culture and John Henry should be ashamed of the culture that he inevitably is responsible for. Alex Cora should just be banned even if he had no involvement in this, but that's my personal opinion. Rob Manfred once again does not PUNISH the Red Sox for this.

Manfred's failure to be a strong leader continues.

Where is the accountability? The Red Sox cheated two years in a row. Baseball's integrity is gone, and our commissioner doesn't care. He's a clown and a disgrace and it's time to just #FIREMANFRED!

That's where I stand anyway. Manfred is a clown, a digrace and a failure. Baseball needs a strong leader and we need the integrity of the game restored.

That won't happen while he is in charge so.... just #FIREMANFRED!

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

STEVE PEARCE MOCKS RED SOX CHEATING INVESTIGATION AS "A JOKE"

I sincerely hope that speaking out against it bites him in the ass.

I wouldn't call a cheating investigation a "joke" after the Houston ASSTROS disgraced the game of baseball. Steve Pearce is frustrated about the process that Rob Manfred has taken after the Red Sox were accused of illegally stealing signs in 2018, the same year they won the World Series.

What a coincidence, right? I mean, Houston cheated in 2017 and they won the World Series. That being said, baseball has investigated about Boston cheating the same year they won the World Series  also. They should....the integrity of the game has been damaged. I get the guy doesn't want to be associated as a possible cheater also but come on.....the ASSTROS cheated. This is no joking matter.

Did the Red Sox cheat? Who knows. Maybe they did, maybe they didn't. If they did I wouldn't be entirely surprised after the Apple watch scandal BUT....until Rob Manfred talks, we get to sit here and wonder. They also get to sit back and wonder and as Pearce said HERE they get to "have this floating over [their] head." Is that fair?

Probably not, but it's what Manfred has decided to do. Manfred is content with releasing the results of the investigation when it is safe for MLB to start the 2020 season, whenever that may be. That could be June, July....maybe even 2021. Who knows, really. This is all up in the air, but it shouldn't be.

We have to wait for the Coronavirus epidemic to subside in order to start the season. We all get that, but what we don't get is why do we have to wait for results of this investigation? When Manfred gave his decision about the ASSTROS there was nothing to wait on. Is he just trying to keep baseball out of the headlines while we all deal with this pandemic? I don't know.

But weeks ago THIS came out and Manfred said he would release the report BEFORE the season. I don't understand the delay because I don't think it accomplishes anything. I guess I agree with Pearce here, stop holding this over everyone's head. Manfred should just release the report. If the Red Sox didn't cheat, then so be it. Why do we have to wait to hear that?

If they did cheat, then tell us the details, lay out the consequences (unlike how he did with Houston) and stop dragging this out. The players deserve to stop being toyed with and honestly....baseball fans could use the distraction. I'm all for baseball news that isn't tied to the Coronavirus. I'm all for rumors that don't deal with moving the season to a neutral site to try and get a season in.

A cheating accusation isn't a joke, but Manfred didn't handle the ASSTROS scandal well and now he's off to a bad start with this one. I can understand why Pearce is frustrated, but this is no joking matter.

What is the real joke here?

Is it the Red Sox?

Is it Pearce and Alex Cora?

Is it just Manfred?

Manfred is the big joke so far. I hope he isn't dropping the ball here again, but it sure sounds like it. Release the report, Manfred! Quit stalling.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

OPENING DAY IS HERE!

Finally! It's been a crazy long winter. It's a long time to miss baseball and think about how close we've come the last two seasons. Now, it's time to finish the job. The third time is the charm and the Yankees have the team to get the job done.

It's not easy accepting that after a 100 win season it's not enough to win the division. That's crazy, actually. That was good for second place and a wild card spot. Aaron Hicks had it right when he said he's tired of losing and Aaron Judge is already thinking beyond Opening Day. He's thinking about winning the division and then the World Series, read more HERE. I like the hunger and determination.

So here we are, Opening Day and the start of winning that division title. I hope Judge hits the ground running with that intensity and desire to get back on top right away. Sure, it is early and you don't win a World Series in April but if you fall behind early you can lose it. The Yankees have a good team, but what does the rest of the division look like?

Toronto Blue Jays

The most interesting thing about the Blue Jays are some of their young guys that will contribute throughout the season. They aren't built to "win now" and they lost their star power now that Marco Estrada and Russell Martin are gone. They don't have great hitters, defenders or pitchers. On paper they look boring. The only exciting names here are Vladimir Guerrero Jr. who will be up at some point  after he recovers from an oblique injury and Elvis Luciano. The Blue Jays got Luciano in the rule 5 draft this winter, he just turned 19 years old, never pitched above rookie ball but made it on to the Opening Day roster!

Tampa Bay Rays

It will be interesting to see what happens to the Rays this season. After winning 90 games last season you would think they would look to make some moves, add some payroll and be more competitive but they didn't do that. They added Charlie Morton to their rotation and he gives the Rays a strong top three in the rotation now, but they still don't have the bullpen or bats that the Yankees and Red Sox do. The Rays will be pesky as always, but it would take a perfect storm for them to take the division at this point.

Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles lost 115 games last season with big names like Manny Machado, Zack Britton, Jonathan Schoop and Adam Jones. All of those guys are gone now. The Orioles are just starting a long term rebuild that started this offseason with a brand new manager and GM because after 115 season loss you definitely cant keep them around. It's going to take some time to rebuild. The Orioles are starting with changes to organizational leadership, not the players. There's really nothing exciting to watch here, except maybe some easy wins when they play the Yankees.

Boston Red Sox

Its weird that the defending World Series Champions didn't have much of an offseason. All they did was re-sign Nathan Eovaldi and Steve Pearce which is boring. They should have re-signed Craig Kimbrel and Joe Kelly. They still could but to be starting the season without them is a bold decision and makes it seem unlikely. The bullpen is the biggest weakness this team has and Kimbrel is an elite closer so it seems dumb on Boston's part. They will still score a ton of runs with their potent offense and they still have a very competitive starting rotation. They will eventually make improvements to that bullpen, but until then the key is to keep the games close and knock the starters out as soon as possible. The defending World Champs can't be crazy enough to have the highest payroll in the game and a weak bullpen, right? I mean....we wouldn't do that but if the Red Sox want to gamble let them! They may have an advantage with their starters, but our offenses are both definitely stacked but anyone can see our bullpen is far superior. I don't think the Red Sox win 108 games again this season but they are still going to be a thorn in our side.

I think the Yankees have what it takes to take the division this year and get back to the World Series. We're also hungry. Now we just have to be hungrier than everyone else and win series to get there. It's going to be a LONG season, but let's start it off right with a series win over the Orioles! Thank goodness baseball is back.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @nyprincessj

EXCLUSIVE: YANKS "NOT JAZZED" ABOUT MACHADO

Photo: Los Angeles Times

You know how I hate speculation, but I actually do have a tiny, tiny... (did I mention tiny?) piece of information involving Manny Machado and the New York Yankees. Take it for what it's worth...and it's probably not worth much.

You know I have a "source" inside the Yankees hot box, and while it's way too early and while this may not be a ton of legitimate info, it's still a piece that I haven't heard anywhere else "officially".  The Yankees are quote "not jazzed" about Manny Machado "since the World Series".  That comes from my guy on the inside and that makes a ton of sense considering some of the antics he pulled during the playoffs.

Photo: USA Today Sports

It's being suggested by my source who spoke to a person who does not want to be named that while Manny is a talented player, the New York Yankees worry is he's more of a selfish player... "not Yankee material".  the word selfish is not his word, but instead my interpretation of what was relayed to me. The words in quotes are direct.

Now look, this is just interesting if anything else.  We saw Manny do some pretty immature things on the field down the stretch, and while I would like to see Manny play in New York ( I really do), I believe that some of the stunts he pulled in the World Series for instance aren't exactly the Yankee way.

Manny Machado says he didn’t mean to spike Steve Pearce https://t.co/Piq9GHFDT5 pic.twitter.com/gA8ubEgD2n

— Boston.com Sports (@BDCSports) October 28, 2018

Stepping the heel of Steven Pearce running to first base a few nights ago... while it could have easily been a mistake or a 'misfooting' on the first base bag, it still looked bad.  Secondly, remember when he kicked Jesus Aguilar of the Brewers during that series?

ICYMI: Things got heated between Manny Machado and Jesús Aguilar late in Game 4 of the NLCS. pic.twitter.com/jz6HwCMaYw

— ESPN (@espn) October 17, 2018

All these little incidents look like something you do when you are frustrated, and, of course, when you're coming down the first base line and you want to let loose alittle, the first baseman is the only one there, right?

Photo: OC Register

I like Manny the ballplayer, but I don't like Manny the dirty ballplayer. I don't like dirty and I don't like desperate. Manny has enough talent to let THAT do the talking. Why does he need to play dirty and why do little incidents like this keep happening? Seems like a pattern of a player that wants his way.

But look, the point of this post is to let you know that I have a tidbit, and hey, it may mean absolutely nothing. But it's damn interesting.

Do I see Manny Machado coming to the Yankees? I do.  I think that it is someone we can have at short if Didi Gregorius is out after Tommy John, or at third if we want to have a more veteran player there in place of a Miguel Andiujar.  But long term? I'm not sure that's the play when it comes to Manny Machado. I would hate to pay big money and attach a long term to him. Couple that with his antics down the stretch this season, the way he seems to treat the opposing team and his immaturity... I just don't know what to make of it.  I think if the Yankees did take a chance on him they would hope that his happiness of being a Yankee would allow that immaturity and lack of hustle to go away. But you just don't know if that will happen until he's in the Bronx and to be honest it's a roll of the dice.  Now I'm just rambling...

Hey, we will have to see. That being said, I always vowed I'd bring you nuggets when I get them... and I got one. Take it or leave it... it's pretty interesting though.

Carry on...

ACT LIKE YOU'VE BEEN THERE BEFORE

I'm a Yankee fan, but I'm a baseball fan, BUT... I barely watched the World Series.

Congrats to the Red Sox, not so much on the World Series, but for a great team season, full of a lot of wins and achievements. Who doesn't like Mookie Betts? Who spits thinking what could have been if the Yankees took a chance on Steve Pearce or Nathan Eovaldi?  Who really thinks Clayton Kershaw is a big time pitcher?

Think again.

The Red Sox won and for that team, a very special one, Congrats is in the cards on that. For the Boston fans that act like they've been there before, I tip my cap.  That's class.

For the Chants of "Yankees Suck" in a World Series, admit it, you're obsessed with us.  You love to hate us... but we weren't even involved. YOU WERE PLAYING THE DODGERS.

You can hear the Yankee chants. I don't get those. Of course, I know the history, But I don't get it.

— Andrew Marchand (@AndrewMarchand) October 29, 2018

I mean, in your minds, who did you think you were really playing?

I will never understand the classless, childish bull involved with clueless and 1 dimensional Sox fans that can't seem to get past the fact that the Red Sox triumphs literally have nothing to do with us Yankee fans and our team.  You've passed us this year, fools. You should be looking in your rear view waving goodbye... not egging us on so we come back stronger.  You missed the entire point of your season Red Sox fans.  You were the best team on the diamond this year and you can't move forward. Dumb.

Imagine winning the World Series and still chanting “Yankees suck”. The Red Sux fan base is such a joke. They never stop obsessing about us.

— Princess (@NYYprincess33) October 29, 2018

The Yankees fell short.  Chanting "Yankees suck" in the World Series... kind of pathetic.  We literally mean nothing in your big world right now.

And that's the difference when it comes to being there before and not being there enough.  The Yankees have done more with less the past few years.  No big time signings other than Giancarlo Stanton and we all know that didn't really work out.

Photo: USA Today Sports

We have youngsters... we're trying to play like a smaller market team even though we spend big money. We in essence were the underdogs this season, not the Red Sox who had every big name and spend a ton of money to get there. Hey, I'm not saying that's wrong by the way... the object is to win in the now, and the strategy has been pretty much invented by the Yankees during the Steinbrenner years.  The Red Sox, the Dodgers, they adopted it and they made it to the World Series... but my Yankees were not in it based on a new strategy. And maybe that's why I didn't care about this year's World Series.  Either way, you can't ignore a good baseball team when you see it, and the Red Sox were that this year. Bottom line.

Photo: Boston Globe

But when it comes to the Yankees, we just weren't ready and the Red Sox were.  But when it comes to the fans (and there are a great group of respectful Sox fans out there), many of you acted like trash.  You should be standing tall, tip your cap to your team, congratulate the Dodgers for making it that far and walk into the sunset knowing your team did something pretty amazing... you won a whole lot of games.... and you had a great damn team.

Will the Yankees return stronger next season? Absolutely.  But the Yankee fans will be angrier because of your silly display.  Yankee fans are funny. We don't think much of it when the Sox beat us. We don't go off on Red Sox fans when their team does better.

We get mad at our own team... we get mad at Aaron Boone or Cashman for the moves they made or didn't make.  Red Sox fans? They have this thing in their head where razzing a losing Yankee team means something. It doesn't. You guys won... that's it. Congrats.

Let me state for the record the not all Red Sox fans are trash, and trust me, there are plenty of trashy Yankee fans out there.  I'm targeting the few that think that fighting after a loss is smart. I'm targeting the ones that will shove an opposing fan, or spit on them if they disagree. I'm targeting the geniuses that are obsessed with us Yankee fans and can't stop chanting "Yankees Suck" even after the Red Sox were the last team standing in the World Series. That was a few series' ago... get over it.

It's baseball folks, act like you've been there before.

Congrats to the Sox. A great team this year.  I hate every minute of it, but as a baseball fan, you need to respect the grind, and that's what I'll do.

HELLO ALDS, IT'S LUKETOBER TIME!

Photo: Getty Images

We all love Aaron Judge BUT who doesn't love Luke Voit? Well....besides Cardinals fans, Stephen Piscotty and the rest of the Oakland A's. HOLY COW!

I am still reeling from last night! It was epic, it was a nail biter, and it was all of the excitement we all want to see in the postseason. It was October baseball is all about. Well, shall we say Luketober now? Too cheesy? I'm so amped right now I will roll with just about anything.

Photo: Getty Images

If you weren't a Voit fan when the Yankees got him, you are now! Now we all can finally agree that LUKE'S NO FLUKE and this guy is everything the Yankees could've hoped for. Best acquisition ever! Okay, maybe ever is a little extreme but I like the guy.

This team has some major swag right now and Voit is no exception. He is baseball's incredible Hulk. He's tough, he has power and he can rock an unbuttoned Yankees jersey like nobody else. This guy is special, and the A's wouldn't disagree and hopefully the Red Sox will get the same experience. This was the game our boys needed heading into Boston.

Photo: Getty Images

Maybe I was finally wrong about Aaron Boone. I've been hard on him this season and I admit that, but I think he made all of the right moves last night. Luis Severino was throwing hard and that first inning was epic, but Dellin Betances was the shining moment for me. I was surprised to see Betances called in early and in the middle of a jam. I give credit where credit is due....well played, skipper.

Now the Red Sox and Yankees will meet in the postseason for the first time since the 2004 ALCS. Now it is time get revenge from 2004. I guess now is a great time to have restored faith in Boone. He knows the intensity this series will have and the scrutiny will be magnified now more than ever. Boone starred in one of the more famous moments in Red Sox-Yankees history with his game-winning home run off Tim Wakefield in Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS. This may be one of the most exciting postseason series I have ever seen in my life, and maybe yours too.

Photo: Getty Images

The Red Sox will be an incredibly tough challenge, their 108 win season can't be discredited. Lucky for us, wins in the regular season don't matter now. It's a whole new ballgame. If the Yankees play like they did last night, they can win. The Red Sox have some serious question marks right now.

Ace Chris Sale has only thrown 17 innings since July 27 because of a shoulder injury and his velocity has dropped considerably. Then of course David Price, is 0-3 with a 10.34 earned run average against the Yankees in recent years. He's always struggled against the Yankees and hopefully he continues to.

Photo: Getty Images

Now the Yankees will likely give the ball to J.A. Happ to start the series, and that could be a great advantage for us. He has had success against the Red Sox, with an 8-4  record and 2.98 ERA. His biggest concern will be Steve Pearce who is 11 for 32 against Happ, with 6 home runs, 2 doubles, 5 walks and 16 runs batted in. If Happ can continue his success against the Red Sox a game one win would be a HUGE victory.

The Red Sox don't have the bullpen we do, it's a weakness. We can see now more than ever that our guys want to win. We came so close last year, we are hungrier this year and want it. The best rivalry in sports is back in a big way.

I can't wait for Friday! Congrats fellas, now rest up! The quest for 28 is back.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @Nyprincessj 

THE YANKS JUST KEEP ON COMING!

It's a late surge and it's glorious.

CreditCreditElise Amendola/Associated Press

The Yanks are finishing strong.  Last night they beat the Boston Red Sox in Boston 11-6, but not only that, they have tied the all-time team home run record in a season and let's also mention that they clinched home field advantage for that Wild card game next Wednesday night.  It was a good night for the Yankees. It was a great night for us Yankee fans!

My man Erik Boland of Newsday writes:

"On a night when the Yankees hit four home runs to tie the major-league record for homers in a season (264) and clinched home-field advantage in the wild-card game by beating the Red Sox, 11-6, at Fenway Park, Happ allowed four runs and four hits in six innings. He began with five sharp innings, but a misjudged fly ball in the sixth became a double and extended the inning, setting the stage for Steve Pearce’s two-out grand slam. 

Photo: Getty Images

'I’d love to get the nod, I can say that,' Happ said of the wild-card assignment. 'But I think we’re going to feel good with whoever’s out there. We’ll see how it plays out.'"

Happ's been outstanding for the Yankees.  If the Yanks didn't have such a commanding lead, I would have been worried. Plus Happ's allowed to have a bad inning here and there.

Overall, the Yankees have been playing very good baseball down the stretch.  They are playing like a team that could go all the way.  Let's hope so.

STEVE PEARCE: PASS OR PLAY?

I am having a harder time getting excited about this off season. Usually, I am waiting to see who the Yankees can sign and improve the roster with. Right now, I am more excited to wait and see the kids then for some big name to be added. The free agent class really isn't that exciting this year but because there are so few good names to go around, the competition will be Pearce....excuse me, I meant fierce.

OK, so maybe I did that on purpose but it works as a set up. One name that is getting a lot of attention right now is Steve Pearce and he does make a lot of sense for the Yankees. He's played three full seasons in the AL East and knows how to play here and he is as versatile as you can ask for a bench player. It's no wonder why we aren't the only ones interested.

Maybe you don't remember Pearce, but he did play in 12 games for us back in 2012 and since then he has played for The Rays and the Orioles. He had a .288 BA and 13 home runs in 302 plate appearances this season but a September elbow injury certainly hurt his value so he won't be able to collect a fat contract this off season.

He may not be a big name, but he is extremely valuable if he can stay healthy. Pearce would be a good guy to have on the bench because he is already used to the role and the guy can hit lefties. In 82 at-bats this past season against lefties he hit for a .317 BA, with 7 home runs and 18 RBIs. He may not play a lot, but when he does the Yankees could have confidence throwing him in as a pinch hit scenario against a lefty and trust that he can be productive.

Pearce would be a a good pickup for the Yankees because he's more than just a DH option. He could play in a few different roles, including first base. The Yankees will need to play it smart here. Greg Bird has missed an entire year and is still trying to get back into a routine down in the Arizona Fall League. Pearce has experience at first base, he can give Bird a much needed day off and will be just fine in a defensive capacity. He also has experience at second base, so when Starlin Castro needs a rest he can fill in there also....but so far only the Orioles have been bold enough to play him there. It never hurts to have options though. Pearce has also played in the outfield but hopefully the Yankees would limit his time out there and use him primarily in the infield.

Even as a bench player Pearce is still undervalued. He just finished a one-year deal for $4.75 million and even with all of the competition the Yankees will have to sign him they could easily double his salary in hopes to land him and that would still be a good deal for the Yankees because they would likely get a large return on that investment.

Even with a less than enticing free agent market the Yankees still have some options that will help them strengthen their team on a budget. Pearce has a lot to offer and he fits a very important requirement for the Yankees.....he's cheap. Will the Yankees make a move? Time will tell.

 --Jeana Bellezza, BYB Senior Writer & Editor
  Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ