DODGERS SPENDING HABITS ARE TOO MUCH FOR THE YANKEES

Could it be possible that the spotlight of evil is off the Yankees? The Athletic thinks so. In fact their quote is this, "Maybe the Evil Empire really has relocated to the West Coast." Yes, maybe, and eventually they have to pay up. I feel like they just keep racking in the "Bobby Bonillas". In case you don't know, this was the contract the New York Mets agreed on in order to bring in and eventually cut Bonilla back in 2001. He is paid every July 1 through 2035. The Dodgers have a few of those kinds of contracts. In fact, "The Dodgers have committed nearly a half-billion in guaranteed dollars to players this offseason, second only to the New York Mets, who signed Juan Soto to a historic 15-year, $765 million deal." So it is safe to say that the Dodgers spending habits are wide and deep, perhaps too deep for the Yankees.

According to The Athletic, "This winter, the Dodgers made the following big-money signings: Lefty starting pitcher Blake Snell, five years, $182 million; lefty reliever Tanner Scott, four years, $72 million; outfielder Teoscar Hernández, three years, $66 million; righty reliever Blake Treinen, two years, $22 million; outfielder Michael Conforto, one year, $17 million; and infielder Hyeseong Kim, three years, $12.5 million. They also landed Japanese free-agent starting pitcher Roki Sasaki, the most coveted international prospect of the winter." This is in addition of course to Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, Max Muncy, must I go on? You can see the whole payroll here.

But the Yankees haven't been quiet in the off season. They have made some upgrades for sure. But not quite at the expense that the Dodgers have. They have picked up starting pitcher Max Fried, veteran first base man Paul Goldschmidt, outfield Cody Bellinger and likely the best closer in the game right now in Devin Williams. Yet, still, the Death Star march plays for the Dodgers who have positioned themselves as not only the team to beat but the team to hate.

What likely adds salt to the Yankees wounds is that the Dodgers are favored to repeat in 2025, perhaps a rematch in the Fall Classic with their rival Bombers. But I think Hal Steinbrenner has the right mindset here, “They still have to have a season relatively injury-free for it to work out for them, and it’s a long season, as you know, and once you get to the postseason, anything can happen. We’ve seen that time and time again. We’ll see who’s there at the end.” He's right. The season is unforgiving. And injuries are inevitable. It is about who is left standing at the end. And this year, the Yankees hope it's them and that they have done enough.

With Spring Training only a few weeks away, the anticipation for the new season is high. Will the Yankees start early and stay strong? My prediction is yes. They have a good start; they lead the East through the All-Star Break, and they have a heck of half of a season. But guess what, so do the Dodgers. So, then it really comes down to do the dollar pay for endurance and greatness? We shall see. It will be interesting to watch what money can pay for. 

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

DODGERS SIGN YET ANOTHER RELIABLE ARM FOR THEIR ALREADY STELLAR TEAM

The Los Angeles Dodgers are at it again, like that one kid in your neighborhood Monopoly game who buys every property, throws down hotels, and then has the audacity to shrug when everyone else is bankrupt. This offseason, they're not just trying to win—they’re trying to assemble the Avengers of MLB. And sure, if it’s within the rules, there’s technically nothing wrong with it. But let’s be real: it’s absolutely infuriating.

Their latest moves? Signing lefty ace Tanner Scott for a cool four years and $72 million, and following that up by snagging Kirby Yates, one of 2024’s best relievers. Because, apparently, having a bullpen that’s merely excellent wasn’t enough. Oh, and don’t forget the rest of their historic offseason shopping spree: Roki Sasaki, Blake Snell, Teoscar Hernández (re-signed), Michael Conforto, Hyeseong Kim, and Blake Treinen (also re-signed). At this point, the only thing missing is Shohei Ohtani pitching one inning while playing center field in the next.

But let’s focus on Sasaki for a second—because that one has rival execs lighting up group chats with conspiracy theories. The whispers are deafening: was there a pre-existing deal between Sasaki and the Dodgers? Was MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred asleep at the wheel? Rival teams are livid, and frankly, they’ve got a point. Sasaki’s decision supposedly “came down” to the Dodgers, Padres, and Blue Jays, but everyone with a pulse knew this was ending in Dodger blue. And then, just hours after signing Sasaki, they drop the Tanner Scott deal. Coincidence? Yeah, and I’m a Cy Young contender.

Meanwhile, the Dodgers’ rotation now looks like it was assembled in a video game, their bullpen is untouchable, and the rest of the league is left trying to figure out how to even compete. It’s like the rich kid showed up to the sandlot with a golden bat and hired a personal trainer just to flex on everyone else.

The Dodgers are ruining baseball. Sure, they’re technically playing by the rules, but when the rules let you stockpile talent like you’re hoarding limited-edition sneakers, maybe it’s time for a rulebook rewrite. Until then, the rest of us will be here, rolling our eyes, praying for an underdog miracle, and watching the Dodgers parade their All-Star roster like a kid showing off his Pokémon card collection. It’s getting old, L.A. Seriously.

LOOKS LIKE THE YANKEES COULD BE IN A FIGHT WITH BOSTON

Alright, folks, let’s not dance around it—Andrew Chafin belongs in pinstripes. It’s time for the Yankees to lock this guy down. Last season, Chafin stepped onto the mound in 62 games, struck out 70 batters in just 56.1 innings, and showed he’s still got that nasty edge. Sure, the fastball might’ve lost a smidge of its zip, but don’t let that fool you—he’s a nightmare for left-handed hitters.

Here’s the deal: Chafin is the kind of bullpen upgrade the Yankees need. He’s 34, sure, but that means there’s a good chance the Yankees could scoop him up on a one- or two-year deal without breaking the bank. And let’s be real, every day the market cools, his asking price probably drops a little more. The Yankees can’t afford to sit on their hands here. This is the perfect moment to pounce.

The Devin Williams trade already shook things up, giving the Yankees room to slide Luke Weaver into a flexible role in the bullpen. But they’re still missing one crucial piece: a lefty with swing-and-miss stuff who can handle high-leverage moments against tough left-handed hitters. Enter Chafin.

Now, let’s not pretend this is a no-competition situation. Tanner Scott would’ve been a dream signing, but the Dodgers swooped in with bags of cash that the Yankees weren’t willing to match. Fine. Plan B? Andrew Chafin. The Red Sox are reportedly sniffing around too, because of course they are. NESN’s Gio Rivera even hyped Chafin up as a potential “impact reliever” for Boston in the post-Scott sweepstakes.

And why wouldn’t they want him? Chafin’s stats last year were solid—3.51 ERA across 62 games split between Detroit and Texas. Add in his reputation as a durable workhorse and his glorious mullet (yes, the mullet deserves its own shoutout), and it’s easy to see why he’s in demand. He’s the kind of guy who brings grit to the mound and fits right into a locker room vibe.

So Yankees, don’t let the Red Sox steal this one. Make the move, get Chafin, and let’s keep this bullpen scary for 2025. It’s mullet time in the Bronx.

TEAMS ARE CLOSING IN ON VERDUGO

Remember the spark Alex Verdugo brought to the Yankees early on? We all loved it! His energy was electric, the kind of vibe you wish you could bottle up. But let’s be honest, the flame kind of fizzled as the season went on... we all saw it live. Still, Verdugo remains a solid player with loads to prove. If you haven’t already, check out our piece I LOVE THE BALLS ON ALEX VERDUGO on Bleeding Yankee Blue. It's a must-read!

Now, here’s the juicy part: a couple of teams are really starting to sniff around Verdugo, eager to bring his spark to their roster.

The San Diego Padres are predicted to be in the mix for Verdugo. After a somewhat disappointing offseason, missing out on stars like Roki Sasaki and Tanner Scott (ouch), they’re keen to make some moves. Losing out to their NL West rivals, the Los Angeles Dodgers, stings a bit, doesn’t it? I still think the Dodgers did something shady. Maybe that's just me.

The Padres are in a bit of a belt-tightening phase, saying “no thanks” to Jurickson Profar. That leaves some space in their outfield, and Verdugo could be the perfect fit. An affordable left-handed bat? Yes, please!

But hold up—the Pirates might just be the best fit for Verdugo. Pittsburgh is brewing something interesting with Andrew McCutchen’s return, and Verdugo could be the cherry on top. He’s still young, has a decent postseason resume, and won’t break the bank. A one-year deal could be just what the Pirates need and exactly what Verdugo wants to prove his worth.

So, stay tuned—wherever Verdugo lands, he’s sure to bring the energy we all know and appreciate.

QUESTIONS SURROUND THE DODGERS & ROKI SASAKI

I couldn’t believe it when I saw the news. I found it strange for many reasons, but knowing what the Dodgers already have, and now they had Roki Sasaki, it was like that 3 headed monster from the old Godzilla series...Ghidorah.

From Roki Sasaki they quickly signed reliever Tanner Scott. I mean how good are the Dodgers going to be? And how much money do they have? This isn’t just another big move—it’s yet another chapter in what has become an almost suspiciously successful saga for the Dodgers. Let’s not forget they landed Shohei Ohtani just last year. Now, reports are there are whispers of an investigation are gaining momentum, and frankly, it’s not hard to see why.

Jim Bowden, The Athletic's MLB insider and a former executive, has already sounded the alarm. He suspects that the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays, and New York Mets are gearing up to call for an inquiry into the Andrew Friedman and the Dodgers' latest acquisition of Roki Sasaki. On the Foul Territory podcast, Bowden didn’t mince words: “I think you’re going to find that multiple teams are going to ask the commissioner’s office to investigate this particular signing. Several front offices believe there was a precut deal between the Dodgers and Roki Sasaki before the negotiation window even opened.”

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it’s probably a duck. The timing and nature of this Sasaki signing make it hard to dismiss the notion of a pre-arranged deal. Sasaki's camp has denied it, but the denials themselves are almost too strong, almost too rehearsed. As Bowden elaborated that the denials were so strong that it made you scratch your head. We were told "that a small market" would be more suitable for Sasaki, given the issues he faced with the media in Japan. Endorsements were cited as a significant factor, and Los Angeles was supposedly a poor fit due to the looming presence of Ohtani and Yamamoto. Yet, here we are, with all signs pointing toward a possible precut agreement.

Consider the logic. Sasaki, a pitcher with a reputation for being media-shy, was expected to gravitate toward a smaller market where he wouldn’t have to endure the intense spotlight that comes with playing in a big city like Los Angeles. On top of that, the Dodgers already have Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, two towering figures in baseball. The narrative was that Sasaki wouldn’t want to play in their shadow, especially in a market as scrutinized as LA. And yet, the Dodgers pulled it off.

Conveniently, all those “reasons” for Sasaki to avoid LA suddenly don’t seem to matter.

This isn’t the first time the Dodgers have seemingly defied expectations in the free-agent market. Their ability to land star players almost effortlessly has raised eyebrows before, but this time, it’s pushing rival teams over the edge. There’s a sense that the rules might have been bent, or worse, outright broken.

The league’s competitive balance is at stake. If the Dodgers are indeed engaging in backdoor deals, it’s not just about unfairly bolstering their roster—it’s about eroding trust in the system that’s supposed to give every team a fair shot at signing top talent. The potential investigation could uncover practices that might force the MLB to rethink how it governs free-agent negotiations.  But much like the Astros cheating scandal, Rob Manfred will no doubt see no wrongdoing and force everyone to move on, and that is how it will all go down.

It’s no wonder teams like the Yankees, Blue Jays, and Mets are reportedly considering pushing for an investigation in my opinion. The Dodgers have consistently outmaneuvered them, and this latest series of signings just feel weird. If the commissioner’s office does launch an inquiry, it could reshape the landscape of MLB free agency for years to come. But believe me, Manfred would rather not disturb his kingdom and so nothing will happen... but I am suspicious.

For now, the Dodgers bask in their latest triumph, but the shadow of suspicion looms large. The baseball world waits to see if this house of cards will come tumbling down, exposing the machinations that may have fueled their meteoric rise. 

One thing’s certain—I back Bowden on this one. I believe this story is far from over.

HOG DODGERS BUY ANOTHER TOP PITCHER

The Los Angeles Dodgers have agreed to terms with free agent closer Tanner Scott on a four-year, $72 million deal, according to Jeff Passan. 

Scott, who was traded to the Padres at the deadline, posted a 1.75 ERA and 2.92 FIP between the two clubs. The Dodgers reportedly had Scott as one of their top targets this offseason.

Bob Nightengale mentions that the Boston Red Sox offered Scott more years at a higher average annual value than the Dodgers, but he chose LA instead. Scott's deal includes a $20 million signing bonus and $21 million in deferred payments, a structure the Dodgers have employed in several deals this offseason, according to a source familiar with the situation.

The addition of Scott likely marks the conclusion of another busy offseason for the reigning World Series champions. Before signing Scott, the Dodgers added Blake Snell, one of the top starters on the market; re-signed Teoscar Hernandez; signed Michael Conforto to solidify the corner outfield; brought in Korean second baseman Hyeseong Kim, extended Tommy Edman; and, in one of the off-season's most significant moves, attracted phenom Roki Sasaki.

While the Yankees were once considered the "Evil Empire" for their lavish spending, the current state of the Dodgers' financial muscle raises eyebrows in my opinion. The sheer amount of money they can spend on players seems unbelievably unbalanced compared to the rest of Major League Baseball. It's almost a monopoly. It's almost sickening. It's almost curious how it's being managed.

In fact, the Dodgers' financial maneuvers could be considered suspicious in my eyes as they continue to outbid and outmaneuver other teams. Their ability to consistently secure top talent is both impressive and perplexing, leading some to question how they manage their finances. It's nuts.

As you know, Tanner Scott was loosely connected to the Yankees, with Bleeding Yankee Blue recently writing about him in an article titled MOMENTUM COULD BE BUILDING ON TANNER SCOTT. However, just hours later, reports surfaced that the Yankees were more focused on Andrew Chafin than on Scott. 

Whatever the case, the Dodgers' dominance in the market is ridiculous. Wow.

YANKS MAY PREFER CHAFIN OVER SCOTT

Interesting developments over the past few hours.

Bleeding Yankee Blue has always been high on Tanner Scott, and for good reason. The guy throws absolute gas, and any team would be lucky to have him blowing fastballs past hitters. But while the Yankees like Scott, recent whispers in the baseball grapevine suggest they’ve got their eyes on someone else. Enter Andrew Chafin, the mustached maestro who’s emerging as a strong candidate for the Yankees’ left-handed relief vacancy. Yes, we wrote about Chafin a bit ago in ANDREW CHAFIN & TIM HILL "HIGH" ON YANKEES BULLPEN LIST. It got really quiet when it came to Chafin, but now it seems to be heating up again.

Chafin’s appeal isn’t just in his facial hair, although it certainly adds a layer of intimidation. The guy’s got seasoned experience and has proven he can handle batters from both sides of the plate, making him a versatile weapon in any bullpen arsenal. This versatility is exactly what the Yankees need right now, and according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post, Chafin was pegged as a priority target way back in December 2024. Hey, when Heyman speaks, people listen – especially when it comes to the Yankees’ bullpen strategies.

Now, let’s be clear: Tanner Scott is still a stud, but his anticipated price tag might make you choke on your coffee. The Yankees have been savvy spenders and have been near perfect this off season, and they seem to be looking for options that won't break the bank. In comes Chafin, along with names like Tim Hill and Brooks Raley, as the Yankees seek to balance effectiveness with financial flexibility. It’s like shopping for a car—sure, you’d love the shiny sports car, but that reliable SUV looks pretty darn good when you factor in the kids and groceries.

Speaking of Tim Hill, we’ve been banging the drum for him at Bleeding Yankee Blue for a while now. Hill was fantastic for us in the Bronx last year, and we’d love to see him back in pinstripes, mowing down hitters with that funky delivery of his. It’s like having a secret weapon up your sleeve, and we can’t get enough of it.

So, while we have nothing but love for Tanner Scott, the Yankees seem to be playing it smart by considering other options like Chafin and Hill. It’s all about finding the right mix of talent and affordability, and let’s face it, we wouldn’t expect anything less from the Bronx Bombers. After all, they’ve got a World Series to win, and they’re building a bullpen that can help them get there, one smart move at a time.

MOMENTUM COULD BE BUILDING ON TANNER SCOTT

Guess what, baseball fans? Tanner Scott is still on the free agency market! Yes, you heard that right. One of the top left-handed relievers in the game is just sitting there, waiting to be scooped up—and all it takes is some cash. I know the Blue Jays are looking at him, but the Yanks should be too and momentum could be building as we inch closer to spring training.

Ryan Garcia, Yankees writer and podcaster extraordinaire, is shouting from the rooftops that the Yankees should seriously consider adding Scott to their roster, or at least poke around to see how things are shaping up in his market. “I think the Yankees should still explore the Tanner Scott market. If it isn’t as prominent as people thought and he signs a 2-year deal with an opt-out? That’s just good value,” he wrote.

But wait, there’s more! Remember when we here at Bleeding Yankee Blue hyped up the potential of pairing Scott with Luke Weaver and Devin Williams? “Pair Scott with Luke Weaver and Devin Williams, and suddenly, the Yankees’ bullpen could become an impenetrable fortress. It’s like assembling a dream team of shutdown artists, with Scott ready to bring the heat and make batters rethink their choices,” they said. And they’re not wrong!

Just imagine the chaos Tanner Scott could bring to the mound. In 72 innings between the Miami Marlins and the San Diego Padres, he fanned 84 batters and posted a jaw-dropping 1.75 ERA. The guy’s a strikeout machine, and the Yankees could use that kind of firepower to lock down the back of their bullpen.

A Scott-Weaver-Williams trio to close out games? That would be pure dominance. It would be sick. So, Yankees, what are you waiting for? Get on the Tanner Scott train before it leaves the station!

IT WOULD BE GREAT IF THE YANKEES GRABBED TANNER SCOTT

Let’s face it, Tanner Scott isn’t just your average left-handed reliever—he’s one of those guys who makes batters wonder why they even bothered picking up a bat. If the Yankees snag him, their bullpen could go from good to downright terrifying.

This past season, Scott was like a baseball nomad, splitting his time between the Miami Marlins and the San Diego Padres. And boy, did he make the most of it! Before he packed his bags at the trade deadline, Scott was boasting a ridiculous 1.18 ERA and had already struck out 53 hitters in just 45.2 innings. Not surprisingly, this earned him his first All-Star Game nod after eight years in the league.

"With the Yankees, Scott has the makings of Andrew Miller 2.0," writes Just Baseball. "Miller posted a 1.77 ERA through 104 outings as a Yankee, striking out nearly 15 batters per nine innings and being one of the most dominant relief pitchers in the game. Scott’s close to there already, so his addition would bring back a ton of memories for followers of the Yankees."

Sounds like a dream, doesn’t it? Pair Scott with Luke Weaver and Devin Williams, and suddenly, the Yankees’ bullpen could become an impenetrable fortress. It’s like assembling a dream team of shutdown artists, with Scott ready to bring the heat and make batters rethink their choices.

A few days ago, someone floated the idea of bringing in David Robertson, which is great and all, but why stop there? Adding Tanner Scott to the mix would be like getting not just a cherry on top but the whole sundae bar. Who wouldn’t want an extra layer of security, especially when the stakes are high in the postseason?

Last year, the Yankees learned a tough lesson: you can never have too many dominant bullpen arms. When October baseball rolls around, having a guy like Scott who can mow down hitters is a must, not a luxury. 

So, let’s make it happen, Yankees. Scott’s arm could be just the magic touch the bullpen needs.

BULLPEN HELP COULD BE ON THE WAY!

Let’s talk lefties and why Tanner Scott should be the Yankees’ next big bullpen move. 

Look, the Bronx needs a wrecking ball in the 'pen to pair with Luke Weaver, who—admit it—has been shockingly amazing. Enter Tanner Scott: a human cheat code with a fastball-slider combo so filthy it should come with a hazmat warning. If the Yanks land Scott, we’re talking about a 1-2 punch that could have hitters running back to the dugout, crying for their moms in my opinion.

The man clocked a 1.75 ERA, fanned 84 batters in 72 innings, and picked up an All-Star nod. That’s not just dominant—that’s “don’t touch my plate” dominant. Scott was no walks, no drama, just strikeouts and vibes. Exactly what we need after watching the bullpen implode like a bad TikTok trend.

Now, I hear you: “But we have Luke Weaver as our closer!” Sure, Weaver’s been solid, but why stop there? The Yankees weren’t exactly pinching pennies after passing on Juan Soto’s 16-year deal. Sixteen years! That’s longer than most marriages, and by Year 3, the Mets will be stuck paying for a guy hitting .214 while complaining about Citi Field’s dimensions. Classic Mets move.

Back to Tanner Scott. This guy has bounced from Miami to San Diego, mowing down hitters like it’s his full-time job—because it is. Fastball-slider, bat-missing magician, lefty specialist—he checks every box. Pair him with Weaver, and suddenly, Yankee fans can actually enjoy the last three outs of a game instead of clutching their chest like a heart attack is imminent.

Scott’s addition would make our Yankee bullpen great. So, Brian Cashman, stop overthinking it and give us Tanner Scott. Do it for us fans for crying out loud.

Stay tuned.

ALL THE THINGS THE YANKEES NEED TO FIX BEFORE I STEP INTO THAT STADIUM AGAIN!

When I was in high school, I wrote for the school newspaper. I know you are shocked. But here is the thing. I wrote this piece about the New York Times delivering our journalism "textbook" in a snow drift on a busy intersection on Hylan Boulevard in Staten Island. So an entire set of papers together in twine in 12 inches of snow for high school students to use in class. I blasted them with a headline, "All the News That's Fit to Toss Into a Snowdrift." My point. I am not nearly as angry about Juan Soto going to the Mets as I am with a bunch of other to-do list items that the team needs to take responsibility for. And by the way, if they don't, you won't see me at the Stadium in 2025.

First on my list: Fix the entry into the Stadium. It is an absolute dumpster fire trying to get into Yankee Stadium. And guess what, it's not that way anywhere else. I dread it. You can't enjoy the stuff around the Stadium for too long if you don't get in the line early. Even with Clear, it is a mess. So, fix it. Because it's not a good look for fans nor out of towners who are trying to get a glimpse of legendary New York baseball culture. The Yankees are 30th on the list when it comes to getting into the Stadium with maybe Dodger Stadium almost as bad. Tripadvisor, Reddit, TikTok, and recently NDNation who had a slew of Army-Notre Dame fans entering Yankees Stadium for the game in late November all blasted the Stadium for its disaster of a process. Fix it, fix it now. 

Second on my list: Starting pitching. According to MLB.com, “What's the next opportunity?” Cashman said. “We have a lot of different areas to fix on this team; we have vacancies from free agency, so we're exploring trades as well as free agents, comparing that to our internal options that we could promote. Those are the decisions we have to make.” There is no one right now on this roster that can parallel Gerrit Cole in the starting rotation; until yesterday, when the Yankees signed a multi-year deal with Max Fried from Atlanta. 

The Yankees also seem to like Tanner Scott of the Padres and of course Corbin Burnes of the Orioles. All three pitchers are just turning 30, which is fine. But as analysts have been saying, one of the reasons Juan Soto got his payday is because of how good he is for his young age of 26. Pitchers seem to have a bit more life beyond 30 than position players but still something to consider. Let's see if I can cross this one off my list. 

Third on my list: Nail down your fundamentals. Whether it was an embellishment or just hard knocks, it was embarrassing to watch the Yankees look like fools on the base paths, making errors on routine plays and just not having that spark and hustle it takes to win ball games in 2024 and on display in the World Series. Get that under control. So whatever that looks like, get that process and remediation in place and fix the fundamentals. 

Fourth on my list: Bullpen depth. Yea, we had a good bullpen. But you can't count on Luke Weaver every time to bail you out of trouble. It is just not sustainable. I am so glad to see Clay Holmes go, but now what? Who's in the pen? Who can we acquire, who can we home grow? And what will happen with Jonathan Loaisiga, who according to sources, is talking to the Mets. Loaisiga had season ending elbow surgery in April. He is expected to be ready for Spring Training, but will the Yankees be able to keep him? We need some arms, stat. 

Fifth on my list: Just because I want to round it out with 5 for 2025, I will stop with one more request which is really two: Hot corner guys. A first baseman who can hit with power, who can make the hard plays, who can drive in runs and lead. I thought that guy was Anthony Rizzo, but clearly the game has beaten him up over the years and he has moved on. Who can take on that role? 

And a third baseman. Nolan Arenado could be available. At the age of 33 and despite his no trade clause, the Cardinal third baseman could be on the move. As reported by MLB.com, "Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak stressed that from his Dallas hotel suite on Monday night and backed it up, not only proclaiming his intention of trading 10-time Gold Glove winner Nolan Arenado, but venturing to guess that not doing so this winter would likely limit any hopes that the Cardinals have of coming out improved on the other side of what he called a “reset” for 2025." Arenado wants to win a World Series. That hunger could bring him to the Bronx. 

So, unless there is movement on all of these requests, I am not moving off my couch to the Stadium in 2025. Now back to the New York Times story. I called them out as a 17-year-old high school student and they wrote a letter of apology and took responsibility. Will the Yankees do the same? Will they fix the entry process, get a premiere starting pitcher, hone their fundamentals, deepen their pen and get great guys on the hot corners? God, I hope so. I love baseball, but I am not investing in another season unless they take responsibility and make good. 

--Suzie Pinstripe

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @suzieprof

COULD THE PHILLIES FILL THE HOLMES GAP?

Source: Jason Szenes / New York Post

Clay Holmes gives me heartburn. There I said it. And with that said, I have no problem with him pitching elsewhere. So if no Holmes, then who will be there to set up presumably Luke Weaver? Well the Yankees could have some opportunities with their NL rivals from Philadelphia. And I am okay with that.

"Carlos Estévez, Jeff Hoffman, Tanner Scott. The Yanks have cast a wide net in the relief market. The hard-throwing Estévez posted a 2.45 ERA in 54 appearances for the Angels and Phillies last year, while Hoffman logged a 2.17 ERA over 68 appearances as a reliable choice in that Philly 'pen," reported Sports Illustrated. 

With Weaver in the closer position, there is a need for a reliable set up guy or perhaps guys. The Yankees have the opportunity to sign a premiere reliever from any of the the above but Estevez certainly is the best of the trio. "When the year ended, Philadelphia made it known that either Estevez or Hoffman would likely be on their way out. Signing both would be ideal, but with other needs on the roster, it's tough to justify paying two of the most expensive relievers available," reported Sports Illustrated.

But the interesting twist in all of this is that although Holmes is on the market as reliever, he could be turned into a starter. According to the New York Post, this is not as crazy as it sounds. "A few teams are inquiring about Clay Holmes transitioning from the bullpen to the rotation, including the Mets, a source told The Post. Holmes has not started since 2018, his debut season with the Pirates. But he was a starter throughout his minor league tenure. Teams are more aggressively looking at relievers returning to the rotation due to recent success in that area. Kansas City’s Seth Lugo just finished third for the AL Cy Young." And recall the success former Yankee reliever Michael King had last year as a starter with San Diego, finishing seventh for the Cy Young Award. 

So as the Winter Meetings heat up in Dallas beginning Sunday, not only will the Juan Soto sweepstakes be on, the reliever market will be ready set go as well. "Even if no trades are finalized this week, the groundwork for offseason trades is often laid at the meetings, one of the rare times that executives from all 30 clubs are in the same place at the same time," reported MLB.com. It will be an interesting few weeks as we head into the end of the year. It is all hands on deck. And a wonder of who will be a Yankee and who will not come 2025.

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

WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO CLAY HOLMES?

The Yankees need an overhaul this winter. They've got a lot of area that needs tweaking and I am anxious to see which areas the Yankees prioritize outside of Juan Soto. One area I will be watching very closely is the bullpen. Considering Clay Holmes had 13 blown saves in the 2024 season the Yankees have to be moving on to someone else.

Not to mention that Luke Weaver came in, brought back stability at the end of the bullpen and just impressed the hell out of me. He had the swag of a closer and he stole the spotlight. Weaver earned the closer role so there's no real NEED to bring Holmes back, in my opinion.

You could make the argument that he's worth holding onto just as a bridge to Weaver, but the Yankees have enough deficiencies to improve upon, why hold onto him in a new role when they can try to make real improvements that are needed on this team? I'm tired of watching the Yankees take their recycled approaches and hoping that a different outcome will happen. That's the approach that leads to a World Series loss. We need fresh new faces, and fundamentals.

Last year we talked about the possibility of RUMOR: YANKESS MAY BE DONE WITH HOLMES AS A CLOSER and now we can safely say that's happening, because as unsuccessful as he was as a closer the Baltimore Orioles are rumored to be interested, check it out HERE. If the Orioles are interested, and he does leave for an AL East rival I am not going to spend a lot of time crying about it. Instead, I will hope he blows saves against us.

At the end of the day, I just don't see Holmes as a necessity. I think the Yankees would be better served bringing back Tim Hill and Tommy Kahnle if the prices are right and bringing in some fresh blood. In a perfect world, the Yankees would get their bullpen upgrade from Tanner Scott who is the best bullpen arm available and could be costly but would also make the bullpen stronger. If the Yankees want to make another run in 2025 Hal Steinbrenner is going to have to open up his wallet to pay for some upgrades the Yankees need. He spent a lot of money forming a highly flawed roster and he's going to have to spend more money to fix it.

The Yankees were dedicated to Holmes, and in the end, it didn't work out. Now it's just time to move on. Have fun in Baltimore, Holmes, or wherever it is you land for next season.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

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.