FREE TREVOR BAUER

Trevor Bauer is on Long Island right now doing what Trevor Bauer has always done best: making hitters look completely unprepared for professional baseball.

Only this time, he’s doing it in a Long Island Ducks uniform — which honestly feels like watching a Formula 1 car pull into a go-kart track and ask everyone if they’re ready to race.

And that’s the thing. This comeback tour already looks way too easy.

Bauer isn’t surviving independent league baseball. He’s dissecting it. The fastball still jumps. The breaking stuff still bends like it hit a pothole halfway to the plate. The command is surgical. Every outing feels less like a comeback attempt and more like a reminder that this guy was one of the best pitchers on the planet not that long ago.

Because people forget just how dominant Trevor Bauer was before baseball essentially slammed the door on him. Manfred is an absolute tool for what he did to Bauer by the way.

The former Cy Young winner built a career frustrating hitters and obsessing over the science of pitching in ways most organizations eventually copied. Bauer wasn’t just talented — he was ahead of the curve. Over his MLB career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, Cleveland Guardians, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers, he posted an 83-69 record with a 3.79 ERA and piled up 1,416 strikeouts while becoming one of the nastiest and most intelligent pitchers in the sport.

Then everything exploded in 2021.

MLB placed Bauer on administrative leave following sexual assault allegations involving Lindsay Hill. The league later suspended him 194 games under its domestic violence policy despite Bauer never being criminally charged.

And from that moment on, MLB treated Bauer like he had been erased from baseball history.

Now look — Bauer has never exactly been “quietly existing” in public life. The guy is outspoken, combative, polarizing and about as subtle as a stadium siren. But the deeper this situation has gone, the murkier the entire story has become — and that’s where MLB deserves criticism.

Because in an era where accusations travel faster than facts, it felt like the league reacted first and sorted details out later. Shame on MLB for that.

Fast forward to June 2025, when a Los Angeles judge ordered Hill to pay Bauer more than $309,000 for violating terms of their settlement agreement through repeated social media posts and claims. Then there was another civil suit filed against Bauer in 2023 by a separate woman — a case Bauer claimed was an attempted $3.6 million shakedown. By April 2024, that accuser had reportedly been indicted on fraud-related charges tied to those allegations.

At the very least, it became clear this wasn’t the clean, one-sided narrative baseball originally rushed to present.

Does Bauer have flaws? Absolutely. Does he sometimes create his own storms? Without question. But there’s also a strong argument that MLB made him the league’s public villain long before the full picture was available.

Which brings us back to Long Island — where Bauer is currently treating the Atlantic League like a rehabilitation assignment from another galaxy.

And here’s the funniest part of the whole thing: he wants back into MLB so badly that money doesn’t even matter anymore.

Bauer has openly suggested teams could sign him for basically nothing because all he wants is another chance to pitch in the majors. Think about that for a second. While average relievers are cashing checks big enough to buy small islands, a former Cy Young winner is practically standing outside MLB headquarters holding a cardboard sign that says: “Will throw sliders for food.”

Yet teams still won’t touch him.

Not because he can’t pitch.

Not because he’s washed up.

Not because the talent disappeared.

But because organizations are terrified of the conversation that comes with him.

Meanwhile, Bauer keeps doing the worst possible thing for MLB’s narrative: dominating every place he pitches. He succeeded overseas. He’s overwhelming hitters with the Ducks. And now he’ll reportedly spend the season mic’d up during games and practices, turning his comeback into part baseball experiment, part reality show and part giant middle finger to the league that blackballed him.

Classic Bauer.

Subtlety has never exactly been his pitch selection.

But underneath the controversy, cameras and chaos is an unavoidable baseball truth: Trevor Bauer can still flat-out deal.

And every dominant outing with the Ducks makes MLB look more uncomfortable by the day.

Some team with absolute brass balls needs to pick up Bauer, if for anything ticket sales, and then let this guy cook, because he still has it, and he was wronged... NOT QUESTION.

TREVOR BAUER IS FIGHTING HIS WAY BACK!

Trevor Bauer is officially back on a U.S. mound—just not the one most people expected. He’s signed with the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League, marking his first stateside return to pro baseball since 2021. He’s slated to take the ball on Opening Night, April 21, and honestly, that’s a storyline worth watching.

Now, Bauer has never exactly been “quietly existing” as a public figure—he’s outspoken, polarizing, and often a lightning rod. But his situation has always felt more complicated than Manfred and MLB’s initial reaction suggested. In an era where accusations can move faster than facts, MLB seemed to sprint before the starting gun even went off.  Shame on the MLB.

To recap: in 2021, Lindsay Hill accused Bauer of sexual assault, making serious claims about their encounters. Fast forward to June 2025, and a Los Angeles judge ordered Hill to pay Bauer over $309,000 for repeatedly violating their settlement agreement—mostly through social media claims about receiving money. Then there was a separate civil suit filed in 2023 by another woman, which Bauer said was an attempted $3.6 million shakedown. By April 2024, that accuser had been indicted on fraud-related charges tied to those allegations.

So, what does that all mean? At the very least, it suggests the story wasn’t nearly as one-sided as it was initially portrayed. Whether Bauer has terrible judgment in his personal life or was unfairly cast as baseball’s villain, the full picture is far messier than the league’s early response implied.

Which brings us back to the present: Bauer in a Ducks uniform, trying to pitch his way back into MLB relevance. And in classic Bauer fashion, this won’t be a quiet comeback—he’ll be mic’d up for games and practices all season, turning his return into part baseball, part reality show.

The goal is obvious: prove he still has the stuff and force MLB teams to at least consider giving him another shot.

As for Commissioner Rob Manfred? If Bauer performs and the legal dust has truly settled, the league may eventually have to reckon with how it handled the situation. At minimum, it raises a fair question: did MLB act too quickly, and if so, what does accountability look like on that side of the equation?

Either way, Bauer’s back on the mound in the US—and whether you’re rooting for him or rolling your eyes, you’ll probably be watching.

#FreeTrevor

TREVOR BAUER'S AGENT SLAMS THE MLB OVER BAUER'S BLACKBALL

Trevor Bauer is an elite pitcher, plain and simple. A Cy Young winner, a dominant force on the mound, and a player who should be in the majors right now. But let’s be clear—this wasn’t about justice, integrity, or anything MLB claims to stand for. This was a personal hit job. Rob Manfred and his pathetic circle of cronies should be ashamed of themselves. They didn’t punish Bauer because of some grand moral stance—they punished him because he had the audacity to call out their incompetence.

MLB has made one thing clear: if you’re a "controversial" player who speaks your mind, you’ll get the hammer. If you stay quiet, take your punishment, and wait for your turn, you’ll get a slap on the wrist. That’s the game. And Bauer refused to play along and I respect the way Bauer is. He’s loud, he’s opinionated, and—most importantly—he’s right. That’s why he’s still blackballed.

Let’s break this down. Bauer was accused of domestic violence, but never faced criminal charges. Despite that, he was hit with the longest non-lifetime suspension in MLB history—324 games, two full seasons, without pay. 

Meanwhile, let’s talk about Julio Urías. Urías was arrested in 2019 on suspicion of domestic battery. His punishment? A measly 20-game suspension. Then, in 2023, Urías was once again accused of assaulting his partner. His punishment? He’ll be back in MLB by July 2025, free to sign with any team.

So, let’s get this straight—Bauer, who was never convicted, gets effectively erased from baseball, while Urías, a repeat offender, gets a clear path back? What an absolute joke.

Rachel Luba, Bauer’s agent, wasn’t having any of it. When news broke of Urías', she took to social media and said exactly what needed to be said: "A clear example that this was ALWAYS personal." And she’s 100% right. This was never about enforcing fair punishment. This was about sending a message: challenge Rob Manfred and his weak leadership, and you’ll be erased.

MLB’s handling of Bauer is not just unfair—it’s corrupt. Bauer served his time for something that was never even proven, while others get a free pass because they know how to play the game behind the scenes. It’s disgraceful.

Trevor Bauer should be on an MLB roster. The fact that it had nothing to do with justice and everything to do with a cowardly commissioner who can’t handle criticism. Rob Manfred and his MLB cronies have turned the league into a joke. And everyone paying attention knows it.

CASTILLO BUZZ IS REAL WHEN IT COMES TO YANKEE ROTATION HELP

Well, folks, the Yankees are in a bit of a pickle. With Gerrit Cole out, the rotation suddenly looks like a puzzle with a giant missing piece. And with Luis Gil also on the sidelines, that puzzle just got even harder to solve. Yankees fans everywhere are now playing armchair GM, scrambling to find solutions that don’t involve throwing batting practice fastballs every fifth day.

Let’s be real—pitching wins ball games, and right now, the Yankees don’t have nearly enough of it. I’ve already made my case for the Yankees taking a low-risk, high-reward shot on Trevor Bauer. A cheap deal, a proven arm, and no gutting of the farm system—seems like a no-brainer. But another option is now making the rounds, courtesy of TWSN, and it’s a big one:

Luis Castillo.

If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll remember the Yankees were in on Castillo back when the Reds were shopping him around. Instead, he landed in Seattle, where he’s continued doing what he does best—shoving.

For nearly a decade, Castillo has been one of baseball’s most reliable arms. He’s not quite cracking the top five in Cy Young voting every year, but he’s always lurking. In 2023, when Cole took home the hardware, Castillo finished fifth. That’s nothing to scoff at. He’s also a three-time All-Star with a career 3.56 ERA, all while racking up strikeouts like it’s his day job (because, well, it is).

Why the Yankees Need Him

If Cole misses significant time, the Yankees can’t afford to just “make do” with what they have. They need a legitimate frontline starter, and Castillo fits the bill. His biggest selling point? Durability. He eats innings like a man at an all-you-can-eat buffet, and with the Yankees’ rotation looking thinner than a dollar slice of New York pizza, that’s exactly what they need.

His last two seasons in Seattle? Solid as ever:

• 2024: 30 starts, 1.8 WAR, 3.64 ERA, 175.1 IP
• 2023: 33 starts, 3.4 WAR, 3.34 ERA, 197 IP

He’s reliable. He’s battle-tested. And if the Yankees are serious about competing, they might have to pick up the phone and see what it takes to bring Castillo to the Bronx.

Would it cost prospects? Absolutely. But if the alternative is hoping for a miracle from the current rotation, well… let’s just say, Yankee fans deserve better than that.

THE YANKEES CAN'T HESITATE WHEN IT COMES TO THE STARTING ROTATION

The Yankees are in a rough spot, and when key players like Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton go down, the priority has to be fixing the problem—because that’s what the fans deserve, especially after last year’s World Series loss. But let’s be real: the Yankees shouldn’t have even been in the World Series. That team wasn’t particularly strong, and their manager was even worse.

That’s in the past, though. Right now, we’ve got a whole new set of problems. Brian Cashman is already laying the groundwork for inaction, claiming there’s not much available. "We'll just evaluate what's available, and this time of year, very little is available," he told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com on Tuesday. "Normally, the more significant opportunities don't exist until the trade deadline."

So, let me get this straight—we're gonna wait. So, what happens when we're 12 games back, desperate for reinforcements, and we just sit tight and wait for the trade deadline? By then, it could be too late.

I've already made the case for Trevor Bauer—he's affordable and still an elite pitcher—but the Yankees refuse to even consider him. Not good. 

But what about other options? There’s been plenty of talk about Sandy Alcantara, with speculation that the Yankees could make a move for him by the deadline. Maybe that’s what Cashman was alluding to, but the Yankees need urgency now, not later.

The question is: what would it take to get Alcantara? Ismael Hernández de Dios of AIBat suggests trading Will Warren, Spencer Jones, and 19-year-old infielder George Lombard Jr. to Miami. Trading away Jones, especially after his impressive spring, would be ridiculous. The Yankees should be developing talent for their own future, not just shipping it off. But here’s the bigger issue—Cashman isn’t even making calls. Why? Who knows.

As Essentially Sports put it best:

"The New York Yankees cannot afford to hesitate. Hesitation could indeed have cost the Yankees everything. Just look at what is left of the rotation. Carlos Rodón is available. He posted a 3.96 ERA in 2024 but still has not regained his All-Star form. In addition, the New York Yankees has Clarke Schmidt. Despite a respectable 4.64 ERA in 2023, he lost the charm and got just a 2.86 ERA in 2024. There is a scope with Marcus Stroman, who struggled with injuries in the past and played very effectively in 2024."

And sure, Max Fried is a great pitcher, but this is his first season in New York. Expecting him to put up a 20-5 record with a 2.35 ERA is unrealistic. That’s an insane amount of pressure to put on him.

The bottom line? The Yankees' rotation right now is mediocre. And instead of taking action, they’re just hoping things work out. That’s a terrible strategy. This team needs help, and pitchers are available... they just don't want to do anything.  

THERE'S PITCHING IF YOU TRULY WANT TO FIX THE COLE HOLE, CASHMAN

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: The Yankees, a team with the resources of a small country, somehow failed to prepare for a predictable disaster. This time, it’s Gerrit Cole’s elbow. Sure, no one could have known he’d need Tommy John surgery, but—wait a second—wasn’t he dealing with elbow issues last year? Did anyone in this organization, I don’t know, think to check on that? Maybe run some tests? Nah, that would require actual foresight, something this front office hasn’t possessed in decades.

Instead, we got the usual song and dance from Aaron Boone, who dismissed any concerns about Cole’s health like a guy trying to convince you his used car is definitely not leaking oil. "All physicals are clean," he said. Well, turns out Boone is dumber than a tree stump, because now Cole is out for the year, and the Yankees are scrambling like a guy who just realized his term paper is due in 20 minutes.

And what’s Brian Cashman’s big plan? Oh, it’s a classic: do absolutely nothing and hope for the best.

"We'll just evaluate what's available, and this time of year, very little is available," Cashman said Tuesday, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. "Normally, the more significant opportunities don't exist until the trade deadline."

Translation: "We screwed up, but please don’t blame us until at least July."

So now, the Yankees’ rotation consists of Max Fried (love him but expecting him to carry this mess is unfair), Carlos Rodón (inconsistent), Marcus Stroman (chip on shoulder 24/7), Clarke Schmidt (fine, I guess), and Will Warren (uh, sure). 

The worst part? There’s an obvious solution staring them right in the face: Trevor. Freakin’. Bauer.

Say what you want about the guy (and plenty of people have), but he’s got talent. He’d instantly upgrade this rotation, and he’d come cheap. But will the Yankees take a chance? Nope. Because they’re more afraid of controversy than they are of losing. And let’s be honest—if they had any balls, Bauer would already be in pinstripes.

Instead, we’re left with the same old Yankees, stuck in the same old cycle. No long-term thinking. No real solutions. Just a whole lot of hoping things magically work out. And as long as Cashman and Boone are in charge, this team is going to keep running into the same wall over and over again.

Sad.

THE YANKEES NEED TO GIVE THIS STAR A SHOT AT REDEMPTION!

We aren't playing games that matter yet....and we are already in trouble. There's no silver lining here, folks. Missing time from Luis Gil AND Gerrit Cole (especially Cole) is BAD news. With any luck, we should get some news on Cole today....but even if it is the best case scenario, the Yankees are not out of the danger zone just yet.

I said last week, some MLB insiders say the Yankees won't make the playoffs, you can check that out HERE. I laughed it off, because I love when the Yankees are underestimated and the Yankees made improvements to the roster so it felt silly to just write them off. Here we are not even a week later and I feel uneasy. If the worse case scenario shakes out and Cole needs Tommy John surgery the pitching staff suddenly looks scarier, because we are going to need to rely on Marcus Stroman even more than we already are right now.

I'm just not okay with that idea. Not even for a nanosecond. The reigning American League champions can't go down this path and expect to get back to a World Series. We need back up. We already talked about both of these guys but we need either Sandy Alcantara or Trevor Bauer. At this point everyone already knows the Yankees will be desperate so Miami will ask for a king's ransom for him. Bauer on the other hand....well assuming his current contract in Japan can be worked out, that is cheaper.

When Bauer was in the thick of it I didn't weigh in on his situation. Now that his legal battle is behind him I am just annoyed with MLB. He's been black balled, and considering how generous they have been with their second chances for others, I am tired of the hypocrisy and it's time Bauer gets his redemption. If the star players in the ASSTROS cheating scandal can get a pass, and even leadership behind the scenes can too, then Bauer should too.

And he's ready. My X feed went crazy with this.

Obviously, we can't get him for $0 but league minimum is $760,000. That is pocket change for Hal Steinbrenner, regardless of how high payroll already is. At that amount, he's the added security we need because we can't rely on anyone else (especially Stroman) to get back to the World Series if Cole is out. That's a dumb risk to take for pocket change and he's getting a second opinion on Tommy John surgery.....so I'm not feeling optimistic about this.

Brian Cashman said "we'll do what we have to do" but if he doesn't add some proven pitching depth to this team, then he's not doing what promises. We need a proven pitcher, and Bauer is still dominant. He proved that by pitching well in Mexico and Japan (and Japan isn't an easy league to pitch in) so someone needs to give this guy another chance in MLB. It might as well be us!

I want another championship, it's as simple as that. If cheaters that disgraced the integrity of the game can be "forgiven" and gifted a second chance then so can Bauer, PERIOD. Hal and Cashman need to pull their heads out of their butts and make it happen!

MAKE THE CALL!

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj

Like This? READ THIS:

WE KNOW HOW TO FIX THE YANKEE ROTATION PROBLEM FAST!

BOZO MANFRED PUNISHES BAUER EVEN THOUGH THERE'S ZERO CHARGES AGAINST HIM

WE KNOW HOW TO FIX THE YANKEE ROTATION PROBLEM FAST!

With Gerrit Cole down and the specter of surgery looming, the Yankees are staring at a massive hole in their rotation. Max Fried steps up as the ace—rightfully so—but after that? Chaos. Carlos Rodón is a roll of the dice, Luis Gil is still banged up and possibly for the season, Clarke Schmidt is as durable as a paper straw, and Marcus Stroman arrives in the Bronx with a chip on his shoulder. This is a mess, plain and simple.

The New York Post captured Cole’s unease: “Asked if he was worried about having to undergo surgery on the same elbow that caused him to be shut down for much of the first half of last season, Cole said, ‘I’m concerned. I’m hoping for the best.’” Last year, it was elbow nerve inflammation and edema. This year, it's déjà vu with worse stakes. For a team that aced the offseason, this is a brutal twist.

So, what’s the move? Brace yourselves—I’ve got a suggestion that will get Bronx cheers and Bronx cheers: Sign Trevor Bauer.

Bauer is set to return to Japan’s DeNA BayStars in 2025, but why not bring him back stateside now? Yes, it’s an unpopular idea and with a BayStars contract, I really don't know how that would work. But here’s the truth: Bauer was effectively blacklisted from MLB over allegations that didn’t hold up, and the league’s so-called investigation was anything but thorough.

Yankees legend David Wells has no problem with a Bauer comeback he said this is 2024. The New York Post wrote this and had Wells quoted saying, “He was a hell of a pitcher. He should go in. I mean, look at all these guys in the past who crap all over themselves and get in trouble. And they got second, third, fourth chances.” He’s not alone—Bauer’s former Dodgers teammate, Mookie Betts, called him a “great guy.”

Like it or not, Bauer can still pitch. He’s dominated in Japan and Mexico, and more importantly, he wants to win. And guess who else wants to win? The Yankees. Judge. Cole. The entire Bronx Zoo. Sitting on their hands until the trade deadline to chase someone like Sandy Alcantara? Bad strategy. (Read BOLD PREDICTION SUGGESTS SANDY ALCANTARA WITH BE IN PINSTRIPES for more on that,) By then, they might be so deep in the standings that a blockbuster move won’t even matter.

Here’s the plan: Max Fried takes the Opening Day start, Bauer slides into the No. 2 slot, followed by Rodón, Schmidt, and Stroman. Suddenly, that rotation doesn’t look so grim. Cole can take his time healing while the Yankees stay competitive.

Rolling into the season without Cole or Bauer is a recipe for disaster. The Yankees have to be aggressive, not timid. Signing Bauer might ruffle feathers, but guess what? Winning does too. Will it happen? Who knows. But should it? Absolutely.

You’re welcome, Yankees fans.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WILLY ADAMES? YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS!

Bob Nightengale of USA Today is back, tossing offseason spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks. This time, he’s stirring up the Yankees rumor mill, throwing out a scenario so convoluted it feels like a fever dream. If the Yankees don’t re-sign Juan Soto—because apparently, that’s an option—they might respond with a mad scramble to:

1.Sign free-agent first baseman Christian Walker.

2.Bring in either Willy Adames or Alex Bregman to play third base.
3.Move Jazz Chisholm to second base.
4.Trade for Cody Bellinger.

Simple.

It’s like one of those overcomplicated heist movies where you lose track of the plot halfway through. Classic Bob Nightengale. 

Let’s cut through the noise: there’s no real traction to this Adames-to-the-Yankees idea. It’s speculation, pure and simple, and Bob’s good at that. But hey, it’s fun to imagine. Maybe next Trevor Bauer will go to the Mets.

Willy Adames is coming off a solid year and would be a fantastic addition to any team. He’s one of the best power-hitting shortstops in the game and has said he’d prefer to stay at shortstop. However, he’s also open to shifting to third base if needed—versatility that makes him a tantalizing target for teams like the Yankees or Mets apparently.

For the Brewers, losing Adames wouldn't be great. Not only is he a key player, but he’s also a leader in the clubhouse according to reports. I don't know the Brewers well, but that's the way it seems. 

Adames has hinted he’d take a hometown discount to stay in Milwaukee—but only to a point. As he told The Athletic: "I’m willing to stay here for less money, let’s say, but I just want to be fair for what I deserve in my career. We just have to wait and see where we’re at."

And now we get to the voice of reason: Jeff Passan. When Passan speaks, baseball fans listen. He’s right up there with Jack Curry and Pete Caldera—arguably the top three baseball reporters out there. While Nightengale’s rumors are like a fast-food drive-thru, Passan is the five-star restaurant of insight.

In his offseason preview, Passan doesn’t just toss Adames at the Yankees for fun. Instead, he points to the Giants as the most logical landing spot. With new president of baseball operations Buster Posey prioritizing the shortstop position, the fit is almost too good to ignore.

Sure, Passan acknowledges the Yankees, Mets, and Dodgers could be in the mix, especially with Adames’ willingness to move to third base. But Passan’s call of Adames to San Francisco? That’s the kind of grounded, well-sourced prediction that makes sense.

So, could the Yankees swoop in and snag Adames? Anything’s possible, but this feels more like Bob Nightengale playing offseason DJ, spinning hypothetical hits. Meanwhile, Jeff Passan is the guy calmly taking the pulse of the market—and if he’s leaning toward the Giants, I’m buying it.

It's just how I feel, sorry Bob.

THE YANKEES ARE FINDING SPARE PARTS EVERYWHERE!

 So, this happened.  

The Yankees just signed Brett Phillips to a minor league deal.  MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"...outfielder Brett Phillips is attempting to get back to the big leagues as a pitcher. Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times recently wrote about Phillips and his journey, then reported Tuesday that Phillips had a agreed to a minor league deal with the Yankees.

Phillips, 30, appeared in the majors as an outfielder from 2017 to 2023, not hitting much but providing value via his speed and defense. He hit .187/.272/.347 over 395 games for the Brewers, Royals, Rays, Orioles and Angels, stealing 39 bases in 45 tries."

MLB.com writes:

"Phillips, 30, is looking to make his way back to the Majors as a pitcher, and his raw stuff has enticed the Yankees to sign him to a Minor League deal... During an appearance on Monday for the GPS Legends in the National Baseball Congress World Series in Wichita, Kan., Phillips became a surprise social media star by throwing 97 mph fastballs and featuring a pretty good slider while striking out the side in the first inning."

Hey, I am pulling for the guy. It just surprises me how often Cashman is looking for parts in a dumpster and guys like Trevor Bauer are mowing people down in the Mexican league and he would practically pitch for nothing, and we turn to a guy like Brett Phillips.  Whatever the case... It had to be reported.  If Phillips makes it back to the Bigs and is successful... that's a wonderful story.  

THE YANKEES: STRIVING FOR MEDIOCRITY

The Yankees in Mexico City series was supposed to be a special event. That's why it was promoted as much as it was, that's why the Yankees were doing their best to get their top stars to go there.  But no one showed and it fell flat.  

It really doesn't matter if we looked like a AAA team out there or if we romped Diablos Rojos, it was free baseball and it was supposed to be a big deal. The only takeaways were that Trevor Bauer can still pitch in the major leagues and the Yankees strive for mediocrity under the notion that Yankee fans won't notice.  But we will and we do and that team is pretty pathetic.

Pinstripe Alley writes:

"It was a promising start for the Yankees out on the road in Mexico City tonight, but after chasing the opposing starter in the top of the first with a four-run pot, the bats stayed quiet for basically the rest of the game. With only one more run after the first for the Yankees, the home side worked their way back en route to an 8-5 win for Diablos Rojos."

And that was only last night. The night before Bauer manhandled the Yankees hitting and they didn't even score until the 9th. The final for that one was 4-3 and the Yanks were on the losing side. It's disappointing but let's face it, not surprising. The only other highlight was Giancarlo Stanton wearing a traditional luchador mask during BP.

This is what happens when the Yankees promise a lot in the offseason and don't do anything.  You know what? I feel like this is a sign of things to come.  We don't field the best teams anymore... we're complacent, and I have news for you... this series was an example of that.

DESPERATE YANKEES WILL BE READY TO POUNCE ON DYLAN CEASE

I wonder what the Yankees pitching situation would have been like if they actually did what they said they were going to do this offseason is make the necessary trades or free agent signings to get stability in their rotation.  Instead, they waited for Gerrit Cole to have an arm scare and then panicked and are now out there doing their best dance to try and get quality pitching without giving up Spencer Jones.  Whatever... they think too much in the moment... they aren't planners... they aren't a team that looks toward the future anymore.  It's ridiculous.  

And by the way, in their desperation, they will no doubt give up Gleyber Torres in the process.  Say what you will about Gleyber, but the guy has been one of the more consistent hitters for the Yankees.  Now it makes sense to part with him, but now I feel like they definitely will now out of desperation.  If this Cole news comes back bad, Cashman will be on notice and make some ridiculous move that we'll regret immediately.  He's lost his way.

Anyway, the latest news (rumor) about a pitching upgrade and Dylan Cease comes from Inside the Pinstripes:

"The New York Yankees could end up landing another ace soon.

New York has been linked to a handful of pitchers since signing Marcus Stroman but has opted to roll with the rotation it has...

The Yankees had a scare Monday as ace Gerrit Cole had an MRI on his pitching elbow and now there are rumblings that the club could make another addition.

Chicago White Sox star Dylan Cease has been mentioned as a possibility and the club even attempted to complete a blockbuster trade earlier in the offseason.

The two sides never were able to agree to terms, but the Yankees reportedly have made a new offer to the White Sox in the wake of Cole's injury scare, according to USA Today Sports' Bob Nightengale.

"The Yankees, while awaiting news on Gerrit Cole, have re-engaged with the Chicago White Sox and made a new proposal for ace Dylan Cease, but the new offer once again did not include prized outfield prospect Spencer Jones," Nightengale said."

Now I have never been a fan of following ANY Bob Nightengale report, after all... Trevor Bauer was once going to the Mets until the Twitter universe made Nightengale apologize for just being totally stupid.  But this info makes sense. The problem is I do wonder if the Yankees will do it, and by the way, why didn't they just do it when Cole was healthy?  Seems like a smarter move to make a bigger, better championship Yankee team. Now they just appear to be desperate and it's sad.

Whatever the case, it's interesting and something we will be following closely.

Stay tuned.

WHY PITCHING HAS NEVER BEEN SO IMPORTANT FOR THE YANKEES AS IT IS RIGHT NOW

The idea that the Yankees are not upgrading their pitching is not surprising to me.  That's because every off-season Hal Steinbrenner tells the Yankee universe "we're not done", only to be done and hope that Gerrit Cole and a few struggling starters can get us to a championship. But what is Gerrit Cole can't pitch?  What is Nestor Cortes struggles? What is Carlos Rodon doesn't show his true form (or maybe this is it)?  Right now, the Yankees are in a world of hurt with their starting rotation, and I don't care HOW HAPPY Marcus Stroman is being a New York Yankee... that guy is no leader.  In other words, the Yankees are in trouble, and "hoping" the Yankee pitching is successful in 2024 is not way to be a championship team.  The Yankees are not that. The Yankees are not champions and to be honest, it's more of the same.  

And by the way, Aaron Boone just needs to not speak to the media.  He's a walking soundbite of doom.  He's an idiot.  Telling the media that Aaron Judge was "mid-spring beat up" was an awful description for pulling Judge from the lineup the other day.  Look, this is the spring, guys don't need to play every day.  Just pull Judge and give him a day off. Don't even address it. It's no big deal. To amplify it and make it seem like the guy's got wear and tear in Spring training is embarrassing. We're babying guys. The messaging is disappointing and let's be honest, the Yankees haven't learned.  Everything will be the same... nothing has changed, and YOU, the fan has been duped again.  

And so, what's my message here? We're in a Yankee Fever Dream and we're never getting out of it.  The pitching has NOT improved and now, we have a real situation.  If Gerrit Cole is out, delayed, hurt, that's not good. MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"Gerrit Cole is headed for an MRI on his right elbow, manager Aaron Boone told reporters Monday morning (X link via Newsday’s David Lennon). Cole hasn’t been recovering as well between throwing sessions and will get his elbow checked out to determine if there’s an injury at play. The imaging will take place today.

Cole will receive multiple opinions on the status of his elbow, and the Yankees don’t expect to announce a prognosis today or even tomorrow..."

And so where is Hal? Remember when we "weren't done"? Feels like we were done and now we're just desperate.  How disgraceful is this team?  SPEND THE MONEY.  Meanwhile Trevor Bauer is just sitting out there for the taking.  CBS Sports writes: 

"On Sunday, Bauer threw three scoreless innings against Dodgers minor leaguers while pitching for the Asian Breeze, a pay-to-play barnstorming team consisting mostly of amateur players hoping to get noticed by scouts....

it does not appear any major league scouts attended Sunday's game."

But why? Cashman should have been there before the gates opened. Why are we not turning over every rock looking for a diamond in the rough? Now we HAVE to. Now the Yankees have to have some urgency.  Why do I say that? Because if Cole is down and out, we got Nestor Cortes, Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman.  That's not a championship Yankee team. That's a rotation put together with bubble gum and glue, and I'll say it again Yankee fans... YOU'VE BEEN FOOLED AGAIN.

Ya'll wonder why I'm so disconnected from this team over the past several months. Ya'll send me notes of encouragement and ask me to keep Bleeding Yankee Blue alive. I appreciate you all, but why would we continue? I'm no Mets fan and we feel like the Mets.  

I'm a Yankee fan. At least back in the day the Yankees showed up with the pieces to make a run.  This is not the Yankees... it's the Montgomery Balloon Knots, a few stars and a bunch of guys we hope don't break down.  It just doesn't feel the same to me.  That's my frustration.  That's my aggravation.  I'm kind of over it.

We need to do better.  We need to do what we say we're gonna do Hal. If "we're not done", then let's not be done. That's the bottom line.

WHAT ABOUT ANOTHER BIG ARM FROM WITHIN?

Source: NJ.com

I am tired of the big bats conversations. Yes, we need offense. Yes, we need our hitters to actually get meaningful hits, consistently. But if we don't have good starting pitching, consistently, our hitters will be overtaxed and guess what, they won't be able to keep up. So, I have had enough banter about big bats, what about getting our team another big arm for the starting rotation? And that get can be right from within?

I know there are a number of major league pitchers on the bench right now as spring training camps get ready to open. I have had my fill of discussion around Blake Snell and Trevor Bauer. But I am liking what I am hearing about Chase Hampton, who is currently pitching for the Yankees Double A team in Somerset, NJ.

Source: NJ.com

"While other pitching prospects are focused on more basic steps in their evolution, Hampton has graduated to more of an advanced education. The 22-year-old is having high-level conversations leading up to spring training, like how to create swing and miss inside of the zone, how he can use certain pitches to get hitters to expand and how can he effectively utilize his pitch mix in different counts. It all comes back to pitch execution, making tweaks to his delivery to promote consistency, health and velocity," reported NJ.com.

Hampton was invited to spring training which opens for pitchers and catchers officially on February 15th, this upcoming Thursday. "Hampton posted a 3.63 ERA in 20 starts between Hudson Valley and Somerset last season, striking out 145 batters in 106 2/3 innings. Only seven other minor-league pitchers that threw more than 100 innings in 2023 had a higher strikeout-per-nine ratio than Hampton (12.23)," reported NJ.com. 

Now if Hampton has a great spring, he could be pushed forward to Scranton and hopefully up to the Bronx by mid-season. But I know, that is a fast trajectory. But honestly, maybe, just maybe, the Yankees should consider that kind of pace of entry into the majors. I feel like they take too long to get these guys up there and if he is evaluated to be focused on his craft, I feel like a little time with another guy focused on his craft, Gerrit Cole, could be good for a guy like Hampton.

According to his pitching coach in Somerset, Brett DeGagne, “We all have super high expectations for him. The character is so high, the work ethic and things of that nature are so great that he’s a guy you root for just as much as you’re excited about him as a player. You’re excited about him as a person too and what he brings to the clubhouse.”

Behind Hampton are two other young pitchers Brock Selvidge, LHP and Zach Messinger, RHP. Messinger is 26 and according to DeGagne, "cut from the same cloth as Hampton." Could the Yankees accelerate their young pitchers into the starting rotation sooner and save the money on the back end? Let's see how Hampton does this spring and go from there. There is certainly optimism, at least from me, regarding pitching and how we are fairing. I am hopeful the Yankees can get on the right track early, and this spring sets them up well for the season ahead.

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

WHEN IT COMES TO BAUER, WHAT ARE THE YANKEES WAITING FOR?

 I'm just going to leave this right here.

If the Yankees don't go after Trevor Bauer, literally one of the best pitchers in the game, it will show me as a fan that they do not care about improving this team's starting rotation.  You can't look at Blake Snell and truly believe as a general manager that that is the best option out there.  You can't go out there and show your disappointment publicly in not landing Corbin Burnes before the Orioles snatched him.  What you need to do Brian Cashman is actually look at the upside of Trevor Bauer who is a competitor, a gamer, a team guy and a guy that will no question be on his best behavior as we roll into the 2024 season with something to prove. And in this video he is telling you exactly what he will offer and if he doesn't what you can do about it.  I don't call signing Trevor Bauer a second chance when it comes to Bauer and his "situation" because he didn't blow his first chance.  I call this redemption. I call this building back his reputation that was drug through the mud.

“I’ll play for the league minimum, I just want to play, that way if you sign me and don’t like the reaction or something’s not going right you can cut me” -Trevor Bauer to Theo Von on a potential MLB comeback, Theo said he wants to see Trevor go for his 2nd Cy-Young pic.twitter.com/jyVfNfXZ2J

— Dillion Harper (@og_yungdilly) February 7, 2024

 Do it Cashman.  Do it Hal.  It's time to give the Yankees fan base what we need, because if we are in 3rd place this year come September and no chance of the playoffs, you will be demolished by us fans for missing this opportunity to improve.  That's it.

Read SOUND THE ALARM. GET TREVOR BAUER for more.

SOUND THE ALARM. GET TREVOR BAUER

When the media asks Aaron Boone to react to the fact that Corbin Burnes was traded to the Orioles and he says: “That could be a bit of a problem," it's quite clear that even the worst manager in Yankee history is also questioning the Yankee front office. Like, how did we blow that?  Inside the Pinstripes writes:

"By adding Burnes — even if it for just one season as he hits free agency after 2024 — the Orioles have acquired a pitcher that has been a reliable right-hander. He’s won at least 10 games each of his last three seasons and in his Cy Young season in 2021 he had an MLB-low 2.43 ERA.

In 2023 he went 10-8 with a 3.39 ERA in 32 starts..."

And Suzie Pinstripes of BYB fame writes in NOT SIGNING BURNES WILL BURN THE YANKEES IN THE LONG HAUL

"The Yankees need to make one more move before the start of the 2024 season if they are going to compete. That move needs to be in starting pitching."

And so, all Yankee fans are left with is a confused manager and a lot of reports about what the Yankees are willing (or not willing) to pay for Blake Snell... and NOBODY is talking about the best pitcher out there right now still looking for a job. His name is Trevor Bauer. I mean is everyone stupid?

Now everyone will say Bauer is a lightning rod. Everyone is gonna call him a rapist without reading the facts. The truth is that sexual assault case turned out to be a real "he said, she said" (as predicted) and nothing came out of it. Charges were dropped, suspensions were reduced and in the end it would be an independent arbitrator shortened the suspension to 194 games in December and ruled that Bauer be reinstated.  

But in today's society, you can no longer clear your name when it comes to men being accused of assault. It comes down to the woman only, even if it's made up. 

In this case, Bauer appears to have not done anything wrong. Even ESPN didn't want to reveal her identity in this case because their policy I guess is to not identify individuals who say they have been sexually assaulted.  But the bottom line is it did not appear what she claimed at all, and so meanwhile this guy gets his name dragged through the mud and has his character questioned and the MLB shuns him! Again, WITHOUT READING AND UNDERSTANDING THE FACTS, the MLB blows another one. 

And so, this post is about doing what's right for Trevor Bauer, a guy that didn't blow his first chance in the first place, but in today's society is characterized as perhaps getting "a second chance". The MLB reacted horribly, way too heavy handed, and society followed. But the MLB did was wrong.

Now, no doubt many teams don't want to touch this guy, but I feel like it was based on a false narrative orchestrated by Rob Manfred in my opinion.  Yes, Bauer can be characterized as a live wire or controversial....  even before those sex assault allegations... but here's something he also is... A GREAT FREAKING PITCHER.

I believe Trevor Bauer deserves a second chance in MLB.

Retweet if you agree 👇🏽

pic.twitter.com/IO8HkYYNxy

— Patrick Bet-David (@patrickbetdavid) February 1, 2024

Some dude named Patrick Bet-David even tweeted that Bauer deserves a "second chance" and claimed to be a Yankees minority owner.  My question is, if PBD is what he says he is, then he needs to get this move done and stop tweeting and talking about it on his podcast. Yankee minority owners have a say! This is ridiculous already! Looks like you have a seat at the table PBD, get it done!

Look, I believe that Bauer is one of the best pitchers out there. He's technical, smart, understands the physics, the mechanics and yes, he's controversial because he's Trevor Bauer, watch this.  

But he's also good and as far as I'm concerned cleared of wrongdoing.  And so, it's time to give this guy his shot!  As of right now Sportskeeda writes:

"...he has been linked to several teams this offseason, including the New York Yankees and Pittsburgh Pirates, there has seemingly been no progression toward a contract offer...."

But there should be a progression! The Yankees need him. Bauer needs to show the world he's back! I'll leave you with this... and it's a quote from Bauer:

"I think I’m one of the best pitchers in the world... Going to Japan last year, had a really good year, set some new personal highs in velocity. My average velocity was second-highest ever in my career, peak velocity was the highest ever.... developed a new pitch. I think I’m one of the best pitchers in the world. I think, talent-wise, I deserve to play in the MLB. Obviously, there’s outside circumstances, so hopefully I’ll get a second chance, but I definitely expect to be playing."

But the Yankees are letting guys like Corbin Burnes walk and continually being jerked around by Blake Snell.  In the world of bargain deals, this is the biggest and the best "lightning in a bottle" opportunity for the Yankees who are always looking to get great talent on the cheap.  Give Bauer a shot.  I believe we will not regret it at all!

If not, it's just a whole lot of jerking us fans around... and I'm sick of it.