JORBIT VIVAS CALLED UP

The Yankees have brought up infielder Jorbit Vivas, giving him another chance to make his long-awaited major league debut. He steps in for outfielder Trent Grisham, who was placed on the paternity list. Vivas has been off to a strong start at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, batting .343 through his first 20 games.

This isn’t Vivas’ first time with the big-league club. He was previously called up in July of last year when J.D. Davis went on the injured list, but he didn’t get into a game before being sent back down just three days later. That means he's still looking to appear in his first MLB game—something he’ll be hoping to achieve this time around. I'm excited for him.

The 24-year-old spent the offseason playing in the Venezuelan Winter League and joined the Yankees in December 2023 as part of a trade with the Dodgers. In that deal, the Yankees acquired Vivas and left-hander Victor Gonzalez in exchange for former first-round pick Trey Sweeney.

Big moment!

GLEYBER TORRES & THE FOREVER THIRD BASE DEBATE

Here we go again. New team, same dilemma. 

Gleyber Torres has traded Yankee pinstripes for Tiger stripes, but the question that followed him out of the Bronx is already back: Could he—would he—fill Detroit’s glaring hole at third base?

The Tigers’ infield is looking a little patchy after multiple injuries, prompting podcaster Chris Brown to throw out a potential fix: Trey Sweeney at short, Colt Keith at second, and—wait for it—Torres at third. Sounds reasonable, right? Well, not so fast.

If history has taught us anything, it’s that Torres plays second base and second base only. His reluctance to shift positions reportedly played a role in his exit from New York, and there’s no reason to believe that stance has changed now that he’s in Detroit. Would manager A.J. Hinch even bring it up? Probably not. The relationship between Hinch and Torres seems solid, built on mutual respect—something Torres might not have always felt with Aaron Boone.

But here’s the real question: If Torres wants to turn his one-year stint in Detroit into something more, would he consider a little flexibility? A few starts at third might not just help the team—it could help him secure a long-term deal. For now, though, it’s a moot point. Torres is the Tigers’ second baseman, and the third base debate remains just that—a debate.

BOOM! THE YANKEES JUST PICKED UP A SOLID LEFTY RELIEVER!

We are making more moves.  The Yankees just traded someone away to pick up a decent lefty reliever.  Things are happening folks. Let's hope the dude makes things happen once he dons pinstripes!

MLB Trade Rumors writes:

"The Yankees are acquiring left-handed reliever Victor Gonzalez and minor league infield prospect Jorbit Vivas from the Dodgers in exchange for minor league infielder Trey Sweeney...

He’s capable of stepping directly into manager Aaron Boone’s bullpen and will likely be viewed as a favorite to do so. He has far more big league experience than fellow southpaw Matt Krook. making Gonzalez an option to join Nick Ramirez as a second southpaw option for Boone."

I'm a Krook guy, but whatever works to get this team kick started again!

Anyway, Welcome Victor, let's get after it!

BABY BOMBERS TO WATCH RIGHT NOW!

The Yankees minor league minicamp has everyone buzzing about Anthony Volpe and Jasson Dominguez but there are other baby bombers that are flying under the radar. I've got two names I am watching and wondering what happens next for good reason.

The Yankees have two areas that need major upgrades. One has more of an urgency than the other but both need to be addressed. We are all sitting and wondering who is going to be our next shortstop because that has to be in place whenever Opening Day happens. But what about catcher too? Because Gary Sanchez is dead weight, he's on borrowed time. His time in pinstripes is coming to an end. 
So here's who I'm watching.....

1. Trey Sweeney
Where does Sweeney fit, exactly? We all know the names Volpe and Oswald Peraza (who is already on the Yankees 40-man roster) so the Yankees have a lot of depth at shortstop. Peraza is expected to open at Triple-A and Volpe at Double-A so Sweeney has quite the roadblock ahead of him who are closer to being major league ready. Sweeney also may be more suited for third base also based on his large 6-foot-4, 200 pound frame. If the Yankees want to commit to Sweeney they may have to give him a new role.

2. Austin Wells
Even if I didn't REALLY dislike Sanchez (which, I REALLY do), I would still watch Austin because I am curious about him. I remember when the Yankees drafted him the scouts were not convinced because they said he didn't have the arm strength needed for the position. His experience at first base and all three outfield positions in college seemed like a more logical fit rather than catcher. Fast forward to today and he is still a catcher. He's also gained some arm strength and work on his receiving skills so he's making strides and he's developing in areas that Sanchez has not. It shows promise. It also tells us the Sanchez's time in pinstripes may be coming to an end because Wells also has a developed bat and we all know Sanchez can barely hit his weight. The question is will the Yankees make some changes to his position just to get his hot bat into the lineup? He played well in High-A last season and will likely compete for a bump up to Double-A. He's making his way up....which means it could mean Hello Wells and buh-bye Sanchez soon. I think we are all ready to see anyone else behind the plate.

I'm anxious to see what happens to these two in particular and I'm not going to lie I'm rooting for anyone that could replace Sanchez.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj