THAT JOSH SMITH RUMOR IS BACK AND MAKES PERFECT SENSE

The Yankees’ infield rumors this winter have been like a game of Whac-A-Mole—just when you think one name sticks, another pops up. But here we are, circling back to a name we tossed around on Bleeding Yankee Blue not too long ago: Josh Smith of the Texas Rangers.

FanSided’s Jacob Mountz recently floated the idea that instead of splurging on Nolan Arenado, the Yankees might just take a more practical route and trade for Smith. But will they actually pull the trigger?

"One unexplored option belongs to the Texas Rangers," Mountz wrote. "Utility infielder/outfielder Josh Smith served as the Rangers' third baseman last season, filling in for the injured Josh Jung. Set to make $800,000 this season before becoming arbitration-eligible, he is easily affordable to any interested team."

Smith, a 27-year-old lefty bat, came out swinging last season, hitting .293 with 10 home runs in the first half. Sure, a mid-season injury cooled him off, but he still snagged a Silver Slugger, wrapping up the season with a respectable .258 and 13 homers in 523 at-bats.

This isn’t our first rodeo with floating Smith. Back on February 1st (HERE) we proposed a trade on BYB that would send Smith to the Bronx and finally cut ties with Marcus Stroman. At the time, we wrote:

"For the Yankees, this would finally put an end to the Stroman saga while helping to patch up their infield depth, an area of concern heading into spring training. As for the Rangers, it’s not the worst idea—they're heavily relying on Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle, two talented arms who combined for just 23.1 innings last season due to injuries. Adding Stroman as an insurance policy, especially if the Yankees eat a chunk of his salary, could be a decent low-risk move."

Let’s face it: if the Yankees are hunting for talent that won’t break the bank, Smith might be their guy. He’s the anti-Arenado—cheap, controllable, and full of potential. The question is, will the Yankees make a move, or is this just another episode of "Rumor Mill: Bronx Edition"?

Stay tuned, folks. You know how these plot twists go.

IS THE GUERRERO-YANKEE MARRIAGE REAL?

You gotta wonder if all this recent talk about Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opening his mind about wanted to potentially come to the Yankees is a real thing or is every sportswriter either looking for clicks for are fans and are manifesting it so it eventually happens.  Who knows but damn it's a great story.  Remember, Vlad hated the Yankees and it was Vlad Guerrero Sr. who said that he needed to have an open mind because that may be the only team to show him the money.  Maybe that's stuck in the back of his mind.

Guerrero Jr. is officially keeping his options open as he heads into free agency this winter—and yes, that even includes the Yanks. That’s right, the very team he once swore off with the kind of conviction usually reserved for bad exes and overcooked steak.

“If I go to free agency, every team—all 30 teams—are going to have the opportunity to sit down with [me], to talk to me,” Guerrero told the New York Post through an interpreter. “I’m OK with everything. It’s in the past.” But are the Yankees OK with it? We will have to see.

Remember when he declared, “I like to play in New York. I like to kill the Yankees. I would never sign with the Yankees, not even (when I’m) dead.” He had often pointed to a family-related grudge as the reason, once saying, “That’s my decision, and I will never change that.”

Recently Guerrero is singing a different tune, acknowledging that “this is a business” and he’d play for whoever paid him. It’s a savvy move, considering the Yankees have deep pockets—and even the illusion of interest from them could send his market value soaring.

The Yankees, meanwhile, will have Paul Goldschmidt at first base this season but lack a long-term plan. Guerrero could solve that problem, he's young, a stud and if the Yankees forgive him, what a great marriage it could be.  Whether or not he actually dons pinstripes, Guerrero’s free agency is shaping up to be as dramatic as a ninth-inning, bases-loaded showdown. 

Grab your popcorn, folks—this one’s going to be a show.

THE GOOD & THE "DON'T PANIC" OF TODAY'S YANKEE GAME

There was a mix of good and bad news in today’s Yankees game. On the bright side, Spencer Jones stole the show. What a talent, right?

Jones crushed an opposite-field home run, showcasing his raw power. “Just trying to get in position to hit it hard, looking in that area of the zone and got the pitch I wanted,’’ Jones said.

SPENCER SMASH.

SPENCER JONES LAUNCHES THE FIRST HOME RUN OF THE YEAR FOR THE YANKEES, 104.5 MPH OFF THE BAT🔥#Yankees pic.twitter.com/DMdp4rihtq

— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) February 22, 2025

With a stacked outfield featuring Jasson Domínguez, Cody Bellinger, and Aaron Judge, breaking into the MLB roster in 2025 won’t be easy for Jones. However, Giancarlo Stanton’s lingering elbow issues have landed him on the IL, leaving the designated hitter spot wide open. If Jones shines in spring training, he could earn a spot in Triple-A to start the season. From there, it’s all about building momentum and making a strong case for a call-up. His performance in Tampa is a fantastic start, and his powerful swing could absolutely translate to the big-league level.

Dustin Satloff/Getty Images

On the flip side, Carlos Rodón had a bit of a rough outing. But hey, it’s spring training—I’m willing to cut him some slack, especially this early in the preseason. Rodón allowed three runs over 2.2 innings, giving up five hits and a walk while managing just one strikeout. The Yankees ultimately lost to the Toronto Blue Jays 6-4.

The silver lining? Rodón worked on incorporating his changeup more, which is important considering he usually relies heavily on his fastball-slider combo. While this performance isn’t a major concern, Yankees fans are eager to see Rodón dominate in pinstripes. We want him strong, consistent, and racking up wins as the season progresses.

We don't normally do came recaps, but with the Spencer Jones news, I felt it necessary.  More to come.

IF JUDGE THINKS BOONE IS A LEADER, WE'VE OFFICIALLY LOST OUR MINDS

Unbelievable. I’m genuinely baffled by Aaron Judge’s take on what it takes to win. It’s almost as if he doesn’t get it—or worse, doesn’t care. Sure, it’s easy to throw out clichés about players needing to step up in big moments, build camaraderie, and grind their way to a championship. But then what? Just sit back and hope it happens? That’s not leadership. That’s wishful thinking.

Look, there’s a reason teams have managers. They’re not just warm bodies in the dugout. They’re there to lead, to set the tone, to push the team to be better. They make tough decisions, hold players accountable, and drive the organization toward a singular goal: winning. If Judge thinks it’s all on the players, then why bother with a manager at all? What’s the point of Aaron Boone standing on the top step of the dugout if his primary qualification is… showing a little temper now and then?

Yeah, you heard that right. According to Judge, Boone is the “perfect leader” because of his temper. What world are we living in? How is that an argument for leadership? Judge’s comments are so hollow, so lacking in any real substance, that if I were him, I’d be scrambling to retract those quotes before they go down in history as one of the weakest defenses of a manager we’ve ever heard.

“He’s what we need,” Judge told David Lennon of Newsday. “He steps up and shows his temper when he needs to defend us. But, whether we're on a winning streak or facing tough times, he's always that pillar we can rely on.”  Defends what, balls and strikes?

A pillar? Sure, but a pillar of what? Of mediocrity? Of passive, don’t-rock-the-boat leadership? Boone is steady, I’ll give him that, but steady isn’t always good. Sometimes, steady is just another word for stagnant.

“When you have a guy like that, who stays balanced whether we're winning or losing, it helps us go out and give our best,” Judge added.

Are we seriously pretending that “staying balanced” is the mark of a great manager? Balance is nice when you’re doing yoga, but this is the New York Yankees we’re talking about. This team hasn’t won a World Series since 2009. The fan base is frustrated, the front office is under pressure, and the standard is supposed to be championship or bust. And Judge is out here applauding Boone for keeping an even keel?

The truth is, Judge sounds like he wants a babysitter, not a manager. Someone to pat him on the back whether the team wins or loses. Someone who can be the “pillar” while the players, what, self-manage? It’s honestly ridiculous. Boone’s job isn’t just to be a friend to the team; it’s to lead them. To get in their faces when they’re underperforming. To make bold moves when the situation demands it. To make the hard calls, even if it ruffles feathers.

But no. Instead, we get Boone the Buddy. Boone, the guy who “defends” his players, who stays “balanced.” That’s all well and good if you’re running a daycare, but this is Major League Baseball. This is the Yankees. They need a manager who commands respect, not just companionship.

Judge can claim all he wants that Boone is the right guy for the job, but his argument falls flat. There’s no conviction, no real insight—just a bunch of empty praise that makes it sound like he’s more worried about keeping his comfort zone intact than winning another ring.

The Yankees captain should be setting the tone, demanding more—not just from his teammates but from his manager, too. Instead, he’s offering up this half-hearted endorsement that feels more like a plea to keep things the same. It’s embarrassing. Judge’s comments are a red flag. They show a lack of urgency, a lack of understanding of what it truly means to win at the highest level. 

And that, more than anything, is why this team won’t break their title drought. There’s no fire, no edge, no accountability. And if Aaron Judge thinks Boone’s temper is the magic ingredient, then maybe the problem is bigger than just the manager.

COULD RIZZO EVOLVE INTO A PLAYER-COACH ROLE WITH THE YANKEES?

 That, my friends, is something I am rooting for.  

Anthony Rizzo is the man, the leader, the legend. I love the guy.  The guy who can make a dugout feel like a family BBQ and hit a baseball like it owes him money. Rizzo is the type of player every team wants and every fan loves. He’s gritty, he’s charming, and he’s got leadership pouring out of his cleats. Well, spring training has arrived, and his name remains on the free agent list. It is clear that his next chapter might not be as straightforward as a home run trot.

If you caught our earlier piece, SOME INSIGHT ON WHERE ANTHONY RIZZO COULD GO back on January 20th, you know we were deep into speculation mode. Everyone was. I really thought Rizzo would ink a deal by now—maybe even with his old stomping grounds, the Cubs. The Nationals or Giants seemed like real possibilities too. But here we are, with no team having made that commitment, and Rizzo himself staring down the possibility of retirement.

When speaking with The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Brendan Kuty, Rizzo was candid about his situation. “I think I have a lot to give to the game still,” he said. “But at the same time, if teams are not going to want to pay a few million dollars for veterans, I’ve seen it the last 10 years of my career. It’s what happens to the older guys. They kind of get squeezed. I’m not naive to it. It could be it.”

It’s a sobering thought for a guy who’s given so much to baseball. But rather than seeing this as the end of Rizzo’s journey, I think it could be the start of something pretty special—especially if the Yankees are paying attention. Picture this: The Bronx Bombers offer Rizzo a unique one-year deal, not just as a player but as a “Player-Coach Mentor.”

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Player-Coach Mentor? What is this, a feel-good sports movie?” And yeah, kinda! But hear me out. This wouldn’t just be a gimmick. It would be an appreciation and leadership role, a way for Rizzo to pass on his baseball wisdom while slowly easing into the retirement that, let’s be honest, is probably needed. He could be the clubhouse glue, the guy who keeps the young players grounded, the veteran who’s been there and done that. Boone sucks at that, Rizzo would shine.

And come on, the Yankees can afford it. They’ve got the cash, and they’ve got the need for a mentor like Rizzo. The players love him, the fans love him, and he’s already got a special place in New York’s heart. Plus, imagine the influence he could have on rising stars, teaching them not just how to play the game but how to handle the pressure of the pinstripes.

Whether he’s hitting dingers or delivering pep talks, Rizzo has a role to play. And if the Yankees are smart, they’ll make sure that role keeps him in the game, even if it looks a little different than before. After all, a baseball world without Anthony Rizzo just doesn’t feel right. And if this Player-Coach Mentor idea takes off, it might just be the most Yankee move ever—both bold and sentimental, with a touch of that New York flair.

Whatever happens, one thing’s for sure: Rizzo is a fighter, a gamer, and genuinely one of the good guys in baseball. Here’s hoping his story isn’t quite over yet.

Agree? Don't agree? Let me know.

ONE YANKEE PITCHER ALREADY DOWN WITH TOMMY JOHN

Isn't it kind of funny how life works out? Not too long ago, Chase Hampton's name was tossed around as a potential trade piece in those wild Carlos Correa-to-the-Yankees rumors. (Read A BIG CARLOS CORREA NUGGET JUST DROPPED IN MY LAP)

Fast forward, and instead of pitching in the Bronx, he's pitching his way into Tommy John surgery. You can't make this stuff up! Greg Joyce of The New York Post reported that Hampton went under the knife Friday morning after a UCL tear was confirmed during tests in New York. He flew in on Wednesday, hoping for good news but getting the exact opposite. Now, he's sidelined for the entire 2025 season.

Hampton's journey has been a rollercoaster. In 2023, he went 4-3 with a solid 3.63 ERA over 20 starts between Class A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset, racking up an impressive 145 strikeouts in 106 2/3 innings. But last year was rough—he didn’t even take the mound until July 1 due to a flexor strain. When he did, he showed promise, going 0-1 with a 2.41 ERA in seven starts across three levels, with 16 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings.

The baseball gods sure have a twisted sense of humor. One minute, you're part of big-league trade chatter; the next, you're updating your Netflix queue for a year-long recovery.

IT'S EASY TO SAY GOOD THINGS WHEN A TEAM PAYS YOU NEARLY A BILLION DOLLARS...

If you thought the New York Mets couldn’t outdo themselves in the “throwing money at the problem” department, well, congratulations! You were wrong. Enter Juan Soto—the latest overpaid, under-accomplished addition to a team that seems to think a billion-dollar payroll is a substitute for a functioning roster.

I can't believe I’m writing this. Seriously, this is a non-story. It’s a stupid story, and yet here we are, stuck in the quicksand of the Mets media cycle, where every fluff quote is treated like a revelation from the baseball gods. But hey, let’s dive into it anyway, because apparently, this is what passes for news these days.

So, what did Soto say that has the Mets’ cheerleaders—I mean, media—so riled up? Oh, just the usual sunshine-and-rainbows routine. You know, the same canned lines every athlete gives when they’re handed a blank check and a family suite for the next 15 years. Sports Illustrated writes: 

"It has been fun. It’s been really cool to get to know these guys," Soto said, per SNY. "It’s a new group of guys, it’s a lot of guys who have been coming from another organization and everything, but it’s cool to see how they get along together and how they’ve been building this team to win a championship."

Aww, isn’t that sweet? A real tearjerker. Of course, he hasn’t actually done a single thing in a Mets uniform yet, but hey, who needs accomplishments when you’ve got words? You’ve got to love how the Mets media takes “It’s been fun” and turns it into a Shakespearean sonnet.

But wait, there’s more! Soto went on to say, "After all these three years of changing teams, being here and there, it’s kind of like a different vibe. It’s unbelievable."

Unbelievable? Really? What exactly is unbelievable? The paycheck? The fact that Steve Cohen is willing to mortgage his grandchildren’s future for a guy who’ll probably be jogging to first base in a few seasons? Or maybe it’s the surreal realization that you’ve landed in a franchise that measures success by how many headlines they can generate in December.

And let’s be honest—what happens when the Mets are 10 games behind the Phillies by the All-Star break? Will Soto still be all rainbows and unicorns then? I’m guessing not. But hey, at least we’ll get more quotable gems to dissect while the Mets drift into another forgettable season.

Look, I get it. The offseason is long, and we need something to talk about. But can we not pretend that this is anything more than a millionaire saying nice things about his billionaire boss? Let’s save the breathless coverage for when he actually, you know, does something on the field.

Stay tuned.

BOONE'S EXTENSION WILL WASTE JUDGE'S CAREER

It's my opinion of course, but it's a solid take. 

Listen, it’s almost too easy to rip on Aaron “No Championships” Boone right now. The guy has turned managing the Yankees into a masterclass on how to waste elite talent. Extending his contract? That’s like renewing the lease on a sinking ship. The more I think about it, the sadder it gets—especially for players like Aaron Judge, who’s built like a Greek god with a bat but might never see a World Series under Captain Mediocrity’s leadership. Maybe he should have gone to the Giants.

Maybe you think I’m being dramatic. But take a look at poor Mike Trout over with the Angels. Sure, the Angels aren’t exactly swimming in talent like the Yankees, but Trout is a generational player, stuck on a team that treats October baseball like it’s a myth. Year after year, he’s left competing for participation trophies instead of championships. It’s tragic.

And here’s where it gets scary—Judge could be heading down that same road. He doesn’t have time to wait around while Boone plays his favorite game: “What’s the Worst Decision I Could Make Today?” Boone’s regular-season record of 603-429 over seven seasons might look shiny, but what’s it worth? Are we here to beef up Boone’s résumé, or are we trying to win a World Series? Because I’m pretty sure the point of baseball isn’t to finish every season with a polite golf clap.

It’s wild to me that Judge keeps backing this guy. Is Judge too nice to tell the front office, “Hey, maybe we shouldn’t be managed by a guy whose postseason strategy is ‘Close my eyes and hope for the best’”? As Call to the Pen perfectly put it: “The issue, of course, remains that his managerial playoff record stands at 22-23 with just the one World Series loss to show for the team’s six playoff appearances.” 

Boone in the playoffs is like a fish on a bicycle—completely out of place.

And yet, no one seems to be talking about this. No one but us at Bleeding Yankee Blue. Everyone else is acting like this is normal. Like it’s totally fine to watch guys like Judge, Volpe, and Cole give everything they’ve got while Boone stares at the dugout ceiling blowing bubbles, probably wondering if he left the oven on.

What are we doing here? Are we committed to being the team that always “gets close” but never seals the deal? Because if so, mission accomplished. This isn’t leadership—it’s complacency, and I’ve never seen anything like it. I genuinely feel bad for these players. Being “good” isn’t the point of Major League Baseball. Winning it all is. And under Boone, the only ring they’ll be seeing is the one at the door when the offseason hits early.

THE YANKEES REALLY STIFFED KAHNLE, HUH?

Tommy Kahnle was the kind of guy you couldn’t help but root for—a hard-throwing, high-energy reliever who seemed to genuinely love being a Yankee. I dug him in pinstripes. He wasn't just punching a clock in pinstripes; he wore them like a second skin. And in October, when the lights were brightest, Kahnle delivered. He helped the Yankees win their first pennant since 2009, finishing the postseason with a sparkling 2.08 ERA in nine appearances. He notched a win, a save, and three holds, giving New York everything he had.

But of course, this is the Yankees we’re talking about. After this past World Series, Kahnle hit free agency. And you’d think, after six seasons of service and a postseason performance worth writing home about, the Yankees would at least pretend to be interested in bringing him back.

Nope. Not even close.

On Wednesday’s episode of Foul Territory, Kahnle pulled back the curtain on just how quickly the Yankees slammed the door on him. “Before anything really started to pick up, they were kind of like, ‘We don’t think we can meet your numbers,’” he said. “I feel like they didn’t even try, to be honest.”

"I feel like they didn't even try to be honest"

Tommy Kahnle says the Yankees made no effort to re-sign him as a free agent pic.twitter.com/IzcIp8B8Xb

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) February 19, 2025

Ouch.

It wasn’t just that the Yankees passed on Kahnle—they barely even gave him a glance. And for a team with New York’s financial muscle, claiming poverty on a guy who ended up signing a one-year, $7.75 million deal with the Detroit Tigers feels ridiculous. The Yankees probably spend that much annually on clubhouse snacks. But for whatever reason, they just couldn’t find room in the budget—or maybe in their hearts—for Kahnle.

Let’s be real: this wasn’t about money. The Yankees could lose $7.75 million between the cushions of the Steinbrenner family couch. This felt more like apathy, or maybe stubbornness—the kind of move that makes you wonder if the front office is sometimes too busy staring at spreadsheets to see what’s right in front of them.

And Kahnle isn’t just some guy. Over the last three years, he’s been one of the better relievers in the league, posting a 2.44 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP, and a healthy 10.1 K/9 across 96 innings. The Yankees' bullpen isn’t exactly overflowing with shutdown arms, and bringing Kahnle back could have been a no-brainer for a team with championship aspirations. But instead, they let him stroll off to Detroit without so much as a “Thanks for your service.”

Of course, this is baseball. It’s a business. Players come and go, and loyalty only goes as far as the next contract. But it’s hard not to feel like Kahnle got a raw deal. He wanted to be a Yankee. He played like he wanted to be a Yankee. And yet, when the time came, the Yankees couldn’t even muster up the effort to try.

This is becoming a bit of a pattern, too. The Yankees, with all their history and mystique, have a strange habit of dragging their feet when it comes to keeping the good soldiers around. They either overthink it or just don’t think about it at all. 

Kahnle may have landed on his feet in Detroit, but his departure leaves a little sting...no question. It’s not just the loss of a talented arm—it’s the feeling that the Yankees, in their endless pursuit of The Next Big Thing, might be losing sight of the little things that make a team worth rooting for.

And maybe it’s just business. But it sure feels personal.

JOE KELLY'S RIGHT. BOONE NEEDS TO SHUT UP

Leaders don't dwell; they lead.

I didn't bother covering Aaron "No Championships" Boone's recent comments on BYB because, honestly, they felt more like whining than anything else. Boone seemed upset about losing to the Dodgers and didn’t appreciate their players rubbing it in. He mentioned how the Yankees prefer to "handle things with a little more class" if they win the World Series. Sure, the Yankees are a traditionally classy organization, and they probably wouldn’t gloat—but the Dodgers did. That’s life. Move on.

The fact that Boone is still bringing this up in February 2025 makes him look more like a sore loser than a real leader. Leaders don’t waste time talking trash; they learn from their mistakes, regroup, and focus on execution. It didn’t take long for Joe Kelly to respond—and I won’t lie, I kind of loved it because I can’t stand Boone.

On the "Baseball Isn't Boring" podcast, Kelly hit back at Boone’s suggestion that the loudest Dodgers weren’t even the stars of their championship team.

“He’s just so hurt. It’s so sad,” Kelly said. “When your fearless leader has fear, it’s a little tough to see. Feelings are hurt.”

Kelly even laughed at the Yankees’ disastrous defensive meltdown in Game 5 of the World Series. With Spring Training 2025 underway, and still unsigned, Kelly has all the time in the world to sharpen his trash-talking game. He didn’t stop with Boone, either—he took another shot at Yankees ace Gerrit Cole.

On the same podcast, Kelly even mocked Cole’s Game 5 blunder, saying his nine-year-old son’s travel team had better instincts.

“Knox’s nine-year-old travel team, first move after a ground ball to the right side, all of them are breaking. Every single one of them. Kids that pitch once a week know to get over. ... Not one of them forgets to get over. I promise you. I know who does forget to get over, and it’s not the nine-year-olds.”

Yeah, losses sting. But the reality is, the Yankees haven’t won anything under Boone, so their World Series collapse wasn’t exactly shocking. Kelly may be a bit of a bully and a loudmouth, but he’s not wrong. 

Boone needs to quit talking about the past, show some leadership, and focus on making real adjustments for next time. Enough with the excuses—just lead.

SOMETIMES THE YANKEE HAIR POLICY STRIPS THE BALLS FROM CERTAIN PLAYERS...

Let's hope it doesn't happen to Devin Williams.

The Yankees’ hair policy has been a topic of debate for years, and honestly, I’m all for it because I love tradition. The Yankees are baseball’s version of a classic black tuxedo—clean, sharp, timeless. No names on the back of the jerseys. No wild hair or unruly beards. Just a uniform, in every sense of the word. Some fans adore it, others despise it. And let’s be real—there are definitely players who can’t stand it either.

Now, here’s the thing: hair matters. You think it doesn’t, but it does. It’s psychological. Some guys wear their hair like a badge of honor, like it holds some kind of baseball superpower. When a player walks into Yankee Stadium with a full-on lumberjack beard and walks out looking like he just enlisted in the military, it does something to him. Maybe he doesn’t pitch the same. Maybe he doesn’t hit the same. Maybe he looks in the mirror and doesn’t even recognize himself. It’s like stripping Superman of his cape and telling him to get over it. That’s not how this works.

Take Brian Wilson, for example. His beard wasn’t just facial hair—it was a whole personality. It was a movement. The guy looked like he belonged in a biker gang, and it worked for him. When the Yankees considered signing him, Brian Cashman didn’t even hesitate: “You can cross him off the list.” Why? Because Wilson refused to shave. That’s how serious this policy is.

And then there’s Don Mattingly. In 1991, the Yankees actually fined and benched him until he cut his hair. Imagine that. A guy could be batting .400, but if his sideburns got a little too ambitious, he was riding the pine. Andrew McCutchen later admitted that the rule made him uncomfortable during his time with the Yankees. Joba Chamberlain, a Yankee from 2007 to 2013, straight-up said he got kicked out of the dugout once and told to go shave.

So here we are, and history repeats itself. Enter Williams, the latest player to take on the Yankees’ razor-wielding tradition. He showed up to spring training with a beard, looking like his normal self. And then? Poof. By the time he started throwing, he was clean-shaven and looking like a different guy entirely. “I feel naked,” he admitted, according to Randy Miller of the Newark Star-Ledger. And honestly, I believe him.

But here’s what worries me: Williams will play ball, but what I don’t want is for him to lose his power. You know what I mean? The Yankees front office will roll their eyes and say, “It’s just superstition, get over it.” But that’s the thing—players are superstitious. They believe in this stuff. And when you strip them of something that makes them feel like themselves, you risk messing with their confidence, their swagger, their mojo.

Look, I get the tradition. I respect it. But baseball is a game built on rituals, weird habits, and unexplained magic. Some guys eat the same meal before every game. Some won’t step on the foul line. Some swear their batting gloves have good luck. And some? Some believe their hair is part of what makes them great. Sometimes, even the Yankees need to bend a little. Otherwise, what happens when a guy loses his beard and takes the mound feeling like a shell of his former self? That’s a risk no team should want to take.

Let's see what happens.

COMPLACENCY & MEDIOCRITY WIN THE DAY WITH STOOGE BOONE'S EXTENSION!

We as the Yankees are no longer are the team of grit, passion and championships.  We the fans are just feeding the Yankee piggy bank because of successes of years past.

These days Hal Steinbrenner has become complacent, plain and simple. The Yankees are no longer a team obsessed with winning championships—they're a brand, a massive, money-printing empire where the past is more valuable than the present. The merchandise flies off the shelves, the memorabilia from the glory years keeps the cash registers ringing, and as long as the Yankees logo is still a global icon, actually winning? Well, that’s just a bonus, not a priority. That’s why Aaron Boone—the puppet, the king of empty October appearances—has been handed a contract extension through 2027.

Oh, you didn’t hear? The Yankees just announced this morning that they’re extending Boone for two more years beyond his current deal, which was set to expire after 2025. Why? Because mediocrity is now acceptable in the Bronx. Yes, Boone has a winning record, but since when did that make someone a great manager? MLB Trade Rumors tried to defend him, stating:

"Boone is a divisive figure in the fanbase but there’s a lot of good stuff on his track record. The Yanks have made the postseason in six of his seven seasons at the helm, with the aforementioned 2023 campaign being the lone exception. They have had some tough postseason losses but, as mentioned, just went to the World Series a few months ago. As skipper, he has a regular season record of 603-429, a .584 winning percentage."

Okay, and? So, Boone padding managerial wins is important? WTF. We've all gone soft.

Getting to the postseason and failing isn't an achievement—it’s just prolonging the inevitable. So Boone is what, the best loser in the league? Give me a break. The Yankees lost the World Series last year. Before that, they missed the playoffs entirely in 2023—the worst season in three decades. They’ve been second place in the AL East more often than not under Boone and have exactly one World Series appearance in his tenure.

But sure, "the manager isn’t responsible for that," right? Tell that to Billy Martin. Tell that to every manager who’s ever been fired after a bad season. The reality is Boone isn’t qualified, he isn’t good under pressure, and when the moment is biggest, he panics. Just ask Nestor Cortes and Freddie Freeman—Boone made one of the worst managerial decisions in World Series history, and it cost the Yankees everything in a must-win game.

Let’s be real: Boone is still here because Steinbrenner doesn’t care about winning, and Brian Cashman keeps feeding him nonsense. Cashman even had the nerve to say this, per MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch:

“I think that is a strength, that is a benefit. I know that if he wasn’t the Yankee manager, it would be a feeding frenzy for him to be a manager that’s coveted elsewhere, objectively. That’s how we see it.”

So, let me get this straight: the Yankees kept Boone not because he was the best option, but because they didn’t want another team to have him? That’s the logic now? That’s the standard in the Bronx? What an absolutely ridiculous take.

And let’s not forget the Yankees marketing machine still playing that 2003 Boone walk-off against Boston like it’s some iconic championship moment. Do they forget what happened after? The Yankees lost the World Series. That homer meant nothing. Just like Boone’s entire tenure.

Great managers are carried off the field. Why? Cause a good manager will LEAD YOU TO A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP.  That has never happened to Aaron Boone and with the amount of talent around him... it should have happened at least twice by now. But the reason is simple... Boone is not a great manager.

This extension is a joke. I will apologize if—and only if—the Yankees win the World Series under Boone. But let’s be real: they won’t. Because Aaron Boone doesn’t have what it takes. Joe Torre won four rings and was let go. Joe Girardi won a championship and was cut loose. But Boone? Still here, with zero titles to his name. Why? Because Hal Steinbrenner doesn’t care about championships. The money is still rolling in, even if the Yankees keep coming up short.

Pathetic.