Is it just me or have the Yankees played an inordinate number of games in windy conditions this year? I mean really windy games. Games where fly balls go sideways and infielders twist and turn to track pop ups. Maybe this is just the weather now. Anyway, here are today’s thoughts as the Yankees have their first 10-game winning streak since, well, last August.
1. Weekend observations. The Yankees have scored double-digit runs four times in their last eight games after ...
2022-05-03 12:01:02 +0000 UTC
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The Yankees have already done something this season they did not do once last season: spend a day in first place. They’ve been alone in first place since Wednesday’s win and it’s the first time they’ve been in sole possession of first place in the AL East since Aug. 19th, 2020. That was 24 games into the 60-game season. Getting into first place is easy, especially in April. Staying there is the hard part. Time to work on that. To today’s post.
1. Weekday observations. ...
2022-04-29 12:01:03 +0000 UTC
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The off-day vibe is always better after a sweep, isn't it? The Yankees played their best, most complete series of the (very) young season over the weekend, and Tuesday they begin a stretch of six games against the Orioles and Royals (combined 11-19). Time to fatten up the win-loss record a bit. Here is Tuesday morning’s post Monday night. It’s an off-day and I don’t see any reason to make you wait.
1. Weekend observations. For all my bitching and moaning, the Yank...
2022-04-25 22:46:51 +0000 UTC
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The Yankees will make their first trip to Toronto the week after next, and earlier this week Aaron Boone said “my understanding is that we’re going to be okay” when asked whether the Yankees will have all their players for that trip. That came five days after 2022-04-22 12:01:02 +0000 UTC
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I know I said today’s post would be later than usual because I had family stuff to do Monday, but the Yankees annoyed me enough Sunday that I hate-typed most of the post out that night. Gosh, what a terrible weekend. The Yankees had one good offensive inning in the three-game series (which included an 11-inning game) against a terrible Orioles team. I really hate this team sometimes. Let’s get to today’s post.
1. Weekend observations. Can’t say I’m a fan of th...
2022-04-19 12:01:02 +0000 UTC
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Just a heads up: I have a family thing Monday (believe me I wish I could skip it) and I won’t be able to write that day. There will be a post Tuesday, though probably not until later in the day rather than first thing in the morning. I’ll do my best to get it out as quickly as possible. Now let’s get to today’s post.
1. Weekday thoughts. The Yankees have scored 6, 4, 3, 0, 4, 4, and 3 runs in their seven games. They needed the automatic runner in the 10th and 11...
2022-04-15 12:00:08 +0000 UTC
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Four games into the new season the Yankees have held a lead after four of 38 innings. There’s still A LOT of season to play, but the 2022 Yankees are giving off 2020-21 Yankees vibes so far, only with a worse bottom of the lineup. They’ve scored 13 runs in four games. It's the first time they've scored no more than 13 runs in their first four games since 2015. Yeesh. Let’s get to today’s post.
1. Weekend thoughts. For the first time in Yankees history, two playe...
2022-04-12 12:01:02 +0000 UTC
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A week later than originally scheduled and another day later than that, Opening Day has arrived. The Yankees will begin the 2022 season the same way they ended 2021: against the Red Sox. At least this time they’re at home and are guaranteed to play more games. Let’s check out the updated ZiPS projected AL East standings:
2022-04-08 14:55:41 +0000 UTC
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We had to sit through a 99-day lockout to get baseball back. What’s one more day? It is raining in New York and Opening Day has been pushed back to Friday. At least the Yankees were nice enough to bang the game a day early rather than wait until the day of the opener itself, like they did in 2016 and 2022-04-07 12:00:06 +0000 UTC
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UPDATE: Added a quick note to the David McKay section below.
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Spring Training is almost over and soon we can get back to gnashing teeth over bullpen usage and runners left in scoring position. The Yankees have been busy the last few days, so here is Tuesday morning’s post Monday night. I don’t want the send everything I've already written to the 2022-04-05 01:57:36 +0000 UTC
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Some news: 21 Yankees games will be available on Amazon Prime and Amazon Prime only this season, according to Andrew Marchand. The Amazon Prime broadcasts are replacing the free over-the-air WPIX broadcasts, so you need another subscription to watch these 21 games (13% of the season!). If only the Yankees chased the next win as much as they chase the next dollar. Le...
2022-04-01 12:01:03 +0000 UTC
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Over the weekend Brian Cashman confirmed the Yankees will offer Aaron Judge a long-term extension prior to Opening Day. “Obviously, he’ll receive an offer and all of our conversations will have taken place. It will either resolve in a multi-year deal, or it won’t,” Cashman told Bryan Hoch. Will it be a sincere offer or a “we tried” lowball offer? We’ll find...
2022-03-29 12:01:02 +0000 UTC
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UPDATE: I forgot to include those complicated Brett Gardner and Darren O'Day player option buyouts in my payroll estimate below. Those buyouts lowered their luxury tax hits in 2021 and added a charge in 2022. It's not much and it doesn't really change anything, but the post is updated.
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2022-03-25 12:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Folks, I watched real live baseball the last few days. Not live live, I wasn’t there, but I watched it live on television, and it was glorious. Dingers, defense, prospects, it was great. Opening Day is a little more than two weeks away now, so soon the games will count. Until then, I’ll enjoy the fake games that don’t mean anything. Let’s get to today’s thoughts.
1. Correa to the Twins, Story to the Red Sox. What a perfect capper to one of the least enjoyable ...
2022-03-22 11:43:47 +0000 UTC
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Here’s a thing: PECOTA projects the Yankees to score the most runs and also allow the fewest runs in the American League this year. Can’t say I buy it (allowing the fewest runs in the league while calling Yankee Stadium and the AL East home feels impossible) but at least one objective projection system loves the roster, and that’s cool. Here is Friday morning’s post Thursday evening before an overnig...
2022-03-18 01:23:01 +0000 UTC
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One day later, I’ve decided my least favorite thing about the trade is trying to spell “Rortvedt.” Ben Rortvedt is the Yankees new catcher, not an end table from Ikea, and for some reason I keep trying to sandwich an L between the E and the D. Why? I do not know, but the next time I spell his name correctly on the first try will be the first. Also, Mr. Rortvedt's arms look like this:
2022-03-15 01:07:03 +0000 UTC
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:-( (AP Photo)
You know what, let’s just go back to the lockout. That was better than this. Late Sunday night the Yankees made a trade that could make them worse at three positions if Josh Donaldson’s career-long calf issues continue to be an issue at *checks notes* ages 36-37. At least the Yankees have a good track record of keeping right-handed power hitters h...
2022-03-14 04:49:30 +0000 UTC
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Never been so happy to set my eyes on Tampa. (Presswire)
At 99 days and counting, the lockout was the second longest work stoppage in baseball history, behind only the 1994-95 strike (232 days). The lockout is mercifully over and baseball is back. Players started funneling into Spring Training complexes today and the mandatory reporting date is Sunday. 2022-03-11 19:34:27 +0000 UTC
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What was your favorite part of the 2021-22 lockout? Mine was: nothing. I hated just about every second of it. The only thing I liked was not having to reflectively check my phone for breaking news every few minutes. I’m ready to get back to actual baseball talk. I sincerely thank you all for sticking around during the lockout. I know it wasn’t always pretty. Here is Friday’s post Thursday night so I can get to work on the Collective Bargaining Agreement specific post.
1. T...
2022-03-10 23:21:03 +0000 UTC
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Lockout, Day 97: I hope I’m wrong, but MLB’s language in recent days – calling last week’s offer their “best and final offer” and saying the two sides are “deadlocked” – makes me think they are getting ready to declare a legal impasse and unilaterally impose their last offer. The MLBPA (and possibly the National Labor Relations Board) would then file an unfair labor practice charge and the two sides would wind up in front of a judge, similar to 1995. That process could take ...
2022-03-08 13:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Lockout, Day 93: I love baseball but hate Baseball. We’re getting a shortened season for the second time in three years, this time for no good reason. Why do I dedicate so much time and brainpower to a sport that treats me this way? No matter how much I love baseball, it will never love me back. Well, anyway, here are today’s thoughts as No. 9 prospect Alex Vargas 2022-03-04 13:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Lockout, Day 90: MLB and the MLBPA bargained deep into the night yesterday and it seems more progress was made in the last 24 hours than in the previous three months. Ron Blum has the best all-in-one-place update on the proposals (
2022-03-01 12:47:54 +0000 UTC
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Lockout, Day 86: I could be (probably am) completely wrong, but it feels like the owners painted themselves into a corner and don’t know how to get out. Everything about these last few weeks feels like MLB expected the MLBPA to cave quickly, and when it didn’t happen, the owners didn’t have a Plan B. Maybe they got bad advice. This week has been more of the same, meaning little progress on most issues and zero progress on big issues (like the luxury tax). Nothing on the table is worth a...
2022-02-25 13:01:05 +0000 UTC
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Lockout, Day 83: Remember during the shutdown two years ago when it felt like every week was a Big Week For Baseball? "If they don’t get a deal done this week they never will," was a persistent vibe. This week feels like that for the lockout. It’s another Big Week For Baseball. No deal this week puts Opening Day in peril, so fingers crossed. Let’s get to today’s post.
1. Mining the news. MLB and the MLBPA are holding daily meetings this week and it’s the first...
2022-02-22 13:01:02 +0000 UTC
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Lockout, Day 79: I had a dream the other night that Rob Manfred resigned because he lied about someone’s vaccination status, which is a sure sign I’m over the lockout and the pandemic. I mean, I’ve been over them for a while, but now my brain is reminding me of that even when I’m asleep. I just want baseball back. Anyway, let’s get to today’s post.
1. Alternate universe Spring Training storylines. Spring Training was supposed to open this week. The Yankees (...
2022-02-18 13:00:07 +0000 UTC
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Lockout, Day 76: Jayson Stark and Ken Rosenthal (subs. req’d) have a great look at what awaits on the other side of the lockout. There are over 600 unsigned free agents (including minor league free agents), nearly 200 unsigned arbitration-eligible players, dozens who need a visa, and then there will be “wha...
2022-02-15 13:00:05 +0000 UTC
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2022-02-11 13:00:06 +0000 UTC
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Lockout, Day 71: MLB’s PR machine is in overdrive. Within the last week the league requested federal mediation, blamed Scott Boras, and leaked that banned substance testing has stopped. “We’re trying to make a deal, but those evil players turned down assistance and are all taking steroids, and also Boras is the boogeyman.” That is the league’s official message with Spring Training on the c...
2022-02-10 13:01:02 +0000 UTC
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Lockout, Day 69 (not nice): The quarterly owners meetings begin today in Orlando and Rob Manfred will speak to the media later this week (I think). That a) could be when he’ll announce Spring Training will not start on time, and b) should be a hoot. It is cringy anytime Manfred opens his mouth in an unscripted setting. Put him on the spot and he ten...
2022-02-08 13:01:01 +0000 UTC
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Lockout, Day 65: Shohei Ohtani will be on the cover of MLB The Show 22 (a no-brainer) and I can’t believe it won’t be a hologram cover with him hitting when you look at it one way and pitching when you look at it the other. What a missed opportunity. I am willing to be Sony’s ideas guy for $450,000 a year plus expenses. Anyway, let’s get to today’s post.
1. The latest on CBA talks (and my Top 30 Prospects lis...
2022-02-04 13:01:03 +0000 UTC
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