The 2019-20 offseason is well underway and the Yankees have already dismissed their pitching coach and signed a player to an extension (they also removed Jake Barrett and Tyler Lyons from the 40-man roster yesterday). Been a busy few days. Only 99 more days until pitchers and catchers report to Spring Training. That doesn't sound so bad, does it? Here are today's thoughts.
1. No qualifying offer for Didi. The Yankees did not make Didi Gregorius the $17.8M qualifying off...
2019-11-05 14:18:27 +0000 UTC
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The World Series is over and the offseason business has already begun. The Yankees declined their $20M club option for Edwin Encarnacion yesterday, as expected. Aroldis Chapman has until tomorrow to opt out of the final two years and $30M remaining on his contract. Now let's get to this week's thoughts as Hal Steinbrenner gets the "we will have both Severino and Montgomery ...
2019-11-01 13:51:37 +0000 UTC
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The Yankees season has been over 10 days now and wow do I miss it. The World Series is fun and all, but I wasn't ready for the Yankees to go away yet, especially not like that. The early days of the offseason are always the most difficult. Let's get to today's thoughts.
1. Offseason calendar. The offseason is upon us, so it's time to highlight the important dates and deadlines coming up these next few weeks and months. Here is the 2019-20 offseason calendar and what eac...
2019-10-29 14:37:02 +0000 UTC
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One way or the other, the 2019 World Series will be over in no more than six days, then it'll be time for the offseason. I can't say I expected the Nationals to win two games in Houston, so that's cool. I'm rooting against the Astros more than I am rooting for the Nationals at this point. Anyway, I wanted to do some sort of offseason preview here, and rather than build another massive Offseason Plan post (2019-10-25 13:13:46 +0000 UTC
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It's been a few days and yup, it still annoys me the Yankees held the Astros to 22 runs in six games -- 22 runs in six games! -- and still lost the ALCS. I would've signed up for that run prevention in a heartbeat going into the series. The offense really let the Yankees down in some key moments. Sigh. Anyway, here are today's thoughts as the World Series begins tonight without the Yankees for the tenth consecutive season.
(Note: Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman will hold their annua...
2019-10-22 15:09:32 +0000 UTC
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Sometimes I hate being a genius baseball blogger. I called Astros in six before the ALCS and in six games the Astros did win. They were the better team all season and they were the better team in the best-of-seven series, even with the Yankees healthier than they were at pretty much any point in 2019. Houston is gonna demolish the Nationals in the World Series. I know Washington has a great rotation,...
2019-10-20 16:09:25 +0000 UTC
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(Photo via Presswire)
Damn, I love that photo. I have no idea whether the Yankees will actually complete this ALCS comeback, but they're not dead yet. They punched back in Game 5 last night and sent the series back to Houston. Here are today's thoughts from 30,000 feet (apologies in advance for any formatting weirdness, I had to finish this on my phone).
1. Big Game James.
2019-10-19 11:52:27 +0000 UTC
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What a disappointing performance. In the biggest and most important game of the season, the Yankees had more errors (four) than runs (three), and they got pushed around at home by an Astros team that is leaving little doubt they are superior. Superior talent and superior execution. Ugly all the way around. Here are today's thoughts now that the Yankees are on the brink of another World Series-less season.
1. Farewell CC. CC Sabathia's career came to an end last night. I...
2019-10-18 14:03:20 +0000 UTC
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As expected, ALCS Game 4 was rained out yesterday and it will be made up Friday. Good call. It poured in New York last night. There was no way they could play and waiting around for a playable window that never came would've been annoying. The Yankees and Astros will now play Games 4-7 on four consecutive days. I don't believe the rainout favors one team over the other, but I do think the Yankees can benefit from it. Some quick thoughts before the ALCS resumes tonight.
1. Tanaka...
2019-10-17 13:52:44 +0000 UTC
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Homefield advantage has been lost. The Astros outplayed the Yankees on both sides of the ball in Game 3 last night and now hold a 2-1 series lead. New York's best case scenario now is winning the next two games at home, and having to beat either Justin Verlander or Gerrit Cole in Houston. Daunting. Here are some thoughts after the Game 3 loss.
1. Missed opportunities. The Yankees lost Games 2 and 3 because they wasted way too many opportunities. You have to play near fl...
2019-10-16 14:02:41 +0000 UTC
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The ALCS shifts from Minute Maid Park to Yankee Stadium later today. The series is tied 1-1 and that makes Game 3 an important swing game. Win today and the Yankees will have a chance to close out this series at home. Lose today and the best case scenario is having to beat Justin Verlander or Gerrit Cole in Houston to advance. Here are some quick thoughts prior to Game 3.
1. Perspective. I'm still a little chapped about the Game 2 outcome, so I figure this is a good tim...
2019-10-15 12:50:47 +0000 UTC
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Folks, losing winnable Justin Verlander starts is no way to win an ALCS. The Yankees let a golden opportunity to take a 2-0 series lead slip away last night. The ALCS is now a best-of-five as it heads back to New York. Could be better -- should be better -- could be worse. Here are some scattered thoughts as I look forward to the savages returning to the Bronx.
1. Paxton struggles. What a terrible start for James Paxton. Granted, if you had told me Paxton would not comp...
2019-10-14 14:37:04 +0000 UTC
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You could not possibly script a better start to the postseason for the Yankees. Four games, four wins, all against 100+ win teams. And they've outscored their opponents 30-7 in those four games with the seven runs allowed coming in seven separate one-run innings. No big rallies given up at all. Pretty incredible, eh? The Yankees are probably going to get kicked in the teeth at some point, that's usually how the postseason goes, but, right now, the Yankees have been the best team in October an...
2019-10-13 14:44:54 +0000 UTC
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It feels like the Yankees haven't played a game since September. Such is life when you sweep the ALDS. The Yankees are finally back in action tonight with ALCS Game 1 against the Astros, and I have some real quick thoughts to share. First, here is the ALCS roster:
Aaron Hicks (elbow) and CC Sabathia (shoulder) are back and replace Luke Voit and Tyler Wade on the roster. Also, David Hale was des...
2019-10-12 17:59:26 +0000 UTC
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We are getting the heavyweight battle. Gerrit Cole and the Astros sent the Rays home last night in ALDS Game 5. Too bad the Yankees couldn't be the team that eliminated Tampa. Ah well. Anyway, you all ready for this Yankees vs. Astros ALCS deathmatch? Gonna be fun. And also stressful, but mostly fun. I think. Here are some thoughts as I get ready to watch the Breaking Bad movie on my flight to Houston.
1. The ALCS rematch. Okay, it's not truly a rematch because they did...
2019-10-11 12:48:32 +0000 UTC
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Later tonight the Astros and Rays will play a decisive ALDS Game 5 to determine which team gets the privilege of losing to the Yankees in the ALCS. The ALCS will begin Saturday either way. If the Astros win, Game 1 is in Minute Maid Park. If the Rays win, Game 1 will be in Yankee Stadium. Here are some midweek thoughts.
1. Astros vs. Rays. My preference is facing the Rays in the ALCS. I think the Astros are the best and most dangerous team in baseball, and avoiding them...
2019-10-10 13:13:53 +0000 UTC
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(via @Yankees)
Remember when some idiot charged you $3/month to tell you the 2019 Twins are different and they're going to give the Yankees a hard time in the ALDS? That was more than just a sweep. That was one of the most fun postseason series I can ever remember. Gleyber Torres is having his megasta...
2019-10-08 13:12:39 +0000 UTC
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So much for that "these Twins are different!" narrative I was preaching, huh? Two games into the ALDS, the Yankees have a convincing 2-0 lead, and they look like the superior team in every way possible. The series isn't over yet -- the Yankees showed us two years ago an 0-2 deficit is not insurmountable -- but the Yankees are sitting pretty right now. Anyway, here are some thoughts on Game 2 and beyond.
1. Offensive comparison. The Yankees are getting offensive contribu...
2019-10-06 16:24:44 +0000 UTC
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One down, 10 more wins to go. The Yankees won a battle of the bullpens in ALDS Game 1 last night and, believe it or not, it was their first Game 1 win since the 2012 ALDS. They lost Game 1 in the 2012 ALCS, 2017 ALDS, 2017 ALCS, and 2018 ALDS. (They did win the 2017 and 2018 Wild Card Games, but those aren't series.) Being up 1-0 is much better than being down 0-1, isn't it? Anyway, here are some thoughts following Friday's win.
1. Bullpen aggressiveness. Aaron Boone an...
2019-10-05 15:43:50 +0000 UTC
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Once again, it is Yankees vs. Twins in the postseason. They've met often over the last two decades and the rivalry ("rivalry") has been decidedly one-sided. The 2019 ALDS begins Friday night at Yankee Stadium. I'm going to busy in the morning, so I figured I'd publish my ALDS mini-preview tonight rather than try to squeeze it in tomorrow. Chances are there will be more posts than usual in the postseason, but I can't give you a schedule ahead of time. Any extra posts will come when I have time...
2019-10-04 02:47:17 +0000 UTC
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The regular season is over, and while I'm definitely looking forward to the postseason, part of me already misses the day in, day out comfort of the regular season. Baseball feels like a companion more than a hobby. It's there every day all summer. Anyway, here are today's thoughts as I look forward to watching a stress-free AL Wild Card Game for only the second time in five years.
1. Regular season wrap-up. The Yankees limped to the finish a bit -- they lost four...
2019-10-01 13:29:09 +0000 UTC
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There are three days remaining in the regular season and we still don't know which team the Yankees will play in the ALDS. Chances are it'll be the Twins, but that's not official yet. One more Astros win or one more Yankees loss gives Houston the best record in the American League. Anyway, here are today's thoughts as the...
2019-09-27 13:45:34 +0000 UTC
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Only six days and five games remain in the 2019 regular season. Crazy, isn't it? I swear, the season goes by a little quicker with each passing year. Here are today's thoughts as the Yankees try not to lose anyone else to injury this week.
1. Status report. Since shutting down RAB, I've felt a little out of the loop with the Yankees, especially when it comes to smaller trends or accomplishments. I guess you notice things and remember stuff more easily when you're writin...
2019-09-24 13:50:56 +0000 UTC
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AL East champs. We've known it would happen for weeks now, but damn, doesn't it feel good? It had been entirely too long since the last time the Yankees won the division. Glad they got that done properly with a win last night. That was much better than waiting around to see whether the Rays lose. Here are today's thoughts, two weeks before the Yankees begin the ALDS.
1. The to-do list. Clinching the AL East title really was only the first step toward winning the World S...
2019-09-20 14:30:15 +0000 UTC
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The Yankees were dealt another significant injury this week. Dellin Betances has a partially torn left Achilles, and although surgery has not yet been recommended (he's going for a second opinion soon), his season is over. He worked so hard for so long to come back from the shoulder injury only to have his Achilles give out. This sucks so much. I have a bunch of thoughts on Dellin's injury, so here's an emergency Patreon post.
1. Fluke injury. I am heartbroken for Betan...
2019-09-18 15:04:33 +0000 UTC
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At some point this week, possibly as soon as Wednesday, the Yankees will clinch their first AL East title since 2012. I was hoping they'd be able to do it tomorrow with Luis Severino on the mound, but things didn't work out. Too bad. The magic number is three. Anyway, I'm going out of town for a few days this week, so here is Tuesday's post a day early.
1. Severino's return. At long last, Luis Severino will rejoin the Yankees tomorrow night. He's slated to throw 65-ish ...
2019-09-16 13:18:35 +0000 UTC
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The Yankees swept their sixth doubleheader of the season yesterday and are 13-1 in 14 doubleheader games this year. They are the first team to sweep six doubleheaders in one season since the Pirates and Ken Singleton's Orioles in 1979. Pretty incredible. Anyway, here are today's thoughts as I point out the Yankees can clinch the AL East tit...
2019-09-13 14:04:15 +0000 UTC
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So, was eliminating the Red Sox from the AL East race in their own ballpark fun or what? I'm glad the season series is over too. That 17-man bullpen Boston is using is unwatchable. My goodness. Anyway, here are today's thoughts as J.A. Happ pitches just well enough to trick the Yankees into giving him a postseason start.
1. Happ's rebound. Speaking of J.A. Happ, his last two starts have been very good (12.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 5 BB, 12 K combined), and they came again two rea...
2019-09-10 13:39:32 +0000 UTC
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Despite losing the first game in each series, the Yankees took two of three from the Athletics and Rangers on the homestand. They are 18-3-3 in 24 home series this year and all three series losses were in April. The opponents? The Orioles, Tigers, and White Sox. Three teams that are a combined 120 games under .500. Go figure. Anyway, here are today's thoughts as the Yankees head to Boston for four five-hour games.
1. The Gary and Gleyber homer race. Gary Sanchez and Gle...
2019-09-06 13:03:07 +0000 UTC
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The no shutout streak is dead. Long live the no shutout streak. The Yankees were shut out yesterday for the first time since June 30th of last year. They scored a run in 220 straight games, the second longest streak in history behind the 1931-33 Yankees (308 games). It was fun while it lasted. Now here are today's thoughts as the Yankees send Clint Frazier back to Triple-A to clear a roster spot for Edwin Encarnacion even though rosters are expanded (I kid, I kid).
1. Homefield ...
2019-09-03 13:29:15 +0000 UTC
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