Derek Jeter

Why The Yankees Universe Needs to Back Off That One HOF Voter

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New York Yankees, Derek Jeter

New York Yankees shortstop of my formative years as a Yankees fan, Derek Jeter, justifiably made it to Cooperstown on January 21st. One of only two men inducted this year, no one can deny that Jeter was justifiably a first-ballot Hall of Famer. But everyone is overlooking the fact that Jeter got into the Hall by focusing on the fact that one guy left Jeter off the ballot.

I mean… what is baseball right now if we’re only focusing one guy here and not that Jeter got in?

Yes, Jeter Was THAT Good, But It’s Not Surprising He’s Not Unanimous

Jeter was a STUPENDOUS shortstop, and he was proof that playing the game the right way is as important as being a great player. Jeter finished 6th in all-time hits (3,465), a career batting average over .300 (.310), a 14-time All-Star, a World Series AND All-Star Game MVP in the same year, most games played, at-bats, hits, doubles, runs scored, triples, AND singles in the postseason, and was the inspiration for some of the best shortstops the game has seen in decades.

But he had his shortcomings. Defensively, he was good, but not great. And when we look at the advanced sabermetrics regarding fielding, Jeter was very, VERY bad. Voters are using these same statistics to justify handing out the Cy Young award to pitchers who are at .500 or below. How can you justify saying “This guy is the best pitcher in baseball,” when you’re a sub .500 pitcher? Just like, how can you justify calling Derek Jeter a bad defensive shortstop, when if it weren’t for him, we’d have lost that 2001 ALDS because of THE FLIP!

Also, let’s face it, writers are just as judgmental as fans. Fans despise Derek Jeter simply because he was talked about so much over their other teams and their other favorite players. So, no, I’m not surprised Derek wasn’t unanimous. And none of us Yankee fans should be surprised either.

New York Yankees: Yankee organization reactions to Derek Jeter HOF election

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New York Yankees, Derek Jeter

New York Yankees great Derek Jeter was elected to the Hall of Fame Tuesday and was congratulated by old teammates, coaches, and friends.

@RobinsonCano via Twitter: HOF!!! Congrats my brother. One of the greatest to ever do it. Enjoyed every moment on and off the field. #Re2pect

@bw51official via Twitter (Bernie Williams): Congratulations Derek! The @baseballhall awaits! An honor to be your teammate and friend. This is a wonderful day for you and your family. We all share in your joy. Love you my brother and can’t wait to celebrate with you in July ! #MLB #yankees #HOF #turn2foundation

@MarianoRivera via Twitter: To the best teammate a player can ever ask for…your hard work, respect for the game and selfless leadership have always served as an inspiration. Felicidades y gracias por las memorias!

@teixeiramark25 via Twitter: Congrats to two of the best who ever lived. I was lucky to play with Jeter for 6 seasons and see his talent, leadership, and grace first hand. If any kid wants to know how to play the game right and conduct yourself with class, just look at #2.

A former manager of Jeter, Joe Torre, had this to say about his election to the Hall of Fame:

“A Derek Jeter comes along once in a generation. By August of 1996 his teammates started looking for him to set the tone and make things happen. Derek was comfortable in his own skin. On the biggest stage in sports, he was never afraid to fail and always kept the game fun. Derek respected the game, the fans, his teammates and his opponents. His character, determination and confidence are a wonderful reflection of how he was raised by his parents. It was a true privilege to watch Derek and to be his manager for 12 years. To this day, he still calls me ‘Mr. Torre.’ Today, it is a pleasure to say, ‘Welcome to the Hall, Mr. Jeter!’ You did it with class and grace”

General manager, Brian Cashman:

“When we drafted Derek Jeter with the sixth pick in the 1992 draft, he had obvious physical talent, however what truly set him apart and put him on the path to Cooperstown was his burning desire to win and a personal drive to be the very best player he could be. From the outset, he played the game the right way, and his confidence was contagious. So often it felt that he would not be denied, and that belief rubbed off on his teammates, leading to so many victories over so many years. He provided countless memories for our fans, and it’s clear how much he will always mean to them. Thanks to Derek, we reached the pinnacle of the baseball world five times, and he will forever be a defining player of his generation. Congratulations on an honor well-earned.”

New York Yankees: Why Derek Jeter wasn’t elected unanimously

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New York Yankees, Yankees, Derek Jeter

Longtime New York Yankees’ captain Derek Jeter was one vote shy of becoming the second player to be elected to the MLB Hall of Fame unanimously, and I agree with it. Before I get heat for saying this, if you take a look at history, it all makes sense.

I’m one of the biggest Jeter fans there is. I grew up in the Jeter era, admiring everything he did in pinstripes. He is one of the greatest to put on those legendary pinstripes and walk onto a ball field. With that being said, he’s not close to being the best player in his position.

Mariano Rivera is the only player in history to be elected to the Hall of Fame unanimously and that’s because he was the best in his position ever. There’s no argument for that, his stats show it and anyone who’s watched baseball over the last 20 years can attest to that too. This is why he was voted in by every single person.

Joe DiMaggio is considered to be one of the finest ballplayers to ever walk this planet and didn’t even make it into the HOF on his first ballot. Another example, Ken Griffey Jr. is another player considered to be among the best players in history and wasn’t given every vote as well. Among all the best players in MLB history, Ted Williams, Lou Gehrig, Nolan Ryan, etc. were not given 100%.

Here’s the reality: there’s always going to be someone out there who doesn’t believe the obvious talent that’s on the ballot. Rivera was an exception, and for good reason. Rivera was the best ever in his position, and Jeter isn’t. Another thing to mention is New York Yankees bias, but that’s a whole different discussion.

New York Yankees: Derek Jeter tribute video will make you tear up (WATCH)

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New York Yankees, Yankees, Derek Jeter

The New York Yankees ushered Derek Jeter into the Promised Land this week, a great land called the Hall of Fame, where players go to establish their legacy in the history books.

Mr. November provided us with moments that can only be experienced once in a lifetime — from incredible catches, throws, home runs in the postseason, and inspiration. Jeter’s legacy lives on through every player that puts on the Yankee Pinstripes and steps out into the new Yankee Stadium, and while Derek featured mostly at the old park, it’s the franchise that holds his remembrance.

Players have come out and stated their appreciation for the former shortstop:

Bryce Harper stated, “He’s the captain of baseball.”

Take a look at the first prospect report by Yankees scout, Dick Groch. At the bottom he states, “A-Yankee!” “A five tool players, will be a MLB star! +5!!”

The Yankees didn’t know it yet, but the lanky kid who couldn’t help but wave his bat in anticipation at the plate was going to become an icon in New York and have a street named after him some 18 years later.

However, the video that has all of Twitter shedding a tear is his Air Jordan commercial, detailing the respect for Jeter across the league and ultimately the country.

This commercial embodies every New Yorker and their feelings toward Jeter, but his statistical production speaks for itself, especially in an age where modern analytics looks to degrade every player in one way or another.

Jeter amassed 3,465 career hits (6th-most in MLB history), is the only Yankee to ever record 3,000 hits, went 17 straight seasons with 150 hits (tied for MLB record), enjoyed 13 seasons with 100 runs (tied for 2nd most in MLB history), and played 20 seasons with the Yankees (most in team history).

What Derek produced during his time in Pinstripes was nothing short of exceptional, and now it’s time for us to appreciate every single moment.

Yankees news/rumors: Jeter falls one lousy vote short, Joe Girardi on the Astros, and more

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New York Yankees, Yankees, Joe Girardi

A Daily look at a summary of News and Rumors of interest for New York Yankees fans!

Derek Jeter:  On January 21 Derek Jeter has been elected the Baseball Hall of Fame, short of a unanimous by one vote. Instead of being unanimous, Jeter finishes with the second-highest voting percentage ever and the highest ever for a position player.

There certainly is no shame in missing by one vote no matter how inconceivable it may be.  He is still in the Hall of Fame.  Jeter is sixth all-time in hits, a five-time World Series champion, a 14-time All-Star, and arguably one of the best shortstops in history. The one vote short had to come from a writer that just couldn’t stand seeing a Yankee go into the Hall twice in as many years with a unanimous vote.  The identity of the voter who left Jeter off their ballot is unknown and it will remain unknown unless that person reveals their ballot publicly and that is unlikely.

Ultimately, it doesn’t matter. You’re either a Hall of Famer or you’re not, no matter the voting percentage. Jeter is now a Hall of Famer and Cooperstown is where he belongs.  In 2019 Mariano Rivera became the first player in history to go into the Hall with a unanimous vote.  Jeter was elected to the hall with a  99.75 percent vote. There is much talk around the Internet as to who the writer was that didn’t vote for him.  It really doesn’t matter does it, Derek Jeter is in the Hall of Fame forever.

Roger Clemens:  On Tuesday Roger Clemens hopes of being elected to the Hall of Fame were dashed.  Clemens received  61 percent on their eighth ballot, revealed on Tuesday night. That’s up from last year when Clemens received 59.5 percent.  However, it is doubtful he will ever receive the needed 75% of the vote needed for induction due to his involvement in the taking of performance-enhancing drugs.

Joe Girardi:  At a recent banquet of the Philadelphia Sports Writers Association banquet was asked what he thought about the Astros sign-stealing scandal as reported by Commissioner Rob Manfred.  What they were basically asking was do you feel cheated.  In typical Girardi style, he answered by saying I don’t deal in what-ifs.  Girardi is now the new manager of the Philadelphia Phillies.  Some in baseball believe that if the Yankees had won that game seven in Houston that Joe might still be the manager of the Yankees.  That is doubtful, but we, of course, will never know.  Girardi being the class guy he is commented that sign-stealing between the chalk lines is part of baseball.  He also indicated that when it’s outside those lines it’s not acceptable.

Clint Frazier:  Opinion:  The Yankee organization needs to move Clint Frazier.  The reason, the Yankees just don’t need him. Clint has shown great promise in the past two years.  He surely has talent, particularly with his quick bat swing.  He has shown that he can hit for contact and hit the long ball.   He has shown at times that he can be a big-time major leaguer.  He needs work on his defense for sure, but just as surely he needs to play daily in the major leagues to improve that weakness.  Clint should be allowed to flourish with another team.   The Yankees also could get some value for moving him and should make it a priority.

 

Top Yankees executives and players immediate reaction to Derek Jeters Hall of Fame induction

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New York Yankees, Yankees, Derek Jeter

With Derek Jeter securing 99.7% of the votes to gain entrance into the Baseball Hall of Fame, he will join some of the brightest players in history, accompanied by many former New York Yankees players.

Jeter, who had a stellar 20-year career in Pinstripes, amassed 3,465 career hits (6th-most in MLB history), is the only Yankee to ever record 3,000 hits, went 17 straight seasons with 150 hits (tied for MLB record), enjoyed 13 seasons with 100 runs (tied for 2nd most in MLB history), and played 20 seasons with the Yankees (most in team history).

What did the Yankees brass have to say about his induction?

YANKEES MANAGING GENERAL PARTNER HAL STEINBRENNER:

“Every accolade that has been bestowed on Derek throughout his career has been earned and deserved. He was a captain and champion in every sense of the word, a man who embodied our traditions and expectations with an unmistakable grace and dignified resolve. Derek’s legacy as one of the most beloved and charitable players in the last quarter century cements his place in baseball history. As he is immortalized in Cooperstown this summer, we proudly reflect on the honor he brought the Yankees franchise, the New York community, and the great game of baseball.”

STATEMENT FROM YANKEES SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER BRIAN CASHMAN:

“When we drafted Derek Jeter with the sixth pick in the 1992 draft, he had obvious physical talent, however what truly set him apart and put him on the path to Cooperstown was his burning desire to win and a personal drive to be the very best player he could be. From the outset, he played the game the right way, and his confidence was contagious. So often it felt that he would not be denied, and that belief rubbed off on his teammates, leading to so many victories over so many years. He provided countless memories for our fans, and it’s clear how much he will always mean to them. Thanks to Derek, we reached the pinnacle of the baseball world five times, and he will forever be a defining player of his generation. Congratulations on an honor well -earned.”

STATEMENT FROM YANKEES MANAGER AARON BOONE:

“I had the opportunity to play with Derek Jeter in 2003, and coming over from the National League, I soon realized that he is the greatest competitor that I ever had the chance to play with. If anyone out there epitomizes what a Hall of Famer is it’s Derek Jeter. Congratulations, Derek—the Hall is a little better today.”

STATEMENT FROM HALL OF FAMER JOE TORRE, CURRENT MLB CHIEF BASEBALL OFFICER, FORMER YANKEES MANAGER FROM 1996-2007:

”A Derek Jeter comes along once in a generation. By August of 1996 his teammates started looking for him to set the tone and make things happen. Derek was comfortable in his own skin. On the biggest stage in sports, he was never afraid to fail and always kept the game fun. Derek respected the game, the fans, his teammates and his opponents. His character, determination and confidence are a wonderful reflection of how he was raised by his parents. It was a true privilege to watch Derek and to be his manager for 12 years. To this day, he still calls me ‘Mr. Torre.’ Today, it is a pleasure to say, ‘Welcome to the Hall, Mr. Jeter!’ You did it with class and grace.”

STATEMENT FROM HALL OF FAMER MARIANO RIVERA:

“It’s going to be a very special day standing next to Derek in Cooperstown this summer. He had such a deep desire to win, and that singular commitment to his team is what made him so special. Derek prided himself on being a consistent presence. No moment was too big. He was fearless, and he was the type of leader we knew we could count on year after year. I feel so fortunate that he was a teammate and friend for my entire career, and I congratulate him on this great honor.”

STATEMENT FROM HALL OF FAMER DAVE WINFIELD:

“Derek had an exceptional career, one that was accomplished by hard work and discipline. He achieved everything a player might imagine, and for the team he idolized as a youngster. We welcome Derek to the Hall of Fame.”

BREAKING: Derek Jeter Elected To The Hall Of Fame

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New York Yankees, Derek Jeter

Former New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter has been elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He was just one vote shy of being unanimous, 396 of 397 voters voted for him

Out of Kalamazoo, Michigan, Jeter played 20 seasons in the MLB. He won the rookie of the year award in 1995, his first full season. He won five silver slugger awards and five gold gloves.

Jeter won the Yankees five World Series rings in his time in pinstripes. He won the World Series MVP and All-Star game MVP in 2000. Jeter was an all-star an incredible 14 times. The only flaw in his Hall of Fame career is the fact that he never won a league MVP award.

Over his career, he had 12,602 plate appearances and 11,195 at-bats. He got hits in 3,465 at-bats with a career average of .310. Jeter drove in 1311 runs and hit 260 home runs. One of those home runs was his 3,000th career hit, the second player to ever do that. Wade Boggs was the first, and Alex Rodriguez would later become the third.

Jeter’s slugging was .440, his OBP was .377, and his OPS was .817 over his career. He drew 1082 walks.  On defense, Jeter had a .976 fielding percentage with 254 career errors. He rolled 1408 double plays.  Jeter also stole 358 career bases, as he was one of the fastest players in the MLB earlier in his career.

All of these stats combine to a career 72.4 WAR for the captain. He’s 88th all-time in career WAR.

Larry Walker was also elected to the Hall of Fame.

Congrats to Derek Jeter on a historic career. This nomination is incredibly well-deserved.

 

 

Yankee News/Rumors: Jeter to the Hall, Managers please! Stanton or Tauchman and the Larsen legacy

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New York Yankees, Derek Jeter

A Daily look at a summary of News and Rumors of interest for New York Yankee fans!

Derek Jeter:  Ken Rosenthal of MLB.com showed his Hall of Fame Ballot yesterday.  On the ballot front and center was the name of famed New York Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter, also on the ballot is former Yankee pitcher Roger Clemens. This is the first year that Jeter has become eligible for induction.  Players have to wait five years after they leave baseball to become eligible.  Last year in his first year of eligibility famed Yankee closer Mariano Rivera became the first player ever to be installed in the Hall of Fame by a unanimous vote from the writers.

There is no question that Jeter will be inducted, the only question is if he will be the second to be elected by every single writer.  The induction of Roger Clemens is much more in question due to his involvement in the use of performance-enhancing drugs.  Many writers feel that his spectacular 24-year career warrants their consideration, while others automatically exclude him for drug use.

3 Teams without managers:  Part of the fallout arising from the Houston Astros sign-stealing scandal is that three baseball teams are without managers.  After Commissioner Rob Manfred released his report indicting the Astros,  Astros owner Jim Crane fired Astro manager A.J. Hinch.

In the report, it mentioned Carlos Beltan but centered in on Alex Cora, who was at the time the bench coach for the Astros. Cora, at the time of the report, was manager of the Boston Red Sox, preemptively  Sox owner John Henry fired Cora. A few days later, Carlos Beltran, the new manager of the New York Mets, either was fired or stepped down.  Former Yankee utility player Hensley Meulens (1989-93), is being considered by both the Mets and the Boston Red Sox to be their new manager.  Meulens was also considered for the Yankee job that ultimately given to Aaron Boone.

Of other interest is that former Nationals manager Dusty Baker has interviewed for the Astros job.  The Astros are also considering former Yankee manager Buck Showalter and John Gibbons ex-manager of the Toronto Blue Jays.  With three clubs managerless, managers are in unusually great demand.

Stanton or Tauchman:   After Giancarlo Stanton’s injuries last year, newcomer Mike Tauchman took over most of the load in leftfield.  He not only was more than adequate but showed stellar defense of leftfield.  He even won an MLB Player of the Week for his excellent defense with a spectacular play.  Now with Giancarlo Stanton healthy, the Yankees would like to see Stanton out there, adding his bat to the lineup.  Last year he was mostly a DH.  It’s a big decision for the Yankees as Tauchman has a superior range in all directions to Stanton, and his bat was more lively as the season progressed.  The former Colorado Rocky had 13 homers in only 87 games with a .277 batting average.

Backup for the infield:  The Yankees are pretty well stacked with players in most positions insofar as backups are concerned, the only place they are lacking is in Short and at 2nd base.  D.J. LeMahieu, the Silver Slugger, has that spot nailed down.  The Yankee aggressively saught out Francisco Lindor in a failed attempt to replace Didi Gregorius, who went with the Phillies, when the Yankees would not take up his option.

The Yankees instead will use Gleyber Torres at Short.  But that leaves the Yankees with few options for backups.  Should the Yankees consider any of the many free agents still out there?  Brian Dozier is a former Washington Nationals second baseman with power and good defense in his position as well as at short.  He would be a relatively inexpensive utility player that should be considered.  Another option the Yankees have is to use Tyler Wade, however with more experience and a bigger bat, Dozier would be preferred.

Don Larsen’s Legacy:  Don Larsen is the Yankee that holds the record of having the only perfect game ever played in a World Series back in 1956. The feet created one of the most iconic images in baseball history as Yankee catcher Yogi Berra jumped into the perfect pitcher arms as he left the field.  The YES Network has issued a new video highlight the career of the Yankee great who passed away at the age of 90  this past New Year’s Day. You can find the tribute here.

New York Yankees: Aaron Judge, Future Yankee Captain

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New York Yankees, Aaron Judge

The New York Yankees have had a list of captains that’s a who’s who of baseball greats. Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Derek Jeter have all been given the prestigious title of the captain of the Yankees. When Derek Jeter retired after the 2014 season, many wondered who would be the next Yankee great to be awarded the title. Little did Yankees fans know, their next captain would make his debut in 2016 and do it with a bang. He’s larger than life figure in a larger than life place playing for a larger than life team, and his name is Aaron Judge.

This is Aaron Judge’s Team

I saw something pretty humorous yesterday on Twitter, where Jon Hein was saying that if the New York Yankees went out and acquired Nolan Arenado, he would be the face of the Yankees franchise immediately. Let me be clear, Nolan Arenado is a superstar. He’s got all the makeups to be a superstar in New York. However, as long as Aaron Judge is around, no one else will be the face of the franchise. Gerrit Cole is arguably the best pitcher in baseball and has already become a fan favorite, but he is not the face of the Yankees. The laughable quote to me was that Aaron Judge would take a “backseat” to Nolan Arenado if the Yankees acquired him.

I really wonder if Jon Hein understands the Yankees fan-base at all with a comment like that. The Yankees do love their stars, but there’s nothing like a homegrown superstar who embodies everything that the Yankees are. Nolan Arenado is not better than Alex Rodriguez was in 2004. A-Rod was essentially what Mike Trout is now in baseball. If you asked anyone in 2004 who the best player in baseball was, everyone would tell you it was Alex Rodriguez. Yet when he came to New York, A-Rod was never the face of the team. The team belonged to Derek Jeter, just like this Yankees team belongs to Aaron Judge.

Why Judge is the perfect captain?

Aaron Judge is the perfect captain for the Yankees. He’s a leader on and off the field, and much like his predecessor, you are not going to hear anything negative about him off the field. He’s humble, respectful, and not to mention one of the best right fielders in all of baseball. He falls right in-line with Yankees like Mariano Rivera and Derek Jeter in the sense that even rival fans can’t say anything bad about the guy.

If Aaron Judge can stay healthy, I think he is due for another MVP caliber season in 2020. Injuries have hampered him the last two seasons, but he still had a combined WAR of 10.9 in just 214 games (Baseball-Reference). Judge will inevitably win a Gold Glove to go along with his Wilson Defensive Player of the Year award, and he will continue to make the jaws drop with 400+ foot bombs to all sides of the park. Judge just signed a one year, $8.5 million deal in his first year of arbitration eligibility, but I wouldn’t be shocked to see a significant extension coming his way in the near future. He will be a lifelong Yankee, and personally, there’s no one else I’d rather see lead this team through this next decade. All Rise Yankee fans for the captain, Aaron Judge.

Yankees news, rumors: Bizarre lawsuit against NYY, Opening Day announced, Yankee FA murmurs

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New York Yankees, Derek Jeter

In one of the more interesting lawsuits that there has been relative to the MLB, former Yankees prospect Garrison Lassiter had filed a lawsuit worth roughly $34,000,000 against the New York Yankees. He claimed that his MLB career with the Yankees was never going anywhere, and attributes it to the Yankees conspiring against him and doing whatever they can to keep Derek Jeter in his position for as long as possible. Mind you, Lassiter never played a game above High A baseball and was seen as a “below average” prospect with limited tools and no dimensions to his game that jumped off the page.

A judge ultimately dismissed the case in May of last year, but details of it are now beginning to surface, and it seems as if Lassiter is still bitter about it.

Lassiter, who decided to represent himself, claimed that the Yankees organization kept him from ever going anywhere and that he never had a future with them. His $34 million asking price in the lawsuit was because he felt he was “valued” at the same as former NL ROTY, Corey Seager combined with former Yankees prospect-turned NFL QB, Brandon Weeden. That’s a bold claim by someone who’s best season ended with an OPS of .699 and a single HR across 245 plate appearances. Its the sad reality that tens of thousands of kids never end up making it to the show & it shows the brutal nature and competition within the MLB itself. However, for someone to sue the team when they’re down on their luck is genuinely an interesting move.

MLB Network’s Jon Heyman perhaps had the best perspective on the matter, tweeting: “His first case as a lawyer was a tough one. So he still may be a better lawyer than a baseball player.”

Lassiter’s career average in the minor leagues was: .244, and he added a stellar 4 HR’s to go with it, from 2008-2012.

Opening Day Dates Announced

The Opening Day dates for Yankees baseball have been announced, and they are as follows: Opening Day: March 26, 2020 (3:05 PM e/t) vs. BAL & the Home Opener: April 2, 2020 (1:05 PM e/t) vs. TOR. The March 26th opener marks the earliest in Major League Baseball’s long and storied history, and it features a slate of games — including the New York Yankees versus the Baltimore Orioles.

Opening Day should hopefully result in a win for the Yankees, as Baltimore’s shambles of a club take the field at Camden Yards for the first time in 2020. I am excited to see early-season ‘MVP front runner’ Chris Davis trot out there to the boo’s of Baltimore faithful, and to watch Aaron Judge and Gleyber Torres continue their torrid careers against the O’s.

Judge’s career line vs. Baltimore, in 50 Games: .290 / .442 / .608 with 15 HR and 11 2B’s, also having driven in 40.

Torres’ career line vs. Baltimore, in 29 Games: .362 / .438 / .876 with 16 HR and 6 2B’s, also having driven in 31.

Well, that should be a fun & competitive one, but it’s baseball, and anything can happen on any given day — so let’s not count our chickens before they hatch.

Yankees FA updates and rumors

With Free Agency reaching, what appears to be, a very stagnant stage, the Yankees haven’t made any exciting moves over the past few days. The team chose to sign Nick Tropeano to a minor league contract, for depth — as appears to be the case with a lot of these recent signings — and hasn’t further engaged in talks for Josh Hader, nor have they entertained any new discussions on Miguel Andujar.

Simply put, the Yankees seem to be set with what they have as Spring Training hype ramps up here. Spring Training is just around the corner, with the slate of games set to begin at the end of February, and boy I cannot wait. To have baseball back means to have — as the Yankees Front Office could best put it — “that unmitigated joy” as there’s no sport like it in the entire world. Being able to follow a team for a minimum of 162 games truly allows the fans to fall in love with their team, and ultimately the players as well. It’s a beautiful game, and 2020 should be an enjoyable season to watch.

Look for the Yankees to keep tabs on various Free Agents, and also potential trade candidates, but don’t be surprised if everything we’ve heard — rumor wise — turns out to be rumors and chatter. New York’s front office is one of the best in the entire league, and they’re not going to make unnecessary signings, especially if they’re content with what they’ve got. As of now, the team is predicted to be one of the best in the history of the league and hopefully can meet these high expectations come March.