Game 113. Holmes’ struggles cost Yanks. Lose 3-2 in 10. 8th loss in last 9 games.

I hate current managerial trends. Instead of thinking outside of the box, managers—not just Aaron Boone—go by analytics and formula instead of by gut, feel and what they see. And it cost them games.

I remember when relief pitchers like Sparky Lyle or Goose Gossage would go two or three innings for the save. Not these one-inning guys. One guy has the seventh, another the eighth, another the ninth. You brought in your best to face the heart of the lineup. If a guy did well, you left them out there until you saw they were losing it.

You didn’t change just for the sake of change. You didn’t stubbornly keep going to one guy “because he’s our closer” despite the fact that the guy has been struggling for weeks and it may be best to put him in lower leverage spots for a while until he gets straightened out. Let someone else who is hot take over for a while. Not everyone is a Rivera.

Go with the hot hand instead of playing pat and trite all the time. That goes for the lineup, too.

These problems hurt the Yanks (71-42) in a 3-2, 10-inning loss to Boston last night. The loss was the Yankees 8th in their last 9 games. Since a 52-18 start, the Yanks are 19-24. That is too long of a stretch of disappointing baseball. It has to be turned around. The postseason is seven weeks away. You don’t want to be playing like this going into the postseason (granted, the 2000 Yankees finished the season 3-14 and won the WS, but that’s an outlier).

In losing 8 of their last 9 games, 5 losses are by one run. 39 of the Yanks 113 games have been one-run games, and the Yanks are 21-18 in those games. Since the All-Star break, the bullpen has lost 9 games for the Yankees. The wheels are falling off and must be put back on, and now. The Yanks still have a 10-game lead in the division with 49 games to play, but they have lost best record in the AL to Houston (the Yanks are 1 1/2 games behind the Astros). After Boston this weekend, the Yanks have Tampa Bay, Toronto and the Mets. Unless they turn things around, this bad stretch could get really bad. And in this bad stretch, bullpen management has been questionable, as have been other front office decisions (like Schmidt and Marinaccio in AAA instead of with the Yankees).

Also, the Yankees offense needs to be more than just Aaron Judge, who scored both Yankees’ runs last night.

The Yanks jumped on one-time Yankee Nathan Eovaldi for a run in the first inning when Judge walked and scored on a double by Anthony Rizzo.

Judge hit a HR (46) in the third to make it 2-0. It was Judge’s 100th RBI of the season. The Yanks didn’t score after that. It cost them. For example, Gleyber Torres is 7 for his last 50.

Domingo German pitched well, giving up only one run in six innings. His first start of the season wasn’t good, but in the four starts since, his ERA is 2.61. Nice.

So, the Yanks had a 2-1 lead going into the seventh. You are coming off an off day. Scott Effross pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning. Only 10 pitches. Why not leave him out there for the eighth? Change for change’s sake is NOT good.

Aroldis Chapman pitched a 1-2-3 eighth. 11 pitches. Once again, if a guy is doing well, why not leave him out there? Repeating. Change for change’s sake isn’t good.

So, Boone went “formula” bringing in Clay Holmes even though we all know Holmes has been struggling. In his first 38 appearances this season, he was phenomenal, with an ERA of 0.46. However, in his last 11 games, his ERA is 10.24. Like a poker player, a manager has to play the hot hand and not stand pat. Holmes is not the hot hand right now. Effross and Chapman were. As soon as Holmes came in, I held my breath.

Holmes’ problems are of command and control, and sure enough, he walked two batters before giving up the game-tying single.

To the 10th and the ghost runner that I hate. Tim Locastro PR for D.J. LeMahieu. Judge walked. Two on and no one out and the Yanks didn’t score. Rizzo got unlucky on a line drive that was caught. A couple of feet higher and it’s probably an RBI double that scores one, maybe two runs. Josh Donaldson and Gleyber Torres both struck out. The Yanks miss Stanton and Carpenter immensely. Donaldson and Torres hitting 4/5 isn’t the answer. The Yanks were 1 for 10 w/RISP.

Boston got the hits they needed off of Luis Trivino in the bottom of the tenth and won 3-2.

Frustrating. You could see some of it coming, though. Boone, and the front office, need to be more flexible and better regarding in-game and especially bullpen decisions (Boone) and personnel decisions (Cashman). For if this collapse continues for a couple of more weeks, heads could roll at season’s end. Granted they can’t control injuries. But for things they CAN control…

We remember the great Yankees’ comeback of 1978. We don’t want a reversal of fortune.

When you are in a funk this long (19-24 in last 43 games) something needs to be said…and done. Boone can’t just sit there with rose-colored glasses on and spin things better than a White House press secretary. The Yanks need to turn it around, and now.

Judge solo HR (46). 100th RBI
Trevino 2 hits.

German 6 IP, 1 R, 5 H, 2 W, 4 K. 4.18
Effross (H, 15) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W. 2.94 (Cubs/NYY ERA)
Chapman (H, 1) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 2 K. 4.13
Holmes (BS, 5) 1/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 2 W, 0 K. 2.39
Peralta 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 2.20
Trivino (L, 1-7) 1/3 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 H, 0 W, 0 K. 5.70 (A’s/NYY record)

Game 104. Yanks hit 4 HR in 7-2 win. Trade deadline is today. What more moves are coming?

Today is the trade deadline. We’ll see what other moves will be made (like the Yanks unloading Joey Gallo. It would be a shock if it doesn’t happen). We also have to see what moves will be made to squeeze yesterday’s Yankee acquisitions onto the roster.

A few moves were made already. Miguel Castro and Luis Severino were moved to the 60-day IL, meaning neither would be available until mid-September, if at all. Clarke Schmidt was sent back to AAA. I really feel badly for Schmidt, who has a 4-2, 2.40 ERA (ERA+ 161) this season. Carlos Espinal was brought up but will most likely be sent back when Scott Effross arrives.

As for who goes down when Frankie Montas and Lou Trivino get here, that I need to see. Last night’s starter, Domingo German, may be set down. As far as who goes down for Trivino, that is a tough call. I don’t see Marinaccio going down, but it could happen. He has options, and that would be tough. Marinaccio is 1-0, 2.16, ERA+ 180. Maybe Abreu is DFA’d? But Abreu has done well since the Yanks have picked him up (2-0, 1.06 ERA as a Yankee). It will be a tough call. Maybe someone gets dealt to make room. And when Stanton gets healthy, that is another move to be made (and I think dumping Gallo is that move). GM Brian Cashman has some “chess moves” to make.

The Yanks became the first team to 70 wins (70-34) by beating Seattle last night, 7-2. The Yanks hit four HR in the game, two by (wait for it…) Jose Trevino (you thought I’d say Aaron Judge, didn’t you? Judge did hit one).

The Yanks wasted no time in getting on the board. D.J. LeMahieu led off the bottom of the first with a single, then Judge doubled. Anthony Rizzo followed with a 3-run HR (26) and the Yanks were up 3-0.

German went five innings and got the win, but it wasn’t pretty. He put nine runners on base in his five innings, an average of almost two an inning. In the top of the second, he gave up a HR to Kyle Lewis and the score was 3-1.

The Yanks got two more runs in the bottom of the second. LeMahieu walked with two out, and Judge followed with his 43rd HR of the season to put the Yanks up 5-1.

German got out of a bases-loaded jam in the third but gave up a run in the fourth that cut the Yankees’ lead to 5-2. He would get the first two outs of an inning, then put a few runners on before getting that elusive third out.

Jose Trevino homered in the bottom of the fourth (8) then homered again in the bottom of the eighth (9) for the final score of 7-2. Four Yankees’ relievers combined for four shutout innings.

LeMahieu 3 hits
Judge 2 hits, 2 RBI. 2-run HR (43)
Rizzo 3-run HR (26)
Trevino 2 hits, both solo HR, (9)

German (W, 1-1) 5 IP, 2 R, 6 H, 3 W, 1 K. Gave up 1 HR. 6.39
Marinaccio 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 2.16
Chapman 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 1 K. 4.81
Loaisiga 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K. 6.46
Peralta 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K. 2.29

The minor league prospect list has been updated again, especially after yesterday’s moves erased five players from that top 30.

Yanks get Benintendi for 3 minor leaguers.

I’ve been wanting the Yanks to upgrade their outfield for a while now, and my #1 target was KC outfielder Andrew Benintendi.

Last night the Yanks made it happen, acquiring Benintendi for 3 minor leaguers.

Benintendi is hitting .320-3-39 for KC, was on the All-Star team and has an OPS+ of 123. Although the power isn’t there, the high average should help, and Yankee Stadium should help his power numbers. Not only that, but he also won a Gold Glove last year, and has postseason experience, winning a WS ring with the 2018 Red Sox.

Benintendi was with Boston 2016-2020 and with the Royals 2021-2022. The 28-year-old lefty hitter was runner-up to Aaron Judge for ROY in 2017 when he hit .271-20-90 with 20 SB for Boston. He is a .280 career hitter. HIs 162-game average is .280-16-85, 15 SB, OPS+ 109.

With Benintendi in LF, Joey Gallo’s time with the Yankees should be ending soon. If the Yanks keep Judge in CF, RF appears to be a platoon between Aaron Hicks and Matt Carpenter, with Giancarlo Stanton DHing and playing some RF once he comes off of the IL.

Going to KC are:

#19 Yankees prospect T.J. Sikkema. 24, LHP. 1-1, 2.48 at High A Hudson Valley in 11 games, 10 starts.
54 K in 36 1/3 IP. Only 9 walks.

#21 Yankees prospect Beck Way. Turns 23 next week. RHP. He was also at High A Hudson Valley this year. 15 starts. 5-5, 3.73. 80 K in 72 1/3 IP.

Chandler Champlain. 23. RHP. 16 games at Low A Tampa, 15 starts. 2-5, 4.30. 94 K in 73 1/3 IP.

So the Yanks give up no prospect in the top 15, no prospect above High A. Benintendi may turn out to only be a rental. He is a free agent at the end of the year.

But no prospect in the top 15 means they can now turn their attention to getting a Luis Castillo, and the Reds would demand a couple of top 15 prospects for him. Also, maybe a reliever to help offset the loss of Michael King. I’m thinking of the Cubs here. Could David Robertson be a Yankee once again?

Anyway, step one is done. A couple of more moves need to be made. Make it happen, Cashman.

Game 95. Yanks win (7-6) over Orioles is costly. King injured, done for season.

The Yankees (65-30) win over the Orioles, 7-6 last night, came at a very high cost.

Reliever Michael King, who has been superb in his setup role this season, fractured his right elbow making a pitch, and is done for the season.

Expect GM Brian Cashman to make a move to help the bullpen as we near the trade deadline. King joins Chad Green and Miguel Castro as bullpen pieces on the injured list. Ron Marinaccio just started rehab so he is still a little ways away from rejoining the team. Ryan Weber was just DFA’d, maybe they can get him back. J.P. Sears was sent to AAA after his outing on Thursday. Because of the injury, maybe he can be recalled sooner than teh usual time, but he did pitch 3 innings Thursday so even at that, he wouldn’t be available for a while.

Besides a trade and making other moves, the injury to King also means two other relievers who have been struggling all season and who struggled last night, Jonathan Loaisiga and Aroldis Chapman, need to get back to their former selves. Both were not good last evening, forcing King to come into the game, where he got injured.

On top of THAT, the Yankees are probably looking for a starter since Luis Severino is out for a while on the injured list, Domingo German did not do well in his start (first appearance of the season) on Thursday, and last night’s starter, Jameson Taillon, has been struggling for a while and struggled again last night.

Expect Brian Cashman to be very busy in the next ten days, even though the Yanks are 65-30.

In the game, Aaron Judge homered twice, and Joey Gallo added a homer as the Yanks squeaked out a 7-6 win.

With two out in the top of the third, Gallo walked, D.J. LeMahieu singled, and Judge hit a 3-run HR, his first of the game, to put the Yanks up 3-0. The HR went 436 ft. That was nothing compared to what was to come.

Taillon gave up 2 runs in the bottom of the third and was knocked out of the game. He had escaped an earlier jam in the first inning.

In the top of the fourth, with one out, the Yanks got back-to-back doubles by Josh Donaldson and Jose Trevino to take a 4-2 lead.

Judge hit his second HR of the game, a 465-ft. blast, #36 on the season, in the top of the fifth to put the Yanks up 5-2.

A one-out double by Donaldson, followed by a two-out single by Isiah Kiner-Falefa, put the Yanks up 6-2 in the top of the sixth.

But here is where Loaisiga and Chapman need to step it up. Loaisiga gave up a run in the bottom of the sixth that cut the Yanks’ lead to 6-3.

In the top of the seventh, Gallo homered (12) to put the Yanks up 7-3.

But in the bottom of the seventh, Chapman struggled, throwing a couple of wild pitches, then giving up a 3-run HR that cut the Yanks’ lead to 7-6, necessitating the call for King. In his last ten innings, Chapman has given up 13 runs on 13 hits, ten walks, and 4 HR. With the King injury, he needs to get straightened out.

King’s injury forced Clay Holmes to get a five-out save.

Judge 2 hits. Both HR (36). 4 RBI
Donaldson 2 hits, both doubles.
Gallo Solo HR (12)

Taillon 2 2/3 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 3 W, 2 K. 3.93
Luetge (W, 3-3) 2 1/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 3 K. 2.88
Loaisiga 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 W, 0 K. 7.52
Chapman 1/3 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 1 W, 1 K. 2 WP. Gave up 1 HR. 5.75 (He and Loaisiga need to get right)
King (H, 16) 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K. 2.29 Fractured pitching elbow ends his season.
Holmes (S, 17) 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 3 K. 1.26

Given the Yanks’ pitching woes, let’s hope today’s starter, Gerrit Cole, can go DEEP into today’s game (I’d wish for a complete game, but with the heat wave on the East coast, that would probably be too much to ask for).

Game 90. Yanks miss chances, fall in 11, 5-4. Fifth loss in last six games.

Last night was frustrating. The Yanks (62-28) lost for the fifth time in their last six games, falling to Boston 5-4 in 11 innings. It was the third straight game, and fourth in the last six games, that went into extra innings. The Yanks AL East lead is now 12 games.

Before the game, Miguel Castro left the clubhouse for an MRI on his pitching shoulder. The Yanks’ bullpen has taken a few hits lately, and the replacements just back from the IL haven’t picked up the slack so far.

Meanwhile, check out my other post on last night’s minor league games. It appears that with Luis Severino going on the IL, that Domingo German will be coming off the IL to take Severino’s rotation spot for a while.

Before I get into the game recap, a bit of a rant. Sorry. But in the real world, if you don’t do your job well, you get fired. Apparently not so with MLB umpires (right, Angel Hernandez?). Manager Aaron Boone got ejected last night for arguing balls and strikes. The reason was the same. Granted he was tossed after arguing a bad call on Matt Carpenter, but the frustration was built up by umpires once again refusing or being too lazy to adjust their strike zone to Aaron Judge’s height. Judge’s strike zone, at 6’7″ is obviously different than that of say, Isiah Kiner-Falefa’s. But no player gets more strikes called on him that are clearly way below his knees than Judge does. Pick one. Is it laziness, stubbornness, incompetence or some combination of the three that makes these umps miss these pitches? And as for the punchout of Aaron Hicks on a check swing to end the game, I don’t believe he went, but think that the umps got tired after an 11-inning game and just wanted to eat their dinner.

One more thing before the recap, and it also deals with someone keeping their job even though he is doing it poorly. Joey Gallo is now 4 for his last 55. .161. Two of those hits were flukes (remember the triple lost in the lights at Fenway?). It’s like everyone else is playing with a DH but the Yanks are still letting the pitcher hit. Enough said. Hal Steinbrenner, Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone, please listen to Yankees’ Universe regarding Gallo. It’s way past time. I don’t want to be negative, but it must be said. You can’t keep acting like the emperor has clothes when it’s clear he is naked.

Now to the game. Yankees’ killer Rafael Devers put Boston on the board right away with a 2-run HR in the first inning, and two batters into the game, Boston was already up 2-0. Boston had second and third, with no one out and could have tacked on more, but Yankees’ starter Jordan Montgomery got out of it.

With one out in the bottom of the third, D.J. LeMahieu singled, and one out after that, Anthony Rizzo walked. Giancarlo Stanton then hit a 3-run HR (24) to put the Yanks up 3-2.

The lead didn’t last long. Christian Vazquez homered for Boston in the top of the fourth to tie the game. In the top of the seventh, Bobby Dalbec homered for Boston off of Aroldis Chapman, and Boston went up 4-3.

The Yanks tied the game in the bottom of the ninth, but here is where things got very frustrating, and the Yanks blew their chances to win. Gleyber Torres led off the bottom of the ninth with a single. Matt Carpenter was HBP. Isiah Kiner-Falefa (IKF) laid down a bunt and Boston’s pitcher tried for a force at third and threw the ball away. Torres scored to tie the game and the Yanks had men on second and third with no one out. Aaron Hicks was intentionally walked to set up a force out. All the Yanks needed was a flyball. I kill for sac flies. But Jose Trevino GIDP, 5-2-3, and D.J. LeMahieu grounded out, and they left that winning run on base.

In the bottom of the tenth, more frustration. Clay Holmes left the bases loaded for Boston in the top of the tenth, and now the Yanks started the bottom of the tenth with the ghost runner at second (for the thousandth time, I hate that rule!). After Judge grounded out, not advancing the runner, and Rizzo was walked to set up a force at any base, Stanton singled to load the bases. Once again, the Yanks couldn’t get the hit or sac fly to win the game, as Torres GIDP.

In the top of the eleventh, Boston had the ghost runner in Xander Bogaerts. A flyout moved Bogaerts to third. A groundout kept him there. But then Yankees’ pitcher Michael King threw a WP, enabling Bogaerts to score what was the winning run.

Frustrating. The Yanks are in a bit of a rut which they need to snap out of.

They were 2 for 15 w/RISP last night.

LeMahieu 3 hits
Stanton 2 hits, 3-run HR (24)
Carpenter 2 hits

Montgomery 6 IP, 3 R, 6 H, 1 W, 4 K. Gave up 2 HR. 3.26
Chapman 1 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K. Gave up 1 HR. 4.74
Peralta 2 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 0 W, 2 K. 2.27
Holmes 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 3 K. 1.31
King (L, 6-2) 1 IP, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 H, 0 W, 0 K. 1 WP 2.19

Game 44. Two rookies lead Yanks to 2-0 win. Lot of moves made.

Before we get to the game, a lot of moves made. The Yanks got Joey Gallo back from the Covid list, but D.J. LeMahieu is still day to day. Giancarlo Stanton went on the IL with what was originally deemed a calf strain but is now being reported as ankle inflammation. Jonathan Loaisiga went on the IL with a shoulder issue. Rob Brantly was designated for assignment. David McKay was brought back up.

Chapman is on the IL. Donaldson still on Covid list, then there is his one game suspension he’s appealing. Higashioka off the covid list and back.

Then there’s the Tommy John surgeries for Chad Green and Luis Gil, and Tim Locastro is still on the IL (back). Ben Rortvedt on the 60-day IL.

Got all that?

Yankees GM Brian Cashman has been busy.

Because of Sunday’s doubleheader, J.P. Sears started last night. It was his third MLB game and first MLB start. He pitched five scoreless innings and was relieved by Ron Marinaccio, who was pitching in just his sixth MLB game. Marinaccio added two scoreless innings in the Yankees (31-13) 2-0 win over Baltimore.

After the game Sears and Estevan Florial were sent back to AAA. Rumor is that Manny Banuelos is on the taxi squad for the next series at Tampa Bay.

The Yankees got both of their runs in the fourth inning. Aaron Judge led off with a double, and one out later, was singled to third by Gleyber Torres. Miguel Andujar singled home Judge, with Torres going to third. Andujar then stole second, and Torres scored when on Andujar’s steal, there was a throwing error by the catcher, Adley Rutschman, a top prospect that Baltimore just called up this past week.

Andujar 2 hits, RBI

Sears (W, 2-0) 5 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 W, 5 K. 0.00 3rd MLB game, 1st MLB start. Back to AAA after game.
Marinaccio (H, 1) 2 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 3 K. 6.75 6th MLB game
Luetge (H, 4) 2/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K. 5.25
Castro (H, 6) 1/3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 0 W, 1 K. 3.29
Holmes (S, 5) 1 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 1 K. 0.38

Yanks’ minor league games from 5/21/22

Updated minor league prospect rankings. Clarke Schmidt removed because he’s on the Yankees and has been up long enough not to be a “prospect” anymore. All moved up one after him and in at #30 is Edgar Barclay, relief pitcher for High A Hudson Valley.

Considering some injures and also some ineffectiveness by some guys in the minors who are on the 40 man roster, if I were Brian Cashman, I’d be making some adjustments to that 40 man roster right now. Replace Deivi Garcia (ineffective, ERA over 9.00 at AAA) with Banuelos (see below), Luis Gil (TJ surgery) with Hayden Wesneski, Chad Green (if he goes on longer than the 15 day IL, most likely) with someone like maybe Ken Waldichuk. Just throwing that out there. Also, if Ben Rortvedt (currently on 10-day IL) needs more time, they’ll have to add a catcher, like Rob Brantly or David Freitas, to that 40-man.

AAA: SWB (14-26) won 7-6.
CF Estevan Florial (#29 prospect) 2 hits, RBI .273
1B Greg Bird 3 hits, 2 RBI. 2-run HR (4)
3B Armando Alvarez 3 RBI; 2-run HR (3)

Banuelos 5 2/3 IP, 0 R, 3 H, 2 W, 7 K. 2.35
McClain 2/3 IP, 3 R, 2 H, 1 W, 2 K. 1 WP. 7.11
Lane 2/3 IP, 1 R, 1 H, 1 W, 0 K. Gave up 1 HR. 1.84
Bristo (H, 1) 1/3 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 2 H, 1 W, 0 K. 6.14
S. Miller (W, 2-2; BS, 1) 1 2/3 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 3 K. 1 HBP. 2.25

AA: Somerset (25-12) won 10-1.
SS Anthony Volpe (#1 prospect) 2 RBI .185
LF Elijah Dunham 2 hits, 3 RBI 2-run HR (4) #26 prospect .231
C Josh Breaux 2 hits, solo HR (7) #25 prospect .202
1B Chad Bell 2 hits, solo HR (4) .313
RF Michael Beltre 2 hits.
3B Oliver Dunn 2 hits, 2 RBI .440

Luis Medina 4 1/3 IP, 1 R, 3 H, 3 W, 4 K. 1 WP 4.43 #11 prospect
Maciejewski (W, 2-0) 3 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 W, 7 K. 2.63
Espinal 1 IP, 0 R, 1 H, 1 W, 1 K. 2.08

Once again, the purpose of listing some batting averages of the prospects is to show that you can’t bring up some top prospect because you’ve heard of him or because of the name. Despite the hoopla, if that prospect is struggling down below, he won’t help you up above. Too many people say “bring up so-and-so” without knowing that the person they want to bring up isn’t doing anything down below.

High A: Hudson Valley (17-19) won 12-2.
CF Everson Pereira 3 hits, #10 prospect .246
C Anthony Seigler 2 hits, 2 RBI.
DH Spencer Henson 2-run HR (3)
LF James Nelson 2 hits, 4 RBI. Grand Slam (1)
RF Aldenis Sanchez 2 hits, RBI

Beck Way (W, 2-1) 5 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 1 W, 7 K. 2 WP 5.54 #21 prospect
J. Munoz 2 1/3 IP, 2 R, 1 H, 4 W, 3 K. 1 WP 6.05
Alvarez 2/3 IP, 0 R, 2 H, 0 W, 0 K 2.79
Miller 1 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 1 W, 1 K. 0.00

Low A: Tampa’s game was suspended in the top of the seventh with Tampa leading 4-0.

Cashman stays busy. Trades Joely Rodriguez to Mets for Miguel Castro.

Brian Cashman stays busy. Not long after parting ways with Albert Abreu, Cashman has traded away another member of the Yanks’ bullpen, sending LHP Joely Rodriguez to the Mets for RHP Miguel Castro.

Rodriguez, 30, has been in the majors with the Phillies (2016-2017), Rangers (2020-2021) and Yankees (2021). Last year he was 1-3, 5.93 for Texas and 1-0, 2.84 for the Yankees. Combined 2-3, 4.66, ERA+ 94. His Yankees’ tenure last 21 games. 3-5, 4.61 in his career, ERA+ 96 in 102 games.

Castro, 27, has been with Toronto (2015), Colorado (2015-2016), Baltimore (2016-2020) and the Mets (2020-2021). Last year he was 3-4, 3.45 with the Mets, ERA+ 116. In 299 MLB cames, he is 11-22, 4.13, ERA+ 107.

Yanks trade Abreu and minor league P to Texas for catching depth in Jose Trevino.

While most of us were consumed by the Final Four last night, Yankees’ GM Brian Cashman was busy making a trade. With Ben Rortvedt most likely missing the start of the season due to an oblique injury, Cashman wanted more catching depth other than David Freitas, Rob Brantly and Max McDowell. He traded RHP Albert Abreu and minor league LHP Robert Ahlstrom to Texas for C Jose Trevino.

In 30 games as a Yankee in 2020 and 2021, Abreu was 2-1, 5.68, ERA+ 77 in 38 IP. He is 26.

Ahlstrom, 22, hasn’t pitched in a minor league game yet, spending last year at the University of Oregon, where he was 9-3, 2.50 in 14 starts.

Trevino, 29, has been with the Rangers from 2018-2021, appearing in 156 games, hitting .245-9-55, OPS+ 70. He bats righty.

Lockdown over! Season starts April 7. Changes to playoff system, NL gets DH>

Finally!

The baseball season, and all 162 games of it, will start on April 7. Games cancelled from March 31 to April 7 will be rescheduled.

The NL will have the DH. So we won’t see pitchers hit (in case you are wondering, the last Yankees’ pitcher to hit a HR was Lindy McDaniel in 1972).

The one and done wild card game is out. There will be six playoff teams in each league. The top two division winners get a bye while the other four teams play an opening round best of 3. Then the LDS best of five before the LCS best of 7 followed by the WS best of 7.

Spring training games start March 17. Which means basically 2 1/2 weeks of spring training before the season starts. I haven’t seen anything yet about an expansion to opening day rosters. For hitters, not much of a problem, but for pitchers, how are they going to be stretched out? If you don’t expand rosters, and even if you DO, bullpens will be used extensively in the first few weeks because the starters haven’t been stretched out. I do hope that there will be expanded rosters in the first few weeks to help with the problem of pitchers not being stretched out enough.

Not only that, but the GMs have to really work OT now. There are still a lot of free agents out there like Correa, Story, Rodon and Freeman just to name a few. There is very little time to sign them before the season begins. Brian Cashman has to work his butt off to sign some people. Remember as of now the Yanks really don’t have a SS, and expect Luke Voit to be traded to a NL team that needs a DH. But what then? Do the Yanks get Rizzo for 1B? Freeman? Trade for Olson? LeMahieu at 1B?

Trades and signings will now be fast and furious. There isn’t much time before the season starts.

But at least there IS a season, and a full one at that.