My 2018 Season Prediction

The MLB is simply better when the team wearing pinstripes is a contender. After a couple of down years of not being part of the postseason picture, recently it has been an exciting time to be a fan of the New York Yankees.            

Last year, people were aware of some of the young talent that the Yankees had, but most figured that the 2017 season would be a rebuilding year in the Bronx. In fact, it turned out to be the complete opposite as the young group of players came out firing and playing as if they had nothing to lose leading to win after win. With the leadership of long time Yankee manager Joe Girardi and veteran players like C.C. Sabathia and Brett Gardner, who were all part of the Yankees 2009 World Series team, acting as mentors while also contributing to the team's success, it turned out to be a perfect recipe for a winning season. 

The young core of Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Didi Gregorious, and Luis Severino were all making a name for themselves in the Big Apple. Watching these young budding stars all get a chance to showcase their talent night after night gave me the same feeling as watching the emergence of the original Core Four:

• Derek Jeter  
• Jorge Posada   
• Andy Pettite
• Mariano Rivera  

Not to put extra pressure on the young players considering each member of the Core Four won multiple World Series rings and went on to have Hall of Fame caliber careers, but you could see the potential just by watching these guys. Judge looks more like a football player than a baseball player and hits tape-measure home runs on a regular basis. Severino has lights out stuff and hovers around 100 mph through 7 innings. Sanchez adds another power bat to the lineup and has a rocket arm from behind the plate. And Gregorious has had huge shoes to fill as the short-stop of the Yankees in the post Derek Jeter era and is living up to all of the hype. 

The Yankees finished the 2017 season with a record of 91-71 earning themselves a Wildcard game in the postseason. They went on an exciting postseason run and eventually lost in the ALCS to the World Series Champion, Houston Astros. Although the Yankees did not bring home a championship last year, they put the world on notice and everyone knew that Yankees future would be very bright.

With all key players from the 2017 season returning in 2018 and the major additions of NL home run leader and MVP Giancarlo Stanton and new manager Aaron Boone, the Yankees were now expected to be contenders in 2018. 

This team has very few weaknesses as they have a legitimate ace of a starting pitcher in Luis Severino accompanied by arguably the best bullpen in the MLB with power arms like Dellin Betances, Zach Britton, and Aroldis Chapman to close out games. On the offensive side of the ball they have an embarrassment of riches that manager Aaron Boone can create his lineups with. The list of power bats in the lineup goes on and on, but in particular Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, and Gary Sanchez really test the limits of what Yankee Stadium can contain. Entering the All-Star break, the Yankees were on pace to break the all-time record for home runs in a season by a team and they may need to do so in order to bypass another Wildcard game and position themselves for a run at the World Series. 

                   

General manager Brian Cashman addressed some needs at the July 31st trade deadline by adding more pitching to this already lethal team. Those moves were made with one goal in mind, and that is to win chase down the rival Boston Red Sox, who have been on fire all year long, and win the AL East. Unfortunately, the Yankees have been dealing with some injuries as rookie second baseman Gleyber Torres just returned to the lineup and catcher Gary Sanchez remains on the disabled list with a groin injury. Aaron Judge will also be joining Sanchez on the DL for a couple weeks after being hit with a pitch that caused a small fracture in his hand. 

I still believe that with the new additions of J.A. Happ and Zach Britton to this already star studded roster and a few more opportunities to make up ground on the Red Sox in head-to-head matchups the Yankees will finish the 2018 regular season atop the AL East. By doing this the Yankees will have the best record in baseball and they will be the top seed in the American League for the postseason in October. 

Based on the playoff experience that this team gained last year, this will be the year where the Yankees put all the pieces together and go on to win their MLB best 28th World Series title. This will not be easy considering the gauntlet of teams they will need to go through in order to do this like the Red Sox, Astros, and Indians, but as long as everyone is healthy and the Yankees have home field advantage in the postseason I think they will get the job done. 

Why The Yankees?

Baseball has been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember, and that all stems from my grandfather's love for the game and the Yankees in particular. My grandfather, or Papa (which is what we referred to him as), played college baseball at American University and when he had kids he coached all 9 of them throughout little league, and even prepared a few of them to play college baseball as they got older. Now our family has 22 grandchildren from his side of the family, some who play or have played baseball in college, and the rest who may not play but definitely have an appreciation for the game and what it has meant to our family.

My Papa was a die hard Yankee fan who would watch every game and I used to love going over to my grandparent's house with my brothers to spend time with him watching the games, and of course taking the occasional break to go outside to have a catch or play whiffle-ball. Learning about the players and asking him questions always seemed to fascinate me because of how knowledgable he was about baseball in general.

Every so often on special occasions, such as my birthday or opening day he would bring me and my brothers to a game in the old Yankee Stadium. We used to love it because we would bring our gloves and go early to watch batting practice in hopes of catching a ball. Those experiences I will cherish forever and hopefully I have the opportunity to do the same thing with my kids and grandchildren in the future. Papa passed away a little over two years ago but because of him I will always be devoted to family and I will always be a fan of the New York Yankees.

Moves Are Being Made

As I have mentioned in previous blog posts, I figured at some point the Yankees would try to add another piece to their team before the trade deadline at the end of July. My prediction was right, but also wrong at the same time. I figured that Brian Cashman and the front office would make a splash by trying to make a block buster deal for All-Star shortstop Manny Machado or fill the void in the rotation by trading for a solid starting pitcher. I was wrong because Machado was recently traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Yankees still have not made any deals to bolster their starting rotation. On the other hand, at least I was right about something.

The Yankees just made a trade that will send a few of their minor league pitchers to the Baltimore Orioles in return for former All-Star closer, Zach Britton. I knew the Yankees would eventually do something, and this move is one that Yankee fans should be excited about.

Britton will fit nicely into the mix of skilled pitchers in the Yankee bullpen and he also provides another talented lefty arm for Aaron Boone to call on and to compliment closer Aroldis Chapman. The Yankees already had arguably the best bullpen in all of baseball and this trade will hopefully elevate the team to a whole new level. The Yankees may still be considering other moves before the trade deadline to acquire more starting pitching, but this trade for Britton will lighten the load that Yankees starting pitchers have been expected to carry up to this point. Brian Cashman had one thing in mind when he pulled the trigger on this trade, and that was the New York Yankees closing out tight games leading up to and during the postseason.

The Return of El Gary

Following the All-Star break, where all players were able to take some much needed time to rest for a couple days and get their bodies right, the Yankees in particular are really looking forward to get some key contributors back in the lineup. Catcher Gary Sanchez is one of those key contributors who the Yankees and their fans want to see hit their stride down the stretch toward to the postseason.

Sanchez has been sidelined for about a month due to a groin injury he got while running to first base after hitting a ground ball. Everyone is hoping that a little time away from the game has let him re-adjust and focus on the mechanics of his swing so he can bounce back from his early season struggles. The 2017 All-Star catcher has had a brutal start to the 2018 season where he was batting just .188 with 14 home runs. The home run numbers are nothing to be concerned about, however, that sub .200 average was the last thing he or anyone who follows the Yankees was expecting from the powerful righty.

There is still time for Sanchez to figure things out, but that window is closing rapidly for the Yankees as the rival Red Sox continue to win games. If the Yankees want to contend for the World Series, they will certainly need contributions from #24 similar to the way he played last season, and more specifically how he did during the Yankees 2017 postseason run. It's time to "Unleash The Kraken!"

Interview With Yankees Bat Boy

I recently had the opportunity speak with New York Yankee bat boy, Matt Simeone. Matt grew up in my town and I also played sports in high school with his older brother, Alex. Matt took over as bat boy for the Yankees after his brother a few years ago. I had not spoken with Matt in years before this interview and figured this was the perfect opportunity to reach out to him. He works during the season for home games at Yankee Stadium and you can often see him on TV when the camera pans to the Yankee dugout or on-deck circle.

Aidan: I know last year was a real breakout season for the Yankees. Did it seem like there was extra hype surrounding the 2018 Yankees coming into the season? 

Matt: Definitely. I had not seen this kind of buzz from Yankee fans at the stadium since the 2014 season when Derek Jeter announced he was going to retire at the end of the year. The vibe is just different. After last season, the expectation from players and coaches is that they are the team to beat. 

Aidan: Considering you get a closer look as to how the Yankee players interact with each other in the dugout and around the clubhouse, do you get the sense that the players get along well? 

Matt: Yes, they are a fun group to be around with all of their fun handshakes and the joking around they do with one another. They all seem to really enjoy each other's company, but when it comes to game time, they expect a lot out of themselves individually and as a team. I think the more games they win the better the chemistry will become. 

Aidan: You mentioned the handshakes and jokes they do with each other, do you ever find yourself in the middle of any of that? 

Matt: Not too much. Of course I have some handshakes with a few players and they will joke with me here and there, but for the most part I stay to the side and let the players involve me when they want. I don't expect anything from the players or any extra attention, but this is a fun group to be around and I enjoy the chance to be in their company during the season. 

Aidan: Being the bat boy for the Yankees is such a cool job for a young kid, but do you think you will get the chance to continue working with the Yankees in the future in a different role? 

Matt: It is definitely something to think about for when I graduate from college and that would be my hope. But for now I am just enjoying the job I have right now with the best seat in the house at Yankee Stadium. I love being able to tell people what I do when they ask, and for me and my brother to have both done this unique job, it is something we will always remember.

I enjoyed getting to interview Matt to get a different perspective as to what the 2018 Yankees are like on a more up close and personal level. Next time you get the chance to watch a home Yankee game, keep an eye out for Matt when the camera zooms in on the batter in the on-deck circle or Yankee manager Aaron Boone on the top step of the dugout!

Avoiding the Wildcard Game

After the All-Star festivities and enjoying time off from the grind that is a 162 game baseball season, the Yankees will need to regroup and focus on the remainder of the season. The Yankees are currently 4.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East standings and only the winner of the division will be able to bypass a 1 game Wildcard game in the postseason. 

As the Red Sox coasted into the All-Star break as the hottest team in baseball, the Yankees hobbled their way into the break after struggling with their starting pitching and battling injuries to key players. For the Yankees, this break couldn't have came at a better time since it gives Gleyber Torres and Gary Sanchez time to rest and complete the rehab process with their injuries. It also gives the front office in New York to focus on improving the team for a second half push with the upcoming trade deadline. 

          

If the Yankees are able to get healthy and add a piece like a solid middle of the rotation starting pitcher it will be interesting to see how this team responds to the challenge of overcoming their deficit in the standings to the Red Sox. If the Yankees are able to keep the division race close until they end, the final series of the season could end up being extremely important since the Yankees end the regular season in Fenway playing the Red Sox.

How To Properly Enjoy A Yankee Game

Attending baseball games at any level are always a great chance to enjoy spending time with family or friends, but there is something different about the experience when you go to Yankee Stadium to watch the Yankees take the field. Step 1: to truly get a feel for baseball in the Bronx you need to try sitting in the bleachers. Sitting in the outfield with the "bleacher creatures" you are with the blue collar fans and are at the center of the action when it comes to cheering, roll calls, and the occasional wave, plus the tickets are reasonably priced.

             

Step 2: in terms of getting to the game, the ideal option is taking the train to avoid traffic driving to and from the game since there is a Yankee Stadium stop. Step 3: before the game you can hang out at one of the many Yankee themed bars and restaurants (Stan's is my favorite) or relax in the park outside the stadium as long as weather permits it. Step 4: getting through the gates early gives you the opportunity to watch batting practice and a better chance of going home with a souvenir. 

Step 5: when game time rolls around make sure to find your seats and prepare to enjoy. At some point you are going to need something to satisfy your appetite and if peanuts or cracker jacks aren't doing the trick I would recommend a steak sandwich from Lobel's in the Stadium (you won't regret it). 

Hopefully the Yankees are able to come away with a win so as you depart and head back to the train you can walk out with "New York, New York" playing through the stadiums hallways and corridors. 

Robert Casey's Take On The Manny Machado Sweepstakes

It is an exciting time of year in the MLB season as All-Star weekend and the trade deadline are approaching quickly. This is where teams on the brink of being contenders can "buy" and try to add a star player to help win now, while less competitive teams may choose to be "sellers" and try to add young prospects in return for their stars who may leave in free agency. This time of year is especially exciting for Yankee fans because GM Brian Cashman  always keeps the Yankees involved in trade talks and they are usually the ones "buying" talent.

           

 Robert Casey of "Bleeding Yankee Blue" has an interesting take on the trade rumors surrounding the Yankees as the deadline approaches. All-Star shortstop for the Baltimore Orioles, Manny Machado, has been one of the biggest names on the trading block and the Yankees appear to have just thrown their hat into the ring to land him. 

Casey brings up a valid point that it might be smart for the Yankees to remain patient and hold off on trading away valuable prospects for Machado. One of the reasons for this that Casey mentions is the fact that Machado has been adamant about only having interest in playing shortstop. This poses a dilemma for the Yankees because they would want him to shift to playing third base considering they already have a great shortstop that the fans love in Didi Gregorious. Casey agrees that although Didi Gregorius (SS) and Miguel Andujar (3B) give the Yanks a great chance to win games, Manny Machado would be a clear upgrade over both. 

Machado is a free agent after this season and has expressed interest in playing for the Yankees in the past so it may be smart for the Yankees to be patient now by not giving away top prospects for Machado and attempt to sign him long-term in free agency. 

Stop Messing With My Wikipedia Entries!

When I first went to new Yankee manager, Aaron Boone's Wikipedia page I noticed that there was plenty of information on his personal life and MLB career as a player, however there was minimal information about his new job and how he came to be at the helm of one of the most storied franchises in all of sports. During the editing process I added information that I considered noteworthy regarding the new era Yankees and how Boone could bring his experience as a player to help this talented team win.

After a few weeks I went back to that Wikipedia page for Aaron Boone to find all of my writing was gone and was replaced with just his record as Yankee manager in 2018 so far. I understand that this is Boone's first managerial gig and he hasn't had the chance to build up a legitimate resume yet, but I do think it is important to discuss how he came out on top after competing with experienced managers during the interview process to become manager of the New York Yankees. Especially since this situation is so unique considering he is a first time manager and he already has so much talent on the roster to be able to win now.

Update On Yanks Hot Start

After the incredibly hot 37-17 start to the 2018 season the Yankees have cooled off a bit as they head into the All Star break. When I started this blog I used my first post to emphasize the record setting beginning to a New York Yankees season and how it set them up for a big year, with big expectations.

I mentioned how the new additions such as reigning NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton and first time manager Aaron Boone would mesh nicely with the rest of the young team that contributed to the Yankees success in 2017. As expected, the initial rate at which this years team was winning was unlikely to sustain. The team now sits at 59-30 as they approach the All Star break, which keeps them near the top of the league in wins and in a great position to earn a favorable seed come playoff time. The expectation for the Yankees to win now is still evident even after some minor injuries to Gary Sanchez, Masahiro Tanaka and Gleyber Torres.

With Aaron Judge, Gleyber Torres and Aroldis Chapman headed to the All Star game in Washington D.C. and Giancarlo Stanton on the verge of joining them, if he gets the necessary votes, the Yankees have all of the star power they need to make a deep playoff push and finish the hot start to 2018 with a World Series ring.

Andujar Secures Another Rookie Of The Month Award For Yanks

In the recent years leading up to this season, General Manager Brian Cashman and the rest of the front office have put a major emphasis on strengthening the farm system by acquiring quality young talent. This strategy was adopted so that the Yankees would eventually be able to build a competitive team from within, and that is exactly what is happening. Players like Judge, Sanchez and Severino set the bar high for Yankee rookies based on their contributions early on in their careers.

Now it is Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres' turn and they are providing fire power in the order and playing stellar defense in the field which is leading to Yankee wins. Torres took home the AL rookie of the month award in May and Andujar just secured the award for the month of June. Andujar and Torres will be competing with each other for the rookie of the year award at the end of the year if their seasons continue like this.

Andujar joined the team first this year when he took over third base duties for the injured Brandon Drury and he hasn't looked back. Miguel always looks calm and comfortable in his uniform as he plays the hot-corner like a natural and is an extra base hit machine with a great presence in the clubhouse. He keeps the barrel of the bat through the strike zone as long as any player in the league while also having some pop off of his bat, resulting in 37 of his 77 at-bats this year being extra base hits. Andujar is showing no signs of slowing up in his journey to improve his craft and he is just one of the many young Yankees that give this team and their fans a lot of hope for the present and future.

Judge Starting To Feel Jeter-Esque

Derek Jeter was the short-stop/captain of the Yankees and one of the best players to ever sport the pinstripes. He played the game the right way and always hustled on the field while being a great role model off of the field in one of the toughest cities to do so. The same way Jeter had a certain aura about the way he handled himself, there is another upcoming Yankee that has a similar presence to the Captain. After a sensational rookie season and following it up with strong numbers again so far this season Aaron Judge has quickly become a crowd favorite in the Bronx.

This clip of Judge playing catch from his position in right field with a young fan in the stands on the road is the kind of thing that makes baseball one of Americas past-times. It is also the sign of a rising star maturing and realizing the importance of giving back and being a role model. Although he was simply tossing a ball with a kid a couple times in between innings, it is a moment that the young fan will always remember. These were the kind of things that Derek Jeter would do to show that he was more than just a great baseball player. I have never seen a player in any major sports league handle themselves more like a true professional than Jeter has, but you get the feeling by the way that Aaron Judge carries himself that he has the potential to follow in "The Captains" footsteps.

The Rivalry Is Back

Coming into this season everyone was aware that the Houston Astros are the team to beat in the American League and the entire MLB as a whole considering they are the reigning World Series champions. A lot of people also figured that the best rivalry in baseball history would be returning to form in 2018. The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox have an extremely long history of being bitter rivals and these teams, along with the rivalry, are off to a hot start this year.

The first meeting between these squads was action packed at Fenway Park in Boston. The highlight of the series was when Red Sox reliever Joe Kelly intentionally hit Yankees first baseman Tyler Austin with a pitch as retaliation for a slide into second base by Austin that was perceived to be a "dirty" play by Boston. The hit-by-pitch resulted in Tyler Austin charging the mound leading to a benches clearing brawl by the two teams.

           

The next meeting between the two teams just took place in the Bronx this past weekend where the two teams came in with the best records in the entire MLB. The Yankees took the series winning two out of the three games and although every game was a blowout it is clear that the Yanks and Sox are both playing extremely well and getting better as the season progresses. These teams play each other the last series of the season back in Boston and the way things are going with these teams being neck and neck, it is very likely that those final games will have huge playoff implications.