Just saw an interview with him on the MLB Network show Hot Stove. Now, I kinda wish the Yankees had hired him as manager. Seems like a great baseball guy.

In terms of talent and depth, this just may be the best Yankees team (in 2018) since…well, a really long time. They have it all. Offense? Really, we have to ask about it? Just stop…seriously. Defense? They should be OK. Starting pitching? The rotation is deep and talented. And, we know they have a great bullpen.

That all said, it’s reasonable to have high expectations for the 2018 Yankees. They should finish first. At the least, they should win 91 games. And, it’s not being unfair to expect them to win 95 or more.

If this team doesn’t win at least 91 games, it’s a failure. If they come in with closer to 85 wins, something has really gone wrong.

If that does happen, I would assume it’s on Boone. And, then it’s on Cashman for hiring Boone.

The whole Boone hiring smells of Cashman trying to prove that he is smart. And, we’ve seen that before…

Yeah, I know “He traded for Stanton!” Well, yeah, and he signed Ellsbury too. And, sure “He drafted Judge!” Well yeah, he also drafted Kaprielian, Lindgren, Jagielo, Hensley, Bichette, Culver and a million other high pick duds. And, correct “He signed Tanaka!” Well, do we really want to talk about that…Kei Igawa, cough, cough…

That’s the thing with Cashman. He’s the Chris Carter of GMs. Yeah, once in a while, he connects. But, he swings and misses A LOT.

In any event, give him credit for putting together a SUPER roster for 2018. Now, if it goes wrong, and it’s because of Boone, then, once again, Cashman goes down on strikes.

Call up the Orioles and offer them Clint Frazier, Miguel Andujar and either Dellin Betances or Luis Cessa. That should do it.

Too bad they had to throw in Bryan Mitchell. I thought he had David Phelp potential, at the worst.

Holy Crap. (More to come as the news gets more clear.)

One thing above all else stood out to me. And, I wasn’t the only one to note it:

Boone … conceded that he was at his son’s football game when general manager Brian Cashman called to ask if he wanted to interview for the job.

THIS, to me, speaks VOLUMES on what went down here.

Boone didn’t throw his hat in the ring. Cashman asked him to do it. My guess is that Cash has been watching Boone on ESPN for years and building a big chubby for him. On the flip side, Boone was probably watching layoff after layoff at ESPN and thought “Here’s a possible landing spot for me. Even if I fail, I’m going to get paid for the next three years.”

This whole thing is going to go up in flames, mark my words.

The other thing I took away from the presser is that Aaron Boone does not give off a commanding vibe. Hell, for a guy whose media-ability was supposed to be a strength, he seems like he was out of his league speaking at the presser.

Maybe I am wrong here? Time will tell. But, I sincerely feel that this was a mistake. Of course, it will never stick on Cashman – it never does.

Aaron Boone, Carlos Beltran, Hensley Meulens, Rob Thomson, Eric Wedge and Chris Woodward.

If it’s Wedge, Cashman has really lost his mind.

I would go with Meulens (from this group). If that happens, Thomson probably walks. And, so be it.

Some think Beltran, being last interviewed before they announced no more interviews, is the guy.
Me? I think the New York press will eat him alive.

Must see TV:

I am still pissed that Girardi was dismissed. But, it would be interesting to see what Bam Bam can do.

He managed the team for 10 full seasons and averaged 91 wins a year. He was never an embarrassment to the franchise off the field.

Good luck finding someone better than that…

In my lifetime, the Yankees have only won Game 7 once – the Boone home run game (and I was there for that one). I just missed the McCovey liner game by one month (since I was born in November ’62). I don’t remember 1964. But, I sure did suffer the pain of 2001 and 2004. So, in the last 20,000 days, the Yankees are 1-3 in Game Sevens. (The Yankees did win Game 5 in the ALCS back in 1976 and 1977 – before that was a seven game series. But, if you’re going to count Game Fives, then the Yankees are also 5-4 in Game 5 of all the ALDS that they have played too.) In any event, if the Yankees do win tonight, it will be a pretty big deal.

There are 34 times in his career where Justin Verlander pitched 5 innings or less and allowed 4 earned runs or more.

Basically, he gets rocked 1 out of every 11 starts. Hey, he ain’t God, man!

Seriously, Yankees, do your thing. Keep the game close and get to their bullpen. Win it in six!!

Been away on business and crazy, insanely, busy lately.

In any event, I am now a believer.

Never thought that they had a chance after Game 2 of the ALDS. Now, they have won me over.

Yes, Houston is a super team. But, I think the Yankees can beat them.

This team has a ton of character guys. It’s actually amazing how many…Todd Frazier, CC, Gardy, Robertson, Didi, Headley, Judge, Holliday, Bird…and many others. It’s an easy team to like…

Feels like 1996. Go Yankees!!

Man, Game 2 of the ALDS in Cleveland was a crusher. To play for THAT LONG and not get the win. Brutal. And, Ronald Torreyes getting caught on the back pick at second? Inexcusable.

Know what? It’s been a nice run. But, seriously, the Yankees are not in the same class as the Indians or Astros right now. Maybe in a couple of years it will be different. But, now? That’s a negative, Ghost Rider.

No one asked. And, this is not scientific. But, here are my post-season predictions: Yankees over Twins. Diamondbacks over Rockies. Indians over Yankees. Diamondbacks over Dodgers. Astros over Red Sox. Cubs over Nationals. Astros over Indians. Diamondbacks over Cubs. Astros over Diamondbacks.

Hey, that’s some rebuilding year!

Seriously, the Yankees were much better this season than I ever expected. It’s been fun.

Know what? I like their chances in the post-season. For sure, they can beat the Twins. And, once you get into the real playoffs, then they have a shot. Of course, they need all the big guys to show up and play well. You can’t have the studs pulling an A-Rod.

Assuming the Yankees have a chance to set up their rotation for the Wildcard game – and they should! – who would be their choice for starting pitcher? Severino? Tanaka? Sabathia? Gray? Do you go with the season stats (Severino)? Or, do you with experience (Tanaka)? Or, do you want a lefty (Sabathia)? Or, what if Gray is great over his last few starts? Do you go with the hot hand? At the least, it’s nice to have choices.

He survived working for Big Stein all those years. You’d think it would be impossible for him to have a heart attack?

Very sad news, his passing. I will forever be grateful to him for building that Yankees team who ruled baseball from 1996 through 2001. It was an amazing team.

It’s going to be very interesting how baseball handles this – especially since they confessed.

What’s the proper punishment? Can it be any more than what they got for signing kids from Latin America with shady tactics? MLB has to make a statement here. Just a token fine isn’t going to cut it.

It’s August 25th and the Yankees are 3.5 up in the wildcard.
Show of hands…who expected this?
Girardi deserves manager of the year.

Maybe it’s time for a third pitch?

Last 22 games. 97 PA (which ain’t exactly chump change).

.179 Batting Average. .372 Slugging. 5 extra base hits. 34 strikeouts.

The league has adjusted. All sit down.

He is the all-time Yankees leader for most career PA without ever getting a hit.

Holy Roy Luebbe, Batman!

Yeah, I know, we’re already into the last 60. But, in any event, how many of their last 60 games in 2017 do you think the Yankees will win?

So, “a couple of guys” told the Toddfather to forget about wearing #21.

The 21 thing is interesting. Not retired. Not assigned either. I suspect the Yankees are waiting for Paulie to make the Hall via a committee, and that’s a reach. Or, maybe they are waiting until he hits 20 years as a Yankees broadcaster and then it will be like the Scooter – he’s a Yankee for life and they are retiring the number to honor it? It’s just odd that they have been sitting on it for so long. Obviously, they’re waiting for something before making a final decision on it.

The Yankees (45-42) have now lost 19 of 26 games since they were 15 games over .500.

Pretty soon it’s going to be a .500 team. Then, it’s going to be a team under .500. It will be the first time since 1992 that the Yankees finish under .500. But, that’s OK…

If you’re not going to win and/or contend, might as well go for the draft pick.

In the meantime, watch and enjoy the young kids who are doing well. See if Judge can hit 62 homers and set the Yankees record as a rookie. See if Severino and Montgomery can continue to develop into our version of Smoltz and Glavine.

Root for Ellsbury to be a monster in the second half – so that the Yankees can eat his money and give him away in the winter.

There’s lots of stuff to get into over the rest of the season. Just don’t expect it to be wins.

That’s the Yankees record this season since May 9th.

Sure, injuries is part of it. But, Castro was coming back down to earth before he got hurt. In fact, Castro and Gregorius are basically just league average hitters, despite their batting average, and would not be hitting in the heart of the line-up of a good team. Don’t even get me started on the production that the Yankees get from first and third base.

Still too many guys over 32 pulling this team down. And, the pitching is a mess sans a few bright spots.

If Judge ever goes into a deep and prolonged slump, it’s going to get even worse.

And, it’s still going…

.

If Swisher had not signed with the Indians as a free agent, then the Yankees wouldn’t have the draft pick that they used to take Aaron Judge.

It sort of makes up for the fact that the Angels took Mike Trout with the Yankees pick after they signed Mark Teixeira.

The Yankees drafted him BEFORE Aaron Judge. Just saying…

Terrible. When the greatest day of your life becomes a living nightmare. My heart aches for this young man. I hope he has a full recovery and is back in the bigs next year.