It’s Spring Training and the Injuries are Piling Up

Has it really been three months since my last post? I mean the last time you heard from me was when Juan Soto signed with the New York Mets. The past 90 days have been extremely busy for me with work, coaching basketball and the distraction of other sports (St. John’s is ranked #6 in the country!). But I am back with the promise I won’t go an additional three months between entries. With the warm sunshine of Florida and Arizona invading our TV’s with Spring Training games, we are getting ready for our favorite pastime. Unfortunately, there are a number of big name players who will have their debuts in 2025 delayed by injuries.

Luis Gil is one of many players who will miss significant time in 2025. Photo from Yahoo Sports

Actually, I feel like this is an usually high number of players who will miss the start of the season because of IL stints.

Start with the two New York teams. Though it’s no surprise that Giancarlo Stanton is hurt, the timing is new. I feel like he is heading for surgery even though that has been described as a last resort. Luis Gil is out for three months. DJ LeMahieu will be out for who knows how long with a calf injury. On the Queens side, Frankie Montas (another shocker) will be out as long as Gil and Sean Manaea might return by the end of April. The Philadelphia Phillies have been relatively unscathed on the injury front. However, Caitlyn is already waffling between excitement and gloom after the Phillies’ staff was torched for 29 runs in two games earlier this week.

As far as the rest of the league goes, key players on playoff contending teams are dropping. MVP candidate Gunnar Henderson could miss the start of Baltimore’s season with an intercostal strain. In addition, the O’s will be minus starter Grayson Rodriguez to start the season with arm trouble and Andrew Kittredge for months after knee surgery. Sean Murphy of the Atlanta Braves will miss four to six weeks with a rib injury. Seattle’s George Kirby, arguably the team’s best pitcher, will start the season on the IL with shoulder inflammation. Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech is dealing with forearm tightness. Detroit’s Parker Meadows (nerve issue) and Matt Vierling (rotator cuff) are both expected to be placed on the IL. Other notable names due to miss significant time are Andrew Benintendi and Anthony Rendon.

Maybe it’s just me and this is a normal amount of injuries we see in Spring Training. Maybe it feels like this is an abnormal amount of hurt players because of the volume of Yankees and Mets that will miss time. It stinks that so many good players will miss Opening Day. I pray for the health of all players and that they return in time to play the majority of games in 2025.

The Juan Soto Reaction From Home

Well, my Juan Soto prediction was completely wrong. The last time you read my blog, I stated that Soto would not sign until after the New Year and that he would be going to the Washington Nationals. The closest part of my prognostication was that he landed in the National League East. The New York Mets won the Soto Sweepstakes with a contract that has the potential to exceed $800 million dollars. My thought is this. It’s a win-win situation for the Mets if they win two World Series in five years and Soto decides to exercise his opt out clause. They could decline the option, let him walk, and don’t have to pay all that money for the following ten years.

This man is smiling because he just broke the bank. Photo from CBS Sports

As for the rest the family:

Matthew: He’s the one that broke the news to us. “I don’t even know how to feel” was his text to the family group chat. He’s super confident the Mets will win the World Series in 2025 but realizes more work needs to be done. If the Mets fail to re-sign Pete Alonso, Matthew said it would be a bittersweet goodbye. Many people assumed early on that if New York grabbed Soto, Alonso would be gone. Well, there is nothing from stopping the richest owner in baseball from signing both guys for at least the next seven years. I expect Matthew to follow the Alonso Sweepstakes until its conclusion. If it goes the way he wants, he may even enjoy school for the rest of the year.

Ryan: Disappointment is an understatement. According to him, the only reason why the New York Yankees were in the World Series in 2024 was because of Juan Soto. Now he fears it will be another 15 year drought between Fall Classic appearances. He doesn’t like the traitor label Soto is getting on social media but as I told him, he was going to the highest bidder all along. Even with the defection, the Yankees are still the favorite to win the American League pennant. You know they will make other moves to compensate for this huge loss. You can’t fault the Yanks for finishing second. They actually offered an extra year, albeit at less money. Ryan will get over this once Spring Training starts.

Caitlyn: She offered quite the perspective once the news broke of the signing. “He should have joined the Phillies. We are a team full of bag chasers, he would have fit right in” (just kidding). Her main gripe is that the Phillies have done nothing this offseason, at least until today. The Phillies were not considered a serious contender even if they were brought up in the early stages of the offseason as a destination. When news broke of Jordan Romano signing a one year deal with Philadelphia, she had a one word response: “Finally”!

Juan Soto Will Go to…….the Washington Nationals

The definitive question of the Major League Baseball offseason is where will Juan Soto sign? It is the question that, in my opinion, will linger past the New Year. My household is intently following the news about Soto’s meetings with a number of teams in the league. After all, the New York Yankees, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies all have the means to pay the exorbitant asking price. However, I believe none of those three teams will be the one to sign the 26-year old Soto. Nor will it be the Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox and Toronto Blue Jays. Instead, it will be a team that only a few see coming. It actually shouldn’t come as a surprise.

The once and future National? Phot from CBS Sports

He’s going home.

Juan Soto will sign with the Washington Nationals.

I know that’s not the team you were thinking. However, all of the elements are there for Soto to stay in Washington for the rest of his career. Let’s start with the projected Nationals’ payroll. With Patrick Corbin‘s deal set to come off the books, total salaries for 2025 are estimated to be approximately $87 million dollars according to Fangraphs. Soto, even if his number is $55 million, along with some other additions, will put the Nats’ payroll slightly above average relative to the rest of the league. Another reason why I believe a reunion is in order is the fact Washington did offer him a contract extension shortly before trading him 2022. It was reported that the offer was for 15 years and $440 million dollars. I don’t expect Washington to shy away from making a package available just because the overall number has greatly increased. Finally, it’s a location that he is familiar with and where he enjoyed his greatest team success. He owns a World Series ring with the team and his two highest OPS marks came in 2020 and 2021. Why not return to the place where he knows a World Series can be won?

It’s going to be a long offseason with news about Juan Soto meeting with teams on a weekly basis. It will certainly keep baseball fans interested as Fall turns to Winter. In the end, one team will get the prize. That team will be the Washington Nationals.

MLB Offseason: Yankees Play Landlord, Phillies Speculation, Mets Injury News

The Major League Baseball season ended two weeks ago and though it seems Spring Training is years away, in reality, we are under 100 days. By far, the biggest storyline of the offseason is where is Juan Soto going to sign? Given that Scott Boras is his agent and that he will have a handful of big money suitors, I don’t expect his decision until after New Year’s. The business of baseball over these next three months is more than just Juan Soto. There are still awards to hand out, players to be wined and dined and of course, the Winter Meetings in December. Our three teams have been in the news for one reason or another so far. All three have big expectations for the 2025 season. Now is the start of it.

Steinbrenner Field, home of the Rays in 2025. Photo from NBC News

Yankees Hosting a Rival

When Hurricane Milton rolled through southwest Florida in October, one of the casualties was Tropicana Field, home of the Rays. Extensive damage was done to the roof of the Trop, casting doubts on where the Rays would play in 2025. It was revealed that Steinbrenner Field, Spring Training home of the Yankees and the home of their Single A team would be Tampa’s domain for the season. With a capacity of 11,026, Steinbrenner Field is a more viable alternative to the other ballparks in the area. In exchange for their “generosity”, the Yanks will receive $15 million, helping them pay for about 38% of Aaron Judge‘s salary for 2025.

Interesting Phillies’ Rumor

Rumors are everywhere at this time of year. One that caught my eye, and when Caitlyn learned of it was “devastated”, is Alec Bohm being traded, as reported by ESPN’s Jeff Passan. In corresponding speculation, Buster Olney of ESPN stated that the Phillies could a be place for Alex Bregman to land. This potential swap of third basemen is curious. Signing Bregman for a position that is not really a need adds another large salary to an already high Phillies payroll. Bohm has another two years of club control and is coming off his first All-Star selection. However, his steep drop in the second half and playoff disaster is giving management pause in making him the long term answer at the hot corner.

Met Injury News

The offseason got off to a painful start for Mets’ outfielder Tyrone Taylor. At the end of October, he underwent an umbilical hernia repair as well as right elbow surgery. Although this sounds troubling, Taylor is expected to start Spring Training on time. With Harrison Bader a free agent, Taylor is currently the only center fielder on the roster. He received a lot of playing time during New York’s playoff run, seeing action in every game and contributing a home run. Ideally, his role would be that of fourth outfielder, getting around 350 at bats between all three spots.

MLB Election Day: Your Vote Matters!

There is a rumor going around that today we will be electing a new President. Actually, this is an Election Day that far supersedes who will become the leader of the free world. May I present to you the first-ever Threeunassisted vote for the Hall of Fame! Avoid the stress of politics and read on to participate in something a little bit more fun and less aggravating. I have gone through a deep vetting process to choose a nominee for each of the teams that are covered in this blog. I have run the numbers, conducted my own internal polling and have arrived at the three candidates that are most worthy of this inaugural event. These are three players who are steeped in their respective franchise’s history and who may one day get into Cooperstown thanks to either the Veterans’ Committee or the Classic Era ballot. It also just so happens that they all played first base.

The real election is taking place on this blog! Photo from the NY Post

Introducing the nominees:

Don Mattingly-New York Yankees

Despite never winning a World Series championship, Mattingly remains one of the most beloved players in Yankees’ history. Fans regard him as a sympathetic figure. He was the star in arguably the darkest period of Yankee baseball in my lifetime and his back injuries kept him from championships and Hall of Fame induction. For a four or five year span, Donnie Baseball was regarded as the best player in the game. He won a batting title in 1984 and was the American League Most Valuable Player the following season. His 1986 campaign was arguably better as he led the league in hits with 238, doubles with 53, slugging at .573 and OPS at .967. He was a nine time Gold Glove winner and captured three Silver Sluggers. In his one playoff series, he batted .417 in 25 plate appearances. Had he stuck around in 1996 to win a World Series, his Hall of Fame credentials would have been even more enhanced.

Ryan Howard–Philadelphia Phillies

He was the slugger on those great Phillies teams that won five consecutive division titles from 2007 through 2011. Howard was named the National League Rookie of the Year in 2005 and captured the National League MVP the following season. When the Phillies became World Series Champions in 2008, Howard led the NL in home runs with 48 and RBI’s with 146. He was also named the MVP of the 2009 National League Championship Series. The Big Piece totaled five other top 10 MVP finishes and ranks second only behind Mike Schmidt in Phillies’ history with 384 home runs. Like Mattingly, injury robbed Howard of his full potential. He tore his Achilles tendon at the end of Game 5 of the 2011 Division series and was never able to eclipse 30 home runs again. His descent as a player coincided with the decline of the Phillies as the team did not finish above .500 again until 2021.

Keith Hernandez-New York Mets

It is hard to believe that Hernandez has been broadcasting Mets’ games longer than his actual Major League playing career. Because first base is primarily known as a power-hitting position, Hernandez’s Hall of Fame voting results have been skewed. He was an MVP in 1979 and is a two time World Series Champion, once with the Mets and the other with the St. Louis Cardinals. He won 11 Gold Gloves and is arguably the best fielding first baseman in baseball history. His on base percentage exceeded .400 six times during his 17 year career. Hernandez had three top ten MVP finishes while with the Mets and was one of the leaders on both of his championship teams. He is a lifetime .296 hitter with a .384 OBP and was a guy you wanted at the plate in a tough situation. His work in the booth alongside Gary Cohen and Ron Darling enhances his Hall of Fame credentials much like it did for Phil Rizzuto.

Put your vote in the comments section along with a simple reason for doing so. I’d love to see how this turns out!

Checking in on the Arizona Fall League

Did you think baseball ended with the conclusion of the World Series? Think again. The Arizona Fall League is in full swing, with 21 games for most teams already in the books. I gave a preview of the players from our three teams that are playing in the AFL that you can read here. The league is structured so that all players can be showcased at least somewhat equally. The goal for these organizations is to get a longer look at players, whether they are top prospects or are intriguing enough to warrant a more in depth look. Listed below are the three players (one each from the Yankees, Mets and Phillies) that are having an impact and could potentially land in the Majors in 2025.

Andrew Painter has a 2.70 ERA in four AFL outings. Photo from Sports Illustrated

Caleb Durbin-New York Yankees

The 24-year old Durbin is a rarity: this is the second straight year he is spending time in Arizona. Originally a 2021 14th round draft pick of the Atlanta Braves, Durbin came to the Yankees as part of the deal that sent Lucas Luetge to the Braves. He is hoping this stint in the AFL solidifies a spot on the Yankees 40 man roster. If not, he will be exposed in the Rule 5 Draft, and most likely, a ticket out of the organization. Durbin has something the Yankees should be interested in: speed. He leads the league in stolen bases with 22 in just 18 games, this after finishing the 2023 AFL season with 21. Playing multiple positions during the Fall, Durbin also has three home runs to go along with a .393 on base percentage. For his efforts, he was named the AFL Player of the Week for the week ending October 26.

Drew Gilbert-New York Mets

Most Met fans know who Gilbert is. As the the organization’s #3 prospect according to MLB.com, he has been on the radar since being acquired from the Houston Astros for Justin Verlander. MLB.com also projects Gilbert to be playing with the big club in 2025. His AFL batting average is a pedestrian .216 but he is tied for sixth in home runs with four. However, he has scored 11 runs in 14 games and has drawn ten walks. The Mets’ outfield does have some room for Gilbert next year. Starling Marte is almost guaranteed to miss time with injury and will be in the final year of his contract. Harrison Bader and Jesse Winker are both free agents. The signs point to Gilbert’s arrival in Queens at some point, perhaps as early as Opening Day.

Andrew Painter-Phillies

Phillies’ fans are salivating at the possibility of the 6-7 right-hander in the rotation in 2025. His performance in the AFL is only ramping up those expectations. In ten innings pitched through four games, the 21-year old Painter has ten strikeouts and a WHIP of .90. His fastball has been close to 100 and he introduced a slider during his last outing. Painter lost the last two seasons because of Tommy John surgery after being taken with the 13th overall pick of the 2021 Draft. Philadelphia’s starting rotation has four locked down spots with Aaron Nola, Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez. Should the Phillies slide Taijuan Walker back into the fifth spot, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Painter break Spring Training in the bullpen.

MLB World Series: Another Disappointment

Of course the most painful game was the one that ended the latest. It was slightly after midnight when the Los Angeles Dodgers put the finishing touches on a World Series Championship and celebrated in the house of the New York Yankees. The only good news about this outcome is that I actually get to have more than six hours of sleep. The bad news? It will be extremely difficult to get this Series loss out of my head. After all, this is the fourth straight year that the Yankees’ season has ended in embarrassing fashion.

I’m pretty sure Brian Cashman’s job is safe. Photo from the New York Times

Ryan and I were texting throughout the entirety of Game 5, long after everyone else went to sleep. To say Ryan was unhappy is a major understatement. He waited all his life to see his most favorite team play for a championship. The result he got, particularly in the clinching game, was nothing short of disgusting. From the pulling of Gerrit Cole in Game 1, to the final whiff of Alex Verdugo, it felt as though the Yankees were a JV team compared to the Dodgers fielding a varsity squad. As much as he tries to love Aaron Judge, him striking out in nearly half of his playoff at bats gives him pause on judging (no pun intended) how to rate this team since 2017. Despite the payroll, despite the talent, the franchise has consistently come up short when it mattered most. In case you have forgotten, this is how each of the last four years have ended:

2021-Wild card blowout vs. the Red Sox

2022-Swept in the ALCS vs. the Astros (lost the clincher at home)

2023-No playoffs, 82-80 record

2024-Lost the World Series in five games (again, lost the clincher at home)

Some of you reading this might say, “But at least they get to the playoffs almost every year. Most teams would kill for that”. Sorry, that’s not good enough. Talk to fans of the Milwaukee Brewers who have made the playoffs five out of the last six years with nothing to show for it. Ask Caitlyn. Do you think she is thrilled with the Phillies coming up short three straight seasons? Making the World Series in 2022 was great but these last two years have ended in frustration. Do you think those fans feel lucky?

I have my own feelings about what needs to happen to next. I don’t want to say them out loud yet because I could change my mind next week. One thing I do know is that the status quo cannot remain the same. If that means Brian Cashman and/or Aaron Boone are relived of their duties, then so be it. Their pairing as a team was good but ultimately fell short of what every Yankee fan should experience: a World Series championship.

MLB World Series: One Kid Left Standing

This post meant to come out earlier in the week. However, life occasionally gets in the way of my little writing treats. So, it really doesn’t matter that the World Series has already played a classic game and that the Los Angeles Dodgers hold a 1-0 lead over the New York Yankees. The confidence that Ryan and I both have for the Yankees to ultimately prevail in the Fall Classic remains unshaken. The most important footnote to all this is that out of my three children that had a playoff rooting interest, Ryan is the only one that remains.

Friday was not the last we see of Gerrit Cole. Photo from Sports Illustrated

Because of the gap between the end of the LCS and the beginning of the World Series., it feels as though Caitlyn has been without a team for about two months. She tells me each morning that she wishes the Phillies were playing right now. She half-jokingly says that the Phillies gave up and they are chasing the bag. Opening Day for her can’t come quickly enough. As for Matthew, he couldn’t have been more depressed about how the Mets’ season ended. However, he at least got to see the final game at Citi Field in 2024 end with a victory. He said during the week he was very happy with the season. He keeps saying that the Mets have so many decisions to make but is still optimistic for 2025.

As for Ryan, I am extremely happy to see he finally got a chance to see his favorite team play for a championship. The only drawback for me is that he will be 140 miles away at school during the course of the series. Despite the disastrous loss, his reaction surprised me a little bit. I thought he would lose faith and predict a Dodgers’ victory. However, he assured me there is still a lot of baseball left and was still big on a Yankees’ victory. I’ll take my cue from him. Yankees in 6.

MLB Playoffs: Subway Series Dreams Are Far From Dead

It’s a beautiful Saturday afternoon in more ways than one. The sun is shining and for the first time in a week the temperature will hit 70 degrees. Perhaps nothing is more beautiful than knowing that the dreams of all New Yorkers are still very much alive. The Mets gave Citi Field one more party in 2024 with their 12-6 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers while the Yankees showed more resiliency with their 8-6 win over the Cleveland Guardians. We in New York get one more weekend of full baseball, one more chance to get both of our teams in the World Series, much to the chagrin of MLB executives and Fox.

Gleyber Torres has been a big time playoff performer. Photo from Sports Illustrated

First, let’s look at the easy road. The Yankees will be in the World Series. As difficult as the Guardians are as an opponent, the Yanks have proven to be just a shade better. Cleveland’s renowned bullpen, and Emmanuel Clase in particular, has faltered just enough to give New York the edge. New York’s bullpen has been a little bit better, despite Luke Weaver giving up a big home run in Game 3. Giancarlo Stanton has proven to be a playoff difference maker with his home runs in big spots. Gleyber Torres has left his regular season woes in the rearview mirror. There is a chance Carlos Rodon doesn’t pitch quite as well in Game 5 as he did in Game 1, potentially allowing the Guardians to extend the series. However, Gerrit Cole will certainly fare better than his Game 2 performance, launching his team into the World Series.

It won’t be easy for the Mets. Not only do they have to win consecutive road games to clinch, but they are playing against a club that has looked great while also displaying their own brand of resolve. The Dodgers were a game away from elimination in the previous round against a hot San Diego Padres team and won two straight to advance to this round. Although the Mets’ three losses look like lopsided scores, they really were in every game. A big problem has been their inability to score with runners on base. Nothing epitomizes that more than their bases loaded, no out situation in the sixth inning of Game 4. they failed to score a single run. Credit must be given to the Dodgers’ staff for working out of those jams. However, if you are a championship ballclub, your lineup needs to push runs across the plate. I really believe that the Mets hitters will turn those missed opportunities into runs. The question is, can the Met pitching keep the potent Dodgers’ lineup down just enough to get a lead to Edwin Diaz?

The Yankees will be playing at this time next week. The Mets, that is less certain. It is going to be a big hill to climb. Have faith, New York baseball fans. At this time next week, both of our teams will be preparing for Game 1 of the World Series.

New York Yankees: Ryan Needs to See the Mountaintop

For seven, long seasons Ryan has waited for a moment like this. It’s not the first American League Championship Series he will have seen his New York Yankees play. However, this ALCS represents the best chance the Yankees have had to reach the World Series since he became a fan. New York is the clear favorite this time around; however the Cleveland Guardians are not to be taken lightly. Jose Ramirez is one of the best players in baseball and their bullpen is better and deeper than it was when these teams met in the ALDS two seasons ago. Still, as I’ve told this to Ryan (and everyone else) since August: if not now, when?

It’s all set up for Aaron Boone and the Yankees to win the ALCS. Photo from Yanksgoyard

Ryan is excited but pessimistic. I can’t blame him. Year after year they (for the most part) make the playoffs and then inevitably lose (usually to the Astros). You can talk about Yankee tradition all you want, 27 World Series titles, countless icons of the game, 32 straight winning seasons, on and on and on. However, what does all that tradition mean to him? He hasn’t seen one of those titles. The best player of his generation, Aaron Judge, routinely underperforms at this time of year. The manager who got them the farthest out of any of these playoff runs, Joe Girardi, is no longer here. They haven’t made the World Series in 15 years, one year short of their longest stretch without playing for a championship. There is only so much, “hey this time it will be different” that I can tell him. This has to be the year the Yankees win the ALCS.

Carlos Rodon will be starting Game 1 of the series. Given how his start in the last round went, do you think Ryan (or any Yankee fan) is happy right now? The team is good enough to overcome any potential deficit against the Guardians. I am rooting as hard for the Yankees in this round as I have at any point in my life. After all, my eldest son deserves some good fortune with his baseball team.