Gerrit Cole-Austin Wells pairing off to ‘seamless’ Yankees start
TAMPA — Gerrit Cole took his first live batting practice of spring training Wednesday, carrying his new backstop. Austin Wells caught the current AL Cy Young Award winner on 36 pitches after practicing together for the first time during a bullpen session earlier this week. Cole said, “It was fun.” “Nothing happened.” Gerrit Cole pitches […]
Now’s the time to invest in Anthony Volpe’s Yankees stock
TAMPA — What if I had told you this time last year that Anthony Volpe, fresh off a brief pit stop in Triple-A, would win a spring training battle with Oswaldo Peraza for the shortstop position? Who is the third rookie shortstop in history to hit at least 20 home runs and steal 20 bases, […]
Yankees’ Tommy Kahnle has one problem with MLB’s 2024 uniforms
TAMPA — Tommy Kahnle is known for wearing tight baseball pants, but MLB’s new uniforms may be too tight for his liking. The new uniforms are still designed by Nike, but are now manufactured by Fanatics instead of Majestic, and they surprised the entire camp in the early stages of spring training. Kahnley said he […]
Nestor Cortes strikes out Yankees’ Juan Soto three times
TAMPA — Nestor Cortez got the lineup Monday night to play against during Tuesday afternoon’s live batting practice, but immediately faced a difficult task. The left-handed pitcher has gotten some hints about what opposing pitchers are feeling this season when facing a Yankees lineup that features back-to-back hitters Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. Cortez also […]
Yankees’ Giancarlo Stanton hits a laser during spring practice
Notable items during the Yankees’ spring training practice Tuesday in Tampa: still have it Newcomer Giancarlo Stanton still has some strength left in him. The slimmed-down DH has become a Statcast favorite year after year for his high exit velocity, hitting a rocket into the right-center field wall in live batting practice with right-hander Dennis […]
Aaron Judge’s Yankees greatness will be defined by titles, not stats
TAMPA — Aaron Boone said how grateful he is to have a retired celebrity coach in Yankees camp. Part of it has to do with his DNA. Boone is the grandson, son and brother of major leaguers, and enjoying and respecting the lore of the game is in his blood. Part of that is because […]
Aaron Judge teases Yankees adding another player: ‘You never know’
TAMPA — Aaron Judge said he was happy with the Yankees’ offseason additions after a season that “embarrassed” many players. However, the captain wasn’t ready to close the door on other possible moves just yet. With a number of free agents still on the market, including top pitchers Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery, Judge was […]
Yankees can’t be taken seriously as World Series contenders
Manager Aaron Boone has impressed this spring, saying the Yankees are “fully committed” to becoming champions again. It also made for a great back page (thank you, New York Post sports desk!). But really, it’s just some witty phrasing, nice words, and some tough talk on Boone’s part at this point. If the organization is […]
Marcus Stroman gushes about playing for Yankees: ‘Pinnacle’
TAMPA — The real deal is still nearly six weeks away, but Marcus Stroman got his first taste Monday. The Yankees’ new right-hander pitched three innings at Steinbrenner Field in uniform, accumulating practice in preparation for the regular season. “It’s exciting to put on the pinstripes and feel it,” Stroman said. “It’s really nice to […]
Giancarlo Stanton was once Juan Soto — now at a Yankees crossroads
TAMPA — I’m old enough to remember when Giancarlo Stanton was Juan Soto. When he was imported to the Yankees in an offseason trade and teamed with Aaron Judge to outmaneuver opposing pitchers. Stanton was on his way to winning National League MVP honors and hitting 59 home runs. A return package to the Marlins […]