00:00The Yankees are going to have to build some real momentum coming off that Game 3 win in this weekend's Subway Series
00:05with the All-Star break and the trade deadline both around the corner.
00:09So Ryan Garcia of Empire Sports Media is on to talk some Yankees baseball.
00:14Ryan, I need that same fire and energy you had in your tweets over this weekend.
00:20Thanks for hopping on with this, and let's get straight into this.
00:23Coming out of this Subway Series, on a scale of 1 to 10, what's both your and the fan base's confidence level in the Yankees after 90 games?
00:34I'll say it's dropped precipitously to like a 5.
00:37Like I was like at a 9 or a 10.
00:39Coming into June, the team was, I believe, like 7.5 games up in the division.
00:44They had everything firing on all cylinders, and since then, they've had multiple extended losing streaks.
00:50They've fallen out of first place.
00:52Clark Schmidt is out for the rest of the season, and Fernando Cruz will be out for an extended period of time.
00:58So things are not going well in Yankeeland, and this weekend was another example of the continued disaster for the Yankees over the last month or so.
01:05When things aren't going well in Yankeeland, there's a lot of finger-pointing that goes on
01:11because this is a finger-pointing type city here in New York City.
01:15So who should get the blame for the on-field product that we've seen over the last three and a half weeks or so?
01:21The duo of Boone and Cashman or the players?
01:25I think it's a fair share that goes around to everyone on Cashman, although we don't really know if ownership would have allowed him to pursue an infielder over the offseason.
01:34Not acquiring one has turned out to be a really bad move.
01:37For Aaron Boone, not putting Jazz Chisholm at second base is, in my opinion, a huge blunder.
01:42And in some games, you'll see Jason Dominguez or Ben Rice sitting against a right-handed pitcher.
01:47I think both those hitters need to be in in those matchups so you can have the best chance to win.
01:51And then for the players, I mean, they have to play well.
01:53Aaron Boone can't make his bullpen not blow games.
01:56Brian Cashman can't make his offense hit better with runners in scoring position.
01:59It's a fair share of everyone kind of plays a part in what's gone on over the last month.
02:04Well, I'm glad you mentioned Jazz Chisholm because we got video here of him kind of talking about his injured shoulder on his throwing arm.
02:12So check this out, and then I got to get your response.
02:15Are you more hitting or throwing?
02:17Throwing.
02:18Yeah.
02:19You attribute it to some of the throwing arms?
02:21No, I would never use anything as an excuse ever.
02:24So I would never say contribute to that.
02:26You know, yeah, my arm was sore, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't make a play.
02:30All right, you think Jazz is calling Boone out on this one?
02:34First, it was him saying, like, everyone knows I'm a second baseman, and now we've got this video.
02:40Is he calling out Aaron Boone?
02:42I don't think he's calling out Aaron Boone.
02:44I think he's just stating the obvious, which is that the New York Yankees are better with Jazz Chisholm at second base.
02:50I think it's really bad that they've continued to force him to play third base to accommodate for DJ LeMahieu,
02:56who may not be able to handle third base due to all the injuries.
02:59But at this point, if you're going to be slow, unable to play multiple positions and not really hit,
03:04I don't think you're the guy that should be starting every day.
03:07Jazz Chisholm has negative two fielding run value at third base.
03:10He has made multiple errors that have resulted in run scoring.
03:13But at second base, he has plus two fielding run value.
03:16Another note, Anthony Volpe's defense has regressed since Jazz Chisholm's move to third base.
03:21He went from plus five defensive run save when Jazz was at second to negative three defensive run save since Jazz has moved to third base.
03:27So the whole infield defense has been a disaster since they've made that one switch.
03:31All right, let's put Brian Cashman in the crosshairs on this one.
03:35With Jazz out of position, we all agree on that.
03:37And another starting pitcher going down, what's more important at the trade deadline, third baseman or another starter in the rotation?
03:44It's a tough question, but I'll say a starting pitcher just because what you can do is maybe the acquisition of Heimer Condelario allows you to play him at third and move Jazz back to second.
03:56Perhaps Oswald Peraza figures out something and can play at third base.
04:00With the rotation, though, you are in a really tough spot because losing Clark Schmidt, who was your third best pitcher, it's not like you have someone who's going to step up and provide that kind of value.
04:10I believe Cam Schlittler can be really good for the Yankees, but a rookie being asked to fill in as a middle of the rotation starter is a huge ask.
04:18You are getting Luis Heal back, but I think you want to reinforce that pitching staff and reinforce both the rotation and bullpen.
04:25All right, real quick, let's end this one on a positive note.
04:28Let's all woosaw here because they did actually win on Sunday and snap that losing streak.
04:34Aaron Judge, 33 homers in 90 games.
04:37He hit 31 through his first 90 games when he broke the AL home run record back in 2022.
04:43Does he break his own record this year?
04:46I'm going to go on a limb and say, yes, he does.
04:48It's been humid in New York.
04:50It's been hot in New York.
04:51I think he's going to start seeing the ball fly even more.
04:53And I'll also say this, Brandon, the AL MVP race is over.
04:58O-V-E-R.
05:00This is the best player in the American League by a country mile.
05:02I think he's going to hit 64 home runs this year.
05:05I think he's going to finish with 64, win that third AL MVP.
05:08And if the Yankees get to the postseason, I think this is the year.
05:11This might be the year where Aaron Judge has that big playoff run.
05:14And we start talking about him as putting this team over the top in the biggest games in October.
05:19All right, let's just hope he makes it to the playoffs and not get hit by any more baseballs by his own teammates.
05:25Friendly fire.
05:26A little friendly fire action going on there.
05:28Hey, Ryan, thanks for hopping on with us, man.
Be the first to comment