Gerrit Cole is a Yankee…
By: Scott Fiedler
Tags: Sports, Yankees, Baseball, MLB, New York Yankees

Photo Credit: AP

Another dominant start by Caden Cole’s dad…

I know, the title of this post is probably one of the most over-used phrases on Social Media, but what a difference an ace makes! As if we do not say it enough, thank you, Hal Steinbrenner, for your gracious gift of $324 million to Baseball’s best pitcher.

In a showdown with the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, Shane Bieber, Cole emerged victorious with yesterday’s one-run win as the Yankees took down the Cleveland ‘soon to be formerly named’ Indians, 2–1. Regardless of whether he wins or loses, or if he gives up a homer, I know I have so much more confidence when Cole is on the mound. Coupled with the brilliant contributions provided by the Yankees bullpen this season, it is a winning combination.

Cole recorded eleven strikeouts to raise his season total to fifty in five games. Jacob deGrom has as many in only four games, but regardless, you know Cole will reach his usual 300 by season’s end so long as good health remains his friend. I think this is the most I have joined a Yankees starting pitcher since the prime (early Yankee career) of CC Sabathia. I remember the fun and excitement of the summer of ’78 with the brilliant pitching performance of Ron Guidry. Cole brings the same excitement I felt as a kid.

Thanks to Cole, the Yankees have their first three-game winning streak of the young season following the sluggish start. A record of 9–11 feels much better than 6–11. One day at a time, one win at a time. Borrowing former Yankee Mariano Duncan’s famous words, “we play today, we win today”. Breaking the weekend only one game below .500 would be a great way to start the new week. Despite the slow start, the Yankees are only three games behind the current AL leaders, the Boston Red Sox. Nobody expects Boston to be there at the end except for maybe the RSN. It’s a matter of when, not if, the Yankees will catch and pass the Red Sox. The Tampa Bay Rays, the more formidable competitor, sit a game and a half above the Yankees entering play today. The up-and-coming Toronto Blue Jays are currently tied with the Yankees for third place. If the Yankees can be in first place by Memorial Day Weekend, with Luis Severino looming on the horizon, life will truly be good.

I saw the tweet by Erik Kratz yesterday morning and of course Michael Kay mentioned it during the TV broadcast of yesterday’s game, but it is worth revisiting. Kratz tweeted: “Are the Yankees too professional? Maybe Rougned Odor gives them the swag they need outwardly. He brings a dynamic that, combined with the other talent already on the roster, could make them lethal, even if statistically he doesn’t play well.”

Photo Credit: AP

There were many Odor haters when the Yankees made the recent trade. I did not really understand the trade either for no other reason than Odor simply has not been a good player for a few years now despite his young age. Yet, I did not rip the Yankees for the move. I see the financial aspect with the Texas Rangers paying Odor’s big contract, but I knew the Yankees must have seen something in him they thought could be corrected. Look, I am not expecting him to become a superstar in Pinstripes. He will not even be a starter when Luke Voit returns to push DJ LeMahieu back to second base. But his competitive spirit is refreshing, and it is helping drive others to better performance which is a single characteristic that carries value. Imagine his energy matched with Voit’s when the Yankees first baseman is back on the field. I like the swagger. The Tampa Bay Rays have shown they are not intimidated by the Yankees. I would love to see the changing of the tide. Put some fear in the hearts of the Rays.

While the jury is still out on Odor, it is important to remember Cashman’s moves sometimes need time to marinate. Odor, although he may not be a great hitter, is seemingly coming up with the big hits at the right time. His home run yesterday, the margin of victory, showed there is life in the bat. Given how much Daniel Burch of The Greedy Pinstripes loves bat flips, no doubt he is enjoying it when Odor goes yard.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/BatFlipBrotherhood

I suppose there is some irony that the two home runs in Saturday’s game were provided by two players despised by Yankees Twitter, Odor and Aaron Hicks. Gerrit Cole called Odor “the cherry on top” so you know the Yankee players value these guys, even if Twitter does not.

I am a little sad Corey Kluber will not face his former team this series. For as much as Kluber haunted us an Indian, it would have been nice to exact some revenge.

I could not care less about the New York Mets, but I have to say I am sorry to see the continued struggles of former Yankees’ reliever Dellin Betances. The former strikeout artist has been dealing with right shoulder impingement this season, and this past week the Mets moved Betances to the 60-day injured list. This means Betances will not be available until sometime in June. Now into his second season with the Mets, Betances has only been able to pitch 12 2/3 innings in regular season games for New York’s second-best MLB team. He deserves better. Not sure if we will ever see vintage Betances again, but he will most likely need to leave New York City to make it happen, especially if the latest injury keeps him out longer than currently expected or if he runs into further injuries in the months ahead.

Speaking of former Yankees, farewell to Neil Walker who announced his retirement this past week. Walker is a good guy, and I enjoyed his time with the Yankees even if his performance was forgettable. He was not the player he had been earlier in his career (obviously), but he was a team guy. Like Jay Bruce, I had hoped for much more, but it was quite simply not meant to be. Walker’s career effectively ended when the Philadelphia Phillies released him last September after playing just 18 games during the 2020 season. Father Time nails everybody, except for maybe Tom Brady. Walker’s playing card was revoked at age 35. Time for him to launch his second act for life after MLB. Hopefully, it will prove to be rewarding and successful for Neil and his family.

Photo Credit: Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports

I saw the Yankees were in attendance, among many other teams, for a showcase last week featuring free agent right-hander Anibal Sanchez. It is hard for me to get enthused about the 37-year-old. I probably prefer to see Deivi Garcia achieve Bronx success over bringing in aging journeyman arms. I am trying to keep expectations low, but I am excited about the return of Luis Severino later this summer even if the initial return from Tommy John surgery is generally met with choppy waters. And no, J.A. Happ’s flirtation with a no-hitter last week did not make me wish he were still around.

When the Yankees broke out of the gate, falling on their ass, to start the season, the calls for the removal of Aaron Boone started to get louder. I even saw one article yesterday that suggested the Yankees should turn to former manager Buck Showalter. Sorry, as much as I like Buck and having him back in the family at the YES Network, I am not pining for his return to the field. I like Aaron Boone and I continue to support his leadership. Even growing up during the George Steinbrenner era, I am not a fan of in-season firings, even as an attempt to spark a team. Boone deserves a chance to see this season through conclusion. If he falls short, re-evaluate in the off-season. I do not see any available managerial candidates as difference-makers over Boone. Now that the Yankees are starting to play better, the calls for Boone’s head will hopefully subside. It is funny how people love to go after Boone when it is Brian Cashman who dealt the playing cards. Ultimately, I feel Cashman should be held to a higher standard for accountability. He has had a long tenure with the Yankees, but the team has not won since 2009 as all of us know too painfully well. An off-season change with the general manager’s seat might be more powerful than ending Boone’s time in Pinstripes. But now is not the time for either. There will be plenty of time to reevaluate at season’s end. For now, the focus should be on bringing a championship back to the Bronx.

First place by Memorial Day Weekend. Onward and upward, let’s win today.

As always, Go Yankees!