Aaron Judge spoke with MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch and other reporters about what the Yankees should do differently in 2024, including “some bigger picture ideas and philosophies that I think maybe need to change.” The communication of analytical information seems to be one of Judge’s sticking points, since the slugger has no issue with the use of analytics themselves. “The Yankees are top-notch in the numbers we get. I think we’re the best in the game at that,” Judge said. “I think it’s about funneling those down to the players in the right format….I think it’s just looking at the right numbers. I think maybe we might be looking at the wrong ones. We need to value some other ones that people might see as having no value.”
The reigning AL MVP also put some pressure on the clubhouse, saying “I think a level of urgency and an understanding [is needed that] just because you get to the big leagues and you get to New York, you’ve still got to improve. You’ve still got to make adjustments.” Judge gave a full endorsement of Aaron Boone as the club’s manager, though as Hoch put it, “Judge was less effusive” in speaking about GM Brian Cashman in comparison to his praise of Boone.
More from the AL East…
- Jose Siri and Luke Raley are expected to participate in a live batting practice on Monday, Rays manager Kevin Cash told reporters (including Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times). Siri hasn’t played since September 11 after his right hand was fractured by a pitch, and Raley has been on the 10-day injured list since September 21 due to a cervical strain suffered a few days prior. Tomorrow’s BP session should indicate whether or not either player might factor into the Rays’ roster for their Wild Card Series matchup with Texas. If neither can play, Topkin speculates that the Rays might add both of Junior Caminero and Osleivis Basabe, and possibly Francisco Mejia as a third catcher.
- Red Sox manager Alex Cora indicated two weeks ago that he didn’t have interest in moving into the front office, possibly as the team’s new head of baseball operations. Cora reiterated this stance more directly today with reporters (including WEEI’s Rob Bradford), and said “I was very honest with the front office…and said, I’m not ready to do that. I’m not ready. If I felt that I think I can do that job I would probably tell them hey, I would like to be part of the process — or not the process of but one of the candidates. But I’m not ready for that.” However, Cora did say that he’ll have some level of influence in the eventual decision to find Chaim Bloom’s replacement.
Fire Cashman hire Bloom.
As a Red Sox fan, I hope that happens.
You’d be sorry you said that.
Pass on Bloom.
Free Aaron Judge. His best years are being wasted. He deserves better.
Looks like Judge is getting traded. My guess would be Royals or Pirates.
Geneyus analysis write hear
I’m waiting to hear why you think Bloom would be a better GM.
Because he did a great job. Ownership meddled way too much. He didn’t spend big and got some good prospects. Bloom was thinking more about the future than the now by conserving the payroll and not making big trades.
Buzz – I know you’re just being facetious and I appreciate the humor, but if Bloom does go to the Yankees and is given another 4-5 year period of carte blanche under the guise of making longterm improvements I would wholly endorse it.
Nippon Ham Fighters
Judge is captain, if anyone is going to speak out, it ought to be him. Cashman’s batting average was poor this year, with lots of empty at bats and few, if any, extra base hits.
Cora can head the Office of Cheating.
Unpaid indeed. Tired take Adolph
When he’s ready, then.
unpaid – Am I the only one with a sick feeling in his stomach after hearing the Sox were considering Cora to replace Blpom, and it was Cora himself who said he’s not qualified.
That’s like Marisa Tomei telling me “FPG, you are perfect for me, I want you” and me responding “No, I’m not worthy to be with you”..
It’s beginning to feel like Cora will be in a position of authority with the Red Sox for as long as John Henry owns the team. Not a good feeling on an already crappy day.
Fever, it’s worse than that.
Why, just WHY would Cora be in a position to influence who the PBO should be? He’s an under-qualified manager who has time and again proven he stinks at the job.
I’m starting to worry that the 2018 thing had more to the story than was released in the comissioner’s report, and, that Cora has some explosive info he’s using to blackmail ownership to where he’s getting outsized influence or he ‘will go public with xyz and damage the brand while guaranteeing mlb sanctions.’
He seems like the type would would actually do such a thing.
GASox – I totally agree, Cora is a snake and there’s no justification for the power he seems to have.
Did you read Cohen’s statement? At least HE gets it.
“When you bring in a president of baseball ops, they’re entitled to bring in their own people….It became clear [Stearns] wanted to go in a different direction. That was his right, and I gave him that right,”
Fever – yep, I did see that, and, agree such should always be the case. I think in the bloom thread I mentioned no coach should be safe based on the new PBO’s plans.
This begs the question – DOES Cora actually have all this influence he keeps claiming to have, OR, is it mostly bluster and Henry/et al still have so little interest in the Sox other than as a FSG piggy bank that they aren’t paying that much attention?
Seems Cora was dirty enough to plan how to steal a World Series. That’s his moral baseline. He got caught and should have been banned for life
LMAO when Cora announced the starting pitcher for next seasons opening game. CORA seems to be whistling by the graveyard
After naming THIS year’s starter as kluber, who was freshly joining the team, not a spectacular spring, and plenty of returning arms to be had, he really couldn’t do worse, although, ‘naming’ a guy who may not even be healthy, OR even with the team depending what a new PBO does, is close.
“Cora did say that he’ll have some level of influence in the eventual decision to find Chaim Bloom’s replacement.”
This is nuts! That gives Cora more power than the new POBO.
suit – The more I think about it, I’m okay with Cora having SOME input because it’s important for the POBO and manager to be on the same page. We know Bloom and Cora butted heads since at least last year when all the reports started surfacing. Personally I think Cora used Bloom as an excuse for the past two dismal years, even though Cora most definitely should share the blame.
Is Judge saying he has no brains for numbers?
Judge should of gone and had surgery on his toe so he’s 100% next March.
He isnt having surgery at all.
Judge’s toe is completely healed, so need for surgery.
aragon – Judge happens to be 100% correct. The more data is available, the easier it is to misuse numbers.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he wants to bat 3rd because he knows the additional RBI opportunities would more than offset the small number of PA’s he’d lose.
I think he may have been inferring to a less TTO lineup approach when he referenced Anthony Volpe not happy about hitting .200. Obv. Judge himself shouldn’t change a thing. We’ll see if Sean Casey changes that if he chooses to return.
Nice to see someone on the Yankees who understands that analytics isn’t about having all the numbers but about knowing what to do with them, understanding the context that makes some numbers predictive and others coincidental and most of all doing the smart thing every time. Analytics was a thing when OPS was cutting edge. More info is great but more info that fails to generate consistently prescient actions AND (as in both) results is a waste of money that completely undermines your entire organization.
Well, most of all is probably to check your work by comparing results with predictions and firing the people that do things like recommending or agreeing to the Donaldson deal.
Well, what if the analytics folks were the ones who were in on the recommendation on the Donaldson/IKF, Rodon (successful when pitching in a pitching friendly ball park like in SF and not in the Bronx), Stanton, Volpe changing from a “hit to all fields” to trying a lift the ball power stroke resulting in a .220 average, etc…..need I go on…..the analytics folks seemingly have way to much sway over decisions that outweighs what you obviously see with your eyes…..Dr Bill James may have made Moneyball a hit, but doesn’t do much for a club that hasn’t seen a pennant in 14 + years and counting…….let me ask you this one last thing…..how engrained in analytics do you think the Astors, or Ranger are….how about Atlanta……they may use them, but the players play and that’s what makes it all go and fit…..
OPS was never cutting edge. It’s not useful for baseball decisions. It’s a cute stat for fans that’s better than BA in comparing players. But if you’re trying to actually manage a baseball team, there’s no earthly reason why you should just add OBP to SA, especially without a scaling factor. You might as well add RBIs and doubles.
Cora will have some influence in finding Bloomers’ replacement? Holy Spit. I can only guess where this will go. Probably Kike Hernandez, Sr.
Cashman still living off the work done before him by the Yanks front office that lead to the titles between 1996-2000. Yankees should have more. It’s long overdue to replace him.
I’m fine with it. Cora belongs where he is- as a manager. We just need a better built team.
Yup Cora is consistent at finishing in the cellar for years in a row.
He has to go. Who could be worse?
They finished in the cellar in 2021? And Cora managed the team in 2020?
I don’t think Bloom gave Cora the right resources.
I will say, Cora has made some really stupid decisions. Gutsy decisions. But those gutsy moves helped us win in 2018 and almost in 21. He has a good feel for the game. Sometimes too much but he knows how to win.
Cora does not make them, but he can break them. Lucky recipient in 2018.
Hire Theo as Prez of Baseball Ops, make Cashman report to Theo
Not a bad idea….he was a successful executive bringing championships to 2 franchises that were in dire need…….time for a change……Hal needs a good baseball man in-between he and Cashman….somebody he can use as counsel when Cashman suggest something…….
As a Yankees fan who threw in the towel very early this past season, I am relieved the season is over and I am choosing to take Hal’s comments to heart- that they’re going to have some basically emotion-free brutally honest assessments and make the necessary changes.
Now, apparently, Cashman and Boone will be back. And apparently the players and the ownership feel like Boone is not the problem and Boone did what he could with the roster he was given.
So if that’s true, it’s Cashman’s fault for the players he went after.
Trading for a clearly washed up Donaldson and trading for a ‘the highest upside possible’ IKF did not work out.
Signing the ‘contract year excellent/non-contract year mediocre to terrible’ Rodon has thus far been as much of a disaster as possible, as was trading for Frankie Montas, who might as well have never played for the Yankees.
Montas will be gone- watch him bounce back wherever he lands- and Rodon is a sunk cost you can only hope bounces back now that the pressure of that first year is off, but he has a bad back and is only getting older…. oof.
Supposedly they’re gonna go all in on this Japanese pitcher Yamamoto and give the guy like $30M AAV over 6+ years to be the next Tanaka= I liked Tanaka. He was solid. He wasn’t really worth his contract, but he was a very solid no. 3 starter and spot no. 2 starter. If this guy is at least as reliable as Tanaka or slightly better, it’ll be a fine investment- it’ll be an overpay but it won’t be wasteful spending.
Volpe is probably going to improve. He’s so young and green, he has to, right? Tex is probably done and we might as well eat the $17M we owe him next year plus that $6M buyout…. that’ll be rough. Oh well, he got a $40M lottery jackpot to retire with. Who can we pick up to replace him?
DJ LeMahieu is a shadow of his peak self but still of some value, but is also only getting older…
I worry 2024 will be a slightly improved version of 2023, wherein we aren’t a disaster but we aren’t good enough. Ugh. It’s gonna be a rough and expensive couple of years…
Don’t disagree with your analysis but would offer some context;
Cashman has a habit of getting the bad end of deals when making trades….and the IKF/Donaldson, and Montas trades are good examples……When Cash decided that Volpe or Peraza weren’t ready to bring up, and the new season of free agent SS’s was going to make him get a stopgap SS…he called Minny about IKF….he got used by being forced to take a bad contract in Donaldson who clearly was on the bad side of his career and had already worn out him welcome there……same happened with Cash and his pal Billy Beane…..Billy has hoodwinked Cash twice in recent memory….this time on Montas, hiding an injured pitcher in a trade who admitted he was still hurt when traded……bad business….period.
As far as Rodon, he fell into the typical Cashman trap of a player have a great walk year season….but the kicker here was that Rodon was putting up those kind of numbers in a fly ball friendly ball park in SF…..which is ranked 27th for keeping fly balls in the park….as compared to Yankees stadium which generally for pull hitters, either right or left, being very unfriendly…….exactly who in the right minds would think a fly ball, basically 2 pitch pitcher whose fastball velocity doesn’t top 94 can survive in the Bronx given these parameters…….apparently Cash did…..
As far as Volpe, somebody needs to grow a pair and tell this kid, who was advertised to be a hit to all fields offensive player who also used his speed on the bases, he needs to level out that all or nothing swing, and put the ball in play and use that speed to make the defense make plays on him…..hitting 20 HR’s doesn’t impress anyone when you K 150 times as a 7 or 8 hitter…….
Hopefully, 2024 will see the Yankees stay away from walk year wonders, promote from within, and employ an aggressive on base style of offense, while still trying to move some of the contracts like DJ, Rizzo and Stanton….remember everyone can be traded….you just need to be a bit imaginative with how you do it……worst case, you let them play out and hope for the best…….
Cora passed up his trip to the White House claiming the President didn’t send enough relief to Puerto Rico . President did send considerable aid, that was stolen by the Puerto Rico government.
I also distinctly remember when Cora was exposed for cheating his statement to the media and the fans was all about being a proud Puerto Rican and didn’t actually take any accountability and he basically hid behind his Puerto Rican pride, which was neither here nor there.
A Judge: “You sir, have been caught breaking a law/rule and need to face consequences.”
Defendant: “I am a proud person of a particular heritage and my heritage is a source of pride for me.”
I forget exactly how Cora phrased it, but if I was Puero Rican I would have told him he was despicable for referencing or associating his situation with their people.
Cora should be fired period…. not assisting the front office/executives in hiring the President of Baseball Operations. Not that Bloom didn’t deserve to see the door hit his butt on the way out, but I am convinced that Cora sabotaged and back stabbed Bloom many times. This organization from the top down is a freaking mess.
Bloom is gone. If you axed Cora and his cronies, because, anyone handpicked by Cora is likely either under qualified, under handed, or both, then much of the rest would begin to sort itself out
Boone should be fired. I’ve seen hundreds of Yankees games in the past three years and witnessed some of the worst line-ups and bullpen usage ever displayed. The talent of the players often masked how poor his decisions were, but they were exposed in a down season. There is plenty of blame to go around and some bad luck as well. The Yankees still had a “winning” season with Judge and Rizzo missing a significant amount of games and a pitching rotation that was patched together. That said in Boone’s defense, the Yankees should use this season as a crisis/opportunity to move on from Boone. I would suggest bringing Don Mattingly home, He should not be on Toronto’s bench.
So refreshing reading a chat where Sox and Yanks talking about their off season already. Go Rays! I kid, honestly. As an outsider, I can’t stand Boone. I don’t know too much about Cashman but that “Mike” Stanton contract will NEVER live up to his production. Rodon is a$$ too. Lots of payroll tied up. Glad yall ditched Donaldson tho. Need more OF help and SP. Yall both will be back. AL East is a nightmare. When all 5 of us ate getting after it, it’s better for baseball!
Red sox are *probably* a division contender again in 2025 at the soonest, and ideally a WC contender in 2024.
Bloom left the mlb roster too much of a mess to sort out in a single offseason for a brand new PBO and GM. Tons of DHs, shortage of quality defenders, and pitching staff is a mess.
GASox – I say this every offseason, it’s impossible to predict. Every year there will be pleasant surprises, as Duran and Winck were this year. And every year there will be big disappointments, as Houck and Whitlock were this year.
Which Casas will we get, the healthy one or the one with bursitis?
Which Sale will we get, the one that started this season or the one that ended this season?
Which Bello will we get, the May-June-August one or the April-July-September one?
Cora is trying to pretend to be proactive and throw his weight around by saying he will have the players practice their fielding and baserunning on the main field in Ft Myers instead of the practice fields. That will help the outfielders in fielding, but how would it help with everything else?
The Red Sox had the 2nd most errors in MLB!!!
Cora also said he plans to keep his coaches, although there will be meetings on the subject this week. There is no way I want Febles or Bush back.
Maybe the Sox and Yankees need the same solution… get rid of both managers GMs, POBOs, and OWNERS!!!.
Bring in new people so we can get back to the old school, Greatest Rivalry EVER!!!
Hal Steinbrenner is the next PT Barnum! Anyone and I mean anyone who believes Hal’s promise to “DEEP Dive” are the second coming of Suckers! Until he fires Cashman and Boone nothing is going to change except ticket prices going up!
That’s true everywhere.
Boston put out a poor quality product this year, finished last in the division, has no succession plan in place except to make an even more convoluted decision making structure be elevating O’Halloran, and yet, team honcho Kennedy announced a ticket hike has been put in place