It’s way too early to decipher if Jorge Vazquez is a serious candidate to make the Yankees opening day roster, but his quick start (3 for 3, 2 homers) certainly shouldn’t hurt. The 25th man will come from one of Justin Maxwell, Greg Golson, Eric Chavez, and Vazquez. I think Chavez/Vazquez has the advantage because [...]

What had been an obvious conclusion in the dispersal of Carlos Beltran and Angel Pagan to the outfield came to pass Monday, when the Mets announced that Pagan would be the center fielder, and Beltran moving to right field. The reason that needed to be the choice is simple: Pagan is the better fielder at [...]

Last night, Fran Healy of the MSG network joined me on the show to discuss the four part series “Summer of 86″ that will air March 1st to the 4th on MSG. We talked about Fran’s memory of that ’86 season, the players that made it happen, and of course the skipper Davey Johnson. During [...]

There were reports this weekend of much weaker than expected Mets season ticket sales. I don’t think that should be a surprise after how last season ended, the lack of a big free agent catch, and the negativity surrounding the Madoff scandal. However, winning will change things very quickly. Remember, before Mike Piazza‘s arrival in [...]

I reached out to a scout that I know yesterday who came away with some interesting observations after the Yankees win over the Phillies in Clearwater. First, he couldn’t say enough about the performance of Dellin Betances. When I asked him about the Killer B’s as trade bait he felt Banuelos would be the most [...]

Game 7 TV has some rare footage of the late Duke Snider who passed away earlier today. This was during Don Larsen’s perfect game in the 1956 World Series.

We finally have some spring baseball games to talk about. I will kick off the show talking about the Yankees. Joining me will be Steve S of the Yankee Analysts as we discuss Dellin Betances electric outing, the Francisco Liriano rumors, Joba Chamberlain‘s impressive outing, and some early questions surrounding the team. In Port St. [...]

The Yankees “Killer B’s” will be the talk this season as Dellin Betances, Manny Banuelos, and Andrew Brackman make their way through the upper levels of the system. The fact that many believe the Yankees are an arm short will put these kids front and center in a possible trade for Francisco Liriano, Chris Carpenter, [...]

They always say you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Although Oliver Perez and Luis Castillo have been with the Mets a combined eight years, a new general manager and field manager gave them one last opportunity for a first impression. Although I figured both to be dumped before the end [...]

Interesting column by Ian O’ Connor at ESPN New York: “[George] Steinbrenner had been whispering in Jim’s ear that he needed to get involved with the players and coaches if he wanted to be a great owner,” Checketts said. “So Jim sat there and started lecturing Jeff on how the brawl of ’97 and the [...]

Chris Young will take the mound for the Mets today against Atlanta at Disney. Much has been made about Young’s college thesis on Jackie Robinson, but the 6’10” righty’s basketball ties could make him the best center in New York. Despite the acquisition of Carmelo Anthony, the first two games of the Melo/Amar’e era produced [...]

On Friday, Joe Benigno interviewed Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated on WFAN. During the segment, Verducci opined the Yankees currently do not have enough starting pitching, and they should try to acquire a left handed starter. He points out the heavy lefty hitters on the Red Sox (Gonzalez, Crawford, Ortiz) as the main reason to [...]

Josh Thole was given some hefty praise this week by his manager, and even more importantly, by R.A. Dickey. Terry Collins talked about how Thole has improved defensively since the start of last season. What impressed me the most is how Dickey said “he loved throwing to him.” Ultimately the most important individuals to sell [...]

Since the news the Wilpon’s were looking to add a “strategic partner” came out last month I have maintained a “wait and see” attitude when it comes to the future of the Mets ownership. Although it’s clear the demands by trustee Irving Picard are ominous, I have never believed the Wilpon’s will lose majority ownership [...]

The Yankees run of excellence is going on its fifteenth year. So much has happened since then it feels like that first championship in 1996 happened in colonial times. For all the pomp and circumstance of the 1998 125 win team, the 2000 Subway Series, and the designer teams of the turn of the century, [...]