Juan Soto Powering Yankees to Best Start in 21 Years

 Juan Soto hasn't just be a difference for the Yankees thus far in 2024. He IS the difference.

It might only be four games in a 162-game season, but Soto has made a monumental difference in how the Yankees approach games now. He has added a fire in the middle of the order that wasn't there in recent seasons, and his clutch hitting ... my word! The clutch hitting, and clutch defense! What can one say? 

Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo. 

 Soto's a special player. He's going to command a HUGE contract come next off-season, one that will probably rival Shohei Ohtani. If the Yankees are smart, at some point they find a way to lock this guy up. 

Soto once again came up huge for the Bronx Bombers, slashing a RBI single in the top of the ninth inning to chase home what would turn into the game winning run. 

He finished the afternoon going 3-of-5 with the RBI, and is batting an astounding .529 right out of the game. Even Oswaldo Cabrera, who has been sizzling to start the campaign credited Soto with turning his game around.  

If you are keeping score, Soto has a homer, four RBI and three walks in this series. He also had the game deciding assist on a put out at home plate on Thursday afternoon.

 

“That's the kind of start I wanted,” Soto said Sunday. “I grinded really hard this off-season and in spring training to be successful in the beginning of the season.”

Dude is balling right now. 

 And thanks to this offense right now, it has masked the concerns the Yankees should have with their rotation after rough outings for Nestor Cortes and Clark Schmidt, and a very short stay for Carlos Rodon. 

The feelings are all good right now. Let's see if the Yanks can keep it going as they head to Arizona on Monday. 

 

Mets' Ramirez Suspended for Rhys Hoskins Controversy

The season is only two days old and the New York Mets find themselves in the thick of some controversy. 

Reliever Yoan Ramirez has been suspended three games by Major League Baseball for throwing a pitch over the head of Brewers infielder Rhys Hoskins in Saturday's 7-6 loss to Milwaukee. Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza was also suspended one game, which he served on Sunday.

The incident occurred in the seventh inning when Ramirez who released the pitch that sailed over Hoskins head. 

The dugouts cleared for the second straight day, but no punches were thrown. 

Ron Darling on SNY made it a point -- and a good one -- when he said that if the Mets wanted to send a message about Hoskins hard slid into Jeff McNeil on Friday it was two hours too late! 

Hoskins went on to pulverize the Mets on Saturday, including crushing a two-run homer in the Brewers victory. The Mets had their shot to plunk Hoskins and blew it. 

The ignominious moment was part in parcel of what has been a horrible start to the season for the Mets. Not only are they 0-2 going into Sunday, but they have looked listless at the plate at times -- at least until Bret Baty's three-run jack in the eighth inning on Saturday. And, the Mets starting pitching has been horrific. 

But hey at least the Mets have dancers on top of the dugouts now. 

Jets and Eagles complete Blockbuster, Hasson Reddick Heads to New York

The New York Jets have the pass rusher they have been looking for. 

Gang Green completed a stunning trade with the Philadelphia Eagles that sends one of the games elite pass rushers, Hasson Reddick to New York in exchange for a conditional 2026 third round pick. 

Reddick is entering the final year of his contract, and was reportedly seeking a trade and was unhappy with his contract in Philadelphia. He is only 29-years old, still in the prime of his career. The Jets will pay Reddick $14.5 million to play for them this year.

If you listen to Jets beat writer Connor Hughes, Reddick wants a long term deal in the $30 million annually range. It remains to be seen if the Jets go all in on a long term deal with Reddick, but one thing is certain, the Jets got themselves a top flight talent to replace Bryce Huff who, ironically, left the Jets for the Eagles. 

Reddick has recorded double digit sack seasons in each of the last four seasons, including a career high 16 sacks in 2022. The Jets have not had that kind of production off the edge in a long time, even with Huff recording 10.5 sacks last season. 

It's an interesting swap. The Jets get instant production, -- at least they hope -- from a player still in the prime of his career, while the Eagles are betting on the younger Huff to round into the kind of player Reddick has been in the past four seasons. 

If Reddick is the standout performer for the Jets that he was in Philly, it's a huge win for the Jets and worth the third round pick. If not, well, chances are Joe Douglas won't have to worry about that draft pick in two years.

Mets Offense Flatlines in Opener vs. Brewers

 If the New York Mets were hoping to change the narrative in 2024, Opening Day just wasn't the showcase. The Mets were held to one hit for the first time ever on Opening Day as the Milwaukee Brewers came away with a 3-1 win to start the season.

The only hit the Mets got on Friday came from a solo shot by Starling Marte, who got just enough of a Willy Peralta fastball to send it over the left field fence.

It was a great moment for Marte, who had to battle through injuries for most of the 2023 season. When healthy, Marte is a sparkplug for the Mets offense.

Willy Peralta vs. Jose Quintana

After serving up the homer to Marte, Peralta dominated the Mets. He held New York to just one hit over six innings while fanning eight batters. Peralta has owned the Mets in his career, and Friday was no different.

As for his opponent, New York Mets starter Jose Quintana, he struggled with his control. Quintana walked two, gave up four hits and two runs and took the lose. He tossed 85 pitches in 4.2 innings of work. With no ace on this Mets team, the Mets need Quintana to pitch as close to lights out as possible.

Rhys Hoskins Slide:

What's a Mets game without a little bit of controversy? Former Philadelphia Phillies star Rhys Hoskins, now a member of the Brew Crew slid hard into second base, with his spikes up into the shin of Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil. The Mets did not like as both benches cleared. No real punches were thrown, but there was plenty of jawing.

"We didn't like it, but it was legal," Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza said. "It was a late slide."

The New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers continue their series on Saturday and Sunday, with both games starting at 1:40 p.m.

Juan Soto Saves Yankees in Opener

 Juan Soto has only been in pinstripes for one regular season game, but, already he is winning over New York Yankees fans everywhere after he flashed his glove in right field at the most opportune time in the Yanks 5-4 win over the Houston Astros on Opening Day.

With the New York Yankees leading 5-4 in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Astros tried to rally late and steal it from the Yankees. With Maurcio Dubon and Yordan Alvarez on base, Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker laced a single to right-center. With Dubon racing around third toward home, Juan Soto came up with a laser to home plate that took out Dubon to preserve the lead.

After Alex Bregman grounded out to end it, Soto pumped his fist into the air in celebration, yelling "Let's Go" as he joined fellow outfielders Alex Verdugo and Aaron Judge for a high five.

Talk about an impact player.

At the plate, Soto finished 1-for-3 with a RBI and two walks.

Game Recap:

The Yankees fell behind early, 4-0 in fact, as Nestor Cortes struggled with his control in the early innings. Cortes was charged with four runs over five innings of work in his first Opening Day start.

Fortunately for the Yanks the Astros pitching was no better.

Houston starter Framber Valdez struggled with his control, walking six batters over 4.2 innings of work. In fact Houston as a team walked nine Yankees in the game.

The Yankees scratched out three runs on Valdez in the fifth inning when the righty came apart. First Soto drove in the game's first run on a single to right. Later, with the bases loaded, Anthony Rizzo was hit with a pitch to plate a run, and Anthony Volpe walked with the bases loaded to score Gleyber Torres to cut the deficit to 4-3.

New York tied it on Oswaldo Cabrera's solo homer in the sixth. Cabrera was impressive going 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

The Yanks finally took the lead on a bases-loaded sac fly by former Boston Red Sox Alex Verdugo in the top of the seventh.

The New York Yankees and Houston Astros play game 2 of their four-game Opening Weekend Series on Friday.

Mets Ink Slugger J.D. Martinez in Late Night Move

 If Steve Cohen has showed us one thing since he bought the Mets four years ago is he's always willing and able to find ways to make a deal if it improves his team. 

And did he ever. 

The Mets signed slugger J.D. Martinez to a one-year contract worth $12 million. The contract is incentive laden as Martinez will make roughly $4.5 million this season, and the rest will be deferred through the year 2034 - 2038 according to reports. 

Adding Martinez is a huge boon for the Mets who were not looking too good offensively in Spring Training. The Mets were hoping Mark Vientos would grab the bull by the proverbial horns this spring as the full time DH but it hasn't worked out. 

While Vientos led the team with four homers in Spring, he was hitting only .205 in Grapefruit League action. 

Martinez is no spring chicken, he's 36. Yet in 113 games last season with the LA Dodgers, Martinez crushed 33 home runs. He is a six-time All Star, who has been selected to the All Star Game in each of the last three seasons.

For a team that has a number of veteran players (Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, Jeff McNeil) under long term contracts, plus a free agent to be in Pete Alonso, the Mets send a huge message that they are indeed in the business of winning this season, despite opinions to the contrary. 

All of sudden a glum outlook for the Mets 2024 fortunes doesn't look so glum after all!

Jets Ink Ex-Cowboy Tackle Tyron Smith

The New York Jets and Joe Douglas got their man! 

Tyron Smith signs with the Jets after all, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $20 million with incentives. 

Smith, 33, has been regarded as one of the game's best tackles, and was named Second Team All Pro after a season in which he had an "89.1 percent pass block rate" according to ESPN. 

Smith was released by the Dallas Cowboys who appear to be retooling in many respects this off-season. 

The Jets now have a totally restructured offensive line with Smith at left tackle, John Simpson, whom they signed as a free agent, via the Baltimore Ravens, at left guard. Joe Tippman firmly set at center, Alijah-Vera Tucker at right guard, and newly acquired Morgan Moses at right tackle.

On paper it is certainly a better offensive line than what the Jets trotted out last season. 

Last season was a bounce back year for Smith, who played in 13 games. Prior to that he battled through injuries from 2020 through 2022. The Jets hope he can continue to play at a very high level at the age of 33 going on 34 come December. 

The signing of Smith also gives Gang Green options. 

They don't HAVE to select a tackle with the 10th overall pick. They could go wide receiver, or maybe tight end like Brock Bowers, who seems to be a guy a lot of people like. They could even take a quarterback if they really like Bo Nix or Michael Penix Jr., and if they are unsure if Aaron Rodgers is fully committed to football rather than ... well ... running with RFK Jr. as Vice President. 

They could even trade the pick.

The smartest thing to do would be to take another tackle at 10. You  can't have enough really good lineman, and this a draft full of them. The Jets have a history of not protecting themselves in case of injury to a player. (see Aaron Rodgers again).  If either Joe Alt or Olu Fashanu or Talise Fuaga is there at 10, the Jets should strongly consider taking that player.

Gerrit Cole Out at Least Two Months with Elbow Injury

 

Gerrit Cole will start the 2024 Major League Baseball season on the Injury List to undergo further testing on his right elbow.

Cole was scheduled to visit Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles for further testing.  Cole had complained of discomfort between outings in his right elbow and was not recovering properly.

“His recovery, before getting to his next start, has been more akin to what he feels during the season when he’s making 100 pitches,” Boone told reporters earlier in the week.

According to MLB Network and NY Post columnist Jon Heyman, Cole’s MRI came back clean, there was no tear found. The hope is rest and rehab might be enough to get the Yankees ace back on the mound.

 Elbow injuries are very tricky. In recent years, Jacob deGrom missed large chunks of time with the New York Mets due to a number of elbow ailments. deGrom had Tommy John Surgery this past season with the Texas Rangers and isn’t slated to return until late summer at the earliest.

The Yankees are hoping to avoid the same fate with Cole.

 

NYT: Aaron Rodgers on RFK Jr.'s list for Vice Presidential nod

 As if this Jets off-season couldn't get any more bizarre, here is the biggest whopper of them all. 

Aaron Rodgers could become the choice of third party candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to become his running mate. I kid you not. When I first saw this this afternoon, I thought it was an Onion piece. Nope, it's from the New York Times! 

According to NYT reporter Rebecca Davis O'Brien: "Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has recently approached the N.F.L. quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the former Minnesota governor and professional wrestler Jesse Ventura about serving as his running mate on an independent presidential ticket, and both have welcomed the overtures, two people familiar with the discussions said."

The report continues that Kennedy and Rodgers have spoken "continuously" throughout the month. 

 At the end of the regular season, Rodgers spoke to reporters about the importance of eliminating distractions. This would be the biggest distraction of all. 

In fact, if Rodgers were serious about this, how would he continue his football career at the same time? 

Play that scenario forward, and we could be left with a nightmare for the Jets, who would be without their veteran quarterback, and left to pick up the pieces with Tyrod Taylor and perhaps a rookie quarterback. What a mess that would be. 

Kennedy is not expected to pick a candidate for a few more weeks according to the Times. 

He has approached other candidates like former 2020 Democratic candidate Andrew Yang, Republican senator Rand Paul, and former Democrat-turn-right-wing firebrand Tulsi Gabbord, and all have turned down overtures by Kennedy according to the report. 

Distractions are nothing new for Rodgers, who has dipped both feet into politics as recently as this winter, when he went on The Pat McAfee Show and questioned Jimmy Kimmel's supposed status on the Jeffery Epstein report. That led to a wild back-and-forth between the Oscar's and Late Night host in Kimmel and Rodgers, with Kimmel threatening a lawsuit. 

Rodgers and Kimmel have a beef going back to the comic's razzing of Rodgers' opinions on the COVID-19 vaccine. 

This is a wild story. Does it have legs? We'll have to wait and see. Jets fans, hold onto your butts!

Yankees Await MRI on Gerrit Cole Right Elbow

 The New York Yankees are hoping for the best with regard to the right elbow of their staff ace Gerrit Cole. 

Cole, who is the unquestioned ace of the Yankees starting staff, has had difficulty in his recovering time between outings in Spring training. Cole was to undergo an MRI on the elbow, but nothing definitive regarding an update has come out as of Tuesday afternoon. 

According to Talkin Yankees on X, Cole is to undergo more tests in the coming days, and his chance at starting Opening Day look remote, not only because of the injury, but because of his build up schedule. 

Meanwhile, reports surfaced Tuesday that the Yankees could be in the market for another starting pitcher as insurance, and the name Dylan Cease has come up. Cease is a 28-year old hurler of the Chicago White Sox, and their ace. 

The Sox are not very good. The Yankees have tried to inquire on him before but to no avail. Now, with uncertainty surrounding Cole, the Yankees are trying again. 

Cease was 7-9 with a 4.59 ERA last season. In 2022, he had a 2.20 ERA. 

 

Jets Add Taylor and Zuerlein, Lose Huff to Eagles

 There is taking your time, and then there is New York Jets General Manager Joe Douglas taking his time.  Free agents were flying off the board Monday, but the Jets remained mostly quiet until very late, striking a deal with former Giants back-up quarterback Tyrod Taylor, among a number of key signings.

While this was not a star-studded free agency for the Jets, they added depth to their offensive line, began to answer their quagmire at back-up quarterback, re-signed kicker Greg Zuerlin in the process. They got a lot more work to do.

Key Additions:

Tyrod Taylor, QB: The Jets answer a huge need at backup quarterback by signing the veteran journeyman to a two-year deal. Not large in statue, at 6-1, but efficent when called upon. Completed 64 percent of his throws last season with the Giants. The hope here is that Aaron Rodgers is healthy for the full season.

John Simpson, OG: The Jets desperately need help on the offensive line and signed the former Raven John Simpson to a two year deal. He could either be a starter or back-up. He was middle of the pack in run and pass blocking, allowing eight sacks, which was second most on the Ravens last season. The Jets need more help on the O-Line obviously.

Javon Kinlaw, DT: On the day they lost Bryce Huff to the Eagles, the Jets only move on defense was to sign a rotational player in Kinlaw. Only 13 tackles last season and 3.5 sacks. He's been around a while, drafted by San Francisco in 2020. He served as a back-up in San Fran, and will likely be that in New York.

Isaiah Oliver, CB: Could either be a nickel corner in the slot, or a corner depending on if the Jets re-sign Jordan Whitehead. Stay tuned.

Greg Zuerlein, Kicker: easily the best signing of the day by the Jets. Zuerlein was New York's most important player when it came to scoring points. He was automatic connecting on 35-of-38 field goals, including tying, and later, winning a game against the Giants in overtime.

KEY LOSSES:

Bryce Huff: Huff is by far the Jets biggest miss of the off-season free agent frenzy thus far. He accounted for 10.5 sacks last season, but decided to get a bigger contract from the Eagles at three-years $51 million. It is odd considering the Jets were at one point willing to pay a similar contract figure to Carl Lawson a couple years ago. It's hard to figure why the Jets didn't try to match this and keep one of their better players in the building.

Giants Lose Barkley to Eagles, Respond with Spending Spree

 Saquon Barkley is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.  That was the first of many headlines associated with the Giants on the first day of free agency, and it was not the start Big Blue had hoped for.

But, thanks to a flurry of moves by General Manager Joe Schoen, the Giants saved face by adding to their offensive line, finding a cheaper option at running back, and positioning themselves to be competitive in 2024.

Key Additions:

Devin Singletary, RB: The Giants had to find a replacement for Barkley who takes his talents down I-95 to Philadelphia. They may have found it in the sturdy veteran Singeltary. While he has never run for 1,000 in a single season, Singletary does have nice burst, and is familiar with Brian Daboll's offense, having played for him at Buffalo when Daboll was the offensive coordinator. Look for the G-Men to draft a running back in later rounds to complement Singletary.

Brian Burns, LB: What a bold move by the Giants to trade and sign this 25-year old pass rusher formally of the Carolina Panthers. The Giants sent a second and fifth round pick back to Carolina. Burns is an impact player. He has 46 sacks in his career, including eight last season. He will complement Kayvon Thibodeau in a big way. The Giants quickly inked Burns to a five year deal with $76 million guaranteed.

Jon Runyan Jr, OG: The former Packers interior lineman signs with the Giants on a three-year $30 million deal. Offensive line was a huge issue last year, and the Giants get themselves a player they can swing to right guard immediately.

Jermaine Eluemunor, OT: The Giants signed this former Raiders right tackle to protect the front side of Daniel Jones, or whomever is under center for Big Blue.

Key Losses:

Saquon Barkley, RB: Obviously it's Barkley.  He signed a three-year $37.75 million deal with $26 million guaranteed. Giants fans ravaged Barkley on social media for leaving the team for a division rival.  The Giants felt they could get similar production from Singletary for less. Barkley battled injuries during his time in New York. When he was healthy, he was a lethal weapon out of the backfield both as a runner and receiver.

Xavier McKinney, CB: The Giants corner leaves for  $69 million deal with the Green Bay Packers. That's gonna hurt losing him. He had nine picks in his career, three coming last season.

Rumor Suggests Giants have "Buyers Remorse" over Daniel Jones

 Are Daniel Jones days numbered in New York? 

According to Rich Eisen they might very well be. 

On his daily radio show, Eisen brought to light a rumor that he heard floating at the combine that the Giants are indeed done with Jones as their quarterback and have "buyers remorse."

This despite General Manager Joe Schoen actually stating that he believes in Jones moving forward as the Giants starting quarterback. 

If this rumor is indeed true. What a huge black eye for Schoen, Head Coach Brian Daboll and the Giants. 

While they didn't draft Jones, they are the ones who inked the quarterback to a four-year $160 million contract. They are the one's who put the G-men on the hook for $35 million this year, and $69 million in dead cap money should they move on now from him. 

 

So this is no easy situation. Couple this news with the fact the Giants won't franchise tag Saquon Barkley, who will test the free agent waters and it is easy to see why Giants fans are up in arms.

Do the Giants go ahead and use the sixth overall pick on a quarterback? It's a risky proposition, although not unheard of. The Packers found themselves in this spot when they drafted Jordan Love late in the first round back in 2018 making it clear they were done with Aaron Rodgers. Of course Rodgers remained a Packer through 2022 until their messy divorce last year.

The Jets found themselves in this spot with Sam Darnold in 2021, when Joe Douglas and Robert Saleh decided to draft Zach Wilson second overall and move on from Darnold. 

Still this isn't comfortable. The Giants have more pressing needs like offensive line, running back and wide receiver. This is a draft full of linemen and receivers.  

Do the Giants try to draft a need that would ultimately help Jones, or draft his successor now, and begin the quarterback clock, while ultimately start the clock on both Schoen and Daboll? 

It's a mess. One that needs to be sorted out in the coming weeks.