Podcasts about New York Yankees

Will the wealthy owners of Major League Baseball do what is best for the collective of owners? Does Jazz Chisholm's confidence help the Yankees? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

ICE, Noem and The War on Free Elections. Ukraine Won the Olympics. Prince Andrew Arrested in England Over Epstein Ties. Hegseth, Tuberville Continue to Embrace Dumb Ideas. Spring Training a Homerun. The drumbeats of war are growing louder. In this solo episode of Independent Americans, host Paul Rieckhoff reports that President Trump has signaled the U.S. military could strike Iran within ten days — with zero congressional authorization, zero public debate, and zero accountability. Congress is rolling over, America's sons and daughters are in harm's way, and the American people deserve a vote. Meanwhile at home, Paul holds nothing back on DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, who reportedly pulled a Coast Guard search-and-rescue aircraft away from a missing 21-year-old service member to prioritize a deportation flight, and on ICE's escalating cruelty — including a nine-year-old girl detained in San Antonio for eight months and the heartbreaking death of Ophelia Torres, a 16-year-old who fought cancer while her father was held by ICE. These are not statistics. Paul refuses to let their stories disappear. Pentagon Secretary Pete Hegseth's culture war rages on. Paul breaks down Hegseth's move to block military members from enrolling at Harvard, Duke, Johns Hopkins, and dozens more elite universities — followed by the VA's decision to strip veterans of their post-9/11 GI Bill benefits at those same schools. Denmark, one of America's most steadfast NATO allies, now views the U.S. as an adversary, with 60% of Danes saying so. Paul also covers Venezuela strikes without congressional approval, the staggering losses in Ukraine, and a personal word about the courage of Stephen Colbert and the growing chorus of ordinary Americans pushing back. Paul closes on something good: spring training. He was at Yankees practice in Tampa Bay this morning, where his boys got balls signed by Aaron Judge — proof that community, access, and joy are still very much alive. Episode 445 ends with a clear mission: country over party, people over politics. If you're among the 45% of Americans who call themselves independent, this is your show. Stay vigilant. -WATCH video of this episode on our YouTube channel. -Learn more about Paul's work to elect a new generation of independent leaders with Independent Veterans of America. -Learn more about American Veterans for Ukraine here. Connect with Independent Americans: Subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all podcast platforms Read more at Substack Support ad-free episodes at Patreon  Connect: Instagram  • X/Twitter • BlueSky • Facebook  Follow on social: @PaulRieckhoff on X, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch now in time for the new year.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.  And now part of the BLEAV network!  Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

With the NBA back, the conversation turns into a “what counts as success?” checklist for every team in town, and the answers get blunt fast. For the Knicks, it's simple: anything short of the NBA Finals is a massive disappointment, and the window is not staying open forever. For the Yankees, the standard is even harsher: win the World Series, period, no matter who's on the other side. The Mets are trickier, with the floor rising from “make the playoffs” to “get to the Division Series,” because the quick exit versions of October do not count as progress anymore. Then the focus shifts to football, and the Giants get put under the microscope. With the offseason still unfolding, the expectations are more complicated, but the baseline is clear: competence, a winning season, and being in the mix late. The division suddenly feels more open than it did a year ago, which raises the pressure even more. And looming in the background is the Jets wild card, because one aggressive move at quarterback could instantly change the entire expectation game. A full-state-of-the-union debate on New York sports standards, pressure points, and what “successful” really means for 2026.

The show continues the “success or bust” debate for New York teams, but it quickly turns into a Mets fan therapy session when the topic shifts to Steve Phillips. After Phillips questions the Mets offseason and pushes back on the idea that they are “most improved,” fans come after him personally and the hosts are fed up with it. If you want to disagree with his take, fine. But trashing him like he has no credibility at all? That's where the hypocrisy gets called out. From there, the Mets conversation gets real practical. A caller asks the big question: what's the actual plan with Mark Vientos, Brett Baty, and Ronny Mauricio now that the roster has gotten crowded? The discussion dives into how the at-bats will get distributed, who might be DH-heavy early, how spring injuries can change roles, and why the Mets are clearly prioritizing immediate competitiveness instead of running an all-prospect experiment. Another caller frames the Mets problem differently: it's not just “make the playoffs,” it's who you keep running into once you get there, especially with the Dodgers looming as the sport's current monster. The response is simple: first you have to become a consistent playoff team, then you can worry about repeatedly colliding with the same buzzsaw. The segment closes with a Jets fan admitting he does not even know what to root for anymore, and a Yankees fan laying out the urgency. Between an aging core, a shrinking window, and looming labor uncertainty, 2026 starts to feel like the year where “World Series or bust” stops sounding dramatic and starts sounding logical.

Aaron Judge's age-34 season raises urgency for the Yankees, while Jazz Chisholm Jr. sets a bold 50/50 goal that could reshape his future. Callers debate whether it's truly World Series or bust in the Bronx, and Mets fans confront a tough truth about the Steve Cohen era: big spending has not yet delivered consistent results.

It starts with a ridiculous flex: Evan wins a sports argument on-air, then Manny Ramirez jumps into the Instagram comments to pile on and crown him the winner. Manny hits the flame emojis, doubles back for a second comment, and Sean tries to spin it into a “that's a win for me” moment while the crew laughs at the image of Manny doomscrolling the debate like the rest of us. Then the conversation takes a hard left into absolute chaos. Evan plays audio of Greg and CeeLo lighting Sean up for rooting habits during international hockey, including the claim that Sean's “I'm just being honest” routine is his greatest hit and that deep down he hates American sports. Shaun fires back with a full explanation: it's not anti-USA, it's the weird reality of being trained to root for and against the same NHL players all season, then flipping the switch for a two-week tournament. From there, it turns into a full-blown sports loyalty philosophy debate. They go through Rangers examples, Jack Hughes conflict, Mika Zibanejad emotions, and a “checkmate” comparison using baseball, the WBC, and nightmare scenarios like Mets vs Yankees players facing off under a Team USA banner. The callers then jump in and add more gasoline, including one diehard USA hockey fan who admits he didn't want Mika scoring, and another who argues the Olympics are a completely different level than the WBC. Bottom line: can you love your country and still feel conflicted rooting for players you can't stand? The segment argues it out, loudly.

Everything you need to understand about baseball's looming labor war, all in one conversation. The Athletic's Evan Drellich joins to break down the stunning fallout from Tony Clark's exit, the federal investigation cloud hanging over the union, and why installing Bruce Meyer just months before bargaining begins is far from ideal. We dig into the biggest question facing the sport: is a salary cap showdown inevitable? Hear why owners are expected to push hard for one, why players have fought it for decades, and how internal ownership politics could decide everything before negotiations with players even begin. The discussion also explores franchise values, skyrocketing player salaries, shrinking local TV money, and why even big-market teams might secretly benefit from a cap. Plus: could games actually be lost, or will too much money on the line force a deal? Would replacement players ever be considered in today's union landscape? How deferred mega-contracts like the Dodgers' are fueling owner vs. owner tension. And why revenue sharing, not a cap, might be the real battleground. Finally, the hosts react to Chris Bassett's comments on parity, debate whether MLB's system already produces competitive balance, and land on the fan's biggest frustration: without financial transparency from ownership, how can anyone trust the argument for a salary cap at all? A comprehensive, no-nonsense breakdown of the power struggle that could reshape baseball's future.

The break is over and the pressure is on. With the NBA back tonight and the Knicks getting one more crack at the Pistons, the conversation starts with the simplest question in town: what counts as success? For the Knicks, the answer feels brutal and obvious: get to the NBA Finals, anything less is a disappointment. From there, the bar gets debated across the whole New York sports board. Are the Yankees officially “parade or failure” no matter who they run into, even the Dodgers? How much does Aaron Judge's window change the urgency? And why are the Mets the most complicated team to define right now, with some fans setting the floor at “real playoffs” (Division Series) while others still aren't sure what to expect? Plus: the Giants outlook and what a “winning season” really means, and a sharp rant on why fans lose their minds when former Mets GM Steve Phillips dares to criticize the team.

In this crossover episode from Baseball America's "From Phenom To The Farm" podcast with Kyle Bandujo, actor and Gilmore Girls star Scott Patterson recalls the ups and downs of his original career spent as a minor league baseball player with the Braves, Yankees and Dodgers.Time Stamps(5:00) Being Drafted Three Times(15:00) Introduction to MiLB(19:40) Emphasis on Winning in 80s MiLB(29:25) Contract Negotiations with Hank Aaron(36:30) Trade to the Yankees(48:50) A Big League Call Up That Didn't Happen(59:45) Spring Training as a Rule 5 Pick(1:11:30) Starring in "Little Big League"Our Sponsors:* Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hosts Mike Guidone and Chris Caputo welcome New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus to the show to discuss his playing and coaching career, as well as his role managing Team Israel in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Later, longtime Newsday sportswriter and former New York Post columnist Ken Davidoff joins the program to talk with Mike and Chris about his new book, 101 Lessons from the Dugout.

Kris, Ryan, & Jacob discuss the Yankees' latest with Aaron Judge's honest comments, Carlos Lagrange's elite-level fastball, and MORE! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(SHOW OPEN): Ryan McMahon getting reps at SS is a sign that the Yankees are beginning a soft-launch for life after Anthony Volpe.

You know spring training is underway for real when the Yankees get decked out in their pinstripes and go station to station taking photos and filming short videos for the season to come. And amid the chaos and circus atmosphere, YES Network's Meredith Marakovits got 60 seconds (or so …) with a bunch of the guys on this year's team. For this week's episode, we try to give you a taste of what she learned, from whether Spencer Jones has ever been told he looks like Elvis to Aaron Boone's rendition of the rose ceremony on Then, Meredith and Yankees Magazine deputy editor Jon Schwartz chat about the scene so far in camp, and their first impressions of the 2026 New York Yankees. Don't forget, the New York Yankees Official Podcast is also available in video form on the Gotham Sports App. Check us out! And if you have questions you'd like Meredith to get answers to, send them to podcast@yankees.com. Special thanks to YES Network's Blayke Scheer, Conor Foley and Greg Brzozowski for their help assembling the video clips! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

*THIS EPISODE IS AUDIO ONLY*Exhibition play kicks off this Friday, and excitement is in the air! For many Yankees fans, anticipation is high, but not everyone shares that enthusiasm. Let's dive into why opinions are so split and what has people feeling both optimistic and skeptical heading into the season.0:00 Intro0:26 It's Ok To Change Your Mind!7:37 Talent Doesn't Vanish In October11:03 Strikeouts + Power15:56 Judge Comments19:51 Outro*SUPPORT THE POD*https://account.venmo.com/u/Robert-Carbone-Jr-28Audio

In this episode, I talk about what I feel are the top 5 best moments in the career of Derek Jeter. Feel free to share your top 5 best moments in the career of Derek Jeter at HistoricPinstripes@gmail.com Trivia Question: Who has the most plate appearances in the history of the New york Yankees?  Historic Pinstripes On Facebook Historic Pinstripes On X Historic Pinstripes On Instagram

In today's episode of the Yankees Nation Podcast, Brian and Ryan covered:- Yankees sign Rafael Montero, add to international staff- McMahon at SS?- Schlittler's back soreness, Cole's new windup- Trent Grisham 2026 outlook- Judge comments on offseason

Sam solo talks through some of his thoughts around this years NBA All-Star weekend and festivities before going into his thoughts on the Yankees before their first Spring Training games

How many people have ruined jobs with inappropriate relations? Can the Yankees be confident entering this season? Did Jalen Brunson take too big of a risk when he gave the Knicks a discount? Should the NBA embrace tanking? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Are long-term mega free-agent deals actually overrated? The guys argue the real path to sustained success isn't stealing stars from big markets, it's keeping the ones you developed. From the Royals' post-2015 collapse to fears about Pittsburgh losing Paul Skenes, the debate centers on whether small-market teams are victims of the system… or guilty of letting their own windows slam shut. They break down the exhausting cycle teams like Tampa Bay live in, constantly trading great players before payday just to reload and survive, and whether that strategy dooms fans to permanent almost-contender status. Plus, callers weigh in on salary floors, cap incentives for homegrown players, and creative ways leagues could actually encourage teams to retain their stars without forcing reckless spending. And of course, the conversation takes a wild turn back to the Tony Clark scandal dominating headlines, proving once again that in baseball, the off-field chaos may have even bigger consequences than what happens on it. ⚾

A stunning off-field scandal rocks baseball as MLBPA chief Tony Clark resigns amid revelations of an inappropriate relationship, sending shockwaves through the sport at the worst possible time. What does this mean for the balance of power between players and owners? Could this leadership vacuum hand Rob Manfred and the owners the leverage they've been waiting for? The discussion dives into the looming labor battle, the growing push for a salary cap, and why the appointment of a hardline interim leader could push both sides toward a damaging showdown. Would either side actually sacrifice games to win the war? And after the lessons of past strikes, is baseball heading toward another lost season with nothing to show for it? Plus, the guys debate competitive balance, small-market frustrations, deferred mega-contracts, and the uncomfortable question every fan must answer: Would you give up a season to “fix” the sport? If you care about the future of baseball, this is a conversation you can't ignore. ⚾

Is Steve Cohen starting to run out of patience with David Stearns? What about Carlos Mendoza? Plus, Giancarlo Stanton echoes Aaron Judge's thoughts about the offseason for the Yankees. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Have the Yankees missed the window to take advantage of Aaron Judge's prime years? Plus, we assess Steve Cohen's patience level. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

C-Lo is here with reporters asking Giancarlo Stanton about Clark resigning & the lack of moves in the offseason. Carlos Mendoza was on the Carton Show and was asked right away about the clubhouse not getting along. UConn's Dan Hurley wants support from the students.

C-Lo returns with Aaron Boone about a work stoppage for next season. Carlos Mendoza on The Carton Show acting confused when asked about guys not getting along in the clubhouse. Plus, Jalen Brunson's contract and UCLA head coach Mick Cronin threw one of his own players out of the game.

C-Lo returns with Giancarlo Stanton asked if he could go a full season without being hurt. Jon Gruden had Eli Manning on his show on the John Harbaugh hire and not getting into the Hall yet. Paul in Yonkers called Tommy Lugauer and set him off. The Moment of The Day: Francesa's eating habits at WFAN. Even some Olympics mentions.

Cardinal catcher Yohel Pozo stops by the show talking about his offseason weight loss and his new diet. The highlights of his young career up to this point. The homerun against the Yankees with his special bat. Not surprised by his offensive success. Working with Yadier Molina. Missing Wilson Contreras. Feeling optimistic about this young team and surprising people. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

(00:00-29:38) Day 3 from Jupiter and Cardinal Spring Training. Four hours just may not be enough today and shocker, Doug may not be good to us. Martin brought donuts. Oli Marmol stops by to promote his visit at 8:30. Doug had 7 tacos last night. Jackson won't be playing Grove XXIII. Is this show turning into White Lotus? Incomplete round, all bets are canceled. The Lovely Rick. Martin wants to get Marlins Man on. Jimmy Farmer. Roger Sapphic. The last St. Louis Ram retired.(29:46-50:35) Froggy Fresh. Yohel Pozo sits down talking about what he did to lose some pounds. Low carb. Oli stops by and swipes the donuts from the picnic table. The homerun at Wrigley and his homerun against the Yankees with a special bat have been his favorite moments so far. He wasn't surprised by his offensive success. What it's been like working with Yadier Molina. Wilson Contreras taking him under his wing. Optimistic about this young team. Pop Warner has brought the donuts back.(50:45-1:04:23) The boys have moved under an awning as a light rain has blown in. Buzz about Michael McGrreevy becoming the new player rep. Who's our rep for the radio union? Lots of positive feedback on the Pozo interview. Doug's sweater is taking shrapnel. They're gonna measure Doug.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Geoff Pontes and Josh Norris take an in-depth look at the Yankees farm system on the latest of our Prospect Podcast Deep Dive series.(00:00) Why this system isn't very deep(02:20) George Lombard Jr. ranks No. 1. What stands out about him and who were the other contenders(08:20) How the system compares now to last year at this time(09:30) Looking at Carlos LaGrange and Elmer Rodriguez (13:25) Dax Kilby really stands out(15:20) Ben Hess is a name to know(17:00) What are the Yankees good at developing(19:00) The Spencer Jones conundrum(24:45) Other Yankees sleeper prospectsYankees Top 30 Prospects: https://www.baseballamerica.com/teams/2029-new-york-yankees/prospects/Our Sponsors:* Sign up and get 10% off at BetterHelp.com. Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/baseball-america/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

So many strong fantasy targets in the outfield, but there are also landmines galore. Vlad Sedler (@rotogut) and Mike Mager (@BronxYankees23) walk you through all the outfielders, by tiers, in the top 400 ADP. News and NotesKonnor Griffin, Pablo Lopez, Twins starters, Mets slow-playsOutfielders by TierTier 1Difference between Julio and TatisWhere to draft Corbin CarrollThoughts on Kyle Tucker and Jackson ChourioTier 2PCA and James Wood: target or fade?Roman Anthony hypeMike's GuyTier 3Buxton and Robert Jr.Jarren Duran, sneaky?Mike's every-year targetThoughts on BellingerTier 4Some batting average killersKyle Stowers and Jakob MarseeBrandon Nimmo in TexasTeo underrated?Tier 5Dylan Crews and Brenton DoyleBoring but solid guysThoughts on Andy Pages, Alec Burleson and Daulton VarshoTier 6Jose Caballero with a full season in pinstripesWilyer Abreu hypeColton Cowser and BAL OF playing timeHeliot Ramos worth it?Tier 7-9The Yankees outfieldersMatt WallnerChase DeLauterTJ Friedl undervalued?Jordan Walker DrivelineThe speed guysCastellanos in San DiegoJoin FTN FANTASY BASEBALL for 2026 as we help you crush your fantasy leagues! In addition to our Custom Projections, Roto and Underdog Rankings and incredible tools and content, we will be introducing amazing, new stuff such as our Top 500 Dynasty Rankings, Points Rankings, Customizable PDF Cheat Sheets and various versions for different formats of Vlad's popular GRID RANKINGS.Draft Content Hub: https://ftnfantasy.com/mlb/fantasy-baseball-draft-content-hubRankings: https://ftnfantasy.com/fantasy/mlb/rankingsProjections: https://ftnfantasy.com/mlb/custom-rankings-and-projectionsCheat Sheets: https://ftnfantasy.com/mlb/fantasy-baseball-cheat-sheetsUse promo code GUT26 for 10% off at FTN FANTASY today! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Yankees' slugger speaks out about his frustrations about the offseason, two big fighting returns, and the odd interaction between Michael Jordan and the Daytona 500 winner's son in the Arcand Fire.

Hour 1: Tommy talks about Aaron Judge's hidden message to Yankees fans from Monday and about his frustrating Tuesday.

Tommy kicks off the Tuesday show by talking about what he says was Aaron Judge's hidden message to Yankees fans from Monday afternoon's press availability.

Hour 4: Tommy is happy that Jerry Seinfeld recently followed him on Instagram. Pauly relates it to the time he was interviewed by US Weekly about Seinfeld in 2024. Tommy then talks about Giancarlo Stanton's comments from earlier in the day about the Yankees off-season.

¿Puede Italia convertirse en la sorpresa del World Baseball Classic 2026? Analizamos su roster, fortalezas y posibilidades reales en el torneo.

Gary & Ryan discuss the Yankees seeing Carlos Lagrange hit 102.6 MPH on the radar gun, Aaron Judge's "brutal" comments about the offseason's slow start, the outfield logjam, and MORE! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

(SHOW OPEN): Tony Clark resigns and news from Mets and Yankees camps. Plus, why Yankees fans are fed up with Anthony Volpe.

Matt and Dennis talk the Winter Games and the collision course USA and Canada are on. Dennis is hoping Joe Schoen has a nice comfy chair for his new "role" and Dennis has a change of heart for the Yankees. Matt also shares his favorite Olympic storylines.

*THIS EPISODE IS AUDIO ONLY*Breaking down the Yankees bullpen heading into 2026. We discuss improvements from last year, lingering questions, and what it'll take for this pen to go from bottom-of-the-pack to a potential top ten strength.0:00 Intro0:26 What Went Wrong Last Year4:40 Matt Blake At Fault?10:06 Added Velocity12:30 Individual Improvements17:41 Outro*SUPPORT THE POD*https://account.venmo.com/u/Robert-Carbone-Jr-28Audio

Tony Clarke steps down from top spot at MLBPA, Aaron Judge was not happy with the Yankees off-season early on Olympic update St. John's stays in top 20 what will Yes do with franchise tag

Nick Kostos shares his thoughts on the New York Mets & Yankees offseason's. Nick explains why he thinks people are being too hard on the Mets offseason moves.

Aaron Judge wanted to see moves early in the offseason. What moves did you want to see the Yankees make? Are you alright with them running it back? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aaron Judge said “we're the New York Yankees” and the internet ran with it. But did everyone cherry-pick the quote, or was Judge actually calling out the Yankees' offseason approach? We play the full context of what Judge said at spring training, compare the “frustrated” clip to his more positive “running it back” answer, and debate what he really meant about waiting on Cody Bellinger, adding “other pieces,” and how much of this is fans projecting their own frustrations. Then it takes a wild turn. Judge reveals what he's specifically trying to add to his game in 2026, and it might change the entire Yankees' offense. Stolen bases. Yes, stolen bases. We make predictions on how many he'll swipe, argue about the risk vs reward, and why Juan Soto's surge may have inspired all of it. Plus: the infamous group text blows up, the phones light up, and the conversation somehow detours into a spicy Jeter and Bernie defense debate that turns the studio upside down.

Was Aaron Judge taken out of context yesterday? A though provoking what if Cinco, and much more.

If you could bring back any former New York athlete in their prime to help today's teams, who would make the biggest impact? In this Cinco de Luncho segment, the debate shifts to players who are not in the Hall of Fame but would dramatically raise a current roster's ceiling. From offensive line help for the Giants to much-needed edge for the Knicks, scoring punch for the Rangers, and lineup protection for the Mets and Yankees, the list sparks plenty of arguments and nostalgia. Plus, a deep dive into the blockbuster A-Rod trade, the era of Yankees excess, and why today's big-market teams operate very differently.

Did Aaron Judge really blast the Yankees' offseason, or did everyone hear what they wanted to hear? After one viral quote from spring training set social media on fire, we break down the FULL context of Judge's comments, including the positive answer most people ignored. Was his frustration about the team's direction, or simply the long wait to re-sign Cody Bellinger and key pieces? The debate gets heated as opinions clash over leadership, loyalty, expectations of “Yankees baseball,” and whether fans are projecting their own frustrations onto the captain. Does Judge actually support “running it back,” or was he subtly calling for more moves? And how much freedom has a three-time MVP earned to speak his mind?

Aaron Judge is already the most feared hitter in baseball… and now he might be coming for the basepaths too. After revealing a specific area he wants to improve, Judge hints that he plans to dramatically increase his stolen bases, potentially turning walks into instant scoring threats and making the Yankees' offense even more dangerous. The crew reacts, makes bold predictions for his 2026 steal total, and debates whether aggression on the bases is worth the injury risk for a superstar of his size. Did Juan Soto's sudden speed surge inspire Judge? Can a player with Judge's frame realistically swipe 30 or more bags in today's game? Plus, a caller sparks a heated throwback argument about Yankees teams of the past, defensive strength up the middle, and whether legends like Derek Jeter and Bernie Williams are remembered more fondly than they actually played in the field. Is nostalgia clouding reality, or are analytics missing what made those teams great?

A casual conversation about the Yankees' defense turns into a full-blown firestorm: Was Anthony Volpe actually a better defender than Derek Jeter at one point… and are Yankees legends being remembered through nostalgia instead of reality? The crew dives headfirst into the eye-test vs. analytics war, comparing Jeter and Bernie Williams to true defensive icons and asking whether clutch moments have overshadowed defensive shortcomings. Is criticizing all-time greats fair analysis or sacrilege in New York? From advanced stats to “he made every play that mattered,” the debate spirals into how fans remember greatness, how narratives stick, and why postseason memories shape reputations more than regular-season performance.

The guys debate about what the real issue is. Is it the biggest teams spending too much, or the smallest teams spending nowhere near enough? Evan and Tiki dig into the payroll gap, why owners complain about exploding salaries, and why fans never see the actual books when teams claim they are losing money. Then the conversation swings to the Yankees and a classic February question: if the rotation ever got fully healthy, who actually gets bumped? Evan explains why the question is flawed (because pitchers never stay healthy), how “follow the money” really works, and why options and roster flexibility will decide more than hot takes. Finally, a caller pitches a twist on the World Baseball Classic: move the biggest games to All-Star week. The guys break down why it sounds awesome, why pitchers make it complicated, and what a real compromise could look like.

Aaron Judge isn't happy with the way the Yankees handled the start of free agency, Steve Cohen isn't happy about the lack of winning by the Mets & no one is happy about our flooded bathroom. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Aaron Judge voiced his displeasure with how the winter started for the Yankees. So how good will these Yankees be in 2026? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices