Some interesting MLB stats for you this morning:

Gary Sanchez, San Diego Padres: .294, 5 home runs and 11 rbis in 34 at bats.

Aaron Hicks, Baltimore Orioles: .364, .481 on base percentage

Gio Urshela, LA Angels: .304; 24 rbis

Mike Tauchman, Chicago Cubs: .260; .397 on base percentage

SU is not saying that Brian Cashman should not have made these moves and deals. Clearly, any Yankee fan wanted Gary Sanchez out of NY. I wish all of these guys well this season. Urshela was an inexpensive 3rd baseman who was a gold glove quality fielder. Maybe you keep him and save a few dollars on Donaldson? Hicks needed a new home and SU is happy to see him get to play (and batting 5th for the 2nd place Orioles!).

If you are a Yankee fan, the 2023 version, aside from Aaron Judge, is unwatchable. No other way to say it. Offensively, their games are a snoozefest. They are lucky that they have the best bullpen in the MLB plus Judge when he is healthy. The problem is that when he is out (2nd time on the IL now), the players who get paid the big bucks like LeMahieu and Stanton, really come up short. As in really, really short. Volpe is struggling but he hits 9th and anything you get from him is a plus. Oswald Peraza is batting .311 with 10 home runs and 21 rbis in 119 at bats in the minors this year. The thinking is that there is nowhere to play him in the infield with Donaldson back and Volpe playing everyday but SU says give him a shot and plug him in at 3rd, 2nd and shortstop. The team is desperate for offense, speed, some level of excitement. The Yankees are really in need of outfielders as Bader can’t stay healthy, Stanton can never stay healthy and they are afraid to play him in the outfield, and Judge is hurt.

Right now, a wild card is all the team can hope for in 2023 and there is a lot of competition there.

Over in Flushing, the Mets with baseball’s highest payroll are really floundering. Yes, they have had their share of injuries, and now Alonso is out for a month. Might they be sellers in July?? Actually, might the Yankees be sellers? (Nah). The next month is key for both teams.

For tennis fans, the first 2 sets of the Alcaraz – Djokovic match yesterday were some of the best tennis you will ever see. Interesting contrast between 36-year old Djokovic and 20-year old Alcaraz. You have to give Djokovic credit for still competing at such a high level at 36. Interesting stat for him: 45 Grand Slam semi-final appearances in his career, and 34 finals – including winning 20 of his last 21 semi-finals, and 14 of his last 17 finals in these events. He’s not for everyone, and some of his views are off but you have to acknowledge the sustained greatness in his career during the era of Federer and Nadal.

SU is still trying to fully understand the new arrangement in golf between the PGA TOUR and LIV. It’s not a great look for the sport and maybe you can look the other way when it comes to the Saudis (SU cannot). It will be interesting to see if the players approve the new deal.

The Denver Nuggets are the real deal. Jokic is so refreshing to watch. It was amusing to read some of the experts criticizing his flopping for foul calls as if literally every other NBA player does not do that. How do you not give credit to a big man who is a triple-double threat every game? He’s not the most athletic person on the court but is a joy to watch given his team orientation. He makes everyone around him better – a lot better. SU says appreciate that and recognize how few players do that in the NBA right now.