Another game for the Yankees against a right-handed starting pitcher and another game where Ben Rice sits on the bench. The Yankees DFA’d LeMahieu today and while that is too bad for DJ, it’s the right move. He came into Spring Training slimmed down and in much better shape than prior years. But he has become a singles hitter with limited range at 2nd base. Like most free agent contracts, they end badly and 2 years too long. In fact, the Yankees still owe him one more year in 2026 at $15 million.

Full disclosure: SU does not like this year’s edition of the Yankees. I still watch the games but I am not emotionally invested. This team is uninspiring. No situational hitting, no ability to move runners. An incredibly bad record in extra innings. The record is fine and they may still eke out a wild card spot but so many injuries now to the starting pitchers and relievers. It feels like too much to make up with trade deadline moves this year. You don’t want to mortgage the future by trading top prospects in a season where they won’t have enough to make an extended post-season run.

SU does like Jazz, Bellinger, and I really like Ben Rice. He can play multiple positions and is still young. Boone has tried to shuffle players in and out of the lineup – especially with Stanton back – but it seems clear now that he will go with the starters moving forward. Goldschmidt is a veteran and he will get the starts at first base. They have to play Stanton as they want him to get hot finally. Last night was the first game where he stopped stepping in the bucket and maybe he will get on a hot streak now. At least until he pulls the annual calf muscle – coming to a theatre near you.

The benching of Rice tells SU that he is being shopped. Personally, I would trade Grisham and keep Rice but to get quality, you need to give up quality. Rice just needs an extended time to start and see what he can do. Some other team will give that to him. The reality is that with this lineup, there will never even be pinch hitting opportunities. Not going to happen.

Gil may return in a few weeks but you have to figure he will be on a pitch count and even in his best years, he has had arm issues. Stroman becomes the #3 starter – enough said. The bullpen needs a total makeover.

SU is ready for new leadership at the top. Cashman had a good run but he has likely run his course with the Yankees.

So, is SU wrong? Is this team ready to make a run in 2025 with about 17 trade deadline moves? I don’t see it and I am not feeling it. Convince me otherwise.