As Opening Day attracts close to, the YES Community trio of Paul O’Neill, David Cone and Michael Kay fielded some Yankees questions from The Submit’s Steve Serby.
Q: How will Juan Soto leaving have an effect on Aaron Choose?
O’Neill: It impacts everyone. What inning wasn’t enjoyable to look at when Soto and Choose hit back-to-back? I feel the Yankees have plugged so many holes by not having Soto’s wage, that total, they is perhaps a greater workforce. Offensively, most likely not. Little doubt in my thoughts he’s going to have an incredible 12 months for the Mets. I feel team-wise, defensive-wise, all the pieces put collectively, you’re going to be advantageous.
Cone: It actually was that magical. It was as if we have been Ruth and Gehrig. The Yankees rode all of them the best way to the World Collection. That World Collection in my thoughts was nearer than you suppose. Lots of it was due to Soto, so with him gone, it’s an enormous loss. The one factor they may do is pivot and attempt to make up for it in loads of completely different classes. I don’t suppose the Yankees are achieved but, however I feel the items they acquired have been superb decisions.
Kay: I feel perhaps a little bit fewer RBIs, however Choose had a 62-home run season with out Soto. I feel they each benefitted from one another final 12 months. I feel he’s going to have one other large 12 months. If something, he would possibly stroll extra, however loads of that’s predicated on the fellows hitting behind him as nicely.
Q: What ought to Yankees followers anticipate from Choose?
O’Neill: He makes it look really easy. All people talks about his dimension and his energy, however what he provides to protection, and his instincts on the bases, he simply does all the pieces proper. There’s one factor in his thoughts, and that’s to build up some World Collection wins to make his profession full.
Q: Who protects him this 12 months?
O’Neill: Aaron Choose has gotten superb at figuring out when he’s being pitched round, and having the ability to take walks and never annoyed to the purpose the place he leaves the strike zone. You’re going to need to have a lineup that individuals know their roles. For those who’re Aaron Choose, your position is to hit 50 residence runs and drive in 120. I don’t suppose that there’s one man you can plug in behind Aaron Choose that’s simply going to simply make a distinction day in and day trip. You’re going to need to have a workforce that scores runs day in and day trip so that you get the ball to the bullpen.
Q: Cody Bellinger and the temptation of the suitable discipline porch?
O’Neill: For those who take a look at his swing, he can pull the ball, and clearly as a lefty that’s the very first thing that involves your thoughts. I simply suppose he’s going to fill loads of voids so far as he’s athletic, he can run, he can play loads of positions for you. You bought a possibility to play for the Yankees, you grew up taking part in within the playroom when your father (Clay) was on the workforce, I feel that’s going to be an enormous problem for him to simply attempt to management that and never attempt to do an excessive amount of.
Kay: I feel when he’s wholesome he’s an impression participant. You’ll be able to simply see the ball flies off his bat. They improved themselves defensively. His swing performs in that ballpark for positive.
Cone: Proper man on the proper time, doing the suitable factor, sporting the suitable uniform. Sporting his father’s quantity. His swing is constructed for Yankee Stadium. If he was ever going to strategy his MVP-type numbers that he had earlier in his profession with the Dodgers, it’s going to be as a Yankee in Yankee Stadium.
Q: With that quick proper discipline porch, do you suppose he’s a 30-home run candidate?
Cone: Completely. He has the power to get the ball within the air on the pull facet lots, which means he can go down and get off-speed pitches which can be away and hook them, and get them within the air, get them out of the ballpark.
Q: Paul Goldschmidt at age 37?
Kay: Nicely the Yankees have had virtually no manufacturing out of first base for a very long time now. After Anthony Rizzo suffered that concussion when he bumped into (the Padres’ Fernando) Tatis Jr. at first, he was not the identical participant, didn’t have the identical impression. And admittedly, though he was a former Platinum Glove winner, he was not nice defensively the final two years. If Goldschmidt has the season that he had final 12 months, and I feel he’s gonna have a greater season, I feel it’ll be an enormous plus for the Yankees.
O’Neill: There was an enormous gap at first base and an enormous void. This is likely one of the stuff you tackle I feel as a company and simply hope it’s the suitable time and the suitable match.
Cone: That’s one other man that I feel Yankee Stadium will assist. His energy’s the alternative discipline, that inside-out type of hitting to get the ball the opposite approach like Choose. He’s nonetheless a improbable athlete in improbable form, an incredible defender, a extremely good base runner, a extremely nice affect within the clubhouse. Is he going to be his MVP self? He doesn’t actually need to be. If he’s above league common in all of these classes, that’s going to be a significant enchancment for the Yankees.
Q: Max Fried as an ace in New York with Gerrit Cole misplaced for the season?
Cone: I feel he’ll be advantageous. He’s been a big-time pitcher because the first time he walked on a mound when he was in Little League. He’s prepared for this. And he selected this.
O’Neill: He’s all the time been a winner. He’s a lefty, which may actually assist pitching in Yankee Stadium towards different highly effective lefty hitters.
Kay: He’s acquired the stuff, he’s been an ace in Atlanta, he pitched large video games and gained a World Collection for them. … New York, you’ll need to see. It appeared like he embraced it, he wished to return right here.
Q: What impresses you most about him?
Cone: I’m impressed with all of his weapons. He’s acquired plenty of other ways to get hitters out. It’s not simply by the strikeout or not simply by energy. Though he has energy. However he can definitely keep off of the barrel, he can get loads of floor balls, he can lower it, he can sink it — he’s actually a motion specialist. An actual craftsman. He’s a enjoyable man to look at pitch.
Kay: He’s acquired so many various pitches that he instructions to either side of the plate, he’s good, his stuff is electrical. I don’t suppose he will get afraid on the mound. The important thing to him is well being. He would have been an incredible No. 2 for the Yankees, now he’s going to need to be a extremely good No. 1.
Q: Devin Williams and his Airbender?
Cone: He’s a unicorn, there’s little doubt about that. The factor that makes his Airbender, that changeup, so profitable and extra like a screwball actually is that it has such extremely tight spin on it.
O’Neill: Yearly there’s new pitches and new phrases. (Luke) Weaver was actually, actually good on the nearer’s position, so now you’ve acquired a bridge to among the finest closers in baseball.
Kay: This is likely one of the high two closers in all of baseball, he or (Cleveland’s) Emmanuel Clase. Once you acquired a man that may nail down the ninth inning, after which you possibly can virtually have Luke Weaver truly play the position of the 1996 Mariano Rivera, when he can pitch the seventh and eighth innings … after which the X issue goes to be Jonathan Loáisiga. He’s nearly as good as any reduction pitcher within the sport if he’s wholesome which he hasn’t been for a few years. I feel the Yankee bullpen stacks up with any bullpen in baseball.
Q: Center reduction?
Cone: I feel having Devin Williams simply makes everyone else that significantly better. All people strikes down a notch. I definitely really feel like they’ve a very good combine. I’m nonetheless a believer in several types that blend nicely collectively. How the items match collectively matter to me. That’s an actual artwork to assembling a pitching employees.
Q: The Anthony Volpe-Jazz Chisholm double-play mixture?
Cone: That’s I feel going to be actually enjoyable for Yankee followers to look at, it’s simply the velocity and the athleticism across the bag.
O’Neill: Chisholm actually shocked me positively final 12 months when he came to visit. He reveals he has loads of energy, he’s acquired nice velocity, super arm. And now I feel he’s going to be much more snug going again to second base the place he’s used to taking part in. Volpe nonetheless has a methods to go to hit his ceiling the place he’s going to be one of many sport’s higher shortstops.
Kay: Brian Cashman informed us on the “Hot Stove” present on YES that he acquired Chisholm to play second base, however then Gleyber Torres refused to play third. He and Volpe have been inseparable throughout spring coaching, and Volpe is a Gold Glove-winning shortstop.
Q: Any concern about Oswaldo Cabrera at third base?
O’Neill: Defensively no. I feel that could possibly be form of a platoon factor presumably. If he will get a possibility to play every single day and he runs with it, then it makes it very straightforward for Aaron Boone. Third base is a spot the place you want manufacturing offensively.
Cone: Sure, it’s. Oswaldo Cabrera deserves a shot to point out what he can do, he’s earned that proper although he’s most likely higher suited as a utility man taking part in all around the discipline.
Q: DH with out Giancarlo Stanton?
O’Neill: I feel (Ben) Rice goes to get a possibility. I don’t suppose you’re going to have a man like Stanton, or like once we had Chili Davis, who was only a DH. I feel you’re going to form of see a revolving scene across the DH so far as giving individuals relaxation and plugging in guys which can be good matchups on that given night time.
Cone: I like Ben Rice. As soon as once more, I feel the theme with the Yankees goes to proceed to be just like what it was within the early-’90s and the place you’re constructing a Core 4, it nonetheless has to return from inside, you want the younger guys to proceed to step up. Ben Rice must be that man this 12 months, Will Warren must be that man this 12 months, amongst others.
Kay: They’re a little bit mild on right-handed hitting even when Stanton was wholesome. Proper now the DH turns into a revolving door. I feel it’s much less of a difficulty if Ben Rice is an impression participant.
Q: What impressed you about Rice?
O’Neill: His perspective, for one factor. He’s a cheerful child, you can inform he was form of in awe simply to be there. … He may even put catcher’s gear on if he has to. If he swings the bat, he’s going to get loads of bats, particularly towards righties within the DH spot.
Cone: He was by no means overmatched. Even when he was slumping on the finish, he by no means actually regarded like he was not in command of the scenario or that the sport was above him. He all the time acquired good at bats. Hit the ball actually laborious when he did hit it laborious. I simply love the best way he swings the bat, I really like his energy potential.
Kay: His plate self-discipline, taking pitches. I feel the league caught up with him a little bit bit, in order that affected him towards the tip, however I feel he’s made some changes, and likewise he’s placed on some muscle.
Q: Austin Wells?
Kay: The one knock towards him developing was that he was not a very good defender. He’s change into of the highest framing catchers within the sport. He’s nonetheless doesn’t have the best arm, however I feel it’s serviceable sufficient that he can throw out 25 to 30 % of base stealers, which might be nice. I feel he’s going to be a drive offensively. I feel the Yankees have an actual diamond within the tough there.
Cone: So significantly better defensively than he was ever given credit score for developing by. He’s a pacesetter again there, he frames exceptionally nicely, all of the metrics say so. He throws definitely common or higher. He’s each ends, protection and offense.
O’Neill: He places collectively good at bats. I really like the best way he catches. He’s on the mark as being one of many higher defensive catchers within the American League. I don’t suppose that he’s hit his ceiling but both. I feel it’s a extremely opportune time for him to take off and be an on a regular basis catcher.
Q: Jasson Domínguez?
O’Neill: You’ll be able to see his bat velocity and his total velocity, he’s able to doing a little issues. All the pieces you hear about him, examine him, he’s gonna be an offensive presence, and also you simply hope that, particularly younger guys, get off to good begins so that they don’t begin urgent and begin attempting to drive issues.
Kay: I feel he could be a star on the plate, particularly towards right-handed pitching. I feel he nonetheless has a methods to go batting from the suitable facet. Protection goes to be a difficulty, however I’ve all the time mentioned offense is a good deodorant for protection.
Cone: They want him to be their man, they want him to be that switch-hitter with energy and velocity. He’s acquired to discover ways to play left discipline, too, as nicely. I can truly see him getting some DH time right here and there as nicely. His bat ought to play within the large leagues, his velocity ought to play within the large leagues. That is the 12 months they should discover out.
Q: Can this workforce manufacture runs with its velocity?
O’Neill: I feel that the Yankees can be higher at it this 12 months.
Cone: You’ll have Jazz Chisholm for a full 12 months. He’s a professional 30-30 man, and Volpe simply must get on base extra. As soon as he will get on base extra, he’s a wonderful base runner. He has a excessive aptitude. He’s swinging the bat with extra authority, hitting the ball more durable. These guys are going to be a drive for them defensively and offensively working the bases.
Kay: In the event that they lead off Wells, they’re not going to have velocity on the high of the lineup, however they’ll have velocity from 3 on. Lots of it’s going to relaxation on how a lot Volpe can get on, as a result of I feel he’s a stolen base ready to occur.
Q: Do you want Wells within the leadoff spot?
Kay: I do, as a result of your No. 2 hitter is Choose. I don’t wish to get anyone thrown out.
Q: The state of the rotation with Cole gone and Luis Gil shelved?
Cone: The Yankees have to learn the way many arms that they will develop. A number of the younger guys actually need to step ahead.
Kay: To be frank, it worries me. The previous saying Subsequent Man Up, nicely now you’re going not less than two males Subsequent Man Up into the rotation.
O’Neill: Groups win with out their finest gamers generally. That’s what’s going to need to occur. You simply transfer on. You determine a approach, whether or not it’s to be a greater offensive workforce day in and day trip, or for those who take a look at the best way they’ve performed baseball since I’ve been doing video games the previous 10 years, get to the center of the sport after which have a extremely, actually good bullpen.
Q: Workforce protection?
Cone: We have to see Domínguez in left develop and see if he can deal with the place or not. Transferring Aaron Choose again to proper discipline places him in his Gold Glove spot in my thoughts. Up the center the Yankees are robust, Goldschmidt’s a Gold Glove at first base, after which Cabrera’s superb at third base as nicely. I anticipate the protection total to be higher.
Q: How do you see the division?
O’Neill: I feel the American League East can be extraordinarily aggressive and I feel the Yankees and the Pink Sox could have that rivalry factor going once more as a result of each groups are robust.
Cone: The division is as tight as ever. It’s again to being the Beasts of the East for me the 12 months. … Boston’s acquired extra expertise than anyone when it comes to prospects proper on the verge. That’s why I say the Yankees’ younger guys really want to match what’s happening. … The entire division’s form of up for grabs in my thoughts.
Kay: I nonetheless suppose they’re adequate to win the East. The groups that scare me can be the Orioles and the Pink Sox. I’m not going to place lipstick on a pig and say shedding Cole just isn’t impactful, in fact it’s. However you simply acquired to get it achieved and discover a approach. … No person on this league scares me. I’d nonetheless say they will make it to the World Collection.
Q: Having come so near successful the World Collection, how will that have an effect on this workforce’s starvation?
O’Neill: It makes it an extended offseason, and also you simply understand if you go into Opening Day, that it’s not a given you’re going to get again there once more. Have they got the items? I feel so. … The Yankees, by stepping into the playoffs, and attending to the World Collection, it’s solely going to assist them sooner or later after they get again to these spots. Each on occasion you simply have that good 12 months, that good chemistry, and who’s to not say that that’s going to be this kind of 12 months for the Yankees?
Kay: They definitely have loads of bulletin board fodder. The stuff that the Dodgers mentioned, I don’t know why they mentioned it … if that doesn’t present motivation that, “We knew they’d make mistakes, we knew they’d throw the ball away, they didn’t run the bases well” — it’s proper there.
Cone: The core guys, it’ll stick with them, it’ll encourage you. Once you’re on the shedding finish of one thing, particularly the best way it occurred, you haven’t any different different however to make use of it as motivation. They’ve actually had form of the grime kicked of their face due to the final sport and the errors and the miscues and the baserunning and all the pieces form of mounting up on them, so that they’ve actually form of had it rubbed of their face a little bit bit. To me, that’s even further motivation for them, to point out, ‘Hey, you know what? We’re going to get again there once more this 12 months. Though we misplaced Soto, we’ve acquired sufficient right here to undergo the American League and get again to the World Collection.”
