Hour 1: Yankees Re-Sign Bellinger

Summary

Don, Hahn & Rosenberg

Hour 1: Yankees Re-Sign Bellinger

Date: January 21, 2026

---

Episode Overview

This episode centers around the New York Yankees’ long-awaited re-signing of outfielder Cody Bellinger, analyzing how his return shapes the Yankees roster, and debating whether the deal truly moves the team forward or just preserves the status quo. The hosts — Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg — dig into the implications for both the Yankees and the Mets, discuss fan expectations, roster concerns (especially pitching and offense), and take calls from listeners skeptical about the Yankees’ approach and Brian Cashman’s leadership.

---

Main Discussion Themes

1. Cody Bellinger’s Return to the Yankees

• Don's Relief: Alan Hahn opens with excitement and relief that the Bellinger saga has ended with him in pinstripes (00:51). Peter says he wasn’t deeply worried but admits he was desperate for Bellinger.
• Negotiation Dynamics: The delay is attributed to Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras, leveraging time to get the best deal (01:36).
• Contract Details: Bellinger signs for five years, $162 million; the Yankees didn't want to go to six, were reluctant to even offer five, but were compelled by competitiveness (04:36).
• Yankees' Offseason Moves: Other than adding Ryan Weathers, the Yankees have been quiet in free agency, causing some concern about stagnation (03:11). The main narrative: Bellinger’s return maintains the roster rather than upgrading it.

Notable Quote:

"But it still feels, guys, that the Yankees kind of stayed pat, which isn't awful because they're a really good baseball team. But...the idea that this was gonna be an offseason, we're gonna take a huge step and spend a lot of money and improve the team. They kind of stayed the same." — Don La Greca (03:45)

---

2. Yankees Roster Construction and Fan Expectations

• Outfield Mix: With Grisham, Judge, and Bellinger established, discussion turns to what happens with Jones or Dominguez, and the flexibility Bellinger brings (05:04).
• Pitching Health is Key: Optimism is tethered to hopes that injured starters (Cole, Rodon, Clarkson) will return by May/June, potentially making the Yankees a strong “second-half team” (06:00).
• Offense Still a Question: There are recurring doubts about offensive depth. Outside of Judge and Bellinger, the lineup doesn’t feature many reliable bats, and struggles in clutch postseason at-bats linger in memory (12:29, 36:32).
• Fan Mentality: Don remarks on the insatiable expectations of Yankee fans for insurance policies and All-Stars at every position—a luxury few teams, even the Dodgers, can truly guarantee (07:21, 13:05).

Notable Quote:

"Yankee fans want guarantees. Yankess fans want...all stars at every position. I want to make sure if somebody goes down, somebody, the equivalent can slide in. That's hard to do." — Don La Greca (07:21)

---

3. The Yankees vs. the Dodgers Dilemma

• Comparisons to ‘Great’ Teams: The Dodgers are considered the lone “great” team in baseball due to recent back-to-back World Series successes (15:11–15:32). The show explores the difference between being “very good” (Yankees) and “great” (Dodgers).
• No Guarantees: Injuries and baseball’s unpredictability mean even loaded teams like the Dodgers can’t guarantee cruise-control dominance. The Yankees’ hope is to get hot at the right time, especially with their pitching healthy in the second half (16:13–18:13).

Notable Quote:

"You gotta understand that world doesn’t exist anymore. And, and you gotta let it go. I had to let it go. But when you look at the Yankees, you can at least tell yourself they have a shot, they have a chance." — Alan Hahn (16:13)

---

4. Cautious Optimism vs. Sober Reality

• The Optimistic Take: Alan is “bullish” on the Yankees season, especially if the pitching staff stays healthy and the team can add steam in the second half (09:48–11:41). Moves made at the 2025 deadline to get more athletic and bring in Bednar for the bullpen have already helped.
• The Skeptical Take: Peter constantly represents the “negative Yankee fan,” warning about the team’s pattern: strong on paper, snakebitten by injuries and underperformance come summer (13:03, 18:07).
• Callers Chime In: Listeners echo skepticism, especially about Cashman’s ongoing stewardship, and the team's all-or-nothing offensive approach (21:02, 22:13). Questions are raised about relying so much on home runs and failing to manufacture runs in the postseason.

Notable Quote:

“I am being that guy. I am being — I am representing the voice of the negative Yankee fan that we talk to every single day, which is, yeah, I've seen this roster...and somehow when the season starts, it never goes the way that it is on paper.” — Peter Rosenberg (18:07)

Listener Quote:

“The Yankees believe...guys, get up there and swing for the fences. Home run, home run, home run. And we lose in the playoffs. That's what I want to see.” — Rob in Nyack (21:27)

---

5. Roster Holes and Remaining Needs

• Shortstop Questions: Volpe’s injury and performance have raised the possibility of George Lombard pushing for a job (33:06–34:33).
• Catcher Situation: A caller notes Ben Rice as full-time first baseman means the team is heavy on left-handed catchers, wishing for a right-handed backup instead (40:41).
• Backup Plans: The rotation’s depth excites Alan, but both Rodon and Schlitler still present “ifs” based on health and brief track records (20:12; 20:55).
• Potential Moves: Callers wonder if Brian Cashman might pull off another significant acquisition (Peralta?) or if small “maintenance moves” are all that’s left (38:45–41:48).

---

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Bellinger is all about the status quo.” — Don La Greca (03:33)
• “If it turns out to be what it is on paper...of course, Don, we're having a conversation. I'm just representing the voice that I hear so often, which is that never happens.” — Peter Rosenberg (18:07)
• “There's no guarantee. I think they're a very good baseball team...This is a team that can win the World Series. This is also a team that could settle for a wild card and get beaten by the Blue Jays again. I think both are very much on the table.” — Don La Greca (18:53)
• “I know what you're saying and I can't deny any of it, but I also don't think you had a pitching staff when healthy like this. Like this. No, but this is as deep of a starting rotation that they have had since I can remember.” — Alan Hahn (19:52)

---

Key Timestamps

| Time | Segment Summary | |--------|-----------------------| | 00:51 | Cody Bellinger re-signs with Yankees; host reactions | | 03:11 | Offseason roster building, Yankees “stay pat” | | 04:36 | Contract details and discussion about building the outfield | | 06:00 | Hope for pitching health and expectation Yankees will be a “second-half team” | | 07:21 | Fan demand for “insurance policies” and luxury rosters | | 09:48 | Alan’s increased optimism for the Yankees in 2026 | | 13:03 | Peter flags pattern of hype-vs-reality injuries | | 15:11 | Who’s great in MLB? Dodgers vs. the field | | 16:13 | Letting go of dominance expectations, embracing team’s “chance” | | 18:07 | Peter’s “negative fan” persona; history of injuries and disappointment | | 21:02 | Caller “Rob in Nyack” laments Yankees’ one-dimensional offense and Cashman’s job security | | 22:13 | Alan and Peter tongue-in-cheek, teasing about vocabulary and intelligence | | 36:32 | Offense is the real postseason Achilles' heel, not pitching | | 38:45 | Caller asks about potential for one more big move (Peralta trade?) | | 40:41 | Concern about backup catcher handedness and lineup versatility | | 42:19 | Final thoughts: realistic expectations for the season, focus on making the playoffs |

---

Episode Takeaways

• The Bellinger deal brings relief and needed stability but leaves lingering questions about whether the Yankees are truly improved.
• Much of the optimistic outlook rides on the health of their pitching staff and hoped-for improvements from within, not from splashy acquisitions.
• Long-standing concerns about the offense’s feast-or-famine nature remain.
• Despite fan restlessness and skepticism about leadership, the hosts agree: the Yankees are a “very good” team with a real but far from guaranteed shot at October success.

---

Tone: Playful, lively, occasionally sarcastic, with a mix of cautious optimism and realistic skepticism about perennial Yankees narratives and fan expectations. Multiple moments of camaraderie and New York sports banter, including lighthearted host teasing and engagement with caller frustrations.

---

For fans and listeners: This episode delivers a balanced, insightful breakdown of what the Bellinger signing does (and doesn’t) mean for the Yankees, while holding a mirror up to New York’s unique brand of sports hope — and anxiety.

Transcript

[A]

Every sip of coca cola brings you closer to the excitement of the FIFA world cup 26. Because nothing compares to the joy.

[B]

So grab a Coke and drink in.

[A]

The FIFA World Cup 26.

[C]

No purchase necessary.

[A]

13 in 50 US states and DC with a web enabled device. Ends March 1 with eight entry periods. [e-mail] SoccerRules Don.

[B]

Sometimes fraud gives you movement. It sounded like it moved. Han, you heard a squish. And Rosenberg shake gently to assure complete activation. Hello.

[A]

This isn't North Dakota. This is New York.

[B]

This is Don, Han and Rosenberg.

[D]

The best threesome I've ever heard on.

[B]

ESPN New York and streaming live on YouTube.

[A]

All. Ladies and gentlemen, it's Don, Han and Rosenberg. ESPN New York. You can participate on 8:80am you can listen on the ESPN New York app. You can consume us visually, take us in whole. Swallow it all up and enjoy it right there on ESPN New York. YouTube. Chanel. Very, very excited, guys. The great national nightmare is over. Cody Bellinger has a home, and it's in pinstripes in the Bronx. You can sleep tonight, Alan.

[B]

I mean, probably on your back.

[A]

Well, not quite that far.

[B]

I gotta be honest with you. I was not really that worried.

[A]

Not that worried because you assumed he'd end up there. Not that worried because you didn't. You weren't desperate for Cody Bellinger?

[B]

Oh, no, I was desperate for Cody Bell.

[A]

Oh, there you go. You were yearning.

[B]

I was. It was more of a. The longer it went, the more it's pretty obvious he just wanted to be a Yankee. And Scott Boris was like, all right, settle down, son. We still got to get you the most we can. We got to squeeze him as most we can. Let's create a market, and let's get this. This notion that they can lose you. And every time the Yankees kept putting out, like, the smoke signals of, you know, that's our best offer, we're ready to move on. That's telling Boris, like, we're calling your bluff. We know he wants to be here. Just do the right thing and let's get this thing.

[A]

Do the right thing. And then.

[B]

And then got it done. So I gotta be asking Anthony. Anthony and I talked about this a lot offline. And it was my sense for the last couple of weeks has been the longer this goes, the. The more it's pretty clear he just wants to be a Yankee. And they were trying to just get the most they could out of the Yankees. And, you know, he did pretty well for himself. And the Yankees roster seems like it's.

[C]

Pretty set now, well, and once I.

[A]

Was going to say, Don, probably the same thing you're going to say once. Once the Mets acquired, as I like to call them, Lou Bob, Louis, Robert Jr. Luis Robert Jr. Depending who you ask. That had to mean basically the. The musical chairs were over. Right, Tom?

[C]

Yeah. I was just down to. I guess maybe the Blue Jays could have threw their hat in the ring. He wanted to be a Yankee, but all the reports going into yesterday's signing was it was between the Mets and the Yankees. So once the Mets went with their center field, or you knew that, it was just a matter of time. Yankees didn't want to go to six years. They really didn't even want to go to five. But this is, you know, this what you got to do. Michael always says in free agency, sometimes you're going to have to hold your nose. You're going to have to go there if you want to be competitive and you want to win. And they took care of business. It's got some lockout clauses in it, which sends up red flags that the New York Yankees are preparing for a work stoppage in 27. I think we all got to get comfortable with that possibility as we get closer and closer to that. But I'm with Allen. I was never really worried the Yankees were going to lose them. Just how would it look if they did? Because they didn't really do anything during the off season. Weathers is the only player they brought in outside the organization during the off season because they are a good team. They're not that far removed. We're going to Game 5 of the World Series. They won 94 games last year, but what would it look like if they had lost Bellinger? And now you're relying on Dominguez, who can't stay healthy. You're relying on Jones, who still hasn't, you know, performed on a major league level yet. So it was something they had to do. They did it. But it still feels, guys, that the Yankees kind of stayed pat, which isn't awful because they're a really good baseball team. But, you know, the idea that this was gonna be an offseason, we're gonna take a huge step and spend a lot of money and improve the team. They kind of stayed the same. And you got to cross your fingers that the starting pitching is healthy sooner than later. But Bellinger is all about the status quo. And what would it look like if they didn't bring him back?

[A]

Well, now we don't have to know, Don. All we know is we ended up at five years, 162. So ended up just about two and a half million more over the staying put at 160 that we'd been hearing. And now Alan, we can get into the conversation about who the Yankees end up keeping and who they end up dealing. Given that now we know with Grisham, Judge and Bellinger we have at least what the plan will be for starting outfielders.

[B]

Yeah, that's what you watch next. Now is it going to be Jones, is it going to be Dominguez? I don't know how much value Dominguez has right now. Jones pill probably has some value because we haven't seen him at the major league level yet. Although there always are concerns about his size and the hole, the quote unquote holes in his swing. But they clearly one of those two are probably going to have to go. Bellinger also with no Goldschmidt. Now Bellinger does give you that multifaceted thing that other teams would have probably considered in that he can play first base when Ben Rice needs it needs a night off or maybe even when Ben Rice catches. Right. So you have that as your Ben Rice is now your full time first baseman and Bellinger can fill that void when needed. But that's your outfield. I thought it was a pretty good outfield last year. I think Bellinger with Judge has been very good. So all that stuff is like the Yankee roster by May or June will be or at least you hope so because of injuries, should be whole by then. Then you'll really know what you have. But I like this is like I don't know what more anybody would have wanted the Yankees to do this off season, but this is a team that won over 90 games last year and they lost Garrett Cole for the whole damn year. They got a closer midway through the year and by the end of the year we kind of said okay, they, they got a closer finally because we didn't believe in Devin Williams. He's someone else's problem now. So I kind of look at the Yankees and the kind of the retooling they did from July forward and a little bit of the off season, but not too much. And all you're waiting to do now unfortunately is to get to May. When you'll get Rodon, well, you'll get Cole coming back, well, you'll get Clarkson's probably later in the year, but your starting pitching will start to come back and be healthy. And I think the what you can hope for is that the Yankees become a second half team. But they didn't get worse, that's for damn sure. And they were a 90 plus win team last year. So what can they be now in what's going to be a really good American League East? That's the question. But I think they're as good as they were last year and they have the potential to be better because of the pitching getting healthy at some point early in the season.

[C]

Well, you won 94 games, wasn't good enough to win the division, but it was the same record you had with the Blue Jays. But Blue Jays had the tiebreaker. So I wouldn't consider 94 wins a spectacular season, but it would have been good enough had you beaten the Blue Jays in the regular season a couple of more times. Good enough to win the division. And we've seen in baseball, the dirty little secret is that how big are all these games in the regular season? They keep adding wild cards. We've seen team, we saw it with the Mets, you know, miserable start to the season a couple of years ago. They get hot and they go all the way to the league Championship Series. We've seen teams like the Braves and the Nationals be awful at the All Star break, turn it around in the second half and win championships. So if the Yankees have to struggle in the first month, even a couple of games under.500, don't panic. The cavalry's coming. They still have the ability to add during the course of the season, and they're in a division that I think mid-90s could be good enough to win it now. The Blue Jays are good. Red Sox have an amazing starting rotation. But I still think the Yankees are better offensively. I don't worry right now about the Rays and Orioles, although the Orioles did add the bat from the Mets. But honestly, I think the Yankees are in really good shape. Listen, Yankee fans are like a lot of other fans. They want to pile on, right? They want insurance policies all over the place. I want all stars at every position. I want to make sure if somebody goes down, somebody, the equivalent can slide in. That's hard to do, but they didn't need to make a ton of improvements. They just had to make sure they didn't have what happened last year happened this year. Losing one of your best players. They didn't. They kept Bellinger. They didn't have to go crazy. They didn't give him six, seven years. That's what, you know, Bellinger wanted. He wanted to stay. They did it and, you know, the Mets think they got their guy and we'll see. He's Young, he's an A plus defender, doesn't hit for much of an average, but had 38 home runs in 2023. So the Mets think they got their guy. Yankees bring back their guy. And I think other than maybe the Mets adding to their rotation, there's probably not going to be a lot of news coming out of local baseball until we get started.

[A]

Well, listen, this month you can look forward to this team having enough to either find a way into the wild card, win the division and either lose in the divisional or the CS or eventually get slaughtered by the Dodgers. But it's all right there for you, so you can look forward to it.

[B]

No, no, no, no, no, no. This. I really do have a different confidence. Because of the fact that you'll have Cole. Cole and Freed together. Rodona is a third guy. Like, come on, Don, if we're being honest, first half of the season is one where you gotta tread water, right? You gotta tread water, right? You gotta get through it because you know you're gonna be missing some key pieces. Like, you know, Volpe's gonna be out for a while as well. And, man, are you hoping that he has a bounce back season because if he doesn't, we know it's probably gonna be the end for him. And Lombard's waiting. But I'm looking at this more or less. Like a lot of times we get into August and it feels like that's, that's like the season's getting long. We could just get me to September. I'm of the belief that this year the August and Septembers might be the more important months for the Yankees where they actually start to show you who they are. Like, we're so used to them getting off to the good starts and getting all excited and then it kind of, it hits that plateau mid season and then we really get frustrated in August. But because of how this is set up, this might be a different type of story this year. I'm, I'm more optimistic. And remember I said it last year that this is about next year. I felt like, oh, I was saying all. Yeah, you always said that this is about 26. Well, it's 26 now. And I have a different optimism about this team this year than I did than I did last year. And it started with some of the stuff that Cashman did in July at the trade deadline, fixing some of the issues that they had, being getting more athletic and also fixing the closing situation, which we know that was a disaster. It was not working with Devin Williams. Bednar is much better and they've got him now. He's comfortable as a Yankee. He's already spent enough time here. So I'm actually a little more bullish on the Yankee season this year than I was obviously last year. But maybe other people might be.

[C]

Well, what.

[A]

What is it, though? Is it just the fact that Cole's going to be healthy?

[B]

Healthy, yes.

[A]

But is it never got to see.

[B]

You understand Max Freed was a Cy Young candidate for the majority of the season. Yes, he did fall off at the end of the year. There are always concerns about him and innings because he's not typically a guy that eats up a lot of innings. Right. Did he wear down? But if you have Garrett Cole, who you know is one of the best pitchers in the sport, and you know he's going to be ready to go at some time in May if you have him and Freed and Rodin. And Rodin's now your third most important pitcher. And let's not forget about Cam Schlitler. And let's just see can he pick up where he left off. Right. Because he could end up being the third guy.

[A]

That. That might be the most exciting piece is if that turns out to be.

[B]

But.

[A]

But I can't I counter your. They didn't really add very much.

[C]

I can't.

[A]

I'm going to counter your enthusiasm with. They didn't really add very much. And as important. Well, as important as it is to have a healthy Garrett Cole, they still need to be able to. Even if he's able to hold teams. And we know at a certain point he's only starting so many games. Right. In a series against the Dodgers, you're going to hope to get two starts out of him. Right. I mean, you still need to be able to generate runs. And Dom, there's going to. It's not like they're not going to have health issues other places. This is one thing you've learned about the Yankees year after year. I'm sorry to be that guy, but I got to point out a pattern that happens over and over again. You're going to get called back. You're going to lose someone else.

[C]

Well, Peter's being that guy.

[A]

Damn right.

[C]

He's 100% right. Because Yankee fans want guarantees. Yankee fans want. We had to settle for a wild card. We were out early. We didn't go back to the World Series. Let's do what the Dodgers did after winning a World Series. Let's keep adding players. Let's just keep spending money. Let's keep adding players, and let's Assure that we're going to be there. You can't do that. You know, the Dodgers are still the Dodgers, but it's not even guaranteed to them.

[B]

You have a healthy goal before. The Dodgers don't run away with the regular season anyway. Right? We have already don't. They're not going to dominate regular season, but they are a handful because of all the talent they have. They're an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the playoffs. But I understand the Yankee offense absolutely sputtered at the end of the season. I understand all that stuff. But I, for some reason, like, look, my biggest concern is Trent Grisham. I'm sure it's everybody's biggest concern because was this a one off year or is that who he is? And him picking up the option caught everybody by surprise. And we know that kind of messed up some things. But he's, he's got. If he can just give you the same numbers, that's fine. We all know Aaron Judge is great. You have Bellinger who was really good with Judge. Rice can be a full time first baseman now and see if he settles in. He. I thought he had a terrific season last year. Jazz, you know, Ryan McMahon is not a big offensive guy, but you know your defense has gotten better when you got him Caballero, who's gonna have to probably play short, right? He's gonna have to play short while Volpe's out. But here's a guy that was really athletic and all that stuff. And then your catching is pretty solid as well. So I don't know why you would have pessimism. The team won 94 games and we argue that it was a terrible finish to the season. Right? It was a bad finish, but they won 94 games.

[C]

Right. We'll take calls, but there's just, there's no guarantee. I think they're a very good baseball team. They've been a very good baseball team every year since 2009 when they find.

[B]

Very good. All right, all right. If they're very good, what's, what's the next level up?

[A]

Great.

[B]

Who's. Who's great?

[A]

The Dodgers.

[B]

Now you say that because of all the talent they have. Right?

[A]

And one and the winning and the.

[B]

Fact that they've won the last two.

[A]

World Series back to back World Series three in the last five years.

[B]

All right. No. Who else you putting in that bucket of great? Yeah. Who's in the bucket of great? The Dodgers fall in there easily. Who else?

[C]

To me it's not. To me it's probably just the Dodgers. Right. I mean, I think the Braves are a great team when healthy. You saw what happened last year. They weren't healthy and they were out of it. That's how baseball is. But the point is, is that the Yankees have an outstanding team. But you can't sit here and guarantee me they're winning the division. Blue Jays could still win the division. Well, it's a really tough starting. Right, but that, but I think what Yankee fans are saying is, and this is what the complaints we get, I want to be in the position where it's, it's, it's a fait accompli. Well, we're the best team that we're going to, we're going to win the division and we're going to go. Well, I, I can't do that because as you said, the Dodgers played with their food last year. They didn't win the division by 20 games.

[B]

No, no, we got over the playoff.

[C]

One back to back World Series.

[B]

I'm with you, Don. I'm with you on that. We got to get over this whole notion that the Yankees and the Dodgers are equal when it comes to that stuff where because the Dodgers are making it clear they get all the players they want, they should run away with divisions, but they don't because the Padres give them, you know, they give them hell. You know, the Giants give them hell. Like they, they don't run away with that division either. Sometimes because they play with their food, sometimes because they have injuries, whatever it is. But in the end they always figure it out because in the playoffs they're so, they're so loaded, they're very, very difficult to beat. And I'll tell you what, the Blue Jays came real close. I mean they came real close, scrappy, hard working teams, you have to take that lesson from them. But I can't look at the division, I can't look at the Yankees today and say that I expect to run away with things because now you're, you got it wrong. Whoever is a fan that's saying that I want this, you got to understand that that world doesn't exist anymore. And, and you gotta let it go. I had to let it go. But when you look at the Yankees, you can at least tell yourself they have a shot, they have a chance. And it would not be, as much as I know Peter, you were trying to, you know, wet blanket the whole thing about, well, you can lose the division, well, you know, it'll be a nice season and you lose in division. And I know because that's kind of the, the pessimism that has surrounded this team. But I also look at this team and if they can have the year where they finally get healthy and they. And think about it, they're getting healthy later in the year, not early later. They'll be healthy. If they can get themselves on a roll in August and September and start to find who they are instead of doing it in April and May, May like they did last year, May into June, and then all of a sudden they hit a wall. You remember that. If that's what happens, how do you not look at this roster and that pitching staff and say, I'd be shocked if they were in the World Series? You can't.

[A]

You, you know, you can't. And I am being that guy. I am being. I am representing the voice of the negative Yankee fan that we talk to every single day, which is, yeah, I've seen this roster. I've seen rosters similar to this, and somehow when the season starts, it never goes the way that it is on paper. You're right. If it goes. If it turns out to be what it is on paper, Rodon is as good as he was last year and also has a healthy call. And Freed is what he was most of the year. And then on top of that, Schlitler, you've got four guys. Of course, Don, we're having a conversation. I'm just representing the voice that I hear so often, which is that never happens.

[B]

Right.

[C]

But there's. There's no world. Alan's right. There's no world that they were going to have an off season where that they were going to be predicted to win it all going away.

[B]

Right.

[C]

This is a very good baseball team that I fully expect the challenge for the division and would almost guarantee if they're healthy, they're going to be in the playoffs. This is a team that can win the World Series. This is also a team that could settle for a wild card and get beaten by the Blue Jays again. I think both are very much on the table.

[B]

Oh, yeah, I think so.

[C]

And to Peter's point, based on the history, if you had to bet, you're probably bet, not winning, then winning because they've been better Yankee teams than this that didn't win, haven't won since 2009, have won just once since they beat the Mets in 2000. So that's the thing you're trying to overcome, is if you're looking at the history, this is a very good baseball team that's got a chance to win the World Series. But based on recent history probably won't. And that's what Yankee fans are afraid of. And what they wanted was an off season to at least have a little bit more assurances and they didn't get it. But that still doesn't mean it can't be a thrilling season and a fun season. I expect it to be. But. But there are no guarantees.

[B]

I'm curious to hear from Yankee fans. 809, 3776. Because honestly, like, I know what you're saying and I can't deny any of it, but I also don't think you had a pitching staff when healthy like this. Like this. No, but this is as deep of a starting rotation that they have had since I can remember.

[A]

But Don, like two. Two of the four that you're saying to me are kind of an if.

[B]

What's that? Well, that.

[A]

That Rodan. That Rodin is the best version of Rodin and Schlitler develops and continues to be the guy that he was for a very brief time. They're both sort of ifs, you know.

[B]

Brief time. Did he not have the biggest cubes performance in the playoffs when they needed it most?

[A]

No, listen, he showed it.

[B]

That tells me that he's got that dog in him. He, you know, you need that.

[A]

Well, they've been desperate for that. They're a team that is desperate for.

[B]

A homegrown guy, too. Come on now.

[A]

I'm just saying we can't say that. We know for a fact that this is a Cy Young winner moving forward. But if yes, he certainly showed something you could be excited about. Let's talk to the people.

[B]

Yeah, go ahead.

[A]

1-800-919-3776. We'll start with Rob in Nyack. Hey, Rob.

[D]

Yo, what's up, boys? One thing I want to bring to your attention, Alan, is that the gentleman building all this still believes that it's a good thing to strike out and does not believe in putting the ball in play. While those three starters in the playoffs should really be almost unbeatable, you're not. All the other major league. All the other major league baseball team believe that, hey, we could push a run or two across against an ace. The Yankees don't.

[B]

The Yankees believe.

[D]

Guys, get on up there and swing for the fences. Home run, home run, home run. And we lose in the playoffs. That's what I want to see. I don't think we needed to add more and have a $400 million payroll. I think we need to, as you say often, Alan, build this team intelligently. When Brian Cashman finally is gone. And I, I do my research, guys, I look back, when Brian Cashman got hired, he was 21. He left college to do this. How Steinbrenner would have met Brian when He was like 18, 19 years old. But this dude probably looks up to Brian like the coolest kid in school since he's literally a young, young man. So I get why there's some personal thing there, but come on, you have a business, you have a team. Do what's best for your business and your team. Let this guy go. Love you, boys.

[A]

See you later.

[B]

It's January, so I didn't need that dose of reality. That reminds me, you guys know how I've railed on and on about Cashman. That's the part that, of course, definitely brings my mood down, is the approach. I can't believe it's going to change. And we all know how maddening it is to watch sometimes. So I think, you know, thanks for bringing me down. Appreciate that.

[A]

Listen, Alan, you can count on that throughout the day. 1-800-919-3776. We're going to hear from a myriad of people, I'm sure, who can make you feel bad.

[B]

Wow, nice word is myriad.

[A]

Really?

[B]

That's a good word.

[A]

You were so impressed with stalwart yesterday.

[B]

Well, because, you know, people don't throw myriad around in casual conversation, so that again, it's very good.

[C]

Would you marry at or myriad?

[B]

The myriad.

[A]

I said myriad.

[B]

You know, it is myriad. Potato, potato.

[A]

Thank you. I appreciate it.

[C]

I'm just, I wasn't mocking Pete. I'm asking. I think it's a radiator.

[A]

Radiator.

[C]

Or both. Acceptable.

[B]

Like that.

[D]

You know what?

[B]

Like that.

[A]

I'm getting the sense. Don, what I'm feeling is that Alan thinks I'm a moron. So when I use a word that's longer than six letters, is that what you're, that's what you're kind of feeling the last couple.

[C]

He doesn't respect your intellect.

[B]

No, I, I, I.

[A]

Yesterday I said stalwart. He went, wow, stalwart.

[C]

Well, look at the little boy in big words.

[A]

Yeah. It's like me talking to Maya when she goes, that's me with Alan.

[B]

I was trying to, to recognize your orthographic lexicon, and you want to take it as a shot.

[C]

So he's, he's, he's mocking you right.

[A]

Up here, right to my. That is so. Wow.

[D]

Oh, thank you.

[C]

I mean, you too.

[B]

I drive a dog. Stratus.

[A]

Yeah, he's, he's he's letting it swing today.

[C]

There's a lot of disrespect in the first segment.

[A]

No lie, it came all at the end too. That's the tough part.

[B]

As you know, managing maintenance, repair and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger has your back.

[C]

From professional grade products you can count.

[B]

On to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, they're committed to being your.

[C]

Partner in protecting both your people and your facilities.

[B]

Call 1-800-GRAINGER click granger.com or just stop by thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg Podcast.

[A]

I didn't listen to anything you just said.

[B]

Catch this show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[C]

You know, there's a lot of reasons why people buy at Ramsey Mazda. It's their selection, it's their customer service, and it's their savings. Lisa New 2025 Mazda CX30 25s for all wheel drive for 189 for 33 months. Start shopping now at ramseymazda.com choose wisely. Choose Ramsey Mazda. Call 833-853-2970 for details. Vin SM 844-681 MSRP $29,075 0 security deposit and 2 226.

[A]

Well also Dom, while we're at I'm hit you a little game time brought to you by Tullamore Irish Whiskey because when it's game time, it's Tully time.

[C]

Yeah.

[A]

The Knicks desperate to get back on track tonight, taking on the Nets with coverage immediately following us on 880@7. Allen, of course will be all over the coverage on msg. The Islanders are in Seattle having a.

[B]

Nice little trip there.

[A]

Don't facing the crack in at 9:30.

[B]

The aisles right?

[A]

That's right.

[B]

That's a good trip.

[C]

I think they lost in a shootout to Nashville and then they lost to Calgary in regulation. Otherwise they beat Minnesota. They beat Vancouver.

[B]

Mm.

[C]

Well, no, they beat out Edmonton and they beat Edmonton. So they had a nice trip.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Well, how was Edmo last night?

[A]

Well, hold on, let me tell us in a second. But first let me tell you the Telemore dues. The original triple distilled, triple blended and triple cast matured Irish whiskey. Be sure to grab a Tullamore do or try the new Tullimore do, honey. During today's action glasses up to enjoying Tullamore Dew responsibly. And now, Don, please tell us about how much you enjoyed Edmo as Alan calls.

[C]

Was odd to be at a game that you're not working, but I don't know if you saw the picture I sent out. You know, we were all there. Rachel was there, Danico, Bryce. So our whole team got a whole booth to be able to sit there and watch the game.

[B]

That's nice.

[C]

And try to think of your sickest, craziest fan of a team that, you know, one of those guys that yells at the players, yells at the opposing fans, paces back and forth like a caged animal. Now put the career in the clear and the cream on like. Like a P. PD That's Kendanico watching the Devils when he's not working.

[B]

Ah, that's great.

[C]

He's not working. I'm like, where is this on the air? We need where is this analysis on the air?

[B]

Oh, damn.

[C]

You get kicked out.

[B]

That's great.

[C]

Well, we could. He let's. It's in his blood, man. I know. He was born in Ontario, grew up in Edmonton, so he got to be with a lot of family yesterday, which was cool. But the Devils run through his blood. He's been part of the organization for 40 plus years and dies with them. But it was crazy. It was a lot. It was a. It was a cool game. They caught a few breaks, but they were able to shut down. McDavid won the game 2 to 1. They've actually won three or four here. We'll see if they can win to tomorrow or Friday against the Vancouver team that's lost 11 in a row.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

See if it'd be 12 tonight. But it was scrap last night too, right?

[B]

Kovacevich put the hit on on McDavid had a good little scrap there and then.

[C]

And then pot Coles and jumped him. It was a clean hit. But you got to come to the support of your superstar player. So. No, I had everything. Good hits, good goaltending from Jake Allen. But I'll tell you, you've been on these trips. You know, you start out on the east coast, you fly mountain time. Calgary, Edmonton in two days. Now I'm in Vancouver. Three hour time difference. My body has no idea what time it is.

[B]

Yeah, like it feel.

[C]

Feels like I've been up all day. It's only 12:35 here. You know, it's good but it. But it's. It's a lot of fun. I'm in a hotel. I don't Want to announce the name of the hotel?

[B]

Please don't.

[C]

But it's got an old timey feel to it. Like the elevators have the. The arrow that points to the floor that it's on like one of those. It's really.

[B]

Oh, I thought they have like the gates that close and then they have like, you know, the pulley system. That's really old timey. You getting some. Now you're in Vancouver and as we know.

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Like you got to get some sushi like Peter you.

[C]

That's what everybody's telling.

[A]

Oh, you bet your ace.

[B]

I mean the sush is just off the charts there. You got.

[C]

Never had sushi.

[B]

Come on, this is the plan. Never had it.

[A]

We had.

[B]

I cannot die. We did have a plan.

[A]

I really, really can't like believe this. With Don and the sushi.

[B]

Well, he's got it. He's in Vancouver. He's got to have.

[A]

So wait, they're off tonight.

[B]

Salmon something, man.

[A]

So. So they're off. What's the plan then for the squad?

[C]

The plan, because I'm a nerd, is I'm going to, when this show is over to talk to the family and I'm going to take a walk over to the arena, watch Canucks and Capitals.

[B]

I love this man.

[C]

Like a gentleman.

[B]

Can you.

[A]

It's not a gentleman.

[B]

Steak and sushi, man. You're in Vancouver tomorrow.

[C]

That's the third. We're all going out. We're all going out tomorrow night. They promised me they're going to take me to a top flight sushi place. This is the perfect place. I've been told to be introduced to sushi. Okay, you don't have sushi in Winnipeg. All right. No, I would think we could all agree on that. No offense to the name of my 12th book though.

[A]

Sushi.

[C]

Winnipeg sushi is different than Vancouver Sushi. Can we agree on that?

[B]

I think. I think a lot of things are definitely confirmed, right? It's like having Winnipeg sushi is like having sushi in an airport. It's the same thing.

[C]

It's like gas station sushi.

[B]

Gas station sushi.

[C]

Again, no offense.

[B]

No offense.

[A]

Something. Wait, so they're off tomorrow too?

[C]

Although I have a practice, but I don't have a game till Friday.

[B]

He's. This is. This is now, by the way, the worst part, Don, you're so far from home, you just want to be home. Instead you gotta just grind your way through a five star hotel and steak and sushi.

[A]

I hate that for you. I'll tell you one thing too. So I'm excited about Don having sushi. Everything hits different in Vancouver. I ever tell you guys about the night I spent in Vancouver? This woman. Daphne.

[B]

Daphne. Oh, yeah, Daphne. Yeah, Daphne. Okay, nothing.

[A]

Nothing happened. We became friends. It was.

[B]

I only.

[A]

I was. I was literally there for one night. I was DJing. She was amazing.

[B]

But she friend zoned you, so.

[A]

She didn't friend zone me. I left. It was. I'm not. I'm not a. I'm not a. One night closure. Not my style. I do need to. I admit that. I need time. And then I never made it back.

[B]

Then a pill. I got it.

[A]

Things opened up later in life. Ouch. The trip never happened. What'd he say?

[B]

Nothing. Keep going. Stay with the drink. No, I. I want more of this dream. I'm here.

[A]

No, she was just perfect. She was what a woman. Daphne.

[B]

And God bless. Daphne.

[A]

Turn that up for a second. All right, let's continue on, shall we?

[B]

Yeah, let's do that.

[A]

Try to calm things down a bit. Let's go to Brian in Sleepy Hollow. What's up, Brian?

[D]

How's it going, guys? Just curious, Don. Like, what's. What are like cocktail prices? What's a. What's an old fashioned running and in like a random Canadian city?

[A]

Great question by Brian.

[B]

Very good question. Yeah, it.

[C]

Because of the exchange rate, you're probably dipping into about a good 25 bucks. But you know what they.

[A]

Shameful.

[C]

I'll just say two words, though. Per diem.

[B]

They don't tell you what you. They don't tell you what you have to spend it on. You just have to spend. Oh, yeah.

[D]

True, true. I just want to talk a little Yankees. I am happy about the Bellinger thing, of course, but you know, I feel like that kind of that. You ever seen that meme? The guy gets a plaid shirt for Christmas, the same one he's wearing. It's like, yeah, it's cool. But I don't know. I'm still. I'm not over the moon with Cashman. I feel like he just, like he's. I think his pride is a little too much. Like his mistakes are, I don't know, Vulpy. I'm not too thrilled with him still being around. I feel like we're going to have to see one more year of him, you know, pooping the bed for him to be finally gone. Like, you know, you're not going to have Volpe.

[B]

See, here's, here's. But here's something interesting on that. Now look, I'm with you as the previous Caller wanted to remind me in the midst of my optimism that Brian Cashman's still here. And that means the system, the style of play, all that stuff is still here, too. And we all know how much, by may or so, we're all going to be mfing that stuff, right? But the Volpe thing, keep in mind, there's little things to watch for me, and one of them is that because spring training last year, everybody heard about George Lombard, right? Everybody heard about him. This phenom, he's going to be. He's on his way. You know, he's probably not going to be ready this year, but he was pushing. And then this spring training, does. Does he come in and build off of that, you know, the magic of last year, and have people still talking about him to a point where maybe, just maybe, he starts giving you those Jeter vibes of, you know, you got to bring this guy up at some point. And the Volpe thing might just take care of itself because Caballero can play short. And if Volpe, who's going to take some time to come back because that shoulder injury that all last year we were told isn't an injury, now apparently it is. But that whole thing could work itself out before you know it. So that's actually. Shortstop's a position in the early part of the season, especially in spring training, that I'm gonna have my eye on. I'm really curious to see what the next step's gonna be there, because it does feel like the Volpe thing, as much as Cashman's trying to cling on to it because he wants to prove himself right. I wonder how much longer they're gonna hang on to that. If someone else shows you that they could do it better.

[C]

Well, Caballero plays well, then that'll solve itself, right?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, pretty much. I like him.

[A]

Let's go to Rich in Brooklyn. Hey, Rich.

[B]

Hey, guys.

[C]

How you doing?

[A]

Good, buddy.

[C]

Good.

[B]

All right.

[D]

Nobody really? I don't think a lot of people realize this. The Yankee pitching is inconsistent. Let's see. Let's say that Schlitler is going to be the opening day starter. I would say he is right now, Right. Would. Would. Would you agree with me?

[C]

Yes.

[B]

Okay. Not Freed.

[D]

Okay.

[A]

So.

[D]

Okay.

[B]

I think it'd be Freed. No.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

You wouldn't. You wouldn't embarrass Freed by not making him the opening day starter, would you?

[D]

All right, so Freed. The first three games were against the Giants, so probably freed Schlitler, and then maybe he'll heel or Warren.

[B]

Yeah.

[D]

Just because Garrett Cole is coming back, that doesn't mean he's going to be able to pitch seven, eight innings a game. Rodan, I don't know. Rodan is inconsistent before, but.

[B]

Hang on, hang on. First of all, no one. No one pitches seven to eight innings a game anymore, honestly. And then when you're coming off, obviously Tommy John, they're going to have to take it easy with him early on, but you want to build them up by the time you get to October. It's not an issue. Right. That's what you're trying to do. Like. Like I said, I've always worried about the team running out of gas late in the year and sputtering because they always have seemed to have these great starts, and then it fizzles out because the season is just too damn long. This could be the reverse, which is what I'm kind of hoping for here. Well, that's the best optimist I can come up with.

[C]

You can talk about the inconsistency of the starting rotation and all that, but really, when the Yankees hit the skids, what usually disappears on them? What usually struggles?

[B]

Offense.

[C]

Exactly. That's what kills them in the postseason.

[B]

Yes.

[C]

That's what kills them in the middle of the year.

[B]

Yes. They're predictable and easy to shut down. I can. I. Yeah.

[C]

I don't think pitching has ever really been the problem. The bullpen has been consistently good. As you said, starting pitchers don't go more than four or five, you know, five, six innings anyway.

[B]

Yeah.

[C]

What has been the Achilles heel for this team is they'll go a month without hitting and play poorly.

[A]

And.

[C]

And it's the lack of offense in the post season that usually kills them. That's what you should be concerned about, because right now I'd have to say that outside of Bellinger and Judge, this isn't an offense that just screams 10 runs a game. There are some holes that this is not the circular lineup that Sterling used to talk about back in the late 90s.

[B]

Right.

[C]

And that's going to probably be what will end up doing them in, more so than the starting pitcher.

[B]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast.

[A]

I didn't listen to anything.

[B]

You just catch the show on demand whenever you want. Just subscribe to us wherever you get your podcasts.

[A]

FanDuel, by the way, guys, is turning on playoff mode. All customers get a profit boost every NFL playoff game day. Each game day during the championship round, you'll find a pack loaded with multiple profit boost. That's Just one day, guys. That's Sunday. And here's the deal. It's all there for you in the app. More boost meaning more ways to level up your playoff bets, pick the matchups you believe in, take your shot an upset or build a parlay that fits the moment. Where am I? I guess I hate to say it, but I'm, I'm probably feeling the New England Patriots. I don't like it, but it's true. And the Rams then apply a profit boost and go after even bigger payouts while the playoffs keep rolling. So visit FanDuel.com local and grab your profit boost pack. Every NFL playoff game day 21 and over in fiscally present New York, opt in required bonus issued as non withdrawable profit boost tokens. Restrictions apply including any token expiration and max wager amount. See [e-mail] for help with the gambling problem. Call 8778-HOPE and wire text open wire 467369 now first hour, spent a lot of time on the Yankees. We're going to close that out and of course we'll come back around to we'll hit some football with Booger McFarlane in the 4 o' clock hour. But let's go to Jonathan in LA who's always wanted to talk Yankees from LA. What's up, Jonathan?

[D]

Hi guys.

[A]

Hi guys.

[D]

I'm pretty, I'm pretty cool with the signing already, but like that other guy said, you know, they're giving you the same, you know, they're giving you socks for Christmas so you'll take it. But I'm happy with it. He could take a lot of positions, first base. Now, Alan, my question is for you, being the fellow Yankee fan. Do you think Cashman should probably, you know, go completely all in on Peralta? Like probably trade Spencer Jones, Dominguez and Luis Hill. But what do you think? Or you think there's one more move for under Cashman's leaf and that. Great show, fellas. Thank you.

[A]

Thanks, Jonathan.

[B]

Yeah, thank you. I, I couldn't tell you. Like I'd be guessing. I don't know what they do next, you know, how much are you willing to give up? What are really, Peralta is not like going to come cheap, right? So are you really going to sacrifice assets for a need that's going to be for a couple of months? You're hoping that by July you won't have that desperate need at starting pitching. You've got to figure out a way to tread water in the beginning and get through with what you have that, that's it. And usually the offense is good early in the season, right? It's the, the offense falls off later in the year. So if, if you, if you follow that trend, you should be able to outscore. If you struggle your pitch with your pitching early on, you should be able to get through it. I just don't know if that's what he's going to do. But I couldn't tell you I don't cover the team. I'm not around it a lot. You know, Michael K made it seem like this is the roster. That's what he made it sound like today. And so as you know, Norman Dale said in Hoosiers, this is your team.

[A]

All right. You know who's on hold? What Peter, it's Griffin in Connecticut. Hey Griff. Sir.

[C]

Hey Griff.

[D]

Hey guys, how are you?

[B]

What's up Griff?

[C]

Good.

[D]

I first off by the way Rodin, the last two years have been very impressive. So if we forget about his first year he's been pretty good. So to have him as your number three would be pretty solid. It is like it is the offense that has drawn down the one concern I do have and a lot of people haven't talked about this. They talked about getting a catcher. No, Austin Wells is your catcher. The concern I have is Ben Rice is going to be your everyday first baseman. So he will not be your backup catcher. You're looking at probably JC Scarr being your backup catcher. He's also a left handed catcher. I'm not a big fan of having both my catchers being left handed. So I like Michael said too. My concern is I want a backup catcher who is right handed. That is the one thing that I want. I don't want to have two left hit three left handed catchers. If you count Rice. I don't want three left handed catchers. I would rather have Wells be my catcher and I have a backup right handed catcher. That's why I think we should go look at.

[B]

Yeah, that part I understand because you want to have that, that lineup versatility. So it is definitely something that you know again that's.

[C]

Yeah.

[B]

That doesn't feel like massive moves. That more feels like you know a smaller move. So that's a good one to bring up though. Griff.

[A]

Thanks Riftster.

[C]

Those are maintenance moves. Yeah. You take a look at the lineup. If you tell me Grisham is going to hit like he did last year, that's great. If he reverts back to what he was early in his career in San Diego. Bad Judge is amazing. Bellinger is amazing. Stanton, is he going to be able to stay healthy? Is he here long term?

[B]

At least he doesn't have any elbow issues right now, far as we know. Right.

[C]

Caballero Wells and McMahon. McMahon more for his defense, although he can't hit a little bit. I mean, this is not a stunning lineup, but if everything clicks, that should be enough for you to be able to win and score. Yeah, with this rotation, I think you're going to be in good shape, but I can't guarantee you anything other than you'll have a winning season. You'll be, I think, a playoff team. That's. That's as far as I think anybody can really go with it.

[B]

Thanks for listening to the Don Hahn and Rosenberg podcast. I don't want to know how the sausage is made. I just want to know. Good. Hear more of Don Allen and Peter weekday afternoon starting at 3 on 8 80, ESPN, the ESPN New York app, and your smart speakers.