Podcast Summary: Don, Hahn & Rosenberg – Hour 4: Yankee Concerns

Release Date: June 30, 2025
Hosts: Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, Peter Rosenberg
Title: Hour 4: Yankee Concerns

1. Introduction to Yankee Performance

The episode delves into the current state of the New York Yankees, analyzing their recent performances and future prospects. Don La Greca initiates the conversation by highlighting the Yankees' commendable weekend performance against the Oakland Athletics, securing two out of three games.

Notable Quote:
Don La Greca (01:48): “The Yankees are up north taking on the Blue Jays at 7:07. Mets are off tomorrow. They'll start a series with the Milwaukee Brewers.”

2. Analysis of Yankees vs. Mets Performance

Alan Hahn discusses the Yankees' ongoing offensive struggles, particularly their performance with runners in scoring positions. He references Joel Sherman’s column, emphasizing the team's declining batting averages when it matters most.

Notable Quote:
Alan Hahn (03:49): “Over the last 15 games, the Yankees are hitting .189 with men on base and .142 when they're in scoring position.”

3. Concerns Over Yankees’ Offense and Pitching

The hosts express concern over the Yankees' offensive inconsistencies, contrasting it with their relatively stable starting pitching. Alan Hahn points out the potential implications for the postseason, where consistent hitting is crucial.

Notable Quote:
Alan Hahn (05:22): “Their offense has gone into the tank, and that you worry about. Aaron Judge has had a prolific season, probably your number one choice for AL MVP, but when he's not performing, the offense falters.”

4. Impact of Weather and Scheduling on Yankees' Performance

Don La Greca brings up the challenges posed by the Yankees' schedule, particularly the extreme weather conditions at their spring training facility in Tampa. The hosts discuss how playing in harsh weather could lead to rain delays and doubleheaders, potentially exhausting the team.

Notable Quote:
Don La Greca (05:55): “They're going to have to play excruciatingly hot weather. They're going to have rain delays, rainouts, a lot of doubleheaders. That is eventually going to exhaust.”

5. Potential Playoff Competitors: Tampa and Toronto

The conversation shifts to identifying potential threats to the Yankees' division lead. Alan Hahn expresses more concern about the Tampa Bay Rays due to their competitiveness and strategic management, despite Toronto's respectable standings.

Notable Quote:
Alan Hahn (08:00): “I worry about Tampa more than Toronto because Tampa always finds a way. They're very competitive. They're annoying.”

6. Strategy and Future Outlook

Alan Hahn emphasizes the importance of the Yankees addressing their offensive woes before the playoffs. He discusses the necessity for the team to optimize their batting strategies and capitalize on their pitching strengths to overcome postseason challenges.

Notable Quote:
Alan Hahn (09:36): “In a playoff series, it's going to be about your ability to know every weakness of every battery and how can I exploit it. The Yankees are showing their flaws in their lineup, which is dangerous.”

7. Listener Interaction: Trade Deadline and Playoff Adjustments

Listener Dennis proposes extending the MLB trade deadline to better accommodate playoff team acquisitions. The hosts debate the feasibility of such a proposal, considering salary caps and team finances.

Notable Quote:
Dennis (13:39): “I think they need to incorporate a playoff deadline where only players that are about to be a free agent can get picked up by a playoff team.”

8. Comparative Analysis with Other Sports Leagues

The hosts compare MLB’s current strategies with those of the NHL and NBA, discussing how different leagues handle mid-season trades and salary caps. They explore the potential advantages and drawbacks of adopting similar models in baseball.

Notable Quote:
Alan Hahn (22:09): “The NHL has ways to circumvent the salary cap if you've got an injured player. It's not like they broke any rules, but people are quick to jump.”

9. Closing Remarks and Future Discussions

As the episode wraps up, the hosts briefly touch upon upcoming topics, including free agency and team management strategies, setting the stage for future episodes.

Notable Quote:
Don La Greca (25:35): “Talk to you guys tomorrow at 3 here on ESPN New York.”

Key Takeaways:

• Yankees' Offensive Struggles: The team's batting performance, especially with runners in scoring positions, is a significant concern that could impact their postseason success.

• Pitching Stability: Despite offensive issues, the Yankees' starting pitching remains strong, providing a silver lining for the team.

• Competitors to Watch: Tampa Bay Rays pose a formidable challenge due to their consistency and management, more so than the Toronto Blue Jays.

• Scheduling Challenges: Extreme weather conditions and tight scheduling could wear down the Yankees, affecting their performance in crucial games.

• Trade Deadline Proposal: Listener suggestions for extending the trade deadline to better position playoff teams bring forth debates on feasibility and league regulations.

Conclusion

In "Hour 4: Yankee Concerns," Don, Hahn, and Rosenberg provide an in-depth analysis of the New York Yankees' current season, highlighting both strengths and vulnerabilities. Their discussion offers valuable insights into the team's potential trajectory as they navigate the remainder of the regular season and approach the playoffs. Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the Yankees' performance, backed by expert opinions and statistical analysis.

Find More Episodes:
Catch more discussions with Don La Greca, Alan Hahn, and Peter Rosenberg on ESPN New York App, your smart speakers, or wherever you get your podcasts.