Movin’ On

Ed Botti

December 13, 2024

Well folks, we had a lot to digest this week, didn’t we? Actually, this month + when you throw in those 5 games against the Dodgers.

Over the last month or so, we have seen multiple opinions and positions regarding the whole Soto contract saga throughout the entire Baseball industry. Print Media, Radio, TV, online reporting or the guy next to you on the 4 train provided us all with a smorgasbord of varying opinions, views and sentiments. Any conflicting views started a debate. At some point some of these debates may have even gotten a little spirited.

Start Spreading the News was right smack in the middle of all of the sparring. Or, I should say, friendly sparring to be more accurate.

In the aftermath I was reminded of something. Fans of other teams may not like this but here I go; Yankee fans are the most loyal and knowledgeable fans in pro sports. Yankee fans are extremely passionate about their team. After all, being a Yankee fan is (in most cases) passed down from generation to generation.

And because of this passion and lineage, we may from time to time voice our opinions at a slightly higher volume than many are accustomed to hearing. But, that is what we are. That is who we are. Metro New York is a busy and hectic place, and sometimes if you want to be heard, you have to make yourself heard.

With regard to Soto, we had many different opinions and views, all pragmatic and well thought out. Personally, I gained new perspectives from our many writers and readers’ comments. We may not always agree with each other, but at the end of the day, we all share a great deal of passion for our team and the game. That cannot be debated.

Whether it was an article or Op/Ed by Paul, Andy, Cary, Ethan, EJ, Derek, Mike, Tim, Phil, Tamar, Lincoln, Andrew or myself, we all tried our best to be fair and consistent. But, we all had something to say one way or the other, and weren’t afraid to do so.

From our loyal readers, whether it was Fuster, mikemarinelli54, yankeesblog, Alan B, yankeerudy, ProfRobert, JNichols, and all the others (too many to name) who added great insight and legitimate points in their comments, I want to thank all of you for keeping all of us sharp, consistent and on our toes.

As I just alluded, Yankee fans are unique, and we demand excellence. When we view (in our opinion) failure, or players exhibit what we perceive as a less passion and commitment to the team then we ourselves have, we can get agitated, for sure.

On Monday morning in the wake of the Soto signing, one of our readers (yankeesblog) pointed out something interesting that I have thought of recently; Branding.

Or in this case the failure to maintain Branding.

Some pointed out that what transpired over the last month or so, would never have happened just a few short years ago. And that is, players turning down huge sums of Yankee money to go elsewhere. Yes, it has happened before, but it seems that lately we see it more often.

Essentially “Branding” is the method of influencing a product's image in the minds of consumers. This encompasses creating brand awareness, developing a unique image, and inspiring emotions.

Those interlocking N’s and Y’s are more than just a logo to Yankee fans.

In business there is “Good Branding” which is distinct, steady and authentic messaging that creates an emotional bond and trust with the target market(s).

Dissimilarity, “Bad Branding” sends a perplexing, inconsistent and inauthentic message to consumer’s that impacts their perception of a good or service negatively.

A basic example of “Good Branding” is Kleenex. When I need a tissue, I ask for a Kleenex.

A basic example of “Bad Branding” would be Coke. In 1985, Coca-Cola altered the formula of its leading product in an effort to compete with the growing popularity of Pepsi.

Conversely, the new formula was met with significant criticism from its loyal customers, who felt that the company had deserted its heritage and values.

In Sports, the big difference in comparison to other products and services, is that not only does the branding impact your consumers (fans) views, but it also impacts your talent sources (players) views. Both of these need to be marketed to for success.

From a fan perspective, I don’t see many switching their allegiance very often, although it does happen.

However, where I think Yankee Branding is failing is from the player’s perspective.

An example of Bad Branding is Hal Steinbrenner’s quote from May 2024 regarding $300,000,000 payrolls, "I’m gonna be honest, payrolls at the levels we’re at right now are simply not sustainable for us financially. It wouldn’t be sustainable for the vast majority of ownership [groups], given the luxury tax we have to pay."

Whether or not you agree with him is one thing. But my point is just 5 1/2 months later, he offers Juan Soto $760MM. It is likely that Soto and Boros considered this May quote and what it meant going forward, when they decided to go to the Mets. Why would a player want to play for a team that after paying him, Judge, Stanton and Cole have $132MM or less budgeted to spend on 22 other players?

I am fairly certain other agents and players saw that as well, and scratched their heads.

Loose lips sink ships, and that comment should have been kept in the boardroom as it was classic ambiguous messaging.

Photo AP

 “Mystique and Aura”, as Curt Schilling once stated during the 2001 World Series.

“It’s great to be young and a Yankee” Waite Hoyt once exclaimed.

“I want to thank the good lord for making me a Yankee” Joe DiMaggio famously stated.

When Curt Schilling mentioned the “Aura”, he was talking about an intangible feeling which many previous generations of players and sports fans were instinctively aware of.

Sentiments like that seemed to have faded somewhat over the years. In its place we get "I didn't get respect from them" ex Yankee Robinson Cano stated after he turned down a seven year $175MM contract from those very same Yankees.

The current adaptation of being a Yankee and playing in Yankee Stadium is bereft of these traditions and folklore because the average player in MLB right now was 12 years old in 2009, when they last won.

All they really know in great detail is 2010-2024, a long dry spell for winning in the Bronx.

So, what has changed?

Did they desert their heritage and values like Coke did in 1985? No, they did not.

I think some of what has changed can be attributed to the new stadium. It was common to hear visiting players wax poetically about playing on the same field as Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio etc. with 56,000 passionate fans screaming down on them.

I heard an ex player from another team once state that it was “hell” playing at the old ballpark, and that sleep the night before was not easy.

Even though they, the Yankees, try to convince us of otherwise, that field is across the street and hosting softball games these days.

The night Aaron Boone hit his pennant clincher at (old) Yankee Stadium, I can remember afterwards hearing (I believe Derek Jeter) say that they felt a cold breeze blow through late in that game, and he knew the ghosts were there.

I am sure he was embellishing the situation, but back in those days in the old stadium, not too many questioned it. There was something sacred and hallowed about that old building.

It has been replaced, and its replacement (although you can get penne alla vodka, sushi and pinot grigio now) just is not the same as the old building and a hot dog and beer.

But there is more to it. Something else despite a new building is at play. Why do the current players see the Yankees differently than previous generations of players?

The answer is simple, in my view. Winning! They haven’t won since 2009, unless you count wild cards, division series and an AL Pennant. I don’t.

There are numerous theories about why the Yankees aren’t winning championships nowadays, and why they don’t feel like the Yankees anymore. Old school fans will say it’s because George Steinbrenner isn’t around to straighten them out with a proverbial kick in the pants. Others will complaint about the team executives giving precedence to analytics to a detrimental extent, others bring up the middle of the road farm system.

I think there is truth in all of those, but there is more.

There was time when the Yankees were viewed with a completely different standard then their competitors. I read this recently.

* The Yankees “have acquired many cultural connotations over the years, meanings transcending the immediate world of on-field sporting contest”. The “Yankee’s success in the previous decades and their representation in popular culture caused a coherent set of cultural meanings to crystallize around the club to create an American icon. This icon served as an emblem for a set of interrelated mid-century mainstream American values, namely the American dream of upward mobility, heroic masculinity, and a narrative of national success”.

That was how they were once branded and perceived by the public. They transcended the game. Public perception had nothing to do with fancy ad campaigns and spokesmen. It had everything to do with winning.

To be a consistent contender in the modern era of team sports, you must invest in your on field talent.

Say whatever you want about them, but one thing you cannot say is they are cheap.

Remember, they did just offer Mr. Soto a contract that would have been the largest ever, if Steve Cohen didn’t one up them.

So I think it’s safe to say that it’s not about being frugal. They may not have retained Soto, but they do spend, and therein lies a good deal of their problems, in my view.

It is about how they spend their resources. Not to single one individual or individuals out, but in 2024 they paid Marcus Stroman $18,000,000 and he was not allowed on the post season field. Carlos Rodon was paid nearly $28,000,000 and posted a 6.00 ERA in the post season. In his 20.1 inning career post season resume, he has a 6.64 ERA and has given up 5 home runs in those 20.1 innings.

I am unclear as to what in those numbers compelled them to invest $200,000,000 on those two players over 6 years.

I can go on and on and bring up many more examples of simply bringing in the wrong players, and paying them handsomely, but I think I made my point. They don’t spend wisely and to secure players, they now have to overspend because of it.

As I was preparing this opinion in draft format, my phone started buzzing and calls came in from all over my little world. Lefty starter Max Fried and the Yankees have agreed in principle to an 8 year deal worth $218 million, pending a physical.

Max is a 2 time All-Star (2022 & 2024) and has won three Gold Gloves. He has had some injuries (which pitcher hasn’t these days?).

Photo Robert Sabo for the NY Post

His career high in innings pitched is 185 1/3 which he reached in 2022, and he was primarily healthy last season.

This deal will be the largest ever allotted to a lefty pitcher and the fourth-largest deal of any pitcher. It will include a full no-trade clause and no deferred money.

Fried turns 31 in January, and I think will slot behind Cole in the rotation.

But 8 years? Apparently the Yanks felt they had to go the extra years because rumor had it that the Blue Jays, Rangers and Red Sox were also in on Fried Tuesday afternoon prior to his deal being inked.

MLB Network reported that Fried received a seven-year offer from at least one team.

I like Fried. He can pitch. He is a solid lefty, but 8 years is a long time.

Fried rejected his qualifying offer from the Braves ($21.05 million) therefore the Braves will receive draft-pick compensation in 2025.

As of today, the Yanks rotation consists of Cole, Fried, Rodón, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt, Nestor Cortes and Marcus Stroman.

So, they needed a starter, and now they got a starter, by adding on that extra year.

Next up they need corner infielders, a closer and a left fielder.

Not all of that has to be done by opening day. They still have 2/3 of the season to evaluate players and make moves for a playoff run.

The hot stove has been fired up, and it looks like they are actively looking for improvements, and I am fairly certain they will improve the current roster.

On another note, an interesting bit of information was discussed yesterday on the Michael Kay show. Word is that there was a collective sigh of relief amongst the Yankee “Baseball people” when Soto made his decision to leave. Apparently there was some uneasiness and trepidation over the value and length of the offer they made in the 11th hour on Sunday.

That would not surprise me one iota. 2041 is a very long time away from 2024 in sports years, and to commit massive resources for that length of time is a huge risk, in my opinion, and apparently in the opinion of some Yankee “baseball people”.

Think about that for a second or two: 16 Years and $765,000,000 (plus all his perks, incentives and opt out that will bring the value to $805,000,000).

Don Mattingly’s entire career was 14 seasons.

Joe DiMaggio’s entire career was 13 seasons.

Jackie Robinson’s entire career was 10 seasons (plus 1 year with the Kansas City Monarchs).

I’ll tell you one thing, the Mets better win multiple World Series with that massive burden attached to them. The pressure is squarely on their backs now, just as it is almost every season for the Yanks.

It is funny how perception can become reality. All of a sudden, because Mr. Cohen decided to throw in a free Suite in the deal (plus other unusual perks, according to Christian Arnold of the NY Post) he is now the new boss of NY sports.

I’d put the brakes on that prediction. Only time will tell.

I am not saying or suggesting the Mets will flop with Soto. I have no idea how that team will mesh with each other, and no one else does either. But I heard similar comments in 1998 when they acquired Mike Piazza. Where are all of Big Mikes rings?

All I am saying is before shoveling dirt on the Yankee heritage and history (not necessarily you reading this, but more so to the NY & National Media), let’s see how many rings the Mets win over the next 16 years with Soto. No forget 16 years, let’s see what they do over the next 5 years, and before anointing someone as the new “king” of NY, let’s see how they actually play together as a team.

The Yankees didn’t retain Juan Soto. He decided to leave. That is his right.

He is a great hitter, but I doubt his leaving after 1 year will result in the next “Curse of the Bambino”.

Let’s keep things in perspective and let the remainder of the offseason unfold, and let the games be played on the field in 2025 and beyond.

My point is just because one player left the team does not mean the other 25 are going to feel sorry for themselves and lay down and quit. They aren’t going to concede a thing to anyone. In fact, it just might motivate and inspire them. I doubt any of them are hanging their heads right now and crying over their (1 year) ex-teammate going to play for the Mets.

I know I‘m not.

They are still the NY Yankees regardless of where anyone plays for the next 16 seasons.

RIP to Rocco “Rocky” Colavito Jr.

*William C Bishop