This year’s Yankees spring locker assignment notables:

*Spencer Jones near Stanton/Goldschmidt

*Hess/Lagrange near the main rotation (Fried, Cole, Rodon)

*Weathers between the starters (Rodon, Cole, Schlittler) and the relievers (Hill, Blackburn, Bednar)

ICYMI

After Kershaw/Verlander/Scherzer, will there ever be another Hall of Fame starting pitcher?

Sure, you say.

Oh, really? How exactly will we figure out what one looks like?

I dug in on that question, with help from some HOF starters.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/703...

Early morning here at Yankees spring training, pitchers and catchers report day.

Yankees-Cody Bellinger staredown features disconnect over free agency trends: Sources

Sources: A sticking point in the Yankees-Cody Bellinger talks has been over trends in free-agent hitter signings of this offseason. Should Bellinger get a longer deal because he's younger than Bregman, Alonso and Schwarber?

READ: www.nytimes.com/athletic/696...

Marshall Toole, a 22-year-old outfielder, posted a .885 OPS in 96 games at Low-A Tampa this year.

44 steals, too.

A-Rod sighting at the stadium pregame.

Aaron Boone said that Anthony Volpe (cortisone shot in his shoulder) is back to being a fully healthy/ready player. Said Josè Caballero, who is starting today, has been playing great. Added that he expects Caballero and Volpe each to play “an important role for us down the stretch.” #Yankees

A Yankees fan said he was hit with a falling piece of concrete while sitting in his seat at Dodger Stadium tonight.

He said the concrete hit him in the back, and that he was still in some pain. He received medical attention.

READ: www.nytimes.com/athletic/639...

Source: Utility man Cooper Hummel is now a free agent. Hummel, 30, signed a minor league deal with Yankees in April but played just 10 games around an IL stint. Triggered release clause a few days ago. Switch-hitter has a career .894 OPS at Triple A.

Cherry blossoms blooming outside of the stadium.

Goooooooood morning.

I think you kinda get it though. Reyes the better RHH vs. a lefty. What's more interesting to me is Dominguez at DH. Could easily have given Judge the DH day and not played Bellinger out of position. Tells me something about where Dominguez's defense is at.

Boom.

It's a good question. We'll find out soon. It might be less about Rice starting vs. a lefty and more about getting Judge DH time.

The BBQ at Obal's. Which I still haven't tried, because I suck. So, I guess I don't know. I guess in all seriousness it's — other teams are hurt right now, too, and the AL East isn't what it usually is.

Supposed to be in the mid-70s today. 👀

Answer Man is here. What Yankees questions you got?

I have no idea, I'm sorry. But that's a great point.

Thank you!

Woof. Loaisiga, closer to May/June. Hamilton, not too far off. We're not super sure about Beeter. As for the catcher, I think it would be Alex Jackson, tbh.

Juan Soto’s locker has been given to Paul Goldschmidt #Yankees

This is true. If you want to have a better day, don't look at the most recent Forbes valuations.

Yes sir.

Content you didn’t ask for.

Video from the press box elevator to the front row of the press box at Yankee Stadium.

Happy Opening Day from Yankee Stadium.

Fair question but there are lots of variables every year. If Stanton was healthy, a variable would have been can he stay healthy? At some point, you gotta shoot your shot with these guys.

Headrick? Boyle, Messinger? Barclay? Would have been Hampton. Reyzelman in relief (I’m sure I butchered his name just now.)

I don’t think they’re worried. He’s young. Isn’t easy to hustle from behind the plate straight to leading off? No. But it’s once a game, ultimately.

Good question though. I thought of it.

🌞

I get that.

I also feel like every year I’m thinking “This team has to perform to its best possible outcome” to win the division and that doesn’t happen yet they stay in it.

Same! Shocks me that someone can’t basically duplicate what seems a not-too-complicated experience.