River Ave. Blues
@riveraveblues.bsky.social
The blog formerly known as River Ave. Blues. We still post twice a week on Patreon: patreon.com/RABthoughts
Lost Hal Steinbrenner's vote when he said NYers shouldn't ask for little and expect less.
Mamdani: I have been told that this is the occasion to reset expectations, that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less. I will do no such thing. The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations.
January 1, 2026 at 8:41 PM
Lost Hal Steinbrenner's vote when he said NYers shouldn't ask for little and expect less.
The Yankees aren't asleep at the wheel. They're not even in the car.
@JonHeyman tweeted
Yankees and Mets were not seriously involved in Imai talks. Cubs were among teams in the mix before Astros won the bidding. Imai is on his way to Houston now.
Yankees and Mets were not seriously involved in Imai talks. Cubs were among teams in the mix before Astros won the bidding. Imai is on his way to Houston now.
January 1, 2026 at 6:41 PM
The Yankees aren't asleep at the wheel. They're not even in the car.
First ballot entry into the Hall of Extremely Fun.
Orlando Hernández
Pitcher
Debut: 1998 - Retired: 2007
NYY - NYM - ARI - CHW
Pitcher
Debut: 1998 - Retired: 2007
NYY - NYM - ARI - CHW
Orlando Hernández at baseball-reference.com
Career stats of Orlando Hernández
baseball-reference.com
December 27, 2025 at 10:38 PM
First ballot entry into the Hall of Extremely Fun.
Merry Christmas everyone!
December 25, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Merry Christmas everyone!
Miami's top reliever. Was speculated to be a trade target for NYY, though I'm not sure how realistic that was. Doesn't matter now.
December 23, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Miami's top reliever. Was speculated to be a trade target for NYY, though I'm not sure how realistic that was. Doesn't matter now.
Reposted by River Ave. Blues
The top bat flips of 2025
No. 8: Smooth Jazz 🎷
Smooth bat flip 😎
No. 8: Smooth Jazz 🎷
Smooth bat flip 😎
December 22, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The top bat flips of 2025
No. 8: Smooth Jazz 🎷
Smooth bat flip 😎
No. 8: Smooth Jazz 🎷
Smooth bat flip 😎
I like it. His K and GB rates jumped (in a small sample size) after NYY tweaked his arsenal. Allowed 10 R in 15.1 IP with NYY, but 7 of the 10 came in his fourth inning of work in one game when he was wearing it in a blowout. It's no money. Some Luke Weaver circa 2023 into 2024 vibes.
Paul Blackburn goes back to Yankees. Blackburn deal: $2M guaranteed plus 100k for each of 80, 90, 100, 110, 120 IP. $2.5M possible.
December 21, 2025 at 3:09 PM
I like it. His K and GB rates jumped (in a small sample size) after NYY tweaked his arsenal. Allowed 10 R in 15.1 IP with NYY, but 7 of the 10 came in his fourth inning of work in one game when he was wearing it in a blowout. It's no money. Some Luke Weaver circa 2023 into 2024 vibes.
Tyler Austin! He hit .287/.372/.554 in Japan the last five years.
December 18, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Tyler Austin! He hit .287/.372/.554 in Japan the last five years.
David Bednar will play in the World Baseball Classic. Bednar and Judge are the only Yankees who are confirmed for the WBC, but Jazz (Great Britain), Caballero (Panama), and Fernando Cruz (Puerto Rico) are expected to play. There could be others too.
December 18, 2025 at 6:13 PM
David Bednar will play in the World Baseball Classic. Bednar and Judge are the only Yankees who are confirmed for the WBC, but Jazz (Great Britain), Caballero (Panama), and Fernando Cruz (Puerto Rico) are expected to play. There could be others too.
The Mets signing the most combustible parts of the Yankees' bullpen every offseason is a good bit.
December 17, 2025 at 5:19 PM
The Mets signing the most combustible parts of the Yankees' bullpen every offseason is a good bit.
Reposted by River Ave. Blues
It’s up to you New Yerk San Nerk
For anyone worried AI will replace all of us.
Courtesy of Gemini for the prompt “create an infographic of all the World Series winners since 1986”
I dare you to find 10 things that are right.
Courtesy of Gemini for the prompt “create an infographic of all the World Series winners since 1986”
I dare you to find 10 things that are right.
December 17, 2025 at 4:33 AM
It’s up to you New Yerk San Nerk
Reposted by River Ave. Blues
2026 Prospects: New York Yankees Top Prospects
by Michael Donodeo (@mdonodeo.bsky.social) and BP Prospect Staff
www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/ar...
by Michael Donodeo (@mdonodeo.bsky.social) and BP Prospect Staff
www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/ar...
2026 Prospects: New York Yankees Top Prospects | Baseball Prospectus
Even without the depth that has lately become common, the Yankees' system offers plenty of intrigue.
www.baseballprospectus.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:50 AM
2026 Prospects: New York Yankees Top Prospects
by Michael Donodeo (@mdonodeo.bsky.social) and BP Prospect Staff
www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/ar...
by Michael Donodeo (@mdonodeo.bsky.social) and BP Prospect Staff
www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/ar...
The Yankees signed a Honkballer.
December 15, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The Yankees signed a Honkballer.
Reposted by River Ave. Blues
bWAR leaders of players who debuted in 2016:
Aaron Judge, 62.3
Alex Bregman, 43.1
Matt Olson, 39.7
Trevor Story, 34.9
Willson Contreras, 29.2
Aaron Judge, 62.3
Alex Bregman, 43.1
Matt Olson, 39.7
Trevor Story, 34.9
Willson Contreras, 29.2
December 14, 2025 at 11:06 PM
bWAR leaders of players who debuted in 2016:
Aaron Judge, 62.3
Alex Bregman, 43.1
Matt Olson, 39.7
Trevor Story, 34.9
Willson Contreras, 29.2
Aaron Judge, 62.3
Alex Bregman, 43.1
Matt Olson, 39.7
Trevor Story, 34.9
Willson Contreras, 29.2
Reposted by River Ave. Blues
Sources: Red Sox, Yankees, and Orioles are competing for Michael King and the RHP from BC hopes to make a decision soon.
King, 30, was 18-12, 3.10 for the Padres the last two seasons. Profiles as the No. 2 the Sox need. We'll see if they step up.
King certainly knows the terrain of the AL East.
King, 30, was 18-12, 3.10 for the Padres the last two seasons. Profiles as the No. 2 the Sox need. We'll see if they step up.
King certainly knows the terrain of the AL East.
December 14, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Sources: Red Sox, Yankees, and Orioles are competing for Michael King and the RHP from BC hopes to make a decision soon.
King, 30, was 18-12, 3.10 for the Padres the last two seasons. Profiles as the No. 2 the Sox need. We'll see if they step up.
King certainly knows the terrain of the AL East.
King, 30, was 18-12, 3.10 for the Padres the last two seasons. Profiles as the No. 2 the Sox need. We'll see if they step up.
King certainly knows the terrain of the AL East.
Righty bat to platoon with McMahon at third. Good vibes guy. One of those re-signings that seemed inevitable because it was such an obvious fit.
@Ken_Rosenthal tweeted
Source confirms: Amed Rosario back to Yankees on one-year, $2.5M deal. First: @JackCurryYES
Source confirms: Amed Rosario back to Yankees on one-year, $2.5M deal. First: @JackCurryYES
December 13, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Righty bat to platoon with McMahon at third. Good vibes guy. One of those re-signings that seemed inevitable because it was such an obvious fit.
Happy anniversary.
December 11, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Happy anniversary.
Reposted by River Ave. Blues
2026 ZiPS Projections: New York Yankees blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
2026 ZiPS Projections: New York Yankees
To the annoyance of this Orioles fan, the 2026 Yankees are a pretty good team.
blogs.fangraphs.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
2026 ZiPS Projections: New York Yankees blogs.fangraphs.com/2026-zips-pr...
The Yankees have made a Rule 5 Draft pick for the first time since 2011. They'll give Winquest a look in Spring Training, see what's what, then decide what to do with him.
11. Yankees: Cade Winquest, RHP, Cardinals
December 10, 2025 at 7:15 PM
The Yankees have made a Rule 5 Draft pick for the first time since 2011. They'll give Winquest a look in Spring Training, see what's what, then decide what to do with him.
Reposted by River Ave. Blues
John Sterling was a finalist for the second year in a row, but the Hall went with Buck.
Congratulations to Joe Buck, the 2026 Ford C. Frick Award winner! ow.ly/YAbc50XGY5k
December 10, 2025 at 5:03 PM
John Sterling was a finalist for the second year in a row, but the Hall went with Buck.
Last day of the Winter Meetings. Hoping the Yankees make a Rule 5 Draft pick just to feel alive.
December 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Last day of the Winter Meetings. Hoping the Yankees make a Rule 5 Draft pick just to feel alive.
Tough break. April is Volpe's one good month each year.
December 8, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Tough break. April is Volpe's one good month each year.
Reposted by River Ave. Blues
Join us in wishing Hall of Famer Mike Mussina a happy 57th birthday! 🫎🎉
December 8, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Join us in wishing Hall of Famer Mike Mussina a happy 57th birthday! 🫎🎉