ESPN | Buster Olney: Shortstop has not been all that much fun the past few seasons, reaching a nadir in 2025 when Anthony Volpe struggled his way to an 83 OPS+ while also slipping defensively from his first two seasons in the big leagues. But as spring training approaches its end, Buster Olney is optimistic that 2026 could be different. First, José Caballero played really well after the Yanks acquired him and he’s set to hold down shortstop at least until Volpe is healthy. Second, Olney notes that top prospect George Lombard, Jr. waits in the wings. Despite being ticketed to start the season back at Double-A, it’s not impossible he could be part of the plan at shortstop as soon as this summer.
MLB | Thomas Harrigan: Carlos Lagrange has arguably been the best part of Yankee spring training this year. Almost unhittable, Lagrange’s eye-popping velocity and movement have been on display all spring. The fastball peaked at 103.1-mph. Meanwhile, his slider, sweeper, and change all popped. In fact, he recorded more strikeouts with the changeup than with any other pitch. But enough talk. Open the article and watch the embedded Lagrange offerings. Utterly filthy.
The Athletic | Chris Kirschner ($): Did you know there’s been ongoing conversation about whether the Yankees are too analytically-driven? Or maybe it’s that they’re not analytically-driven enough. Skipper Aaron Boone argues that he’s the least analytical of the AL East’s managers. Using platoon advantage as a proxy for the argument writ large, the Yankees have the second-fewest at-bats in the division with the platoon advantage (50.9%), trailing only the Blue Jays. There’s way more behind the paywall, and Kirschner makes a point of identifying the role of analytics with the organization’s pitchers, including the “Gas Station.”
NJ.com: The Voice of the Yankees has had enough with the Aaron Judge criticism. Michael Kay rode to the Captain’s defense on his show Thursday. “I blame Yankee fans that try to find the warts on this guy…” Kay said. “And I know you’re starved for another championship… But you’re Yankee fans and you see what he does to get you into the postseason on a yearly basis.” Callers seemed to support Kay, with one drawing the historical parallel of Yankee fans booing Mickey Mantle for not being Joe Dimaggio, and an octogenarian Yankee fan commiserating with Kay having to explain Judge’s greatness to “the rear end of a horse.” Sounds like a must-listen episode.
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