Gary Phillips
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Gary Phillips
@garyhphillips.bsky.social
Yankees beat writer for the New York Daily News
The #Yankees said it would be nice to add a starter during the Winter Meetings, but they downplayed the idea that they need one.

Here's more on the rotation, and why it could use a front-line addition:
Yankees would ‘love’ to add starter, claim they’re ‘not necessarily’ in need of one
A case could be made that the Yankees should be looking for a frontline starter, not just depth.
www.nydailynews.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:25 PM
“We like our players. That is a fact,” Brian Cashman said before mentioning Jasson Domínguez & Spencer Jones.

But if the #Yankees miss out on Cody Bellinger & lean on either youngster, it would come with considerable risk for a championship-aspiring club.
Relying on young outfielders would come with risk if Yankees lose Cody Bellinger
With the Yankees waiting on Cody Bellinger, Brian Cashman made sure to prop up two internal outfielders on Wednesday: Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones.
www.nydailynews.com
December 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
Aaron Judge isn't the only #Yankees player who could play in the WBC.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. is being courted by Great Britain, Fernando Cruz is on Puerto Rico's roster, and Austin Wells has chatted with the Dominican Republic.

A few other names to watch:
Jazz Chisholm Jr. among Yankees being courted for World Baseball Classic
So far, Aaron Judge is the only Yankee officially committed to the WBC.
www.nydailynews.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:09 PM
A riddling Scott Boras indicated the Reds, Mets, Dodgers, Phillies, Giants, Blue Jays & Angels are competing with the #Yankees for Cody Bellinger.

More here from the agent on Bellinger & the Bombers, as well as the pinstripers' payroll & Tatsuya Imai:
Riddling Scott Boras shares Yankees’ competition for Cody Bellinger
With Cody Bellinger a popular target in free agency, agent Scott Boras shed some light on the outfielder’s market.
www.nydailynews.com
December 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Here are a few takeaways from Aaron Boone's media availability yesterday, including his thoughts on the #Yankees' pursuit of Cody Bellinger, Jasson Domínguez's viability as a switch-hitter, and Trent Grisham's defense in center.
Yankees takeaways: Aaron Boone talks Cody Bellinger pursuit, Jasson Domínguez’s viability as a switch-hitter
The Yankees manager also weighed in on Trent Grisham’s defense and a few coaches.
www.nydailynews.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:19 PM
The #Yankees' interest in Brad Keller follows a 2025 season that saw their RPs rank in the bottom half of the league in avg fastball velo & in the bottom five in fastball usage.

Keller, receiving some interest as a SP, averaged 97.1 mph. More on him here:
Yankees interested in Brad Keller for velo-needy bullpen
Keller was electric in 2025, recording a 2.07 ERA and a 27.2 K% over 69.2 innings.
www.nydailynews.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:24 AM
#Yankees skipper Aaron Boone said the #BlueJays "kicked our ass" and "certainly proved to be the better team this year," but he believes the gap between the two clubs his smaller than people think.
Aaron Boone: Blue Jays ‘kicked our ass,’ but gap with Yankees smaller than people think
As Boone noted, the Yankees and Blue Jays each finished with a 94-68 record this past season.
www.nydailynews.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Brian Cashman insisted Hal Steinbrenner hasn't given the #Yankees a "drop-dead" payroll number to work with.

“Hal’s exact words to me — continue to be — ‘take everything that’s out there to me,’ which I will continue to do.”

Plus: notes on Kyle Tucker, Tatsuya Imai & Luke Weaver:
Yankees’ Brian Cashman insists Hal Steinbrenner hasn’t given ‘drop-dead’ payroll figure
Earlier this offseason, Steinbrenner said it would be “ideal” to lower the Yankees’ payroll, but he also acknowledged that that isn’t necessarily going to happen.
www.nydailynews.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Of all the players Brian Cashman talked about on Sunday night, he spent the most time on... Sonny Gray?

Following some comments from the new #RedSox pitchers, Cashman claimed Gray, advised by his agent, lied about wanting to play for the #Yankees.
Brian Cashman: Sonny Gray lied about desire to pitch for Yankees before 2017 trade
Gray, now a member of the Red Sox, recently said he never wanted to play for the Yankees.
www.nydailynews.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Even as he pursues Cody Bellinger, Brian Cashman said it's a "problem" that the #Yankees' lineup is so left-handed.

Could that issue be resolved with a "challenge trade?"

Cashman said he is keeping an open mind when it comes to the team's lefty hitters:
Could Yankees solve lefty lineup ‘problem’ with a ‘challenge’ trade?
ORLANDO – With a group of reporters huddled around him in a hotel room on Sunday night, Brian Cashman acknowledged an issue with the current construction of the Yankees’ lineup. Asked if the group …
www.nydailynews.com
December 8, 2025 at 1:12 PM
Brian Cashman said the #Yankees didn't make an offer to Devin Williams, but the GM was open to a reunion, talked to his rep & asked to be kept in the loop.

Cashman said he didn't get a call back before Williams signed with the #Mets. A rep for the RP declined comment.
Yankees didn’t make formal offer to Devin Williams before he joined Mets
ORLANDO — With Devin Williams bolting the Bronx for the crosstown rival Mets, Brian Cashman said that he never made the reliever a formal offer. The Yankees general manager did speak to Williams&#8…
www.nydailynews.com
December 8, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Don Mattingly's 42.4 bWAR is higher than that of a few Hall of Fame hitters, including Phil Rizzuto, Roy Campanella, Dave Parker and Bill Mazeroski.

Alas, Donnie Baseball has been passed over for the hallowed halls of Cooperstown once again. #Yankees
Yankees great Don Mattingly passed over for Hall of Fame again
The Hit Man has missed the Hall of Fame cut once again.
www.nydailynews.com
December 8, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Will the #Yankees retain Cody Bellinger? Could they add a significant starter? What else do they need?

Here are some of the questions surrounding New York ahead of the Winter Meetings:
Winter Meetings Primer: Will Yankees retain Cody Bellinger, pursue notable rotation help?
With the holiday season upon us, baseball executives and agents will be shopping in Orlando, Florida next week.
www.nydailynews.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:31 PM
The #Dodgers now dominate Japan. Can the #Yankees, who haven't had a Japanese player since Masahiro Tanaka, restore their presence there?

“We’ve tried, and we’ll continue to try.”

A look at NY's recent history in Japan and the various benefits that come with attracting talent from the country:
Can the Yankees restore their presence in Japan’s Dodger-dominated market?
The Yankees haven’t had a Japanese player since Masahiro Tanaka, losing multiple sweepstakes to a Dodgers club that is reaping on- and off-the-field rewards from the country’s infatuati…
www.nydailynews.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:36 PM
Given Hal Steinbrenner's comments about the #Yankees' profitability & payroll, one would think he isn't happy with how his money has been spent.

However, the owner didn't voice any complaints last week when the subject of spending efficiency came up.
Hal Steinbrenner ‘can’t complain’ about Yankees’ spending efficiency. Should he?
The Yankees have spent a lot of money. Have they spent it well?
www.nydailynews.com
December 2, 2025 at 2:19 PM
I recently spoke to #Yankees starter Cam Schlittler about his offseason plans, which include expanding his arsenal.

We also chatted about returning home to Boston a bit of a villain, limiting his trash talk on social media and more:
Yankees’ Cam Schlittler plans to expand arsenal, limit trash talk this offseason
Schlittler made a lot of noise on and off the field as a rookie in the Yankees’ rotation last season. What’s next for the young righty?
www.nydailynews.com
December 1, 2025 at 1:58 PM
I hope everyone enjoyed the holiday yesterday!

For the Daily News' post-Thanksgiving spread, I took a look at why the #Yankees believe Trent Grisham can remain an impact bat after his unprecedented offensive output in 2025:
Why Yankees believe Trent Grisham can remain an impact bat after unprecedented season
No one expected Trent Grisham to hit the way he did in 2025, as he never had before. Now he’ll look to prove his production wasn’t a fluke after accepting the Yankees’ qualifying …
www.nydailynews.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Hal Steinbrenner was clear about who he blamed for the #Yankees' shortcomings in 2025, repeatedly saying players didn't "play up to their potential" while backing Aaron Boone.

More from the owner on the manager and what he didn't like about the season:
Hal Steinbrenner backs Aaron Boone after Yankees’ ALDS exit, says players fell short of ‘potential’
Steinbrenner also shared some things he’d like to see the Yankees improve at next season.
www.nydailynews.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Hal Steinbrenner said it would be "ideal" to lower the #Yankees' payroll, but that doesn't mean that'll happen.

The owner also called his club's profitability into question & discussed the #Dodgers' spending, among other topics.

Much more here:
Yankees’ Steinbrenner says lower payroll ‘ideal’ if unlikely, questions club’s profitability
Hal Steinbrenner had a lot to say about payroll and finances in the Yankees owner’s first media availability since February. He also discussed the Dodgers’ spending.
www.nydailynews.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Updated this story on the #Yankees' payroll with a breakdown of their non-tenders, including Mark Leiter. Jr., as well the deals for Clarke Schmidt and Oswaldo Cabrera (plus notes on their recoveries):
Brian Cashman insists Yankees have necessary financial resources with Trent Grisham returning
The GM spoke with the Yankees’ projected competitive balance tax payroll at $281 million for 2026.
www.nydailynews.com
November 21, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Had a blast on the Views From 314 ft podcast with @pamsson.bsky.social! We talked...

⚾️ Trent Grisham's return to the #Yankees & why he can remain an impact bat

⚾️ Tatsuya Imai, the Japanese market & NY's rotation

⚾️ Jasson Domínguez's future

Much more here:
Episode 150 - Grisham Accepts the QO and Cashman Speaks with the Press | Views from 314ft - A New York Yankees Podcast
Get more from Views from 314ft - A New York Yankees Podcast on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 21, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Brian Cashman said he checked on Tatsuya Imai yesterday. He wouldn't say how hard the #Yankees will push for the Japanese ace, but they're expected to be players.

With that in mind, here are some nuggets on Imai's free agency:
What to know about Tatsuya Imai’s free agency as Yankees check in on Japanese star
The Yankees haven’t had a Japanese-born player since Masahiro Tanaka.
www.nydailynews.com
November 21, 2025 at 5:38 PM
The #Yankees' projected CBT payroll is at $281M with Trent Grisham back. Do they have the necessary resources to fill out their roster?

"Yes," Brian Cashman said.

Can they stay under $300M?

“I think it could go both ways.”

More on the Bombers' budget:
Brian Cashman insists Yankees have necessary financial resources with Trent Grisham returning
The GM spoke with the Yankees’ projected competitive balance tax payroll at $281 million for 2026.
www.nydailynews.com
November 21, 2025 at 2:07 PM
How much is Hal Steinbrenner willing to spend?

With Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer, here's a look at where the #Yankees' payroll stands with the team still in pursuit/need of other pieces, including Cody Bellinger and pitching:
Where does Yankees’ payroll stand after Trent Grisham’s qualifying offer decision?
Now that Grisham has accepted the pricey offer, the question is how comfortable Hal Steinbrenner would be with another $300 million payroll.
www.nydailynews.com
November 19, 2025 at 5:22 PM
A quick look at Spencer Jones, Elmer Rodríguez and Chase Hampton, who have been added to the #Yankees' 40-man roster and protected from the Rule 5 Draft:
Spencer Jones, Elmer Rodríguez among 3 Yankees prospects added to 40-man roster
The Yankees protected three eligible prospects from the Rule 5 Draft by adding them their 40-man roster on Tuesday, including Spencer Jones and Elmer Rodríguez.
www.nydailynews.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM