Joel Sherman

New York

Baseball Columnist at New York Post

Baseball Columnist, New York Post. MLB Network Insider

Articles

Devin Williams’ return to Yankees closer role brings drama back with him in Luke Weaver’s absence

2 days ago | nypost.com | Joel Sherman

There is no greater compliment a closer could receive than that he was Rivera-esque. And both times Luke Weaver stepped into the role for the Yankees, he was worthy of the distinction. Don’t miss Greg Joyce’s text messages from The Bronx and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Yankees.
Yankees will have to find ninth-inning serenity in Luke Weaver’s absence

2 days ago | nypost.com | Joel Sherman

Don’t miss Greg Joyce’s text messages from The Bronx and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Yankees. We are not going to see another Mariano Rivera anytime soon. Probably not ever. There has been no one who has come close to his combination of dominance, efficiency and durability over a sustained period — and then was even better in the postseason.
What will swing the Yankees’ trade-deadline calculus on adding a righty hitter

3 days ago | nypost.com | Joel Sherman

Let’s take a few Yankees developments and get to a question: Just how much do they need to add a righty hitter from outside the organization? Development 1: DJ LeMahieu produced four hits on Sunday in a win over the Dodgers. He had three hits on May 24. In between, he went 0-for-15 with seven strikeouts. Development 2: Jasson Dominguez suffered what the Yankees called a left thumb contusion, also on Sunday.
Mets’ gutsy Paul Blackburn decision is latest glimpse of David Stearns’ vision flourishing

4 days ago | nypost.com | Joel Sherman

Don’t miss Mike Puma’s text messages from Queens and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Mets. What stands out, Jeremy Hefner relates, is how natural the decision felt. The Mets needed an extra starter in the midst of playing 10 straight days to give all the mainstays an extra day’s rest, notably Kodai Senga. Paul Blackburn was ready.
The four potential sellers that could shake up MLB’s looming trade deadline

6 days ago | nypost.com | Joel Sherman

The season has progressed beyond the feeling-out portion. After Memorial Day weekend, MLB has entered the fascinating third of the schedule that culminates with the July 31 trade deadline. Most teams mainly will stall at least through the July 13-14 draft before declaring if they are buyers, sellers or standing pat. Though, for some, it is already midnight.
How Max Fried is redefining what these Yankees are about

1 week ago | nypost.com | Joel Sherman

When the Yankees signed Max Fried, I made a case that they had obtained Jimmy Key 2.0 — an unflappable, athletic lefty who already had won the clinching game of a World Series. Having watched one-third of Fried’s first season in pinstripes, I have only come to believe it more. First, a bit on Key, who I believe is the lost, instrumental figure that helped trigger what has been three-plus decades of uninterrupted Yankees success. From 1989-92, the Yankees were a laughingstock.
The Mets need to have one ruthless goal against MLB's bottom-dwellers

1 week ago | nypost.com | Joel Sherman

Don’t miss Mike Puma’s text messages from Queens and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Mets. This should be the equivalent of homecoming week for the Mets. They did not get to dictate who is on their schedule between Memorial Day and Sunday, but these would be the patsies they would have picked — the two worst teams in the majors.
The Mets’ offensive funk goes well beyond Juan Soto

1 week ago | nypost.com | Joel Sherman

Don’t miss Mike Puma’s text messages from Queens and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Mets. Biggest contract, largest target. These are the understood rules. Sign a contact for an island nation’s gross national product, and brace for being blamed for everything, up to and including rain delays. Certainly anticipate that if the offense doesn’t function, Juan Soto, you will be the center of the storm.
Yankees’ Juan Soto pivot leaves plenty of contract questions as decisions loom

1 week ago | nypost.com | Joel Sherman

Understand that if Juan Soto was retained, the Yankees baseball department was operating with a belief — according to outside executives and player representatives who had been in contact with Yankees officials — that Hal Steinbrenner would permit about another $12 million-$15 million in total offseason spending, maybe more if they were able to offload Trent Grisham’s $5 million or some of Marcus Stroman’s $18 million.
The Yankees flipped the script on their biggest issue

2 weeks ago | nypost.com | Joel Sherman

Don’t miss Greg Joyce’s text messages from The Bronx and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Yankees. You know the best kind of problem to have? The kind in the rearview mirror. The one you survived. Moved forward from. Emerged somehow better for it all. The Yankees had a starting pitching problem.