New York Yankees news: Reggie didn’t feel valued in the Bronx

New York Yankees Prospect Dominating Arizona Fall League; CC Sabathia Proud of Jordan Montgomery; Reggie Jackson Criticizes Yankees; Former Yankees Chosen in Middle East and South Asia Pro League

• By
  
  Andrés Chávez
  
• on
  October 24, 2023 12:00 am

Baseball America: The New York Yankees acquired an intriguing prospect, Caleb Durbin, in the Lucas Luetge trade with the Atlanta Braves in late 2022. Durbin has been on fire in the Arizona Fall League, with impressive stats including two home runs, five walks, three steals, and a 9-for-19 performance for Mesa.

Despite battling injuries throughout the year, Durbin was able to reach Double-A and put up an impressive .291/.361/.440 line with a 122 wRC+ in 47 games. He also contributed four home runs, 21 steals, and maintained a remarkable 4.6-percent strikeout rate. With his versatility to play multiple positions, Durbin has a chance to make it to the MLB next year or be used as a valuable trade asset.

New York Daily News | Gary Phillips: Just over a year ago, the Yankees considered trading left-hander Jordan Montgomery, doubting his impact in the postseason. However, Montgomery has proven them wrong with a stellar performance, posting a 2.16 ERA in 25 playoff innings with the Texas Rangers. His career October ERA now stands at an impressive 1.99, including his crucial 2.1 scoreless relief innings in the victorious ALCS Game 7 where he solidified his status as a postseason hero in Texas.

Former Yankees great CC Sabathia has been closely following his former teammate and friend’s success in October. Sabathia fondly refers to him as his “little brother,” given their 13-year age gap, and discussed their relationship from their time together in the Bronx.

“When he first came up, he was super coachable and just wanted to learn as much as he could,” Sabathia said. “And obviously, him being left-handed, we kind of have the relationship that me and Andy [Pettitte] had where I would just follow him around the whole time and kind of learn from him. Monty did the same thing, and now we have this relationship where we talk and break down the game or break down different things and sometimes not even talk about the game. It’s a good relationship.”

Montgomery, who wears Sabathia’s No. 52 while with the Texas Rangers, is making Sabathia proud with his exceptional performance. Sabathia mentioned that while it may have initially been a leftover number, Montgomery texted him right away after acquiring it, vowing to wear it in honor of Sabathia’s second-half run in Milwaukee in 2008. Their connection remains strong.

NJ Advance Media | Manuel Gómez: Yankees legend Reggie Jackson, currently a special advisor to Houston Astros owner Jim Crane, voiced his frustration with the Yankees’ reluctance to seek advice from franchise icons like himself.

“I’d say the biggest difference between us (the Astros), and really most other teams and especially with the Yankees… your voice isn’t heard,” Jackson said. “You didn’t participate. You know, I walked away because I wanted to be involved and leave my knowledge in the game. I certainly think that I know that Derek Jeter still loves the Yankees. Andy Pettitte* still loves the Yankees. (Rodriguez) is still a Yankee and I’m still a Yankee, but we didn’t get a chance to be involved in some of the say-so in our opinions really didn’t get valued.”

*Editor’s note: It is worth noting that the Yankees respect Pettitte’s advice so much that they hired him as an advisor midseason.

Despite winning two World Series titles with the Yankees and three with the Oakland Athletics in the seventies, Reggie Jackson’s relationship with the Yankees seems strained at the moment.

Audacy.com | Ryan Chichester: Baseball United, a new professional league consisting of teams from the United Arab Emirates, India, and Pakistan, recently held its inaugural draft. Surprisingly, several former Yankees players, including Didi Gregorius, Robinson Canó, David Huff, and Bartolo Colón, were among the picks. The event also included the selection of 2010 first-rounder Cito Culver.

Other former major leaguers chosen in the draft include Pablo Sandoval, Andrelton Simmons, Jair Jurrjens, Shed Long, Alejandro De Aza, Wilin Rosario, Dovydas Neverauskas, Rusney Castillo, and more. The league’s first showcase will take place on November 24th in Dubai.

Read more