The offseason officially rolls on for the Chase for 28 crew, but optimism is in short supply. In Episode 117, Chris, the Podcast Padre, and the Podcast Paisan return to break down a Yankees winter that feels frozen in time. From the shocking qualifying offer acceptance by Trent Grisham to the continued reliance on analytics over fundamentals, the guys question whether Brian Cashman and the front office truly understand what this team needs to win in October.

The conversation spans roster construction, positional logjams, and the growing frustration of running back essentially the same team. They debate Volpe’s future, Ben Rice’s role, the impossibility of moving Giancarlo Stanton’s contract, and whether the Yankees are leaning too heavily on pitching to mask offensive flaws. Add in lockout speculation, ownership spending concerns, Asian market rumors, and a lively trivia debate, and this episode captures exactly how uneasy Yankees fans feel heading into 2026.

Key Topics Discussed

• Why the Yankees made (and lost) the Trent Grisham qualifying offer gamble
• How MLB qualifying offers work—and why this one backfired
• Has baseball passed Brian Cashman by?
• Analytics vs. “using your eyes” in roster decisions
• The Yankees’ youth movement paradox: Domínguez, Jones, Volpe, Wells
• Ben Rice as catcher or first baseman—and the ripple effects
• Lefty-heavy lineups, balance, and Yankee Stadium roster philosophy
• Frustrations with bottom-of-the-lineup production
• Debating contact hitters vs. power-first approaches
• Asian market targets: Murakami, Okamoto, Imai, and posting-system realities
• Giancarlo Stanton’s contract and the need to free the DH spot
• Pitching reliance: Cole’s age, Rodón’s value, and rotation trust
• Lockout speculation and the Dodgers changing the financial landscape
• Are the Yankees still true AL East favorites?

Yankees Trivia 🤔

Who is the only AL team the Yankees have never faced in the playoffs?

Answer: Up until 2025 it was the Toronto Blue Jays

This episode: Name the 3 Yankees who have hit for the cycle more than once.

Bullpen Q&A ☎️

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Email us at feedback@chasefor28.com

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Send a voicemail http://chasefor28.com/voicemail

Merch 👕

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The 2025 season is in the books, and the Chase for 28 crew is officially back in the Batcave to launch Hot Stove season! In Episode 116, Chris and the Podcast Padre dive deep into the Yankees’ offseason outlook—reacting to the Blue Jays’ World Series run, evaluating trade rumors, and debating the franchise’s future direction. From Bryce Harper trade chatter to Bo Bichette speculation and frustration over Anthony Volpe’s stagnant development, this episode is a rollercoaster of offseason energy, sarcasm, and genuine fandom.

The guys dissect the Yankees’ analytics-heavy approach, Cashman’s long leash, and why simply “making the playoffs” isn’t enough for this franchise anymore. They review potential free agents, trade targets like Skubal and Skenes, and discuss how youth, health, and smarter at-bats could reshape the 2026 roster.

Topics Discussed:

• Yankees’ 2025 playoff exit and Toronto’s World Series appearance
• Volpe’s struggles and whether he’s still the “shortstop of the future”
• Frustration with Boone and Cashman’s job security
• Bryce Harper trade rumor—would you send Stanton to Philly to make it happen?
• Offseason needs: contact hitters, reliable outfielders, and a balanced lineup
• Possible targets: Harper (PHI), Bo Bichette (TOR), Skubal (DET), Skenes (PIT), Kyle Tucker (CHC)
• Free agent breakdowns: Bellinger, Realmuto, Schwarber, Conforto, Gurriel Jr.
• Discussion on potential moves: Rice as a full-time catcher, Domínguez and Jones in the outfield
• Analytics vs. baseball IQ: the Yankees’ identity crisis
• Cole, Rodón, and health updates ahead of 2026
• Listener mailbag: Couzini calls for Boone’s firing and praises Don Mattingly

Yankees Trivia 🤔

Who has the most wins in a single season for NY?

Answer: Jack Chesbro, 41 W in 1904

This episode: Who is the only team in the AL the Yankees have never faced in the playoffs?

Bullpen Q&A ☎️

You have opinions just like we do so we want to hear from you!

Email us at feedback@chasefor28.com

Connect with us on Twitter @chasefor28pod

Connect with us on Instagram @chasefor28pod

Send a voicemail http://chasefor28.com/voicemail

Merch 👕

Chase for 28 - Podcast and Select Player Shirts - http://chasefor28.com/merch

SeatGeek 🎟

Check out SeatGeek - the easiest way to buy tickets for sports, concerts, and more. Visit chasefor28.com/seatgeek and use promo code 'CHASEFOR28' at checkout to get $20 off your first purchase.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/chasefor28.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2025 Yankees season is officially over. In this emotional instant reaction episode, Chris and the Podcast Paisan (AJ) host what feels like the Bronx Bombers’ postseason wake. The Yankees’ offense went silent once again, managing only three hits through eight innings before falling 5–2 to the Blue Jays in Game 4. Despite Cam Schlittler’s strong start, sloppy defense from Jazz Chisholm and a quiet lineup sealed their fate.

Chris and AJ unpack the collapse—Volpe’s alarming strikeout rate, the team’s one-dimensional hitting philosophy, and Boone’s ongoing managerial issues. From comparing the Yankees’ analytical approach to other AL contenders to venting about situational hitting and poor at-bats, the guys reflect on a season of “what ifs.” They also share lighter moments about fandom, future roster shakeups, and what comes next for Chase for 28 as they look toward 2026.

Bullpen Q&A ☎️

You have opinions just like we do so we want to hear from you!

Email us at feedback@chasefor28.com

Connect with us on Twitter @chasefor28pod

Connect with us on Instagram @chasefor28pod

Send a voicemail http://chasefor28.com/voicemail

Merch 👕

Chase for 28 - Podcast and Select Player Shirts - http://chasefor28.com/merch

SeatGeek 🎟

Check out SeatGeek - the easiest way to buy tickets for sports, concerts, and more. Visit chasefor28.com/seatgeek and use promo code 'CHASEFOR28' at checkout to get $20 off your first purchase.

Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/chasefor28.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.