Go Get 'Em

After a week to cool down, Chris McMonigle returns with his thoughts on the Yankees season, if big changes are needed, and how hot Aaron Boone's seat should be. Plus, going through the roster and debating who should stay and who should go after another playoff run ended far too early. In a thinner free agent pool, can anyone be signed to help change the makeup of this roster? Chris answers it all as the offseason gets rolling in the Bronx.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

05:30: Frustrations surrounding the playoff series loss to Tampa Bay and the contrast of watching a less-talented Cleveland team perform well in the postseason.

10:00: A deep dive into the Yankees' core problem: mental softness, a culture of coddling players, and an inability to handle the intense pressure of New York in October.

42:00: Evaluating the 2027 starting rotation, which remains a significant organizational strength anchored by Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, and Carlos Rodón.

49:57: Bullpen outlook and free agency decisions, including the importance of issuing a qualifying offer to David Bednar and considering a return for Paul Blackburn.

54:00: The players who absolutely must be moved this offseason, specifically highlighting Jazz Chisholm, Trent Grisham, and the urgent need to dump Ryan McMahon's contract.

1:00:20: The Giancarlo Stanton dilemma, managing the DH logjam to get Aaron Judge off his feet, and the need to acquire a legitimate backup catcher and a contact-oriented third baseman.

Questions for Chris? Email the pod at [email protected]

The Yankees season is over, and C-Mac is sounding off from Yankee Stadium as another visiting team celebrates on the field. Chris fumes over Aaron Boone batting Trent Grisham leadoff, Max Fried failing to get one more out, the fan interfering with Anthony Volpe's deep fly ball, and much more. Plus, is it time for big changes, and is Boone on the hot seat? Chris answers it all in this season-ending podcast.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

1:21 - The biggest grievance of the game: Aaron Boone’s disastrous decision to hit Trent Grisham leadoff instead of Ben Rice.

4:36 - Dissecting Max Fried's pitching performance, his failure to get through six innings, and the hanging slider to Mesa Jr.

10:55 - Analyzing Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman's job security and how the looming MLB lockout complicates a potential managerial change.

16:34 - Anthony Volpe's fan-interference home run, Cody Bellinger falling short at the wall, and the Rays beating New York with the long ball.

22:12 - Looking ahead to the 2027 roster: The departures of Trent Grisham and Jazz Chisholm, moving on from Ryan McMahon at third base, and Spencer Jones taking over center field.

24:17 - Rickie Ricardo joins the show to discuss the devastating loss and the front office's offseason outlook.

54:19 - Final thoughts on Cashman and Boone, acknowledging fan frustrations, and signing off for the offseason.

Chris McMonigle is LIVID after that despicable showing from the Yankees in a crucial game two. He sounds off on the disastrous fielding miscues in the first and fifth inning, from Jazz Chisholm at second base to Ryan McMahon at third. Plus, the offense outside of Ben Rice remains nonexistent through two games in Tampa. Is the series over? C-Mac reveals his thoughts on the series moving forward, and what it would mean big picture if the Yankees cannot complete a miracle comeback.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

1:30 - Breaking down Ryan McMahon's tone-setting misplay on the very first play of the game.

2:24 - Evaluating Cam Schlittler's struggles on the mound, finishing with only two strikeouts amidst terrible defensive support.

11:47 - Jazz Chisholm's costly throwing error and questionable decision-making in the infield.

16:26 - The Yankees' offensive woes, with Ben Rice providing the team's only runs via two solo home runs.

23:51 - The backbreaking throwing error by Lombard that allowed two extra runs to score.

31:20 - Defending manager Aaron Boone and placing the blame squarely on the players for failing to make routine defensive plays.

39:19 - Addressing the lineup's collective 0-for-38 slump, excluding Wells, Rice, and Bellinger.

41:50 - Looking ahead to Game 3 at Yankee Stadium. Max Fried takes the mound against Nick Martinez in a desperate bid to keep the season alive.

The Yankee bats were MIA in their series-opening loss to the Rays, and Chris McMonigle is sounding off on an all-too-familiar playoff loss. Chris breaks down the lifeless at-bats against Drew Rasmussen, who carried a no-hitter into the eighth inning. Was that a sign of the Yankees past postseason struggles returning once again? Plus, Austin Wells' costly miscue on the bases, Gerrit Cole grinding through five innings, and is the season now in the hands of Cam Schlittler on Monday in game two?

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

1:12 - Austin Wells gets thrown out at third base trying to stretch a double into a triple with two outs.

2:54 - Rebutting the narrative that the Yankees' offense can't find success without Aaron Judge.

11:15 - Breaking down the Yankees' ugly at-bats against Rasmussen's elite mix of fastballs and changeups.

28:03 - Giancarlo Stanton's pinch-hit at-bat in the eighth inning and why he wasn't just used as a decoy.

33:00 - Looking ahead to Game 2: A must-win matchup featuring Cam Schlittler against Freddy Peralta.

41:00 - Why fans shouldn't panic over a Game 1 loss against a tough opponent in a five-game series.

The ALDS is here, and C-Mac is previewing all the keys to the upcoming series against Tampa! Can the Yankee bats stay hot against the Rays, and is Gerrit Cole the right choice to start game one? Plus, X-factors for the series, debating if Aaron Judge should be on the roster, how the lineups will look against the Rays' likely starting pitchers, and C-Mac's confidence level in the Yanks getting past the division champs and into the ALCS.

C-Mac is popping champagne as the Yankees roll through Boston in the Wild Card Series to get back to the ALDS! Chris breaks down the game two win from Yankee Stadium, from Max Fried's strong outing to the lineup continuing to hit from top to bottom, punishing Boston pitching with an equal mix of small ball and home-run power. Plus, the youngsters continue to come through, Aaron Boone pushed all the right buttons, and is this team primed to beat Tampa Bay?

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Intro: Welcome to a Wild Card victory! The Yankees sweep the Red Sox with back-to-back nine-run performances and brilliant situational hitting.

5:20: Sonny Gray's performance under the bright lights of Yankee Stadium and the electric crowd reactions. Did Chad Tracy pull him too early?

14:38: Breaking down Max Fried's start and concerns over Trent Grisham's lackadaisical defense in center field.

20:47: Questionable management from Chad Tracy with his decision to pull Sonny Gray and intentionally walk Ben Rice to load the bases for Cody Bellinger.

23:56: Third base coach Luis Rojas's terrible two-out send that killed a potential momentum swing.

26:08: Rickie Ricardo joins the show to discuss Spencer Jones' game-changing hustle and to preview the upcoming ALDS against the Tampa Bay Rays.

39:36: Austin Wells flips the script on his regular-season struggles with four crucial RBIs in the Wild Card series.

51:03: Final thoughts on the unmatched magic of playoff baseball and why this Yankee team is built to make a deep World Series run.

C-Mac is celebrating LIVE from Yankee Stadium after Cam Schlittler once again owned the Red Sox in playoff action, moving the Bombers to within one win of the ALDS! Chris is joined by Shaun Morash to break down Schlittler's dominance, Ben Rice's big night at the plate, the homegrown youngsters coming through with the bat, and how the Yankees are set up the rest of the series.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Intro: Live from Yankee Stadium with initial reactions to the Yankees' 9-0 Wild Card Game 1 shutout over the Red Sox.

2:37: Shaun Marash joins the show to praise Cam Schlittler's masterful curveball and his stress-free, 117-pitch performance.

7:46: The game breakers - Ben Rice hits two massive home runs, including the grand slam that turned a close game into a laugher.

12:50: The "Young Blood" steps up - How homegrown talent like George Lombard Jr. (three hits, two runs), Anthony Volpe, and Spencer Jones powered the lineup.

15:03: Roman Anthony's wrist injury and a heavily depleted Red Sox bullpen.

27:18: Rickie Ricardo drops by to declare the Red Sox on the ropes and call for a two-game sweep.

38:22: Aaron Judge missing from pre-game field introductions, roster decisions, and setting up the rotation for Game 2 against Max Fried.

The Yanks will once again host their bitter rivals in the Wild Card Series this week. Will they beat Boston for a second straight season and reach the ALDS? Chris McMonigle breaks down all the keys to this series, ponders how the roster will look, and gives his thoughts on the starting pitching matchups and how Boston's rotation can impact how Aaron Boone constructs the Yankee lineup. Plus, the latest on the health of Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Ryan Weathers, and more.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

Intro: Season Wrap-Up & Silver Linings - The Yankees fell short of the division crown to the Rays, but a 93-68 record and the emergence of homegrown talents like Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler provide massive momentum.

08:00: Game 1 Starter & Series Keys - Why Cam Schlittler got the nod for Game 1 over Max Fried or Gerrit Cole, and why the Yankees' elite starting rotation is the ultimate key to advancing.

18:00: Defending Aaron Boone’s masterful navigation of a depleted bullpen this season and previewing his dugout clash with Boston manager Chad Tracy.

24:00: A tough conversation on the captain's calf strain. We discuss why Judge pushing to play puts Boone in an unfair spot and why leaving him off the Wild Card roster is likely the painful but necessary call.

33:00: Roster Construction: Projecting a 10-pitcher staff and debating the bench. Plus, why Giancarlo Stanton’s undeniable playoff magic and Trent Grisham's clutch at-bats deserve roster spots over a defensive replacement like Ryan McMahon.

55:00: Game 1 Lineup Projections: Breaking down the optimal starting nine to face Red Sox lefty Payton Tolle. This includes the case for starting Jazz over Volpe at second base to capitalize on much-needed home-run power.

1:21:00: The Ladder of Revenge - Overcoming the anxiety of a three-game "crapshoot" series and looking ahead to a potential dream playoff path against the Red Sox, Rays, Astros, and Dodgers.

Aaron Judge intends to play in the Wild Card Series, which is a far cry from Aaron Boone's previous comments. Is there a miscommunication between the manager and the captain? C-Mac has some strong thoughts on Judge's approach to his own injury updates, if he should try to push it and play against Boston, and whether the Yankees would be better off without Judge at less than 100 percent. Meanwhile, Clarke Schmidt is no longer a Wild Card Series option due to a biceps injury. Is the Yankee bullpen strong enough for a playoff run? Plus, debating what the series against the Rays potentially showed in terms of who deserves what role in the playoffs.

EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS

1:25 - Bright spots from the recent series, focusing on Carlos Rodon's strong start and Lombard's impressive defensive and offensive output.

9:40 - The Aaron Judge and Aaron Boone disconnect: Analyzing Judge's frustration over Boone publicly detailing his "moderate" calf strain.

26:01 - The playoff lineup dilemma: Debating the risks of playing an injured Judge versus relying on Ben Rice or Paul Goldschmidt against left-handed pitching.

31:41 - Evaluating potential postseason roster returns for Giancarlo Stanton and Trent Grisham as late-game pinch-hit options.

33:04 - The argument for leaving Ryan McMahon off the playoff roster despite his recent grand slam and five-RBI game.

39:57 - Wild Card rotation strategy: Weighing whether Cam Schlittler or Max Fried should take the mound for Game 1.

57:51 - Bullpen concerns mount as Clarke Schmidt hits the 15-day IL with biceps tendinitis, exposing the front office's failure to acquire relief help at the deadline.

1:09:37 - Defending Aaron Boone's managerial performance and the team's achievement of winning 92 games despite Judge missing three months of the season.

What is going on with the Yankee captain? Chris McMonigle breaks it all down as well as the series in Arizona and the playoff picture.