Latest news with #ALMVP
New York Post
4 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
The Post's MLB first-half awards: Aaron Judge is still MVP — but surprising challenger keeps making a case
The right answer is Aaron Judge. But before Yankees fans get annoyed that I was seriously considering Cal Raleigh for first-half AL MVP — and the first half of the schedule did complete this week with every team reaching 81 games — then here is my question: How would you feel if Raleigh were doing this for the Yankees and Judge for the Mariners? In other words, what if the Yankees had a switch-hitting catcher — emphasis on catcher — who was leading the league in homers, and somehow Yankee Stadium was transformed from one of the easiest places to clear a fence to the toughest (hello T-Mobile Park), and the player was an elite defender at the most important position on the field — did I mention he is a catcher? My suspicion is if Raleigh was doing all of that in pinstripes rather than off-the-beaten baseball path in Seattle, you, Yankees fans, would be screaming he, and not Judge, should be the first-half AL MVP. And maybe he is. I just think that no stat or metric completely honors what it means to be able to provide high-end offense with the drudgery of catcher — just consider the bat was supposed to be the carrying tool for both Francisco Alvarez and Austin Wells, and look how they have struggled under the weight of all that a catcher is asked to do.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Aaron Judge locks up 2025 AL All-Star starting spot as MLB's top vote-getter
Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free To the surprise of no one, Aaron Judge is headed back to the All-Star Game. The reigning AL MVP wrapped up a starting spot in next month's Midsummer Classic, courtesy of being the leading vote-getter in the American League (and all of Major League Baseball) in the first phase of fan voting that ended Thursday. Judge will be making his seventh trip to the All-Star Game, this time with Boone managing the AL team. Even after cooling off slightly over the past two weeks, Judge is in the midst of a dominant first half, batting .361 with a 1.180 OPS — both leading the majors — to go with 28 home runs. New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge hits a single during the first inning against the Angels on June 16, 2025. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post How many of Judge's teammates will be joining him in Atlanta is still to be determined. Paul Goldschmidt and Ben Rice were the only Yankees to finish in the top two in fan voting at their respective positions, advancing them to the next phase of voting to determine starters. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees is greeted by his teammates in the dugout after he scores on hits a two-run homer in the ninth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Sunday, June 8, 2025, in Bronx, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND YANKEES STATS Goldschmidt is squaring off against Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for first base, and Rice is battling Ryan O'Hearn. Pitchers are determined by a player's ballot, but Max Fried is close to a lock to make the team — and is making a case to start the game if his schedule allows it — and Carlos Rodón also has a strong shot.
New York Post
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Justin Verlander shares baby update after welcoming second child with wife Kate Upton
Back from paternity leave, Justin Verlander said the time he spent with his newborn second child was 'really incredible.' 'Just an amazing, amazing time,' the Giants' right-hander said Tuesday after a 4-2 loss to the Marlins. 'Everybody's home, happy, healthy. All I can ask for.' Verlander and wife Kate Upton welcomed son Bellamy Brooks Verlander on June 19, a rep for the model told TMZ. Advertisement 3 Justin Verlander and Kate Upton at the Baseball Writers' Association of America awards dinner in January 2023. Getty Images The couple, who have been married since November 2017, welcomed their first child, daughter Genevieve, in November 2018, three days after their first wedding anniversary. 'Having a 6-and-a-half-year-old, knowing the journey that's ahead of me, it's really incredible and I'm really looking forward to reliving some of those times,' he said. Advertisement Verlander, 42, was on the paternity list for three days, missing the Giants' weekend series with the Red Sox. The nine-time All-Star met Upton, 33, in February 2012 during a commercial shoot for the 'MLB 2K12' video game. The pair made their relationship public in 2013. 3 Justin Verlander during his June 24 start against the Marlins. Getty Images After a brief split later that year, Upton and Verlander got back together and were engaged in 2016. Advertisement They tied the knot in Italy shortly after Verlander won the World Series with the Astros in November 2017. 3 Justin Verlander signed with the Giants in the offseason. Getty Images Verlander has earned AL MVP honors, captured the Cy Young three times and won the World Series twice in his legendary 20-year career, although he has struggled in San Francisco after signing a one-year, $15 million contract in the offseason. The 42-year-old is 0-5 with 4.52 ERA across 61 2/3 innings spanning 12 starts. Advertisement In his first start back from the paternity list Tuesday against the Marlins, he suffered the loss after yielding three earned runs in five innings. Verlander is scheduled to make his next start Sunday against the White Sox.
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Yankees' Aaron Boone Makes Uninspiring Devin Williams Playing Decision
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The New York Yankees traded Nestor Cortes and Claeb Durbin for All-Star closer Devin Williams in the offseason. Williams struggled early in his Yankees tenure, but has settled back into the closer role. Williams had an 11.25 ERA through his first 10 games as a Yankee. He was stripped of closer duties in favor of Luke Weaver. Williams started playing better and was thrust back into the closer role when Weaver went to the injured list. Since then, he has a 1.17 ERA and five saves in eight games. However, Aaron Boone still does not seemingly trust him to give the Yankees more than one inning. On Tuesday, Williams threw just nine pitches in the ninth inning. However, Boone did not send him out for the 10th inning, and he revealed that Williams will not be used like that in the future either. NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 03: Devin Williams #38 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch during the ninth inning of the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on June 03,... NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JUNE 03: Devin Williams #38 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch during the ninth inning of the game against the Cleveland Guardians at Yankee Stadium on June 03, 2025 in New York City. More"Look, he's here as kind of a one-inning guy and that's what he's done the last couple years," Boone said, per the New York Post's Greg Joyce. "I think there's going to be a time when there's a four-out scenario, but I'm not prepared right now to send him out there for a two-inning outing." Unlike Williams, Boone has used Weaver for two-inning outings multiple times this year. Williams is a two-time All-Star and two-time Trevor Hoffman National League Reliever of the Year. Most of his success has come as a one-inning pitcher, either setting up Josh Hader on the Milwaukee Brewers or as their closer. "I feel like the bullpen works better when guys are going one inning," Williams said, per the New York Post. Regardless of how the Yankees use Williams, it is good for the team that he is pitching well again. He is one of the best relievers in baseball when he's at his best, and borderline unhittable. More MLB: AL MVP Race Wide Open With Recent Struggles from Yankees Superstar
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Phillies Reportedly Eyeing Outfielder Move Amid 'Growing Frustration' With Struggles
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Philadelphia Phillies endured a second-straight shutout loss to the Houston Astros on Wednesday, wasting a gem from starter Zack Wheeler one night after doing likewise with Ranger Suarez. As the team's rotation continues to demonstrate its depth and effectiveness, the offense is searching for answers. This dynamic was pointed to in the wake of a disappointing playoff exit last year and the Phillies can ill afford a similar fate now that their championship window seems in even more danger of closing. And, just like last year, the main culprit for the offensive struggles is clear: Johan Rojas. After slashing just .243/.279/.322 last season, Rojas is slashing a mere .216/.270/.288 so far in this one. And it could finally be pushing the team to a change. MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 05: Johan Rojas #18 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout during the third inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 05, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo... MIAMI, FLORIDA - SEPTEMBER 05: Johan Rojas #18 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout during the third inning against the Miami Marlins at loanDepot park on September 05, 2024 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by) More Mandato/Getty "There is growing frustration with Rojas, who has seven hits in his last 59 at-bats," according to Matt Gelb of The Athletic. "He serves a purpose — as a late-inning defensive replacement and potential pinch runner — but the club could look to limit his time at the plate." Amid the lack of outfield production last year, the Phillies traded for Austin Hayes and he ended up injured and ill before being cut for the team. Then, this past winter, the team signed Max Kepler as a potential everyday player, but he's been unable to seize that role. Now it's possible the Phillies will look for another external upgrade at the upcoming trade deadline. In the meantime, Rojas could see his at-bats taken over by Otto Kemp as the team looks to replace him. More MLB: AL MVP Race Wide Open With Recent Struggles from Yankees Superstar
