From the Core Four to Aaron Judge

From the Core Four to Aaron Judge

Join the Discord: https://discord.com/invite/dYhnmwQANb [https://discord.com/invite/dYhnmwQANb] What exactly happened to the Yankees between the Core Four era and the rise of Aaron Judge? In this episode of Crosstown Nine, Chris Schnabel and Jhon Guarin take a trip back through one of the strangest periods in Yankees history, revisiting the 2013 through 2016 seasons—the bridge between the end of the dynasty and the beginning of the Baby Bombers. The guys discuss how injuries to Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Curtis Granderson and other stars forced the Yankees into survival mode, leading to one of the most bizarre collections of veterans ever assembled in pinstripes. From Vernon Wells, Travis Hafner, Kevin Youkilis, Ichiro Suzuki, Brian Roberts and Stephen Drew to Jacoby Ellsbury's massive contract, the conversation explores why these Yankees teams never quite found their identity. Chris and Jhon also examine how the organization slowly transitioned toward the next generation, highlighting the arrivals of Didi Gregorius, Masahiro Tanaka, Luis Severino, Gary Sánchez, Aaron Judge, Tyler Austin, Gleyber Torres and the beginning of the Baby Bombers era that reshaped the franchise. Topics include: • Why the 2013 Yankees roster felt so random • The injuries that ended the Core Four era • Jacoby Ellsbury's infamous Yankees contract • Robinson Canó leaving in free agency • The evolution of the Yankees from veterans to prospects • The arrivals of Tanaka, Gregorius, Severino and Judge • The 2016 roster reset and Baby Bombers movement • Brian Cashman's roster philosophy over the past decade • Forgotten Yankees from 2013–2016 • How this era still impacts today's Yankees If you love Yankees history, roster building, baseball nostalgia and long-form baseball conversations, this episode of Crosstown Nine is a fun look back at one of the franchise's most fascinating transitional periods. ---------------------------------------- Subscribe for more Yankees analysis, MLB breakdowns, and Crosstown Nine Podcast episodes covering everything New York baseball. Follow us on social! Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/crosstownninepodcast [http://www.instagram.com/crosstownninepodcast] TikTok - http://www.tiktok.com/crosstownninepodcastchnabel [http://www.tiktok.com/crosstownninepodcastchnabel] ---------------------------------------- Chapters 00:07 – Intro & Revisiting the Weirdest Yankees Era 03:31 – Breaking Down the 2013 Yankees Roster 08:59 – Injuries, Veteran Signings & Trying to Stay Competitive 11:47 – The 2014 Offseason: Ellsbury, McCann, Beltrán & Tanaka 18:27 – Was the Jacoby Ellsbury Contract Actually That Bad? 24:32 – Looking Back at the 2014 Season & Michael Pineda 29:20 – The 2015 Yankees, Gregorius & The First Signs of Change 32:19 – The 2016 Baby Bombers Begin to Arrive 37:46 – Aaron Judge, Gary Sánchez & Building the Next Core 46:48 – Final Thoughts on the Yankees' Transitional Years

The Legendary "That Guy Was a Yankee" Tier List

Join the Discord: https://discord.com/invite/dYhnmwQANb [https://discord.com/invite/dYhnmwQANb] The Yankees are in another rough stretch, and the cracks in the roster are becoming impossible to ignore. In this episode of Crosstown Nine, Chris Schnabel and Jhon Guarin break down the Yankees' struggles against the Red Sox, why losing Aaron Judge and Max Fried has exposed the team's biggest weaknesses, and how years of questionable roster construction continue to haunt New York. The guys discuss why the Yankees have struggled to build quality depth around their superstar core, debate the organization's player development strategy, and examine whether relying on stopgap players instead of long-term solutions has kept the team from reaching another championship. The conversation then shifts into one of the most entertaining Crosstown Nine games yet: ranking the greatest "That Guy Was a Yankee" players. From Ichiro, Randy Johnson, Bobby Abreu and Matt Holliday to Kevin Youkilis, Troy Tulowitzki, Lance Berkman, Andrew McCutchen, Vernon Wells, Pudge Rodriguez and more, Chris and Jhon sort through some of the most random stars to ever wear pinstripes. Other topics include: • Yankees' struggles against the Red Sox • Aaron Judge's importance to the lineup • Why the Yankees lack quality depth • The organization's roster-building philosophy • The Mets moving on from Carlos Mendoza • Pete Alonso's departure and Juan Soto's season • Kyle Schwarber's incredible home run pace • Yankees draft history and prospect development • The greatest "That Guy Was a Yankee" players • Forgotten Yankees from the 2000s and 2010s Whether you're looking for serious Yankees analysis or a nostalgic trip through baseball history, this episode has something for every Yankees fan. ---------------------------------------- Subscribe for more Yankees analysis, MLB breakdowns, and Crosstown Nine Podcast episodes covering everything New York baseball. Follow us on social! Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/crosstownninepodcast [http://www.instagram.com/crosstownninepodcast] TikTok - http://www.tiktok.com/crosstownninepodcastchnabel [http://www.tiktok.com/crosstownninepodcastchnabel] ---------------------------------------- Chapters 00:00 – Yankees Continue to Struggle & Red Sox Series Breakdown 04:26 – Why the Yankees' Roster Construction Keeps Failing 12:24 – Can the Yankees Survive Without Aaron Judge? 15:15 – Mets Fire Carlos Mendoza & Around MLB 19:09 – Kyle Schwarber's Historic Home Run Pace 22:11 – Yankees Draft History & Prospect Development 26:57 – Drafting the Greatest "That Guy Was a Yankee" Players 34:21 – Forgotten Yankees: McCutchen, Tulowitzki, Berkman & More 42:38 – Randy Johnson, Bobby Abreu & Yankees Legends 50:58 – Final Tier List, Biggest Surprises & Closing Thoughts

Creating the Yankees All-2020s Roster

Who actually makes the Yankees All-2020s Team? Join the Discord - https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb [https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb] In this episode of Crosstown Nine, Chris Schnabel and Jhon Guarin take on the challenge of building the ultimate Yankees roster from the 2020 season through today. Position by position, they debate the best players to wear pinstripes during the decade, from obvious choices like Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole to much tougher decisions at catcher, shortstop, third base, and center field. Along the way, the guys revisit some forgotten Yankees names, surprising roster decisions, and a few players that had brief but memorable runs in the Bronx. From Gary Sanchez and Gio Urshela to Luke Voit, Harrison Bader, Clint Frazier, Joey Gallo, and more, this episode becomes a trip through one of the strangest eras of Yankees baseball. Topics include: • Building the Yankees All-2020s Team • Aaron Judge's place among Yankees greats • Gerrit Cole as the ace of the decade • The best Yankees reliever of the decade • Forgotten Yankees players and roster moves • Looking ahead to the rest of the 2020s If you're a Yankees fan, this episode is a fun look back at the players who have defined the franchise throughout the decade so far—and a reminder of just how many random names have come through the Bronx over the last six years. ---------------------------------------- Subscribe for more Yankees analysis, MLB breakdowns, and Crosstown Nine Podcast episodes covering everything New York baseball. Follow us on social! Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/crosstownninepodcast [http://www.instagram.com/crosstownninepodcast] TikTok - http://www.tiktok.com/crosstownninepodcastchnabel [http://www.tiktok.com/crosstownninepodcastchnabel] ---------------------------------------- Chapters 00:07 – Building the Yankees All-2020s Team 03:07 – Catcher Debate: Jose Trevino vs Austin Wells 07:17 – First Base: Anthony Rizzo, Ben Rice & Yankees Greats 09:31 – Second Base: DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres & Jazz Chisholm 11:34 – Shortstop Debate: Anthony Volpe vs IKF 15:27 – Third Base: Gio Urshela, Josh Donaldson & Forgotten Yankees 18:48 – Outfield Discussion: Judge, Soto, Bellinger & More 24:58 – DH, Starting Pitcher & Relief Pitcher Selections 30:42 – Revealing the Final Yankees All-2020s Team 31:59 – Biggest Takeaways & Why the Yankees Infield Has Been a Problem

Ranking Yankees Trade Targets

The MLB Trade Deadline is approaching, and the Yankees have some major decisions to make. Join the Discord - https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb [https://discord.gg/dYhnmwQANb] In this episode of Crosstown Nine, Chris Schnabel and Jhon Guarin put together a Yankees trade deadline tier list, breaking down some of the biggest names connected to New York and deciding whether each player is a perfect fit, a realistic target, or a move that simply will never happen. The guys debate blockbuster possibilities like Tarik Skubal and Mike Trout, potential upgrades such as Hunter Goodman, CJ Abrams, Byron Buxton, and Zach Neto, and whether the Yankees should take a chance on adding another frontline arm or focus on fixing their biggest weaknesses. The conversation also dives into the Yankees' biggest needs heading into the second half of the season: * Catcher upgrades and offensive production behind the plate * Anthony Volpe’s struggles and possible shortstop replacements * Bullpen concerns and potential relief pitcher targets * Outfield depth and the impact of young players like Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones * Whether the Yankees should make a splash or trust their current roster * Chris and Jhon also discuss the New York Knicks championship celebration, what it means to finally see a New York team win a title again, and why the Yankees front office cannot afford to waste another season with Aaron Judge in his prime. From realistic trade targets to dream scenarios, this is the ultimate Yankees trade deadline conversation. ---------------------------------------- Subscribe for more Yankees analysis, MLB breakdowns, and Crosstown Nine Podcast episodes covering everything New York baseball. Follow us on social! Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/crosstownninepodcast [http://www.instagram.com/crosstownninepodcast] TikTok - http://www.tiktok.com/crosstownninepodcastchnabel [http://www.tiktok.com/crosstownninepodcastchnabel] ---------------------------------------- Chapters 00:07 – Knicks Championship Celebration & New York Sports Discussion 02:53 – Yankees Updates, Ben Rice & Trade Deadline Game Explained 05:27 – Tarik Skubal & Top Starting Pitching Targets 10:06 – Hunter Goodman, Catcher Needs & Yankees Offensive Holes 13:15 – Byron Buxton, Mike Trout & Outfield Trade Possibilities 16:50 – Zach Neto, Anthony Volpe & Shortstop Upgrades 20:20 – CJ Abrams, O’Neil Cruz & Ideal Yankees Fits 23:33 – Bad Fits, Luis Arraez & Third Base Conversations 29:08 – Josh Hader, AJ Puk & Yankees Bullpen Targets 35:23 – Brock Burke, Final Trade Tier List & Deadline Strategy 39:08 – Closing Thoughts

Yankees Panic Meter

Aaron Judge is heading to the injured list, and the biggest question facing the Yankees is simple: Can they survive without the best player in baseball? In this episode of Crosstown Nine, Chris Schnabel and Jhon Guarin break down the impact of Aaron Judge’s stress fracture, what it means for the Yankees lineup, and whether New York’s offense can keep producing without their biggest star. The guys discuss the emergence of Ben Rice, Spencer Jones’ arrival in the majors, Paul Goldschmidt’s hot bat, and whether players like Jazz Chisholm, Anthony Volpe, and the rest of the lineup can step up during Judge’s absence. The conversation also looks ahead to the MLB Trade Deadline, debating whether the Yankees need to add bullpen arms, a new catcher, or even make a larger roster move to stay atop the AL East. Chris and Jhon analyze the current bullpen struggles, potential internal options, and how the Yankees should approach the second half of the season. Other topics include: * Aaron Judge’s injury timeline and panic level * Spencer Jones’ first MLB home run and early impact * Ben Rice’s breakout season * Yankees bullpen concerns and workload * Austin Wells, Anthony Volpe, and the Yankees’ offensive struggles * AL East race with the Tampa Bay Rays * MLB standings and biggest surprises around baseball * Free agent signings that have disappointed so far * Yankees playoff outlook and trade deadline strategy Can the Yankees keep pace while Aaron Judge is out? Or will New York need to make a major move before the trade deadline? Chris and Jhon break down everything happening around the Bronx and the rest of Major League Baseball. ---------------------------------------- Subscribe for more Yankees analysis, MLB breakdowns, and Crosstown Nine Podcast episodes covering everything New York baseball. Follow us on social! Instagram - http://www.instagram.com/crosstownninepodcast [http://www.instagram.com/crosstownninepodcast] TikTok - http://www.tiktok.com/crosstownninepodcastchnabel [http://www.tiktok.com/crosstownninepodcastchnabel] ---------------------------------------- Chapters 00:07 – World Cup Talk, Jerseys & New York Sports Memories 07:54 – Aaron Judge Injury News & Yankees’ Immediate Concerns 12:50 – Life Without Judge: Spencer Jones, Ben Rice & The Lineup 16:13 – Yankees Pitching, Bullpen Issues & Trade Possibilities 23:39 – AL East Race, MLB Standings & Biggest Surprises 28:43 – Revisiting MLB’s Worst Free Agent Signings 34:57 – Yankees Panic Meter: Aaron Judge’s Injury 36:15 – Panic Meter: Yankees Offense Without Judge 38:22 – Shortstop Questions, Bullpen Workload & AL East Outlook 47:21 – Final Thoughts, Knicks Finals & Closing Remarks