The RantBack Digital Mailbag

The RantBack Digital Mailbag is a periodic feature where SportsRantNY followers get to pose questions, make comments or just get something off their chests. Last names are withheld to protect the innocent.

“What’s your thoughts on the New York Knicks hiring Mike Brown?” – Frank V, Port Chester, NY

As we said here, “the Knicks reclusive executive team – James Dolan, Leon Rose and William Wesley – still has not revealed why they fired Tom Thibodeau.” Regardless of the reasons, it was a risky decision.

Thibodeau led the Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time since 1999-00. He had 50+ wins each of his last two seasons, the first time the Knicks achieved that feat since 1993-94 and 1994-95.

Hiring Mike Brown mitigates that risk.

The Knicks reportedly flirted with a splashy hire like stealing a current NBA coach (Chris Finch, Jason Kidd, Quinn Synder, Ime Udoka), hiring the next hot thing (Johnnie Bryant), or even smashing the glass ceiling (Dawn Staley).

At the end of the day, the Knicks replaced a well-respected, experienced, veteran head coach with a well-respected, experienced, veteran head coach.

Both players won rings as assistant coaches, with Brown securing his first with the San Antonio Spurs (2003), and three more with the Golden State Warriors (2017, 2018, 2022). Thibodeau won with the Boston Celtics (2008).

I would’ve kept Thibodeau, but I have zero complaints about his replacement.

ICYMI “Around NYC: 10 Teams, 4 Sports, One City”

“Over or Under? New York Jets fans will be rooting for draft position before the end of the 2025 World Series.” – David M, Port St. Lucie, FL

I’m guessing, due to your hometown, you’re rooting for the Jets former Shea Stadium roommates to be in the Fall Classic? 

My instinct is to say “over” since I’m bullish on the Jets offensive line and running game. Last year the line and their rookie running backs flashed, and now they’ve added Armand Membou and Justin Fields respectfully. I fully expect them to be a Top 10 running game.

Defensively, they have a chance to retain their Top 10 status, though there is a question about defensive line depth behind the three former first round draft picks (Jermaine Johnson, Will McDonald, Quinnen Williams).

On the flip side, while I strongly advocated for Fields, he still has a lot to prove in the passing game. That’s why it will be important for the Jets to keep games close early, which won’t be easy against this schedule (2025 NFL records are in parenthesis).

• 9-7-25 vs Pittsburgh Steelers (10-7)
• 9-14-25 vs Buffalo Bills (13-4)
• 9-21-25 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10-7)
• 9-29-25 at Miami Dolphins (8-9)
• 10-5-25 vs Dallas Cowboys (7-10)
• 10-12-25 vs Denver Broncos (London) (10-7)
• 10-19-25 vs Carolina Panthers (5-12)
• 10-26-25 at Cincinnati Bengals (9-8)

I’d prefer to hold my answer until the end of training camp so we can see how Johnson looks after Achilles tendon surgery, how McDonald looks after gaining weight, and if rookie TE Mason Taylor looks like he can become Fields’ safety valve.

But since you asked now, I say bet the “over”.

“The New York Yankees seem a bit disorganized to me. For instance, why did they force DJ LeMahieu into the lineup only to DFA him? They made Jazz play out of position, weakening their defense and hurting the team. How do they go into the season with no third basemen? Do you see major moves by the team before the deadline?” – Dom D. New York, NY

I believe the mistake was made headed into spring training. Last season Jazz Chisholm showed enough instincts at third base, that I fully expected him to be given a full training camp at the position. He needed to work on taking better angles to the ball, in order to give himself a chance to use his strong arm. If you recall, that’s what Alex Rodriquez did in the spring of 2004 when he learned third base in six weeks.

My reasoning was simple, the available third basemen were either expensive (Alex Bregman) or past their prime (Nolan Arenado). Plus, the internal candidates – Oswaldo Cabrerra, LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, Jorbit Vivas – are more comfortable at 2B, and don’t have the power production needed for the hot corner.

By the time Jazz returned on June 3 from his injury, Cabrerra was out indefinitely with an ankle injury, and LeMahieu was finally healthy enough to play second. Truth is, despite a precipitous drop in power (.338 on-base with only a .336 slugging), it’s LeMahieu’s lack of range at second that put the final nail in his DFA coffin.

While I would’ve taken a different approach, big picture, it’s hard to call the Yankees disorganized. Other than third base, they have solid depth across the rest of the diamond. Even their starting rotation had depth before the season ending injuries to Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt. Not to mention the fact that last year’s rookie-of-the-year Luis Gil hasn’t pitched yet this season.

As for the trade deadline, Cashman himself said this week, “I’m definitely going to be looking for upgrades if I can. Would certainly love to import a starter, some relievers because our bullpen has been taxed and some injuries, and yeah, an infielder as well. If possible. That’s a long list, and I’m not sure if this will be a deep deadline or not… but we will try to be active, I can tell you that.”

So yeah, what he said!

ICYMI “4 Final Thoughts About the Subway Series”