The RantBack Digital Mailbag is a periodic feature where SportsRantNY readers get to pose questions, make comments or just get something off their chests. Last names are withheld to protect the innocent.
“Are we at a point where it would be better for the Yankees to give up on 2025 and look toward fixing their roster to make a run in 2026? Is it time to let Boone go and change the whole dynamic?” – Mike M, Murrells Inlet, SC
The New York Yankees are leading the American League Wild Card race despite winning just 16 of their last 40 games. Based on that fact alone, you don’t give up on the 2025 season.
That said, they should not go “all-in” ahead of Thursday’s (July 31) 6p ET trading deadline. They should now try to upgrade their pitching staff, in the same way they have already upgraded their roster with mid-level trades for Ryan McMahon, Amed Rosario, and Austin Slater.
My advice to Brian Cashman is to proceed with caution and make it clear to prospective trade partners that the following players are off-limits:
- Jasson Dominguez
- Spencer Jones
- George Lombard, Jr
- Ben Rice
- Cam Schlittler
Finally, Aaron Boone led the Yankees to the World Series last year, received a two-year contract extension, and has them currently in a playoff slot despite the fact that Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil haven’t pitched single inning. He’s not going anywhere.
“It looks like the Giants QB is going to be Russell Wilson, although I’m not sold on him. Who’s next up? If the first 6 games have us at 2-4, then who? Could Dart get the next shot after 6 games? I feel bad for DeVito. Always gave a spark at least when he was thrown in, but I think he’s out” – Rob M, Mahopac, NY
This is Russell Wilson’s team until either Jaxson Dart starts consistently outplaying him in practice, or the New York Giants drop out of the playoff picture. While you are not alone predicting that Week 7 can start the Dart era, I am bullish on the Giants’ chances to be a competitive football team in 2025.
If the offensive line bounces back, and the defensive line plays close to its potential, Wilson can steal enough wins to keep his job until at least their Week 14 bye. That would leave Brian Daboll with an opportunity to give Dart the last four starts of the year against Washington, Minnesota, Las Vegas and Dallas.
Interestingly, if Daboll believes by the end of training camp that Dart is already the second-best quarterback in the room, that increases the likelihood that Jameis Winston is traded before the start of the season. In that scenario, DeVito will have a chance to make the 53.
“Do you think the Rangers will name a captain this year? If so, who do you think will best serve in that role?” – Vin M, Milford, CT
On one hand, the New York Rangers have three well-established veterans who could easily slide into that position. No one would bat an eye if new head coach Mike Sullivan announced Adam Fox, JT Miller or Vincent Trocheck would be succeeding Jacob Trouba.
On the other hand, I wouldn’t have posted a rant on June 15 titled “Rangers Retool Series: Time to Import a Captain” if I believed any of the three was the perfect choice.
Having a captain is not a necessity. The last time the position was vacant entering a season, the Rangers beat Sullivan’s Pittsburgh Penguins in the first round on a run to the 2021-22 Eastern Conference Finals.
If it were up to me, I’d wait to see how the season plays out. But since you asked, I’ll predict that Adam Fox will be wearing the C, with Miller and Trocheck wearing the A’s, on opening night October 7 at Madison Square Garden.
