Josh Benjamin
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Pop culture and sports junkie, I cover the Yankees and Knicks for Elite Sports NY. Huge pro wrestling fan. Whenever there's a fork in the road, I take it!
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Articles by Josh Benjamin
Report: Yankees interested in Phillies 3B Alec Bohm
Brett Davis-Imagn Images The New York Yankees reportedly have their eyes on free agent and former Philadelphia Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, per Jon Heyman at the Post. Bohm is coming off a fairly forgettable season in Philly. He hit .249 with 15 home runs and 88 RBI and a 90 wRC+, but hit .298 with a .794 OPS after the All-Star Break compared to .215 and a paltry .632 in the first half.
Brad Ausmus kicks off Yankees coaching carousel
Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images New York Yankees bench coach Brad Ausmus is expected to be named the new manager of the Houston Astros, with whom he spent ten of his 18 MLB seasons. The Astros will reportedly hire Brad Ausmus as their next manager, per MLB’s @brianmctaggart.
Cam Schlittler is unanimous AL Cy Young winner
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler made the most of his first full season with the team, unanimously winning the American League Cy Young Award. Additionally, Milwaukee Brewers righty Jacob “The Miz” Misiorowski was the unanimous winner on the National League side. His year. His terms. His Cy Young. pic.twitter.com/37eqRtlYkE — New York Yankees (@Yankees) November 12, 2026 Schlittler finished ahead of Toronto Blue Jays righty Dylan Cease, who led the league with a 2.56 FIP.
Sorry, Yankees fans: Brian Cashman signs new deal
Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports Yankees X/Twitter, Facebook, and every other platform are about to be down bad because, surprise surprise, Brian Cashman has signed a new deal to stay on as general manager of the New York Yankees. Brian Cashman said his new deal is finalized. Declined to say how many years. #Yankees — Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) November 10, 2026 This isn’t exactly big news.
Requiem for minor league team names
[Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Let’s have a chat about minor league baseball, starting with the New York Yankees’ Triple-A Affiliate in Scranton, Pennsylvania. It was announced Saturday that after 14 years as the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, the team would have a new name in 2027. Now, they are the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Highlanders. Complete with color change and a bear mascot too! Out with the navy, gold, white, and “cranberry,” in with navy pinstripes and some forest green.
Yankees OF Cody Bellinger wins Platinum Glove
Brad Penner-Imagn Images New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger has always been a great glove in the outfield, and can now add Platinum Glove to his resume.
Former Mets LHP Jerry Koosman dead at 83
Dick Raphael-USA TODAY Sports Former New York Mets left-hander Jerry Koosman died Sunday at age 83. A team spokesman said Koosman died of “multiple illinesses” after being sick about a year. We are saddened to share the news that Jerry Koosman has passed away. We send our thoughts and prayers to his family.
Pat Murphy’s Yankees criticism is just another baseball bubble
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images First and foremost, congratulations to the Milwaukee Brewers and manager Pat Murphy. The Brew Crew quickly dispatched the American League Champion Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5, locking down a 4-1 victory at Tropicana Field to clinch the World Series. The same Tampa Bay Rays who both won the American League East and unceremoniously swept the rival New York Yankees in the ALDS.
What does Jorge Posada actually want?
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Former New York Yankees catcher Jorge Posada is a fan favorite. The switch-hitting catcher was a key piece of the Jeter Dynasty, slugging 275 home runs while winning five World Series rings. In turn, the Yankees invite him to spring training as a special/roving instructor every season, like they do most of their former players. Posada is also regularly invited to Old Timers’ Day and had his number 20 retired in 2015.
At 0-3, NY Knicks have serious NBA Finals hangover
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The New York Knicks have begun their 2026-27 season and championship defense with…three losses in a row. They’re the third defending champs to lose their first three games of the regular season in nearly sixty years. Worse yet, these Knicks don’t have an excuse beyond the usual championship hangover. The same fate befell the Dallas Mavericks after they upset LeBron James and the Miami Heat superteam in the 2011 Finals.
Hideki Matsui set to manage Yomiuri Giants
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Former Yankees outfielder Hideki Matsui is back in baseball, and going back where it all began. It was announced Friday that the man whose power earned him the nickname “Godzilla” will now manage the Yomiuri Giants. The same Yomiuri Giants with whom Matsui spent the first decade of his career and hit .304 with 332 home runs. He then departed for the United States and played ten more seasons with the Yankees, Angels, A’s, and Rays.
A few predictions for the Knicks 2026-27 season
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images It feels great to say this: the defending NBA Champion New York Knicks begin their title defense against LeBron James and the Philadelphia 76ers on Tuesday night ahead of what should be an exciting season. Better yet, the Knicks are basically running it back. The entire starting five is returning along with most of the bench. The lone difference: veteran Andre Drummond is the new backup center after Mitchell Robinson signed with the rival Celtics in free agency.
NL Champions Milwaukee Brewers have some Knicks energy
Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images What do the reigning NBA champion New York Knicks and recent National League Pennant-winning Milwaukee Brewers have in common? It’s not playing the same offense, nor some other secret baseball sauce. Nor did OG Anunoby lift outfielder Jackson Chourio’s hand before he caught the final out from known Dodgers favorite Kiké Hernandez on Thursday. Rather, the connection between the Knicks and Brewers is more personal.
Carlos Mendoza to join Phillies coaching staff
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images Former New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza is the new third base and infield coach for the Philadelphia Phillies, team president Dave Dombrowski said Thursday. Dombrowski: The Phillies hired former Mets manager Carlos Mendoza as third-base and infield coach. They’ve also re-signed lefty Tim Mayza to a one-year deal. — Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) October 15, 2026 Mendoza was fired by the Mets in June after an unexpectedly horrendous start to the season.
The complicated retooling of the Yankees’ roster
Brad Penner-Imagn Images As we’ve previously discussed, there is no quick and easy fix for the New York Yankees. The voices in the media and podcast sphere can crow all they want about “accountability” and “culture” as pertains to general manager Brian Cashman and skipper Aaron Boone. At the end of the day, to paraphrase a new book by the great Peter Gammons, it’s all about the players. They’re the ones on the field who need to show up and produce, and the Yankees simply did not this season.
The vastly unappreciated Aaron Boone
Brad Penner-Imagn Images Aaron Boone surely knows this but, unlike yours truly, won’t say it out loud like we’re about to right now: New York Yankees fans are spoiled brats. There. We said it. The truth hurts, doesn’t it? But that damn Dr. Sharon was right on Ted Lasso: The truth will set you free, but first? It will piss you off. But think about it.
Another early Yankees exit…now what?
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Another New York Yankees season, another early postseason exit. This time, the Bronx Bombers capped 2026 being swept in the ALDS by their AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays, a devastating 4-3 loss in which Max Fried’s two-run mistake to Victor Mesa Jr. proved the difference-maker. And, of course, cue the usual offseason questions. Why did the Yankees underachieve again? How can Aaron Boone still have a job after so much disappointment? What’s Hal Steinbrenner’s problem?
Which Freddy Peralta will Yankees get in Game 2?
Bill Streicher-Imagn Images The 2026 campaign was a tale of two baseball seasons for veteran righty Freddy Peralta, who will toe the slab Monday evening when his Tampa Bay Rays face the New York Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS. The first season, oddly enough, started in New York when the Milwaukee Brewers traded Peralta to the Mets in January. This reunited Peralta with Mets team president and former Brewers executive David Stearns.
Yankees correctly leave Aaron Judge off ALDS roster
Matt Blewett-Imagn Images The New York Yankees will be without Aaron Judge for their ALDS series against the Tampa Bay Rays. Multiple sources reported Saturday that, despite taking batting practice on Friday, Judge would not make the playoff roster. Aaron Judge will NOT be on the ALDS roster vs Rays. — JackCurryYES (@JackCurryYES) October 3, 2026 Aaron Judge will not be on the Yankees’ ALDS roster, as @JackCurryYES first reported.
VIDEO: NY Rangers G Igor Shesterkin gets a goalie-goal
Brad Penner-Imagn Images The New York Rangers might not have great prospects for the 2026-27 season, but star goaltender Igor Shesterkin provided a highlight that can define even the worst of seasons. As time wound down in the Blueshirts’ home opener against the Tampa Bay Lightning, the Rangers’ Russian net-minder went to clear the puck out of New York’s zone. Shesterkin succeeded…but just didn’t expect the puck to go straight into the Bolts’ empty net.
Is Aaron Judge about to pull a Carson Wentz?
Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images Shaun Morash is one of WFAN’s many useful idiots but more recently, he had a fairly interesting take on New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge. The three-time MVP missed the last week-plus of the season with a right calf strain and is currently trying to work his way onto the AL Wild Card roster.
Jalen Brunson hosts a perfectly average SNL
Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Jalen Brunson took the stage to host the season premiere of NBC’s Saturday Night Live over the weekend, joining many athletes who have done the same. Michael Jordan, Charles Barkley, former New York Yankees captain Derek Jeter, Michael Phelps, the list goes on! And the New York Knicks captain had plenty of support. The rest of the team’s starting five joined in for some jokes during the opening monologue. Comedian Ramy Youssef portrayed Zohran Mamdani in the cold open.
Are Giants entering a Jets-like Quarterback quagmire?
The New York Giants were dealt a tough blow two weeks into the 2026 NFL season when second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart injured his left knee against the Rams on Monday Night Football. Dart, despite early optimism, needs surgery and is now out for the rest of the regular season. Backup QB and former No. 1 overall pick Jameis Winston will start under center in the interim. Thus continues Big Blue’s effort to find two-time Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning’s successor.
The weird and complicated captaincy of Aaron Judge
Brad Penner-Imagn Images Surprising no one, Yankees manager Aaron Boone Tuesday that star outfielder and team captain Aaron Judge would not be available until at least the ALDS. Judge is currently on the injured list with a strained calf, suffered barely a week after he returned from missing three months with a broken rib. As a result, along with both Giancarlo Stanton and Cody Bellinger missing extended time, the Yankees’ midsummer slump cost them again.
Andy Green is the new Mets manager, but why?
Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The New York Mets threw everyone a curveball on Tuesday afternoon when they announced interim manager Andy Green, well, was no longer an interim hire. No, per team insider Chelsea Janes, Green will return to the team on a three-year deal. And after it was long-expected he would go back to his cushy front office job as a senior VP in player development.
Are we at an Aaron Judge career crossroads?
Fans took a collective deep breath when the Yankees lifted three-time MVP Aaron Judge from Wednesday’s afternoon against the Minnesota Twins. Judge had finally returned from a broken rib last week after over three months out of action. He had already had Tuesday night off. Was this some planned load management ahead of Thursday’s travel day to Arizona for the weekend? Alas, no. The three-time MVP was removed from the game because of right lower leg tightness.
Pete Alonso is now in Tom Seaver territory
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Baltimore Orioles slugger Pete Alonso is in a truly rare class of beloved New York Mets players, both past and present. Alonso’s Orioles took the first two games of a three-game set at Citi Field this week and from how the fans have cheered? One would think he still wore orange and blue.
Pete Alonso’s return reminds fans, Mets lowballed themselves
Brad Penner-Imagn Images Slugging first baseman Pete Alonso made his long-anticipated return to Citi Field on Monday night when his Baltimore Orioles visited the New York Mets. The same New York Mets with whom Alonso spent his entire professional career before signing with Baltimore in free agency back in December. Alonso was 0 for 3 with a walk in the Orioles’ 2-1 victory. He has hit .268 with 35 home runs, 100 RBI and a 141 wRC+. His 4.1 WAR is his highest since he posted a 4.7 as a rookie.
Twenty-five years after 9/11, Subway Series seems secondary
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images It’s easy to get caught up in the symbolism of the 2026 Subway Series, what with the Mets visiting the Yankees for a three-game series beginning on Friday, September 11. Twenty-five years after the Towers fell and baseball stopped for literally a week. The New York Mets, sitting in third place and all but out of the playoffs, took the field donning NYPD and FDNY hats instead of their own. A month later, President George W.
Jalen Brunson will host Saturday Night Live on Sept 26
Brad Penner-Imagn Images The New York Knicks will continue their 2026 NBA Championship more on September 26 when star point guard and NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson hosts the season premiere of Saturday Night Live on NBA. The program announced Brunson and three additional hosts for the upcoming 52nd season on its social media, with KATSEYE joining the ride as the musical guest.
Yankees DFA former top pitching prospect
Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images The New York Yankees welcomed back Aaron Judge one moment, and said goodbye to a once-promising prospect the next. After activating the three-time MVP from the 60-day injured list, right-handed pitching prospect Chase Hampton was designated for assignment. Today, the Yankees made the following roster moves: • Reinstated OF Aaron Judge (#99) from the 60-day injured list. • Designated RHP Chase Hampton for assignment.
Aaron Judge is back, and with no margin for error
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images After exactly 100 days away, Aaron Judge is back in the New York Yankees lineup. New York activated their captain and three-time MVP from the 60-day disabled list on Monday night. Judge has been out since May 31 with a stress fracture in his first right rib. He recently resumed baseball activities and faced live batting practice at Yankee Stadium on Monday morning. He also returns at a critical juncture ahead of the playoffs.
Ben Rice is having a Brett Gardner kind of season
John Jones-Imagn Images Millennial Yankees fans Ben Rice. Hell, they love every player from Aaron Judge to Ben Rice to even Ronald Torreyes when he was here but if there is one man who truly stands alone among beloved Bronx Bombers? That would be Brett Gardner. The OG No. 11. The scrappy outfielder from South Carolina who showed up in New York on account of someone’s injury in 2008 and wound up sticking around for 14 years.
Spencer Jones is playing his way to CF job…in 2027
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images For all the questions there were about Spencer Jones, he’s provided the answers in a small 57-game sample. Keep in mind that no one really expected Jones to debut in pinstripes this season. Rather, it seemed more likely he was a fancy Yankees trade chip than he was someone with an actual future in the Bronx. A slew of injuries later, and Jones is slowly becoming a very popular New York Yankee. It started in May.
Can Will Warren keep his job in Yankees rotation?
Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images It’s been an up-and-down season for Yankees second-year righty Will Warren. It seems as though the 27-year-old has been pitching for his job since midsummer, and rightfully so. Warren was 7-1 with a 3.22 ERA though May, and a 3.26 FIP indicates he was neither over nor underachieving. Come June, the wheels fell off. Warren is 1-5 with a 5.77 ERA and 5.39 FIP, and the 6.2 innings of shutout ball he tossed against the Cubs on July 31 were a blip on the radar.
How Mets can fully embrace Kodai Senga as new closer
Brad Penner-Imagn Images Kodai Senga has done a pretty good job in the closer’s role for the New York Mets. Five games, three saves, no runs allowed, seven strikeouts. Not at all bad considering Senga was 0-8 with a bloated 8.66 ERA, which has since dropped to 7.79. Granted, it’s not as though the Mets are starving for help in the ninth inning. Devin Williams is having a down season again with a 4.66 ERA and only 16 saves, but the deeper metrics show he’s more unlucky than ineffective.
The strange HOF case for Tommy John
This file photo from June 6, 2019 shows former Major League Baseball pitcher Tommy John at his home in La Quinta, Calif. Former New York Yankees lefty and MLB journeyman Tommy John passed away at age 83 on Saturday and, of course, the expected tributes poured in quickly. John’s unprecedented 26 year-long career after Dr. Frank Jobe took a risk with what was thought to be a destroyed left elbow ligament.
Nick Turturro loves the Yankees and pizza, perhaps more than anyone!
Being a popular and successful actor, Nick Turturro has played a lot of roles in his life. Detective James Martinez on NYPD Blue. Sergeant Anthony Renzulli on Blue Bloods. The charismatically hyperactive Brucie in the remake of The Longest Yard or, if you’re a big New York film buff, Josh Flatbush in Spike Lee’s Mo’ Better Blues. But above all else? Nick Turturro is a New Yorker. That means he loves his New York Yankees, and he loves a proper slice of New York pizza.
George Lombard Jr.: Is the Yankees’ latest SS prospect for real?
Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images The George Lombard Jr. era arrived a year early for the New York Yankees and, thus far, results are as advertised. Lombard has hit .294 with two home runs in his short five-game stint, but the 21-year-old has also posted a solid 191 wRC+. Small sample or not, that’s impressive.
Are the New York Yankees ever going to hit again?
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images New York Yankees fans are rip-shit angry at the offense and, honestly, who can blame them? Second place in the AL East, 4.5 games behind first-place Tampa Bay, AND the Red Sox’s recent surge now has them only a half-game behind the Yanks??? Madonn’… The team ranks dead last in almost every major category since Aaron Judge went down with a rib stress fracture in June.
Yankees add another bat, snag OF Heliot Ramos from Giants
Denny Medley-Imagn Images The New York Yankees don’t have a catcher yet, but they do have more help against lefties with Heliot Ramos now in the fold. Ken Rosenthal at The Athletic first reported the Yankees and Giants working on a deal for Ramos, with multiple sources adding the return. Lefty pitching prospect Henry Lalane (No. 5) and infield prospect Kaeden Kent (No. 13) will be headed to San Francisco.
Mets offload Clay Holmes to Cubs for top IF prospect
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images The New York Mets offloaded both Clay Holmes and Tyrone Taylor’s contracts ahead of Monday’s trade deadline. Jon Heyman at the post reported the team would move both men to the Chicago Cubs and get back infielder Jefferson Rojas. Holmes and Taylor to Cubs from Mets for Rojas pending medicals — Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) August 3, 2026 Rojas is 21, the Cubs’ No. 2 prospect, and is also considered the No. 63 prospect in baseball on MLB Pipeline.
How Luis Garcia Jr. affects Giancarlo Stanton
John Jones-Imagn Images The New York Yankees finally boosted their lineup via trade on Sunday, landing infielder Luis Garcia Jr. from the Washington Nationals. Source: The Yankees are acquiring Luis Garcia Jr. from the Nationals — Joel Sherman (@Joelsherman1) August 2, 2026 Garcia was leading the National League in slugging percentage at the time of the trade and is expected to slot in at first base against righties.
Mets fleeced by Rays in one-sided Freddy Peralta trade
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images Righty Freddy Peralta began the 2026 season with the New York Mets and will finish it with the Tampa Bay Rays, neither of whom he will sign with next year. The good news for the Mets is that they offloaded Peralta’s salary in one of the team’s worst seasons in recent memory. Peralta was supposed to be New York’s surefire ace this season after thriving as such with Milwaukee for years. He leaves New York 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA in 22 starts. Bad news. The Mets were fleeced.
Yanks make first deadline move, ship Camilo Doval to Pirates
Denny Medley-Imagn Images The New York Yankees made their first move ahead of Monday’s 6 p.m. trade deadline and sent right-handed reliever to the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Yankees received prospects Omar Alfonzo and Luis Cruz in return. Jeff Passan was first with the Bronx Bombers’ first move: Trade news: The Pittsburgh Pirates are acquiring right-handed reliever Camilo Doval from the New York Yankees for two prospects, sources tell ESPN.
Aaron Judge is the Derrick Rose of baseball
Brad Penner-Imagn Images None of us have ever walked a mile in the shoes of New York Yankees captain and three-time MVP Aaron Judge, but let’s have a chat about the big guy anyway. Judge, currently on the injured list, has not played in a game since May 31 as he continues to recover from a stress fracture in his ribs. He has not been cleared for baseball activities.
MLB Trade Deadline 2026: Yankees, Mets, and moves around the league
Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images The 2026 MLB Trade Deadline is Monday, August 3, at 6 p.m. ET, and both the Yankees and Mets are expected to be active. The Yankees will buy and try to save their season sans Aaron Judge, while the Mets are cleaning house midway through a bad season. The Mets were the first New York team to make a trade, shipping lefty reliever A.J. Minter to the Twins for minor leaguers Billy Amick and Bruin Agbayani.
Should Yankees overpay for Rockies C Hunter Goodman?
Robert Edwards-Imagn Images The Yankees need a catcher, the Colorado Rockies are a bad team, but their backstop Hunter Goodman being a two-time All-Star is no accident. The former Memphis Tiger was a .307 career hitter in college and has mashed 76 home runs since debuting in 2023. He is currently hitting .254 with 31 homers and a 120 wRC through 100 games, already matching his career high set last year. There’s just one problem.
Could Yankees make CJ Abrams another Jazz Chisholm Jr.?
Brad Mills-Imagn Images The Athletic reported over the weekend that the Yankees have checked in on Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams in the leadup to the August 3 trade deadline. Hours later, outfielder Cody Bellinger pulled a hamstring legging out a double and hit the injured list the next day. Even if he’s only out for the minimum ten days (unlikely), the Yankees are still down another bat with Aaron Judge still out indefinitely with a broken rib.
A long trade deadline awaits the New York Mets
Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images The New York Mets entered 2025 with their heads up, eyes forward, course set for serious World Series contention. After knocking Pirates ace Paul Skenes out in the first inning on Opening Day, optimism was high. No Pete Alonso? No problem! Edwin Diaz and his trumpets leaving for LA? No worries! Devin Williams and his three-year deal will fill the void. Better yet, team president David Stearns called in a familiar face from his Milwaukee days: righty ace Freddy Peralta.
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