He dropped a Passan bomb on us.
ESPN MLB expert Jeff Passan is likely the most level-headed baseball reporter/personality out there, so when he has anything negative to say about your club, it hits harder than you may think. On Opening Day, New York Yankees fans were treated to just that.
After trying to gauge Passan’s expectations for the 2024 Yankees, the producer inquired whether the Orioles may be the “Diamondbacks of 2023 and make a surprising run to the World Series.”
Passan answered harshly, claiming that the Orioles won 101 games last season and dominated the AL East. Then the brutality began: “The Orioles are what you wish the Yankees were.” Cold-blooded… because it’s partially true.
No, Yankees supporters do not want to support a team that hasn’t won a World Series since 1983, does not spend money, and hasn’t accomplished anything noteworthy since 2014. But the young core…
"It wouldn't shock me at all if the Yankees didn't make the playoffs..
You can't feel great about that rotation to start the season without Gerrit Cole" ~ @JeffPassan#PMSLive pic.twitter.com/p894zEDUck
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) March 28, 2024
Jeff Passan going nuclear on Yankees before Opening Day hasn’t aged well (yet)
Passan went on to say that he wouldn’t be surprised if the Yankees missed the playoffs entirely, emphasizing the significance of Gerrit Cole’s departure, particularly if he fails to return to his peak 2023 form. He reminded fans of the problematic rotation behind Cole, which did not increase anyone’s confidence.
His concerns about the aging squad and the durability of key players raised alarms among supporters who were looking forward to starting the new year with a clean slate. Those issues may be alleviated throughout the offseason, but they do not vanish once the games begin, especially if you have had basically the same roster core for the previous five years!
This is what happens when you seek the advice of a brutally honest and incredibly knowledgeable media expert. Next time, let’s just avoid doing it hours before Opening Day. Don’t follow Brian Cashman’s advice on how to get rid of bad vibes before a new beginning.
Fortunately, the Yankees are off to a 6-1 start following a seven-game road trip and are returning to the Bronx with high spirits. Passan’s appraisal is undoubtedly true, but for the time being, no one can stop the hopeful freight train heading for the Toronto Blue Jays.
