Following a 2-0 loss to the Texas Rangers on Tuesday night—their fifth straight defeat—attention turned to Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, who didn’t hold back in assessing the situation. The Yankees have now dropped 19 of their last 27 games, and the postseason cushion they once had has nearly vanished.

“It’s hard to believe that the Yankees would be at this stage at this time in the season,” Martinez posted on social media. “I imagine how NY fans are feeling right now. Strap it on boys! #mlbontbs”

Is Pedro Martinez challenging the Yankees or offering tough love?

The comment sparked immediate debate. Far from his combative tone during his Red Sox playing days, Martinez’s message carried a different weight—less mockery, more reality check. The tone felt like a former competitor urging a proud franchise not to lose its identity. And it landed on the same night Aaron Judge, freshly off the IL, struck out twice and reportedly challenged his teammates postgame to take responsibility.

Time to respond—or risk collapse

Martinez’s statement echoed Judge’s message: this is no longer just a slump; it’s a crisis that demands urgency. The Yankees, now clinging to the final American League Wild Card spot by half a game, are being hunted by the Rangers and have slipped behind the Red Sox.

October baseball is built on resilience. Martinez knows it. So do the Yankees. Now it’s up to them to prove it.

With the MLB trade deadline set for Thursday, July 31 at 6 p.m. EST, New York has added both Ryan McMahon and Amed Rosario in an effort to solidify key areas. However, Pedro Martinez believes the team could go even further. During a recent discussion, the former ace floated the names of Sandy Alcantara and Eugenio Suarez as possible trade targets for the Yankees.

“Trade deadline: Alcantara and Suarez could be key additions for the Yankees, but can they afford it? Anything could happen,” Martinez said. The remark has reignited speculation about New York’s intentions — and whether the front office is ready to make a bold final move.

Sandy Alcantara still a Wild Card

Despite a rocky 2025 season, Sandy Alcantara continues to draw attention as one of the most intriguing pitchers on the market. The 29-year-old Miami Marlins right-hander has been linked to several teams, including the Yankees. Though his numbers are far from elite — a 6.66 ERA, 1.433 WHIP, and 77 strikeouts over 104 innings — the potential for a resurgence is not out of the question.

A change of scenery could rejuvenate Alcantara, who just two years ago was among the most dominant arms in the National League. The question, as Martínez posed, is whether the Yankees can afford the asking price for a pitcher whose value might still rest on upside rather than current performance.

Is there still room for Eugenio Suarez?

On the surface, a trade for Eugenio Suarez might seem redundant after the Yankees’ recent acquisition of McMahon. Yet Martinez’s mention of the Arizona Diamondbacks slugger suggests he could still be in play. At 34, Suarez is enjoying a powerful season, slashing .248/.321 with 95 hits, 36 home runs, and 87 RBIs over 383 at-bats — numbers that make him one of the hottest offensive commodities on the trade block.

Even if McMahon fills the void at third, New York could view Suarez as a potential upgrade at DH or as infield depth, especially given his right-handed power and veteran experience.

Will New York make one final push?

Currently second in the AL East behind the Toronto Blue Jays, the Yankees remain firmly in the playoff hunt. With just days left before the deadline, speculation continues to build around whether General Manager Brian Cashman has another move planned — one that could significantly alter the team’s postseason outlook.

As Martinez hinted, “Anything could happen.” And with New York chasing a return to the World Series, the pressure to act — and act boldly — is only increasing.

What began as a simple adjustment request has turned into a full-blown saga. Devers was asked to set aside his glove and become a full-time designated hitter—only to later be nudged toward first base following Triston Casas’ injury. Then came the arrival of Alex Bregman, signaling to Devers that his place at third may no longer be secure.

For Martinez, this isn’t about effort—it’s about respect. “You have to be Devers to understand Devers,” Martinez said in comments relayed by Sports Illustrated. “If you don’t treat the player, treat the money you’re paying him… Devers does not shy away from working… Devers is not a guy that talks much, he leads by example.”

A two-way street of accountability

While some critics have pointed fingers at Devers for not embracing the team-first mentality, others—including Martinez—see a deeper issue. Devers may not have handled the situation perfectly, but the Red Sox front office has hardly modeled clarity or consistency.

After investing heavily in Devers to be the franchise cornerstone at third base, the team’s decision to recruit another player for the same position—without giving Devers clear guidance—raises eyebrows. A more transparent approach in spring training could have helped avoid the perception of a demotion or mismanagement.

The ripple effect of losing Casas has put Boston in scramble mode. But expecting Devers to simply pick up a first baseman’s mitt with no prior experience is both unrealistic and unfair. Rather than finding a solution collaboratively, the Red Sox appear to be reacting under pressure—and it’s showing.

In the end, this saga is not just a Devers issue. It’s a Red Sox leadership issue. And unless the front office re-establishes trust and direction, this won’t be the last controversy to cast a shadow over Fenway.

With four home runs in his first four games and a .400 batting average, Judge is proving once again why he is one of the most dangerous hitters in MLB. His scorching start follows a season in which he crushed 58 home runs, leading the Yankees deep into the postseason, though they ultimately fell short of reaching the World Series, losing to Shohei Ohtani’s Los Angeles Dodgers.

Judge recently addressed speculation about his bat, firmly dismissing the idea that he’s using a “torpedo” bat and reaffirming his confidence in his approach:
“What I did the last couple of seasons speaks for itself,” Judge said, per The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner. “Why try to change something if you have something that’s working?“

Pedro Martinez’s advice

Pedro Martinez, the legendary Hall of Famer who battled the Yankees in countless classic matchups, knows firsthand the challenge of facing elite hitters. On Tuesday night, he offered blunt and strategic advice for pitchers tasked with containing Judge.

“Pitcher advice: When you’re up against Aaron Judge and find yourself in trouble… just walk him,” Martinez tweeted. While this advice might seem at odds with Martínez’s ultra-competitive nature, it underscores the reality of Judge’s game-changing power.

A Hall of Famer’s wisdom

Martínez’s suggestion isn’t an admission of defeat—it’s a calculated strategy. Judge’s ability to turn the tide of a game with one swing makes him a nightmare for opposing pitchers. In many situations, the smartest move might be to limit his chances rather than risk a devastating home run.

For MLB pitchers, Martínez’s advice is worth considering. While issuing an intentional walk might not always be the ideal solution, the sheer dominance Judge has displayed—especially early in the season—suggests that sometimes, caution is the best course of action.

Pedro Martínez knows a lot about baseball, but Aaron Judge seems to have his own rules. With a .333 batting average, 51 home runs, 122 RBIs, and 154 hits this season, Judge is having a memorable year with the Yankees.

“I do not doubt that Aaron Judge is going to reach the 600 HR mark and maybe more. The reason is that since he arrived in MLB, he has been full of surprises for all of us who supposedly know the game,” Pedro Martínez said.

What is Pedro Martínez’s strategy to face Aaron Judge?

According to Pedro Martínez, the key to dominating Aaron Judge is to attack the inside of the plate. With a combination of fastballs and well-placed sliders, the Dominican pitcher believes he could keep the Yankees’ powerful hitter at bay. “I’d throw him a couple of fastballs deep inside, make him dance a little bit, and then I’d have him chase a slider low and away from the zone,” Martínez explained confidently.

Judge’s response

However, baseball is a sport full of surprises. In a later game, a pitcher who seemed to have thoroughly studied Martínez’s recommendations tried to put his strategy into practice. He threw a high fastball inside, right where Pedro had indicated that Judge’s weak zone was. But the result was completely unexpected: Aaron Judge hit a home run!

The Yankees’ powerful hitter once again demonstrated his incredible talent, connecting the ball hard and sending it flying over the fence. This episode made it clear that, despite the analysis and strategies, baseball is still an unpredictable game and that great hitters always find a way to excel.

Throughout his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Montreal Expos, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies, Martínez turned a lot of heads for both his pitching and his ‘conflict-solving’ skills. But both of those traits were even more notable during his iconic stint with the Boston Red Sox, the team that even retired his number.

Martínez, like all Red Sox’s greats, had no love for the New York Yankees whatsoever. For those who lack context or live under a rock, there’s just no bigger rivalry in all sports than Red Sox-Yankees, so they’re always on the verge of getting physical when they face off.

Pedro Martínez Reveals Lone Career Regret

Ironically, even though they hated each other, Pedro Martínez’s lone career regret came during an infamous incident with the Yankees in the 2003 ALCS, when he took down 72-year-old bench coach Don Zimmer on a brawl.

Roger Clemens threw inside to Manny Ramírez and the benches cleared on a game that was seconds away from getting out of hand since the very beginning, and Pedro didn’t care about pushing down a senior citizen.

“When 72-year-old Don Zimmer came barreling toward me, I wish I had not grabbed his head and pushed him to the Fenway grass as he stumbled and fell forward. Some days I feel more people remember me as the angry young man who pushed down a defenseless old man than as the pitcher who won three Cy Young Awards and a world title and wound up in the Hall of Fame. In my entire baseball career, my reaction to Zimmer’s charge is my only regret (…) All I did was help him fall faster,” Martínez wrote in his book.

That brawl will go down as one of the most iconic in MLB history. But even if some fans remember ‘El Grande’ for that incident with Don Zimmer, most baseball fans will always think of him as one of the greatest to ever do it.

As a matter of fact, the Red Sox used to havethree minimum requirements to be eligible for having your number retired. You had to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, spend at least 10 years with the franchise, and retire as a member of the BoSox.

And, while those requirements aren’t mandatory anymore, there have only been 11 players(12 with Jackie Robinson) that havemade it to the ‘Red Sox retired numbers’ list. That’s a pretty exclusive club.

So, without any further introduction, let’s honor those 11 legends of Fenway Park, sharing all there is to know about every retired number in Boston Red Sox history. Note: we won’t talk about Jackie Robinson, whose number was retired league wide.

Ted Williams – #9

Ted Williams was one of the first two playersto have their number retired by the Boston Red Sox. It happened on May29, 1984, 24 years after his retirement. Likemany other legends of their era, Williams’ baseball career was interrupted to servein World War II and the Korean War.

But when he was on the field, Williams was one of the most talentedleft fielders in the game. He was a 19-time All-Star, 2-time AL MVP, 2-time Triple Crown winner, 6-time AL batting champion, 4-time AL Home Run and RBI leader, and holds the MLB record for the highest OBP ever at .482. Add a .344 batting average to that resume and you’ll know why they retired his number.

Joe Cronin – #4

Joe Cronin started his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates, later joining the Washington Senators, where his career took a bit of a turn. He became a player-manager for the team, and he was so successful that the Red Sox couldn’t help to make him his top priority, signing him for the final 10 years of his career.

Cronin wasan outstandingdefender at the shortstop position andhad an exceptionalability to read the game as well. He was a 5-time All-Starat Boston and the team retired his number on May29, 1984 ,alongwithTed Williams’.

Bobby Doerr – #1

Bobby Doerr was yet another legendary player who put his career on stand by to serve in World War II. In fact, he was the oldest player to ever make his MLB debut right beforethe nation’s involvement in the conflict.

Doerr spent his entire career with the Red Sox, making 9 All-Star Game appearances. He had a batting average of .288 and had 2,042 career hits. He later workedwith the team as a scout and a coach. On a side note, he was theonly surviving player to play in the 1930s before his passing in 2017 at 99 years old.

Carl Yastrzemski – #8

Carl Yastrzemski is one of the greatest players of all time. Notably, he’s got a lot to thank Bobby Doerr for his game, as he worked with him prior to his Triple Crown season. His countless accolades made the Red Sox retire his number on August6, 1989.

Yastrzemski was the best player in the field every night out there, whether it was on the left field or as a first baseman. He was an 18-time All-Star, Triple Crown winner, 7-time Gold Glove winner, AL MVP, AL Home Run leader, and AL batting champion. He spent his entire career with the Red Sox.

Carlton Fisk – #27

Carlton Fisk was the first player to have his number retired by the Red Sox in the 21st century. They did it on September 4, 2000, 7 years after his retirement. He was also the first player to have his number retired despite not ending his career with the franchise.

Fisk had a strong case at being the greatest catcher ever at the time of his retirement. He even held the record for most home runs for his position (351). During his time with the BoSox, he was a 7-time All-Star, AL Rookie of the Year, and won 1 Gold Glove. The Chicago White Sox also retired his number.

Johhny Pesky – #6

Johnny Pesky was, well, pesky as they come. He rarely struck out and was a versatile player in every aspect of the game, serving as a shortstop and third baseman for most of his career. He was tied to the Red Sox organization for 61 years.

With that kind of commitment, it wasn’t a surprise to see the Red Sox retire his number on September 23, 2008. Pesky spent the first years of his career with the Red Sox and later served as the team’s manager, coach, color commentator, instructor, consultant, and number one fan.

Jim Rice – #14

Younger fans may not remember him but back in the day, Jim Rice was one of the most terrifying sluggers in the world. He spent his entire 15-year career with the Red Sox, and that’s why they finally – and deservingly -retired his number on July 28, 2009.

On top of his .298 batting average and his 2,452 career hits; rice was an 8-time All-Star, AL MVP, 2-time Silver Slugger, 3-time AL Home Run leader, and 2-time AL RBI leader. He was a scoring machine, serving as an outfielder and designated hitter.

Pedro Martínez – #45

Pedro Martínez is one of the toughest, most dominant pitchers of all time. His 7-season tenure with the Boston Red Sox was so memorable, that it was more than enough for the team to retire his number on July 28, 2015. He was the second Dominican player to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

During his time at Fenway Park, Martínez won 2 of his 3 CY Young awards, he won the Triple Crown, led MLB in wins, led MLB in ERA 4 times, and was a 3-time AL strikeout leader. He was also a 4-time All-Star and played a huge role in the team’s World Series title in 2004.

Wade Boggs – #26

Wade Boggs was a controversial figure to some diehard Red Sox fans, as he had committed the ultimate sin of joining the New York Yankees after his 10-year stint at Fenway. Even so, production-wise, there was no doubt that he deserved to have his number retired. It finally happened on May 26, 2016.

Boggs was a perennial All-Star and MVP candidate, as well as one of the greatest third-baseman ever. Even so, he didn’t get to win the World Series until he joined the Evil Empire, the Red Sox’ biggest rivals.

David Ortiz – #34

David Ortiz is the latest Red Sox legend to have his number retired. It happened on June 23, 2017, following his glorious 14-season tenure with Boston. He’ll be remembered as one of the greatest sluggers of all time thanks to his power and ability to make contact, as well as his timely hitting

‘Big Papi’ served as the Red Sox’s designated hitter and first baseman. He led the team to 3 World Series titles, was a 10-time All-Star, ALCS MVP, World Series MVP, 7-time Silver Slugger, led the AL in RBI in 3 times, and once in home runs. He holds the franchise record for most home runs in one season (56), among many others.