About Spring Training: Spitting The Bit

About Spring Training: Spitting The Bit

By Tim Kabel

March 12, 2026

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One of the late George Steinbrenner’s favorite expressions, or at least one he used to great effect was “spitting the bit”. Because Mr. Steinbrenner had a love of horses, particularly racehorses, and owned several, it made sense. Mr. Steinbrenner frequently used the term regarding certain members of the New York Yankees.

The term spitting the bit is defined as follows, “When a horse becomes exhausted, gives up, or stops running at its best, essentially losing interest in the race or work.” I think Mr. Steinbrenner also used it to include players who simply were not up to the task at hand and failed.

As we are getting closer to Opening Day, it is becoming obvious that the Yankees have some issues. There are some players who do not appear to be ready for prime time.

The Yankees made a few major acquisitions, or at least what they characterized as major acquisitions for the pitching staff. Those pitchers were: Cade Winquest, Angel Chivilli, and Ryan Weathers. Let's take a look at what they have done so far.

Winquest has pitched in five games for a total of 5.1 innings. He has an ERA of 6.75 and a WHIP of 1.88. Winquest was a Rule 5 selection from the Cardinals. At this point it looks as if he will be offered back to the Cardinals because it is unlikely that he will make the Major League roster for Opening Day.

Weathers has pitched in two games for a total of 5.2 innings. His first game was excellent. He pitched 3.2 innings on February 25th against the Washington Nationals and allowed one hit, zero walks, and zero runs. He did not pitch again until March 8th against the Mets. Let's just say that one didn't go as well. Overall, in those 5.2 innings, Weathers has an ERA of 7.94 and a WHIP of 1.77.  It is unclear what Weathers’ role will be on the Yankees, at least at the beginning of the season. He will need to pitch more frequently and better if he is going to be part of the Opening Day roster, let alone the starting rotation.

As always, I saved the best for last. Angel Chivilli has pitched in five games for a total of 4.2 innings. He has an ERA of 15.43 and a WHIP of 2.14. Brian Cashman referred to him as “a big arm” when the Yankees acquired him. I wonder how he would do if he had a little arm? Chivilli will be lucky to make Scranton's roster. He seems better suited to AA as opposed to AAA. 

None of the three pitchers that the Yankees acquired in the off-season have done anything remotely positive in Spring Training. It seems unlikely that they will open the season on the Major League roster. If they do, that either means they were remarkable from this point until the end of Spring Training, or other pitchers were even worse than they were.

On the offensive side, Spencer Jones has already been designated to report to Scranton. Yet, on Tuesday, he hit his fourth home run of the spring. Jones is batting .333 with the aforementioned 4 home runs and 8 RBI in 21 spring training at bats. Yet, he will be going to Scranton. Trent Grisham is batting .227 with zero home runs and 2 RBI. He will be your starting centerfielder.

Jasson Dominguez is batting.333 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI. He also has 2 stolen bases. Interestingly, on Tuesday, he hit a home run against a left-handed pitcher, one of the things the Yankees wanted him to improve on. He has also improved his defense. Yet, Dominguez seems destined to go to Scranton along with Jones. The roster spot that Dominguez could have occupied for the Yankees will most likely be filled by Randal Grichuk, who has had limited appearances in Spring Training due to his late signing. He has only appeared in two games and has a total of 2 at bats with no hits. Yet, he will be on the Opening Day roster and Dominguez will not.

It would be fair to say, and I'm sure George Steinbrenner would say it, that Winquest, Weathers, Chivilli, Grisham, and to a lesser extent, Grichuk  spit the bit. However, I think it would be equally fair to say that Brian Cashman, Hal Steinbrenner, and the Yankees organization as a whole, spit the bit when it comes to assembling the best possible team for 2026. As we are getting closer to Opening Day, it is becoming more difficult to have a lot of confidence about this team. The Yankees did not acquire a lot of players during the off season, and it seems that they would have been better off not acquiring the few players they did acquire. That does not bode well for the 2026 season.