The 2023 season has been a rollercoaster for the New York Yankees. Starting the year as one of the most formidable teams, they boasted the best record in the league through mid-June. However, since then, the Yankees have faced a severe downturn, leading to a tumultuous few months filled with struggles and uncertainty.
Optimism Amidst Adversity
Despite the challenges, General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the team's postseason prospects. The team's postseason odds are comfortably over 90%, and Cashman has indicated that the Yankees will be aggressive buyers as the July 30 trade deadline approaches. In his words, "We're gonna be open-minded to a lot of different things. I'm not going to point out anything specific, but we definitely have areas to improve upon, and we'll do our best to do so."
Offensive Woes
The offense has been a significant challenge for the Yankees. DJ LeMahieu has struggled since returning from a spring-training foot injury and is hovering around a .500 OPS. The absence of Anthony Rizzo due to injury has forced Ben Rice to step in at first base. At third base, the Yankees rank 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR), highlighting their struggles in that position. While Gleyber Torres has shown signs of improvement at second base, Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers has been abysmal, continuing his struggles over the last three seasons.
Pitching Setbacks
The Yankees' bullpen has also been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts, adding to the team's concerns. Starters Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have been stumbling lately, adding more pressure on the pitching staff. Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory, and Clarke Schmidt is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain. Rookie Jasson Domínguez completed his Tommy John surgery rehab, only to pull his oblique immediately, further complicating the Yankees' pitching situation.
Minor League Troubles
In the minors, Spencer Jones boasts one of the highest strikeout rates, and Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane have been sidelined with injuries for much of 2024. Will Warren is struggling to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A, and Everson Pereira recently required season-ending elbow surgery. Despite these setbacks, Double-A lefty Brock Selvidge has experienced a breakout year, offering a glimmer of hope for the future. Will Warren continues to have fans despite his ugly Triple-A numbers, indicating potential for turnaround.
Trade Deadline Strategy
This year represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees because it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. The front office is expected to pursue aggressive trades before the deadline. The Marlins and Tigers are potential targets, as they are expected to sell at the deadline. It's worth noting that the Yankees previously acquired Harrison Bader from the Cardinals when he was in a walking boot two years ago, exemplifying their willingness to take risks for high-reward players.
The navigation of the trade deadline by Brian Cashman and his team may ultimately define the outcome of the Yankees' season. Their decisions will be closely watched as fans and analysts speculate on the moves that could reinvigorate the team’s chances of postseason success.
As the deadline approaches, the upcoming weeks will be crucial for the Yankees. Cashman's analogy sums up the urgency and opportunities ahead: “My deadline plan is to see if we can run into as much that can improve our team as possible.”