The 2023 season has been a rollercoaster for the New York Yankees. As the team approached mid-June, they boasted the best record in the league. However, fortunes have changed drastically since then, and the Yankees have faced a severe downturn. Despite these challenges, General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the team's postseason prospects. The Yankees' postseason odds remain comfortably over 90%, indicating strong confidence within the organization.
Trade Deadline Strategy
As the July 30 trade deadline approaches, the Yankees are poised to be buyers. Cashman has said, "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. My deadline plan is to see if we can run into as much that can improve our team as possible." This signals a proactive approach to shoring up the roster to make a strong postseason push.
Offensive Struggles
One significant challenge has been the Yankees' offense. DJ LeMahieu has struggled since returning from a spring-training foot injury, with his OPS hovering around .500. In addition, Ben Rice has been stepping in for the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base, which has affected the overall team dynamics. The Yankees rank 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base, highlighting their struggles.
Gleyber Torres has shown some signs of improvement at second base, but Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers has been abysmal this year and for the last three seasons. The team’s offensive issues are not just limited to the infield; the outfield and other positions have contributed to the lackluster performance as well.
Pitching Woes
The Yankees' bullpen has also been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts. Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman, expected to be anchors, have been stumbling lately. Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory, which could potentially affect his performance as the season progresses.
Injury Report
Clarke Schmidt is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain, and Jasson Domínguez recently completed his Tommy John surgery rehab only to pull his oblique immediately. Adding to the injury woes, Spencer Jones has one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors, which doesn't bode well for his potential call-up.
Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane have been sidelined with injuries for much of 2024, further depleting the team's depth. Will Warren is struggling to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A, and Everson Pereira recently required season-ending elbow surgery. On a brighter note, Brock Selvidge, a Double-A lefty, has experienced a breakout year, and Warren continues to have fans despite his ugly Triple-A numbers.
The "All-In" Moment
This year represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees, primarily because it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. The front office is expected to pursue aggressive trades before the deadline. Potential trade targets include the Marlins and Tigers, who are expected to be sellers.
Historically, Cashman has not shied away from making bold moves. The acquisition of Harrison Bader from the Cardinals two years ago, when he was in a walking boot, exemplifies this. As Cashman and his team navigate the trade deadline, their decisions may very well define the outcome of the Yankees' season.
The Yankees need to address their offensive challenges, bolster their bullpen, and manage their injury-prone roster effectively to turn the season around. While the odds are still in their favor, the path to the postseason requires meticulous planning and strategic reinforcements. The coming weeks will be critical as the Yankees aim to reestablish their dominance and make a substantial postseason run.