The 2023 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for the New York Yankees. With a stellar performance early in the season, they boasted the best record in the league through mid-June. However, their fortunes took a severe downturn post-June, leaving fans and analysts scratching their heads.
General Manager Brian Cashman remains resolute in his optimism about the team's postseason prospects, despite the fluctuations. Cashman stated, "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." Remarkably, the Yankees' postseason odds still comfortably hover over 90%, a testament to the team's resilience.
Challenges on the Offensive Front
The Yankees' offense has emerged as a significant challenge. DJ LeMahieu, returning from a spring-training foot injury, has struggled, with his OPS hovering around a .500 mark. Ben Rice has stepped in for the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base, but the overall performance hasn't been inspiring. Additionally, the team ranks 24th out of 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base, highlighting a critical area in need of improvement.
Gleyber Torres has shown some signs of improvement at second base, providing a glimmer of hope. However, Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers continues to be abysmal, not just this year but over the last three seasons. These offensive struggles underline the urgency for the Yankees to make strategic buys as the July 30 trade deadline approaches.
Pitching Woes
The challenges extend to the bullpen and rotation. The Yankees' bullpen has been underwhelming, particularly in generating strikeouts. Key pitchers like Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have stumbled lately, exacerbating the team's woes. Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory, and Clarke Schmidt remains several weeks away from returning from a lat strain. This mixture of injuries and underperformance has left the team's pitching staff in a precarious position.
Injury Setbacks
Injuries have plagued the Yankees beyond just the major league roster. Jasson Domínguez, after completing his Tommy John surgery rehab, pulled his oblique immediately. In the minors, Spencer Jones possesses one of the highest strikeout rates, further complicating the future outlook. Both Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane have been sidelined with injuries for much of 2024, while Will Warren struggles to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A. Worse yet, Everson Pereira required season-ending elbow surgery, dealing another blow to the Yankees' depth.
Scouting the Trade Market
The front office is likely to pursue aggressive trades before the trade deadline. This season represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees, given that it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. The front office will need to navigate the trade deadline with precision. The Marlins and Tigers are potential trade targets as they are expected to be sellers at the deadline. The Yankees have a history of bold trade moves, previously acquiring Harrison Bader from the Cardinals when he was in a walking boot two years ago. The upcoming deadline will once again test Brian Cashman's strategic acumen.
Despite the turbulent season, Brian Cashman stressed the importance of adaptive strategies. “We’re gonna be open-minded to a lot of different things,” he said, leaving the door open for various tactical maneuvers that could shore up the roster and solidify postseason plans.
In a season marked by dramatic highs and lows, the Yankees' ability to navigate the coming weeks will determine if they can translate their strong start into sustained success. With the trade deadline looming and a need to address numerous roster deficiencies, the pressure is on Cashman and the Yankees to make decisive moves that can anchor their postseason dreams.