The 2023 season for the New York Yankees has truly been a tale of two halves. After a sterling start that saw them boasting the best record in the league through mid-June, the Yankees have since faced a dramatic downturn.
Mid-Season Struggles
Despite their recent struggles, General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the team's postseason prospects. With postseason odds comfortably over 90%, the Yankees are not shying away from being buyers as the July 30 trade deadline approaches. Cashman acknowledged the team's areas for improvement, stating, "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."
Key among the Yankees' concerns is their offense. DJ LeMahieu's struggles since returning from a spring-training foot injury have been notable, as he hovers around a .500 OPS. Furthermore, the team ranks 24th among the 30 MLB teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base, and Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers has been below par for the last three seasons. Ben Rice has stepped in for the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base, but consistency remains an elusive target.
Pitching Pitfalls
Adding to the Yankees' woes is an underwhelming bullpen performance, particularly in terms of strikeouts. The starting rotation has seen its own share of challenges, with Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman both stumbling lately. Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory, and Clarke Schmidt remains several weeks away from a return from his lat strain. In what seemed like a bout of bad luck, Jasson Domínguez completed his Tommy John surgery rehab only to then pull his oblique immediately.
The minor league system has not been immune to injuries either. Spencer Jones has one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors, while 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 promising prospect Everson Pereira recently required season-ending elbow surgery. Despite this, Brock Selvidge, a Double-A lefty, has had a breakout year, and Will Warren continues to have fans despite his ugly Triple-A numbers.
Front Office Movements
With the trade deadline looming, this year represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees, especially considering it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. Cashman's decisions in the upcoming weeks may well define the Yankees' season. The front office is expected to pursue aggressive trades, with the Marlins and Tigers being potential trade targets as they are likely sellers at the deadline.
It's worth noting that the Yankees have a history of taking calculated risks around the trade deadline, exemplified by their acquisition of Harrison Bader from the Cardinals two years ago, even while he was in a walking boot. Such bold moves may again be on the horizon as Cashman and his team navigate this critical period.
Gleyber Torres's recent signs of improvement at second base provide some hope for the infield, but whether it will be enough to offset other challenges remains to be seen. Spencer Jones’s high strikeout rates and the ongoing injury issues within the minor leagues add layers of complexity to the Yankees' current predicament.
In conclusion, the Yankees’ season hangs in a precarious balance. While early success has given way to a series of setbacks, the team's strong postseason odds provide a glimmer of hope. The next few weeks will be crucial as the Yankees’ front office works tirelessly to make strategic moves that could either salvage or seal their 2023 campaign. As Cashman aptly puts it, the Yankees are open-minded and ready to improve wherever necessary, ensuring that their "all-in" moment for the season does not go to waste.