The 2023 season for the New York Yankees has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. What began as a promising campaign has morphed into a series of struggles and uncertainties. Through mid-June, the Yankees boasted the best record in the league, a testament to their hard work and talent. Yet, since then, the team has faced a severe downturn, shaking the confidence of even the most optimistic fans.
Despite this downturn, General Manager Brian Cashman remains hopeful about the team's postseason ambitions. The Yankees' postseason odds still stand comfortably over 90%, providing a glimmer of hope as they navigate these troubled waters. With the July 30 trade deadline looming, the Yankees are expected to be buyers, an indication that the front office is set on making aggressive moves to bolster the roster.
Offensive Woes
Offensively, the Yankees have encountered significant challenges. DJ LeMahieu, a key player for the team, has struggled since returning from a spring-training foot injury, hovering around a .500 OPS. Meanwhile, Ben Rice has stepped in for the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base but the team ranks 24th out of 30 in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base, underscoring the gaps that need filling.
Gleyber Torres, however, has shown signs of improvement at second base, providing a rare bright spot for the infield. Conversely, Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers remains abysmal, continuing a trend that has persisted for three seasons.
Pitching Problems
It's not just the offense that has struggled. The bullpen has been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts, a critical metric for late-game success. Starting pitchers Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have also been stumbling lately, adding to the team's woes. Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory, raising concerns about his durability as the season progresses.
Clarke Schmidt's absence due to a lat strain has further strained the pitching rotation, with his return still several weeks away. Jasson Domínguez, who recently completed his Tommy John surgery rehab, pulled his oblique immediately afterward, adding to the Yankees' injury woes.
Minor League Setbacks
The struggles extend to the minors as well. Spencer Jones has one of the highest strikeout rates, while Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane have been sidelined with injuries for much of 2024. Will Warren's battles to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A have only added to the organization's challenges. Moreover, Everson Pereira recently required season-ending elbow surgery, exacerbating the Yankees' troubles.
Nevertheless, there have been some positive developments. Brock Selvidge, a Double-A lefty, has experienced a breakout year, and despite his ugly Triple-A numbers, Will Warren continues to have fans.
An "All-In" Moment
This year represents a significant moment for the Yankees, as it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. This "all-in" scenario has put immense pressure on the front office to pursue aggressive trades before the deadline. Both the Marlins and Tigers are potential trade targets, expected to sell as the deadline approaches. The trade deadline is a crucial juncture that could define the outcome of the Yankees' season.
The team's history of high-stakes trades is noteworthy. They previously acquired Harrison Bader from the Cardinals when he was in a walking boot two years ago, a move that paid off. Brian Cashman, addressing the impending deadline, 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."
The Yankees' journey this season has been fraught with challenges, from offensive struggles and pitching problems to minor league setbacks and injury woes. As the trade deadline nears, the team's ability to navigate these obstacles and make strategic acquisitions will be pivotal in determining their postseason fate. With aggressive moves on the horizon, the Yankees' front office will need to pull out all the stops to turn this rollercoaster season around.