The 2023 season has turned out to be a tumultuous one for the New York Yankees. Initially, the Yankees seemed unstoppable, boasting the best record in the league through mid-June. However, since then, the team has faced a significant downturn, leading to growing concerns among fans and analysts alike.
Challenges and Struggles
One of the primary challenges for the Yankees has been their inconsistent offense. DJ LeMahieu, a previously reliable hitter, has been struggling since his return from a spring-training foot injury, hovering around a .500 OPS. The absence of Anthony Rizzo, who is sidelined due to injury, has forced Ben Rice to step in at first base. Furthermore, the Yankees rank 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base, highlighting another weak spot in their lineup.
While Gleyber Torres has shown some signs of improvement at second base, the situation for Alex Verdugo is less optimistic. Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers has been abysmal, not just this year, but for the last three seasons. Additionally, the Yankees' bullpen has not delivered the expected number of strikeouts, adding to the team's woes.
Pitching Concerns
The pitching staff, once a strength for the Yankees, has also seen its fair share of struggles. Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have both been stumbling lately, raising questions about their reliability moving forward. Luis Gil is navigating through uncharted workload territory, and Clarke Schmidt remains several weeks away from returning from a lat strain. To compound these issues, Jasson Domínguez, after completing his Tommy John surgery rehab, immediately pulled his oblique.
In the minors, things haven't been much better. Spencer Jones holds one of the highest strikeout rates, and Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane have been sidelined with injuries for much of 2024. Will Warren is battling to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A, and Everson Pereira recently required season-ending elbow surgery. However, amidst these setbacks, Brock Selvidge, a Double-A lefty, has experienced a breakout year, offering a glimmer of hope for the future.
Trade Deadline Strategies
Despite the multitude of challenges, General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the team's postseason prospects. With postseason odds comfortably over 90%, Cashman and the Yankees' front office are determined to be buyers as the July 30 trade deadline approaches. "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," Cashman stated.
This deadline represents a crucial moment for the Yankees, especially since it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. The front office is expected to pursue aggressive trades, targeting potential sellers like the Marlins and Tigers. The Yankees have a history of making bold moves, as evidenced by their acquisition of Harrison Bader from the Cardinals two years ago when he was still in a walking boot.
Ultimately, how Brian Cashman and his team navigate the upcoming trade deadline may define the outcome of the Yankees' season. With numerous areas to address and a high-stakes postseason looming, the decisions made in the next few weeks will be critical for the team's ambitions. As the baseball world watches closely, the Yankees' quest to turn their season around and make a deep postseason run continues.