The 2023 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for the New York Yankees. This storied franchise, which had the best record in the league through mid-June, now finds itself facing significant challenges as the season progresses. Nonetheless, General Manager Brian Cashman remains confident about the team's postseason aspirations, with their odds comfortably over 90%.
A Season of Highs and Lows
Despite their initial success, the Yankees have experienced a severe downturn since mid-June. While Cashman is optimistic, the pressing need to address several issues on the roster cannot be ignored. As the July 30 trade deadline approaches, the Yankees are expected to be active buyers in the market.
One of the most glaring challenges has been the Yankees' offense. DJ LeMahieu, who has struggled since returning from a spring-training foot injury, is currently hovering around a .500 OPS. Ben Rice has tried to fill the void left by the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base, but the results have been mixed.
Problems Around the Diamond
Third base has been a significant weak spot for the Yankees, as they rank 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at the position. Gleyber Torres, however, has shown signs of improvement at second base, providing a glimmer of hope for the infield. On the other hand, Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers has been abysmal not just this year, but for the last three seasons.
Pitching Woes
The bullpen, traditionally a strength of the Yankees, has also seen its struggles, particularly in terms of strikeouts. Starters Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have been stumbling lately, adding to the team's woes. Luis Gil, facing an unfamiliar workload, and Clarke Schmidt, who is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain, further exacerbate the pitching concerns.
Injury Bug Bites Hard
Injuries have hit the Yankees hard this season. Jasson Domínguez, who just completed his Tommy John surgery rehab, pulled his oblique immediately upon return. Spencer Jones is grappling with one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors, and Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane have been sidelined for much of 2024 due to injuries.
The difficulties extend to the minors, where 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, becoming a rare positive story for the Yankees’ farm system. Despite his Triple-A struggles, Will Warren still has his share of fans.
Strategic Moves Ahead
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. The Marlins and Tigers, both expected to be sellers at the deadline, are potential trade targets for the Yankees.
Reflecting on past trade maneuvers, the Yankees previously acquired Harrison Bader from the Cardinals when he was in a walking boot two years ago. It’s clear that Cashman and his staff are not averse to taking calculated risks if they believe the reward could ultimately benefit the team.
Brian Cashman summarized the team's approach succinctly: "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."
As the trade deadline looms, the Yankees’ front office knows that their navigation of this critical period may very well define the outcome of the season. With the postseason in sight but far from guaranteed, every move will be scrutinized by fans and analysts alike, all anxious to see if the Yankees can reclaim their early-season form and make a deep run in October.