The New York Yankees' 2023 season could best be described as a tale of two halves. Entering mid-June, the Yankees boasted the best record in the league, but since then, the team has taken a severe downturn.
Despite the slump, General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about their postseason prospects, with odds comfortably over 90%. "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," Cashman stated.
Trade Deadline Approach
As the July 30 trade deadline looms, the Yankees are expected to be buyers. Cashman and his team are gearing up for aggressive trades that could define their season. The Marlins and Tigers are potential trade targets, as they are anticipated to sell at the deadline. The Bronx Bombers have previously shown a willingness to make bold moves, evidenced by their acquisition of Harrison Bader from the Cardinals when he was in a walking boot two years ago.
Offensive Woes
One of the most pressing issues for the Yankees is their struggling offense. DJ LeMahieu, once a cornerstone of the lineup, has struggled since his spring-training foot injury and is currently hovering around a .500 OPS. Injuries have further compounded their woes, with Ben Rice stepping in for the sidelined Anthony Rizzo at first base.
The Yankees rank 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base, a glaring weakness that has hampered their run production. However, not all news is bleak. Gleyber Torres 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 continues to be a liability, a struggle that has spanned the past three seasons.
Bullpen and Pitching Concerns
The Yankees' bullpen has also been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts, a critical area that needs addressing. Starters Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have been stumbling recently, adding to the pitching staff's woes. Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory, which is concerning as the season wears on.
Further complicating matters, Clarke Schmidt is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain, and Jasson Domínguez, fresh off Tommy John surgery rehab, pulled his oblique immediately after. Additionally, Spencer Jones is grappling with one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors, making his advancement to the majors uncertain.
Injury Setbacks
Injuries have not spared the Yankees' pipeline either. Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane have been sidelined with injuries for much of 2024, while Will Warren is struggling to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A. In another blow, Everson Pereira recently required season-ending elbow surgery. However, there are some bright spots in the minors, with Double-A lefty Brock Selvidge experiencing a breakout year.
High Stakes for 2023
This year represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees, primarily because it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. The pressure is on Cashman and his front office to navigate the upcoming trade deadline successfully.
As Cashman succinctly put it, "My deadline plan is to see if we can run into as much that can improve our team as possible." The path ahead is fraught with challenges, from offensive struggles to bullpen inefficiencies and injury woes. Yet, in the high-stakes world of Major League Baseball, the Yankees are gearing up for an aggressive push to salvage their season and make a deep postseason run.
All eyes will be on Cashman and the front office as they attempt to orchestrate moves that could very well decide the fate of this tumultuous season. With the trade deadline just around the corner, the Yankees have little time to right the ship and reaffirm their postseason aspirations.