The 2023 season has been a rollercoaster for the New York Yankees, marked by dramatic highs and precipitous lows. The Bronx Bombers started the season strong, boasting the best record in the league through mid-June. Unfortunately, a severe downturn since then has amplified the urgency for General Manager Brian Cashman and his team to steer the ship back on course.
The Struggling Offense
The Yankees' offense has been a significant challenge this season. DJ LeMahieu, usually a reliable presence at the plate, has struggled since returning from a spring-training foot injury, hovering around a .500 OPS. The void left by the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base has been temporarily filled by Ben Rice, but consistency remains an issue.
At third base, the Yankees are lagging, ranking 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR). Meanwhile, Gleyber Torres has shown signs of improvement at second base, but it hasn't been enough to bolster the team’s overall performance. Additionally, Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers has been abysmal not just this season, but for the last three seasons.
Pitching Woes
Pitching has also been a concern for the Yankees. The bullpen has been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts and starting pitchers Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have been stumbling lately. Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory, exacerbating the instability in the pitching department.
Further compounding their issues, Clarke Schmidt is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain. Jasson Domínguez had just completed his Tommy John surgery rehab only to pull his oblique immediately afterward. Spencer Jones is struggling with 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 at Triple-A, and Everson Pereira recently required season-ending elbow surgery. One of the few bright spots has been Brock Selvidge, a Double-A lefty, who has experienced a breakout year.
Trade Deadline Strategies
With the July 30 trade deadline approaching, the Yankees plan to be aggressive buyers. The team’s postseason odds remain comfortably over 90%, but there is a consensus that mid-season reinforcements are crucial. Cashman has expressed an open-minded approach: "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."
This year represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees as it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. Therefore, the front office is likely to pursue aggressive trades before the trade deadline. The Marlins and Tigers, expected to be sellers, are potential trade targets. Cashman’s navigation of this critical period may define the outcome of the Yankees' season, reminiscent of when the Yankees previously acquired Harrison Bader from the Cardinals even as he recovered from an injury.
Optimism Amidst Challenges
Despite the myriad challenges, Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the team's postseason prospects. This optimism will need to be backed by shrewd trades and the hope that key players can turn their seasons around. The Yankees are no strangers to mid-season miracles, and fans will be watching closely as the clock ticks down to the trade deadline.
For the Yankees, the next few weeks will be a litmus test of their resilience and strategic acumen. The path ahead is fraught with difficulties, but as history has often shown, the Yankees have a knack for defying the odds. As they navigate this crucial phase, the team will need both talent and tenacity to steer their season back on course and vie for postseason glory.