The New York Yankees' 2023 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster ride. Boasting the best record in the league through mid-June, the team has since experienced a severe downturn, leaving fans and analysts questioning what the rest of the season holds.
Despite the recent struggles, General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the Yankees' postseason prospects, with odds comfortably over 90%. As the July 30 trade deadline approaches, the Yankees are poised to be buyers, hoping to bolster a roster that has shown significant vulnerabilities.
Offensive Woes and Key Injuries
The Yankees' offense has been a considerable challenge. DJ LeMahieu, a key contributor, has struggled since returning from a spring-training foot injury, hovering around a .500 OPS. Ben Rice has had to step in for the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base, and third base remains a weak spot, with the Yankees ranking 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at that position.
Second baseman Gleyber Torres has shown signs of improvement, offering a glimmer of hope in the infield. However, outfielder Alex Verdugo’s performance against left-handed pitchers has been abysmal this year and over the past three seasons, further compounding the Yankees' offensive issues.
Pitching Struggles and Bullpen Inconsistencies
The Yankees' bullpen has been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts, and starting pitchers Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have been stumbling lately. Additionally, Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory, raising concerns about his sustainability through the season.
Injuries have also taken their toll. Clarke Schmidt is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain. Jasson Domínguez completed his Tommy John surgery rehab, only to pull his oblique immediately. Prospects like Spencer Jones and Chase Hampton have been sidelined, with Jones having one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors and Hampton battling injuries for much of 2024.
Will Warren is struggling to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A, while Everson Pereira recently required season-ending elbow surgery. Amidst these challenges, Brock Selvidge, a Double-A lefty, has experienced a breakout year, and Warren continues to have fans despite his ugly Triple-A numbers.
Trade Deadline Strategy
This season represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees, given that it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. As the trade deadline nears, the front office will likely pursue aggressive trades to shore up the roster. The Marlins and Tigers are potential trade targets, as both teams are expected to sell at the deadline. Two years ago, the Yankees acquired Harrison Bader from the Cardinals under similar circumstances, sparking hope that strategic moves could make a significant difference.
Brian Cashman, reflecting on the team's approach, 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."
Cashman's navigation of the trade deadline may well define the outcome of the Yankees' season. While challenges abound, the path to a successful postseason run remains within reach if the right pieces can be added to the puzzle. The next few weeks will be critical as the Yankees aim to realign their faltering season and make a definitive push towards playoff contention.