The 2023 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster for the New York Yankees. Leading the league with the best record through mid-June, the Yankees seemed poised for another dominant season. However, since then, the team has faced a severe downturn, casting doubt on what initially appeared to be a promising campaign.
A Season of Highs and Lows
General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the team's postseason prospects, with the odds comfortably over 90%. This confidence signals that the Yankees will 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.
Despite the strong postseason odds, the Yankees' offense has been a significant challenge. DJ LeMahieu, a pivotal player, has struggled since returning from a spring-training foot injury, hovering around a .500 OPS. Additionally, Ben Rice has been stepping in for the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base, and the Yankees rank 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base. Gleyber Torres has shown some improvement at second base, but it's not enough to buoy the struggling lineup.
Pitching Woes and Injury Struggles
Pitching, typically a strong suit for the Yankees, has also seen its share of challenges. The bullpen has been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts, while starters Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have been stumbling lately. Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory, and Clarke Schmidt is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain.
On the injury front, the team has been hit hard. After completing his Tommy John surgery rehab, Jasson Domínguez pulled his oblique immediately. Spencer Jones is dealing with one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors, and both 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 in Triple-A, while Everson Pereira recently required season-ending elbow surgery. However, not all is gloomy; Brock Selvidge, a Double-A lefty, has experienced a breakout year, and Warren continues to have fans despite his ugly Triple-A numbers.
The Trade Deadline: A Crucial Juncture
This year represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees because it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. The front office will likely pursue aggressive trades before the deadline, eyeing the Marlins and Tigers as potential trade targets due to their expected status as sellers.
Brian Cashman and his team’s navigation of the trade deadline may well define the outcome of the Yankees' season. Fresh from a previous successful acquisition of Harrison Bader from the Cardinals while he was in a walking boot two years ago, Cashman will look to leverage his trade acumen to address the team's weaknesses. With the postseason odds still favorable, the Yankees have everything to play for as they approach this critical juncture.
Whether the Yankees can turn around their season and capitalize on their early success remains to be seen. One thing is certain: the decisions made in the coming weeks will have lasting implications for the franchise's quest for glory.