The New York Yankees' 2023 season has been nothing short of a rollercoaster, delivering a narrative filled with surprising highs and frustrating lows. The team surged to boast the best record in the league through mid-June, a period marked by consistency and dominance. However, their fortunes took a sharp downturn thereafter, casting long shadows over their postseason prospects.
Postseason Hopes and Trade Deadline Strategies
Despite the recent struggles, General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the Yankees' postseason chances. With the team's postseason odds comfortably over 90%, Cashman has affirmed that the Yankees will be aggressive buyers as the July 30 trade deadline approaches.
"We're gonna be open-minded to a lot of different things," Cashman stated. "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 proactive stance is essential given the range of challenges the Yankees face. Although their overall postseason odds remain high, both the offense and the bullpen have glaring issues that need to be addressed to ensure they go deep into October.
Offensive Struggles
One of the most significant challenges has been the Yankees' offense. DJ LeMahieu, who returned from a spring-training foot injury, has struggled mightily, currently hovering around a .500 OPS. Ben Rice has been stepping in at first base for the injured Anthony Rizzo, but the team still ranks 24th among the 30 MLB teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base. Moreover, although Gleyber Torres has shown some improvement at second base, Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers continues to be a troubling issue.
Pitching Woes
The Yankees' pitching has also been inconsistent. The bullpen has been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts, and starters like Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have stumbled recently. Luis Gil is dealing with an unfamiliar workload territory, and Clarke Schmidt is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain. Compounding these issues, Jasson Domínguez recently completed his Tommy John surgery rehab only to pull his oblique immediately afterward.
Minor League Depth
Minor league depth has also taken a hit. Spencer Jones is battling 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 in Triple-A, and Everson Pereira is out for the season following elbow surgery. On a brighter note, Double-A lefty Brock Selvidge has experienced a breakout year, providing some hope for the future.
Urgency and Trade Market
This season represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees, as it marks Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. To capitalize on this window, the front office will likely pursue aggressive trades before the deadline. The Marlins and Tigers have emerged as potential trade partners, given their expected roles as sellers. Cashman's navigation of the trade deadline will be crucial in defining the outcome of the Yankees' season.
Cashman's history of bold moves, such as acquiring Harrison Bader from the Cardinals while he was in a walking boot two years ago, suggests that the Yankees won't shy away from high-risk, high-reward scenarios. This type of decisive action could be exactly what the Yankees need to reverse their fortunes and make a deep postseason run.
The 2023 season has certainly been a test of resilience and adaptability for the Yankees. With a mix of veteran struggles and burgeoning minor league prospects, the team faces a critical juncture as they approach the trade deadline. The moves made in the coming weeks will not only aim to address immediate concerns but also set the stage for sustained success in the years to come.