The 2023 season has been a rollercoaster for the New York Yankees, a team that often finds itself under the intense scrutiny of its fervent fan base. The Yankees got off to a hot start, boasting the best record in the league through mid-June. However, since then, the season has taken a significant downturn.
Challenges on the Offensive Front
One of the Yankees' biggest challenges this season has been their offense. DJ LeMahieu, who has struggled since returning from a spring-training foot injury, is hovering around a .500 OPS. This has been a major setback for the team, which relies on LeMahieu as a core piece of their lineup. In addition, the team ranks 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base, further highlighting the offensive issues.
Compounding these struggles, Ben Rice has had to step in at first base for the injured Anthony Rizzo, and Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers remains a glaring weakness. The issues at the plate are reflected by the fact that the Yankees' bullpen has also been underwhelming, failing to produce the strikeout numbers typically expected of them.
Pitching Woes
The Yankees' pitching staff hasn’t been immune to struggles either. Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have been stumbling lately, and Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory. Clarke Schmidt is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain, adding to the team’s pitching woes.
This year represents a crucial juncture for the Yankees, particularly with Juan Soto in his only guaranteed year with the team. As the July 30 trade deadline approaches, General Manager Brian Cashman is eyeing potential acquisitions to bolster the roster. "We're gonna be open-minded to a lot of different things," Cashman said. "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."
Injury Concerns
Injuries have added to the Yankees’ plight this season. Jasson Domínguez completed his Tommy John surgery rehab, only to pull his oblique immediately. Spencer Jones, one of the team's minor league prospects, has one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors, and Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane have been sidelined with injuries for much of 2024.
Additionally, Will Warren is struggling to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A, and Everson Pereira recently required season-ending elbow surgery. On a more positive note, Brock Selvidge, a Double-A lefty, has experienced a breakout year, giving the Yankees a glimmer of hope for their pitching future.
Trade Deadline Strategy
The Yankees’ front office will likely pursue aggressive trades as the deadline approaches, with the Marlins and Tigers being potential targets as they are expected to sell. This is not unexplored territory for the Yankees, who previously acquired Harrison Bader from the Cardinals despite him being in a walking boot at the time.
Cashman’s navigation of the trade deadline is crucial to the Yankees' season outlook. With postseason odds comfortably over 90%, the team is determined to be buyers in the market, aiming to turn their season around and address their glaring issues on both offense and defense.
Gleyber Torres has shown signs of improvement at second base, but it's not enough to offset the broader struggles. The Yankees have multiple areas needing reinforcement, including their bullpen, which hasn't delivered the expected strikeout numbers.
As the watchful eyes of New York remain fixated on their beloved team, the Yankees are pulling out all the stops, recognizing that this season is an "all-in" moment. This year may very well be defined by the moves made in the coming days leading up to the trade deadline, with Cashman and his team playing a pivotal role in shaping the Yankees' fortunes. Fans are hopeful that a few key acquisitions could be the catalyst needed to revive the ailing Yankees and secure a successful postseason run.