The 2023 season has been a tumultuous ride for the New York Yankees. At the start of the year, they emerged as the team to beat, boasting the best record in the league through mid-June. However, since then, the Yankees have encountered a daunting downturn, casting a shadow over their once-promising campaign.
Optimism Amid Challenges
Despite the current struggles, General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the team's postseason prospects. The Yankees' postseason odds still stand comfortably over 90%, indicating confidence from both the management and statistical projections. Cashman's faith in his team is unwavering as the July 30 trade deadline approaches, with the Yankees set to act as buyers in the market.
"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," Cashman said. "My deadline plan is to see if we can run into as much that can improve our team as possible."
Offensive Struggles
One of the most significant challenges for the Yankees this season has been their offense. DJ LeMahieu's return from a spring-training foot injury has been less than triumphant, with his OPS hovering around a dismal .500. The absence of Anthony Rizzo due to injury has led to Ben Rice stepping in at first base, adding yet another layer of complexity to the offensive woes.
The issues do not stop there. The Yankees rank a lowly 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base. Although Gleyber Torres has shown signs of improvement at second base, the team has struggled to find consistent offensive production. Additionally, Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers has been abysmal, a trend that has persisted for the last three seasons.
Pitching Woes
The bullpen, traditionally a cornerstone of the Yankees' strength, has also been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts. Starting pitchers Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have stumbled lately, failing to provide the much-needed stability from the mound. Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory, which raises concerns about his durability as the season progresses.
Adding to these worries, Clarke Schmidt is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain, further depleting the rotation’s depth. Jasson Domínguez, who had just completed his Tommy John surgery rehab, pulled his oblique immediately upon return, making the Yankees' injury list quite lengthy.
Farm System Setbacks
The Yankees' minor league system has not been immune to misfortune either. Spencer Jones continues to post 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 battling to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A, which has dampened the high hopes many had for him.
Further disappointments include Everson Pereira, who recently required season-ending elbow surgery. Despite these setbacks, there are still some bright spots. Brock Selvidge, a Double-A lefty, has experienced a breakout year, and Will Warren, despite his struggles, continues to have a fan following thanks to his potential.
High Stakes and Strategic Moves
This year represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees, primarily because it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. This urgency will likely push the front office to pursue aggressive trades before the deadline. The Yankees have a history of making bold moves, as demonstrated two years ago when they acquired Harrison Bader from the Cardinals while he was in a walking boot.
The Marlins and Tigers are expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, and they could be potential targets for the Yankees' trade pursuits. How Brian Cashman and his team navigate this critical juncture will likely define the outcome of the Yankees' season.
In the end, while the Yankees have faced significant obstacles, both on and off the field, there remains a concerted effort within the organization to turn their fortunes around. The upcoming trade deadline will be a pivotal moment, not only for this season but for the future aspirations of the franchise.