The 2023 season has been a rollercoaster for the New York Yankees. The team started on a high note, boasting the best record in the league through mid-June. Yet, since then, the Yankees have faced a severe downturn, causing concern among fans and analysts alike. Despite the challenges, General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the team's postseason prospects, with the postseason odds comfortably over 90%.
As the July 30 trade deadline approaches, the Yankees will be buyers, looking to bolster their roster for a strong finish to the season. However, the team's offense has been a significant challenge. DJ LeMahieu, a key player, has struggled since returning from a spring-training foot injury and is currently hovering around a .500 OPS. Ben Rice has stepped in for the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base, but the team clearly needs more offensive firepower.
Struggles and Injuries
Another area of concern is the Yankees' performance at third base, where they rank 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR). However, there are some positive signs, such as Gleyber Torres showing improvement at second base.
On the flip side, Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers has been abysmal not only this year but for the last three seasons. The bullpen has also been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts, adding to the team's woes.
The starting rotation has not been spared either. Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have been stumbling lately, while Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory. To make matters worse, Clarke Schmidt is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain. Additionally, Jasson Domínguez completed his Tommy John surgery rehab only to pull his oblique immediately, adding to the injury list.
Youth Movement and Trade Prospects
In the minors, several prospects have struggled. Spencer Jones has one of the highest strikeout rates, while Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane have been sidelined with injuries for much of 2024. Will Warren is also struggling to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A, and Everson Pereira required season-ending elbow surgery. However, there are bright spots, like Brock Selvidge, a Double-A lefty, who has experienced a breakout year.
This year represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees because it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. This sense of urgency will likely spur the front office to pursue aggressive trades before the trade deadline. Potential trade targets include the Marlins and Tigers, who are expected to sell at the deadline. Brian Cashman and his team’s navigation of the trade deadline may define the outcome of the Yankees' season.
General Manager's Stance
Cashman summarized the team's approach to the deadline by stating, "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."
The Yankees previously acquired Harrison Bader from the Cardinals when he was in a walking boot two years ago, demonstrating their willingness to take calculated risks. With the trade deadline looming, all eyes will be on Cashman and the moves he makes to potentially turn the season around.
As the Yankees approach a crucial phase of their season, the stakes have never been higher. The trade decisions made in the coming weeks could very well determine whether this historic franchise can return to its winning ways or if the 2023 season will be remembered as a missed opportunity.