The 2023 season for the New York Yankees has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. At one point, the Yankees were soaring high, boasting the best record in the league through mid-June. However, the tides have turned drastically since then, leading to a severe downturn in their performance. Despite the setbacks, General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the team's postseason prospects, with their odds still comfortably over 90%.
As the July 30 trade deadline approaches, the Yankees have clearly positioned themselves as buyers. Cashman, while reserved on specifics, emphasized the need for improvements. "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," he stated. "My deadline plan is to see if we can run into as much that can improve our team as possible."
Challenges in Offense
The Yankees' offense has been a major challenge this season. DJ LeMahieu, for example, has struggled since returning from a spring-training foot injury, hovering around a .500 OPS. Ben Rice has been stepping in for the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base, and although he has shown promise, the overall offensive effort lags. The team ranks 24th among the 30 MLB teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base, highlighting a critical area needing reinforcement.
Meanwhile, Gleyber Torres has shown signs of improvement at second base, offering a glimmer of hope for the struggling infield. However, Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers has been abysmal, not just this year but for the past three seasons. The Yankees will need to find ways to overcome these offensive hurdles if they are to solidify their postseason run.
Pitching Woes
The bullpen, typically a strength for the Yankees, has been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts. Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have both stumbled lately, adding to the team’s mounting worries. Luis Gil is venturing into unfamiliar workload territory and Clarke Schmidt, still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain, leaves the pitching staff in a bind. The injury bug bit again as Jasson Domínguez completed his Tommy John surgery rehab only to pull his oblique immediately.
Spencer Jones, despite his potential, has one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors. Additionally, Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane have been sidelined with injuries for much of 2024, exacerbating the pitching predicaments. Even in Triple-A, Will Warren is struggling to keep his ERA below 6.00. A rare bright spot has been Double-A lefty Brock Selvidge, who is experiencing a breakout year.
Trade Deadline Moves
This year represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees, given it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. Cashman and his team's navigation of the trade deadline may well define the outcome of their season. Given the current roster's struggles, aggressive trades seem inevitable. With the Marlins and Tigers expected to sell at the deadline, these teams emerge as potential trade partners for the Yankees.
Two years ago, the Yankees acquired Harrison Bader from the Cardinals when he was in a walking boot, a move that raised eyebrows but ultimately paid off. This willingness to take calculated risks and make bold moves will be crucial as Cashman steers the team toward the postseason.
The Yankees' storied history and the high expectations that come with it add pressure to the front office’s decisions. Their performance leading up to, and immediately following, the trade deadline will be under immense scrutiny. A playoff berth is not just a goal but an expectation for this franchise, and the moves they make in the coming weeks will play a pivotal role in whether they meet that expectation.