The 2023 season has been a rollercoaster for the New York Yankees, offering moments of sheer dominance followed by periods of unexpected struggle. The team, which boasted the best record in the league through mid-June, has since faced a severe downturn that has left its fanbase both hopeful and apprehensive.
Season of Highs and Lows
General Manager Brian Cashman remains optimistic about the team's postseason prospects, noting that the Yankees’ odds of making it into the postseason sit comfortably over 90%. Despite their offensive struggles and injury woes, the team plans to be buyers as the July 30 trade deadline approaches. Cashman enthusiastically remarked, "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."
Offensive Struggles
A significant challenge for the Yankees this season has been their offense. DJ LeMahieu, a crucial player for the Yankees, has struggled since returning from a spring-training foot injury, drifting around a .500 OPS. Meanwhile, Ben Rice has stepped in admirably for the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base, but overall, the team has lagged, ranking 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR) at third base.
Gleyber Torres has shown signs of improvement at second base, yet the same cannot be said for Alex Verdugo. His performance against left-handed pitchers has been abysmal this year, continuing a trend that has plagued him for the last three seasons.
Pitching Woes
The bullpen, typically a source of strength for the Yankees, has been underwhelming in terms of strikeouts. Starting pitchers Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have also been stumbling, raising concerns as they head into the crucial part of the season. Additionally, Luis Gil finds himself in unfamiliar workload territory, and Clarke Schmidt is still several weeks away from returning from a lat strain.
Injury Plague
Injuries have further compounded the Yankees' difficulties. Jasson Domínguez, who had just completed his Tommy John surgery rehab, immediately pulled his oblique. Spencer Jones, a promising player, has one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors. Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane have been sidelined with injuries for much of 2024, and Will Warren is struggling to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A. Moreover, Everson Pereira recently required season-ending elbow surgery, adding to the team's woes.
Bright Spots and Trade Deadline Moves
Despite these setbacks, there are some bright spots. Brock Selvidge, a Double-A lefty, has experienced a breakout year. Also, Will Warren continues to have a growing fan base despite his ugly Triple-A numbers. The Yankees front office sees this year as an "all-in" moment, particularly because it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team.
The team is likely to pursue aggressive trades before the trade deadline. The Marlins and Tigers, expected to be sellers at the deadline, are potential targets. The Yankees’ front office has previously demonstrated its willingness to make bold moves, as evidenced by the acquisition of Harrison Bader from the Cardinals when he was in a walking boot two years ago.
Brian Cashman and his team’s navigation of the trade deadline may well define the outcome of the Yankees' season. Sources within the organization confirm that they will leave no stone unturned to ensure the team is in the best possible shape as they head into the postseason. Fans remain hopeful that the Yankees can turn their season around and make a strong push toward the World Series.