As the 2023 season progresses, the New York Yankees find themselves in a precarious yet hopeful position. Initially boasting the best record in the league through mid-June, the Bronx Bombers have since faced a tumultuous downturn. Despite recent struggles, General Manager Brian Cashman maintains an unwavering optimism about the team's postseason prospects, with odds comfortably over 90%.
Offensive Struggles
One of the primary challenges for the Yankees this season has been their struggling offense. DJ LeMahieu, dealing with lingering effects from a spring-training foot injury, has seen his performance suffer, hovering around a .500 OPS. Meanwhile, Ben Rice has been stepping in for the injured Anthony Rizzo at first base, adding further instability to the lineup.
The team also faces significant issues at third base, ranking 24th among the 30 teams in Wins Above Replacement (WAR). While Gleyber Torres has shown signs of improvement at second base, the inconsistency continues to plague the infield. Alex Verdugo's performance against left-handed pitchers has been abysmal, both this year and for the past three seasons, proving to be a significant weak spot in the Yankees' lineup.
Pitching and Bullpen Woes
The Yankees' bullpen has not lived up to expectations in terms of strikeouts, rendering it less effective in tight games. Starting pitchers Carlos Rodón and Marcus Stroman have stumbled lately, adding to the team's woes. Luis Gil is entering unfamiliar workload territory, raising concerns about his durability and effectiveness down the stretch. Additionally, Clarke Schmidt remains several weeks away from returning from a lat strain, further depleting the pitching staff.
Compounding these issues, Jasson Domínguez recently completed his Tommy John surgery rehab but immediately pulled his oblique, sidelining him once again. Spencer Jones continues to struggle with one of the highest strikeout rates in the minors. The injury woes extend into the minors, with Chase Hampton and Henry Lalane sidelined for much of 2024. Will Warren, another minor league hopeful, is battling to keep his ERA below 6.00 in Triple-A, while Everson Pereira's season-ending elbow surgery has dampened future prospects.
Trade Deadline Strategies
With the trade deadline approaching on July 30, the Yankees are expected to be active buyers, pursuing aggressive trades to bolster their roster. "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," stated Brian Cashman.
The Marlins and Tigers, expected to be sellers at the deadline, are potential trade targets for the Yankees. This year represents an "all-in" moment for the Yankees, considering it is Juan Soto's only guaranteed year with the team. The urgency to make impactful moves is palpable, as Cashman and his team navigate the critical trade deadline period.
One glimmer of hope amidst the struggles is Double-A lefty Brock Selvidge, who has experienced a breakout year. Despite his ugly Triple-A numbers, Will Warren continues to have fans who believe in his potential. The Yankees' front office will need to weigh their options carefully, balancing the risk and reward of potential trades that could define the outcome of their season.
The Yankees' ability to weather their current slump and make strategic moves at the trade deadline will be critical to their success. With postseason odds still in their favor, the upcoming weeks will test the resilience and resourcefulness of one of baseball's storied franchises.