The New York Yankees won 100 regular season games in 2018. They won a one game wild card game against the Oakland Athletics. However, they were unable to defeat the Boston Red Sox in the divisional championship series. The 2018 season was not a failure, but it was a disappointment. A team that came within one game of the World Series in 2017, was not able to reach the American League Championship Series.
The Yankees have not won a World Series since 2009. For the 9th straight year the Fall Classic will not involve the Bronx Bombers.
The Yankees have a strong and young core in place. Third baseman Miguel Andujar and second baseman Gleybor Torres are rookie of the year candidates. Shortstop Didi Gregorius is a solid defender and hitter. Rightfielder Aaron Judge is one of the game's best hitters. Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton had a good debut season in pinstripes. First basemen Luke Voight emerged as a force in the Yankee lineup. Aaron Hicks is good player. Luis Severino is a front line starter who should continue to pitch well for New York.
So, the Yankees have a good core that should serve them well next season. However, this season proved that they are not a championship team. So, what do they need to do to become a championship team?
Free agency always presents challenges for teams. How much money should a team spend? What positions should be prioritized? Should a team stay under the luxury tax? These questions face the Yankees as they get ready for the off season.
Free agents Bryce Harper and Manny Machado have been linked to the Yankees. Of course, many free agents are linked to the Yankees because of the team's vast financial resources and their history of success.
Harper is only 26 and he is in the prime of his career. However, he will seek a 10 year contract between 300 to 330 million dollars. That is a hefty price for any player. The Yankees are already strong in the outfield. Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are among the game's most feared hitters. Both are capable of hitting between 40 and 55 home runs a season. Both have high batting averages. Additionally, the Yankees have Aaron Hicks who has played well for the team. Judge, Stanton and Hicks have all battled injuries, but so has Harper.
Harper does not seem like a need, but a luxury. Stanton is not sure thing because of his susceptibility to injury that he displayed with the Miami Marlins. However, the Yankees are committed to 9 more years with Stanton. They have made a long term lucrative commitment to the slugger. Additionally, Judge, will seek an expensive pay day when he becomes a free agent. How much money do the Yankees want to invest in the outfield? Unless they traded Stanton to the Los Angeles Dodgers, his preferred trade destination when he was with the Marlins, it makes little sense to sign Harper.
Machado is a good player as well who is also in his prime. Like Harper, Machado is reportedly seeking a 10 year deal in the 300 million dollar range. Machado has said that he would prefer to play short stop, however, the Yankees have Didi Gregorius at the short stop position. The Yankees would either have to part ways with Gregorius or ask Machado to move to third base if they signed him. However, if they did this, they would have to part ways with Miguel Andujar who just completed a stellar rookie campaign. Conceivably, they could get good players for either Andujar or Gregorius. This depends on how foundational the Yankees think Andujar or Gregorius is. Are they definitely a part of the Yankees as they move forward? Or do they want to add Machado, and deal either Andujar or Gregorius for prospects or major league players. This is a decision that Brian Cashman and the Yankee front office need to make.
If the Yankees show serious interest in Harper and Machado, it is unlikely that the team could sign both. However, with the Yankees nothing can be ruled out.
The Yankees have a team option on Brett Gardner. The Yankees can pick up Gardner's option for 11 million dollars. Gardner has been the Yankees' primary base stealer for several years. However, Gardner turns 35 next season, and his speed will decline. Garner is a solid player, and along with CC Sabathia, one of the two remaining players from the 2009 World Series Championship. He has spent his entire career with the Yankees. Perhaps the Yankees pick up his option in order to add to their depth in the outfield and retain Gardner's veteran presence in the clubhouse. However, the Yankees could also decline the option and bring up an outfielder from the minor leagues or sign a free agent. This is a decision that the Yankees' front office will have to make during the off season.
Hicks is third year arbitration eligible, which means if the Yankees choose to resign him for one year, they must pay him 4.49 million dollars for 2019. Hicks and the Yankees could also avoid arbitration by signing a short term deal. Hicks has played well for this year. Whether or not the Yankees try and bring him back may depend on who the Yankees sign in free agency and whether or not they pick up Gardner's option.
Andrew McCutchen was a valuable addition to the Yankees for the stretch run. However, they may not be able to find a place for him on next year's team. The Yankees still owe Jacoby Ellsbury 44 million dollars for the next two years. Gardner, Hicks, Judge and Frazier make it a crowded outfield in New York. There simply may not be room for McCutchen, which is too bad because he played well in pinstripes.
The Yankees also need to make a decision on Garry Sanchez. In this past season, Sanchez only hit .186. Two years ago he hit 31 homeruns, while this past season he hit only 18 home runs. He also lead the majors with 18 passed balls. Do the Yankees continue to work with Sanchez on his defense? Do they hope that his hitting ability returns next year? Do they consider trading Sanchez for a good pitcher? If they do part with Sanchez could Austin Romine be a full time catcher? These are some of the questions that the Yankees face at the catching position. Nevertheless, it's likely that the Yankees stick with Sanchez. The organization believes he has a high ceiling and that he has good potential. However, Sanchez is 26 years old. At what point do the Yankees stop talking about potential and start expecting more from Sanchez? It's a tough decision for the Yankees, but they will probably stick with Sanchez as the every day catcher.
Additionally, the Yankees need to think about who will be next year's first baseman. Greg Bird has played three injury plagued seasons for the Yankees. He has not hit as well as they thought he would. Over his first three seasons, Bird has played in 46,48 and 82 games. He has not hit more than 11 home runs in a season and he has not driven in more than 38 runs in a single campaign. His batting average was .261 during his rookie season, but has declined to .190 and .199 the past two seasons. These numbers are unacceptable for a first baseman.
Conversely, in a short time, Luke Voight has emerged as a good hitter for New York. Do the Yankees open up the position to competition in next year's spring training? Do Bird and Voight compete for the position? Do they begin next season in a platoon situation? Do the Yankees think outside of the box and consider signing Harper to move to first base? These are some of the questions that the Yankees have at the first base position.
If the Yankees are going to compete with the Red Sox and the Astros next year, they need to improve their pitching. Patrick Corbin and Dallas Keuchel are the best two free agent pitchers available. The Yankees should consider signing one or both of them.
Corbin was 11-7 with an ERA of 3.15 and a WHIP of 1.05. Corbin struck out 246 batters this past season. Corbin throws sliders, sinkers and fastballs. He does not have an overwhelming fastball. He usually pitches between 80 and 90 miles per hour. Once in a while, he throws a change up. Corbin is an upstate New York native who grew up rooting for the Yankees. He would appear to be a good fit in pinstripes.
Luis Severino will return as the team's ace or at least as a front line starter. Severino was the team's best starting pitcher this past season. He was 19-8 with an ERA of 3.39. His WHIP was 1.14 and opponents batted .238 against him. He lead the team in strikeouts with 220. Severino is a valuable member of the rotation. The Yankees need to acquire pitchers of similar talent to compete with Houston and Boston.
Severino is eligible for arbitration over the off season. Will the Yankees offer Severino a long term deal or will they let the case go to arbitration? If they let the case go to arbitration, the Yankees and Severino should be able to figure out a middle ground. Or the Yankees and Severino could agree to a contract of about 40 million for four years. Severino may want to wait until he is a free agent to sign a more lucrative contract for more years. Either way, the Yankees and Severino should be able to work things out.
Masihiro Tanaka is the team's second best starting pitcher. He has not been an ace, however, he has been an effective pitcher since he signed a 7 year 157 million dollar deal with the Yankees. He has completed 5 of those years. He is signed for two more years for 45 million dollars.
Tanaka is 64-34 with a 3.59 ERA in five seasons with New York. The Yankees hope that he can continue to pitch effectively the last two years of his contract.
J.A. Happ was acquired by the Yankees from the Toronto Blue Jays during this past season. He is a free agent. The Yankees may be interested in signing Happ to a short term deal during the offseasosn. Happ, a left hander, pitched well for New York in 2018. Overall, between Toronto and New York, Happ went 17-6 with a 3.65 ERA in 2018. With New York, he went 7-0 with an ERA of 2.69 and a WHIP of 1.05. He helped the Yankees secure home field advantage for the wild card game. If Happ and New York can agree to a short term contract, then he may return to the Yankees in 2019.
CC Sabathia just completed his ninth season in pinstripes. Sabathia and Gardner are the only two players who remain from the 2009 championship team. David Robertson also played on the 2009 championship team. However, he was traded by the Yankees and eventually reacquired by the team.
Sabathia pitched well for New York in 2008. Sabathia started 29 games for the Bronx Bombers. He went 9-7 with an ERA of 3.65 and a WHIP of 1.31. He pitched game four of the ALDS. The Yankees could offer Sabathia a one year deal to stay with the team. However, the Yankees may choose to not re sign Sabathia. The Yankees may instead choose to sign a couple of free agent pitchers, sign Happ or bring up a minor league pitcher to join the Yankee rotation. It's possible that Sabathia may conclude his career with another team. Sabathia has said that he wants to play next year. However, it may not be in New York.
If Sabathia has played his last game in the Bronx, he will leave behind many memories. He has been a good pitcher for New York for close to a decade. He has been a valuable member of the Yankees' rotation. He has been a true work horse and a consistent hurler for the Yankees. He has earned a lot of respect in his 9 years in pinstripes.
Minor league prospect Justin Sheffield is a candidate for the starting rotation for next year. Sheffield was acquired by the Yankees in the deal that sent Andrew Miller to Cleveland. Sheffield is a 23 year old left handed pitcher who is considered the Yankees' number one prospect. Sheffield has pitched well in the minor leagues. Last year, he spent time with Trenton and Scranton. With double A Trenton, he went 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA. He struck out 39 and walked 14 batters. With triple A Scranton, Sheffield went 6-4 with an ERA of 2.56. He struck out 84 batters and walked 36. He could be ready to join the Yankees' rotation in the spring. At the very least, Sheffield could join the Yankees if a starter gets injured.
Sheffield's fast ball is between 92 and 97 miles per hour. He also has a good sinkerball and a good slider. He has a change up as well. Sheffield has a good repertoire of pitches. He can continue to improve all four of his pitches as he hopes to join the Yankees' rotation in 2019.
Keuchel is 12-11 with a 3.74 ERA and a 1.31 WHIP. He struck out 157 batters this season. Keuchel's major pitch is his sinker. However, he also throws sliders, fastballs and change ups. His pitches vary from 80 to 90 miles per hour.
The Yankees had a decent bullpen. Aroldis Chapman was a good closer who finished with 32 saves. Chapman had a 2.45 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Opponents batted only .136 against him. He will return as the team's closer. He is signed through 2021 at 17.2 million per year.
Dillon Betances will likely return as the set up man. Betances was 4-6 this year with a 2.70 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP. Opponents batted .186 against him. Betances is up for arbitration in 2019 and is a free agent in 2020. The Yankees can sign Betances to a short term contract or take their chances in arbitration. Betances is a solid set up man who has been a reliable member of the bull pen.
Chad Green was another effective member of the Yankees' bull pen. Green was 8-3 with a 2.50 ERA and a WHIP of 1.04. Opponents hit .229 against him. Green is scheduled for pre arbitration in 2019 and arbitration in 2020. Players who are elible for pre arbitration can be signed for the league minimum salary, which is 570,000 annually. The Yankees should keep Green on the roster. If Green and the Yankees cannot agree on a yearly contract or short term deal, New York should renew his contract for the league minimum. He has been too reliable for the team to be let go.
Zach Britton was a good late season addition. While with the Yankees, the left hander was 1-0 with a 2.88 ERA and a WHIP of 1.16. Opponents batted .196 against him. The Yankees should consider signing Britton to a one year deal. Britton provides a reliable left handed option out of the pen. He can be a left handed specialist or a pitcher that can come in for one inning to provide the team support.
A.J. Cole was 3-1 with a 4.26 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP. Opponents batted .258 against him. Cole does strike out a lot of batters. He struck out 49 batters in 38 innings. However, his ERA is too high. The Yankees could find someone better than Cole.
David Robertson is a free agent. Robertson returned to the Yankees last season after spending an earlier stint with the team. Robertson was a valuable member of the Yankees bullpen. Roberton was 8-3 with an ERA of 3.23. His WHIP was 1.03, which was the lowest WHIP among all pitchers on the Yankees roster this season. Robertson is a free agent, whom the Yankees should try to sign to a one or two year deal. Robertson made 13 million for this past season. The Yankees should see if they could sign him for less money, but they should still express their interest to Robertson. He was a valuable member of their bullpen this past season.
Aaron Boone will return as manager. Before this season, Boone had no managerial or coaching experience. Boone was hired because Cashman felt that the Yankee clubhouse needed a manager who communicated better to the players. Boone was criticized for sticking too long with Severino and Sabathia in games 3 and 4 of the ALDS. Both did not pitch well, and some observers thought that they needed to be replaced sooner by the bullpen.
Boone seemed to have done a decent job in his inaugural season. He appears to be a good manager. Next year, he will try and get the Yankees to the World Series.
As Boston and Houston get ready to play the American League Championship Series, the Yankees prepare for an offseason. The Yankees' front office will figure out how to improve their team as they prepare for the 2019 season. They have many questions to answer. How they answer those questions may determine if the Yankees can make it further in the playoffs next season.
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