New York Yankees: In or Out?

I’ve looked at the Cleveland Indians and the Baltimore Orioles already, but here’s another bubble team: The New York Yankees. Just like the Indians and Orioles, the Yanks are trying to find a wild card spot, as they are only four games back from Oakland and Tampa Bay, compared to seven and a half games back from the Red Sox. 

 

You know the Yankees. They are known for their big value players that hopefully can bring them some wins, and then win a World Series. That’s always been their motto, and it’s worked out plenty. They have won the most World Series with an absurd 27 titles. In the late 90’s/early 2000’s, they were unbeatable, winning four World Series crowns in the span of five years, and going to the 2001 World Series, but losing to the D-Backs in seven games. They also went in 2003, but lost to the Marlins. 

They wouldn’t return until 2009, when they beat the Phillies. Notable members on that ’09 team were Jorge Posada, Mark Texiera, Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Johnny Damon, Melky Cabrera, CC Sabathia, Mo Rivera, and the World Series MVP, Hideki Matsui. Most of those players are now either retired, old, or not even on the Yanks anymore. Cano, Jeter, A-Rod, CC, and Rivera are still on the team. Cano is now 30, Jeter 39, A-Rod 37, CC 32, and Rivera 43. 

That was four years ago. That’s this team’s problem. They are really old. They still have those guys, and now have even more old players, such as Ichiro, Kevin Youkillis, Alfonso Soriano, and Hiroki Kuroda. They have some prospects, but nothing so special to bring them to a pennant. They also have lots of injuries, including Youkillis, Texiera, Jeter (who’s day to day now), and of course they have Rodriguez appealing a suspension.

I’m pushing too much into the future. So what’s my decision? Is it even a question? They’re out of the playoffs. I kind of feel like a jerk for not having the Yanks, Orioles, or Indians in, but I just like the chances of the Athletics and Rays.

Picking up Alfonso Soriano was actually a great move, even though he was old. Not only is he a former Yankee in his Rookie years, but he brings power that New York doesn’t have at all. They rank 27^th in slugging percentage, with a .379 percentage. They also only have a .247 batting average (22nd in MLB) and a .311 OBP (19^th). Robinson Cano leads most of the way in offensive categories, but before Soriano came, they had nothing much at all. Soriano had more home runs in July than the entire team. 

Pitching wise, they are in the middle of the pack. CC Sabathia is really struggling, while Hiroki Kuroda is doing well (but remember that he is old too). Ivan Nova is a bright spot, as he just threw his first career shutout against the Orioles. 

If they get into the playoffs, I’ll be dam surprised. There is no chance that they can win the division, unless they win all eighteen games against their division. That’s right, they still have eighteen games against their division only. Watch them move up in the rankings by the end of next week, as they are in a home stand against Baltimore, Chicago (White Sox), and Boston. If they can pick up wins against the Red Sox, that’ll be big. However, they go on a road trip against Baltimore, Boston, and Toronto right afterwards. 

I’m much more worried about the future of this team. Yes, they can buy players from other teams, but who can they give up? Robinson Cano is a free agent at the end of the season, and it doesn’t look like they’ll resign him. They’ll have to replace Mariano Rivera (which I’ll talk about later), and will probably have to oust Sabathia for a new ace. 

This team has the potential to completely fall in the next few years, unless they focus much more on prospects. The organization does a great job with the team, so I’m not too worried, but it’ll be quite a ride for New York.

Email me at statsbuddy42@gmail.com for any questions/comment/concerns.