#4
The New York Yankees once again bring a star-studded roster into the season, but they haven't found their way into Fall Classic in over a decade. Will 2021 be the year they return to the World Series?
#5 - 2nd in AL East, WILD CARD, lose in ALDS
MIH - Giancarlo Stanton
MIP - James Paxton
PTW - Clarke Schmidt
2020 Results
#10 - 33-27, 2nd in AL East, lost in ALDS
The Yankees must be scratching their heads after spending all that money on all their superstars, and then they watch the small market Tampa Bay Rays win the division and knock them out of the playoffs. Despite all their talent, the Yankees seem to be stuck and keep coming up short of the pennant, let alone a World Series championship.
Additions / Subtractions
This proved to be an interesting offseason in the Bronx as they tried to improve their team without being huge spenders. They re-signed D.J. LeMahieu who has become the quiet heart and soul of the team. On the pitching side, three veterans left the rotation in J.A. Happ and James Paxton signing elsewhere and mainstay Masahiro Tanaka returning to Japan. They replaced them by signing former Cy Young winner and bounce back candidate Corey Kluber and by trading for Jameson Taillon. In the bullpen, they traded Adam Ottovino to the Red Sox (what?!?) to save money (WHAT?!?!?!?) and replaced him with veteran Darren O'Day.
Most Important Hitter
Gleyber Torres
Gleyber Torres was anointed as the next Yankee superstar almost before he played a single game in the big leagues. As a second baseman, he burst on the scene in 2018 and 2019, making the All Star Team both seasons. In 2020, he moved to shortstop and his production took a dip. Was it a young player having a down year? Is Torres better suited to be a second baseman? Well, he's back at short, but only entering his age 24 season. If he bounces back, he is a really important weapon in that lineup.
Most Important Pitcher
Corey Kluber
The ace of the Yankees is Gerrit Cole. That's a given. What happens after him in the rotation is going to be fascinating to watch. The Yankees are relying a lot on a guy like Corey Kluber that has only thrown 36.2 innings over the last two seasons to probably be their #2. By all indications, the 34 year old starter is entering the season fully healthy for the first time in awhile, but the Yankees need him to be back to his old self, win double digit games, be an All Star candidate, and throw 150 innings. Otherwise, their rotation runs the risk of being Gerrit Cole and that's it.
Prospect to Watch
Deivi Garcia
One pitcher that also might help with that rotation depth is Deivi Garcia. He got a chance to start 6 games in 2020 for the Yankees with marginal success. This 21 year old righty is the 87th best prospect in baseball entering 2021 and has the opportunity to add the depth the Yankees lost in free agency. You don't normally see the Yankees rely so heavily on rookies, but you get the idea that the Yankees didn't work harder on filling holes in their rotation because they are counting on contributions from Deivi Garcia and fellow prospect Clarke Schmidt..
2021 Prediction
1st in AL East, lose in ALCS
The talent of the Yankees is undeniable. I know the small-time Rays beat them out in 2020, but in a full season with that lineup, the Yankees are going to take the division. With that said, the pitching is going to catch up with them in the playoffs and cost them a shot at returning to the World Series in 2021.
Fearless Prediction
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton will hit 100+ home runs combined.
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are the big boppers (emphasis on "BIG") in the middle of the Yankees' lineup, however their storyline as teammates has been defined more by injuries than their on-field production. Judge has only played one full season in his career, and Stanton has only played 41 games over the last two seasons. When they play full seasons, their home run totals are some of the highest in baseball (Judge led the AL in 2017 with 52 as a rookie, Stanton led the NL in 2017 with 59 in his MVP year and last year in Miami). I think this is the year they both finally play a full season together, and if they do, it could be scary.
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