New York Yankees fans aren’t accustomed to losing, and if you’ve been following the team for more than ten years, you know how hard it has been to watch the last decade of Bomber’s baseball.
Ten straight seasons of no World Series titles, a disappointment for a franchise that was winning them at an alarming rate in the 90s. Not for lack of talent, but injuries and unfortunate momentum swings have plagued the team in recent years. Losing Giancarlo Stanton, Luis Severino, and Dellin Betances, all three high-profile players last year, undoubtedly forced the Yankees’ hand at times.
General manager Brian Cashman must realize how crucial the 2020 offseason really is, as he can burst the luxury tax open and find the pieces to give his team the best chance at winning the World Series. His outfield is full of talent with Stanton, Aaron Judge, and Aaron Hicks, the preferred starters. His infield can hold its own with star youngster, Gleyber Torres, phenom utilize-man, DJ LeMahieu, wonder-kid, Gio Urshela, and slugger, Luke Voit, featuring as the expected starters.
His pitching is some of the best in baseball, especially in the bullpen with Chad Green, Adam Ottavino, Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman, and potentially Betances if Cashman elects to bring him back on a one-year deal.
What can the New York Yankees do to help themselves?
There are several things the Yankees can do to bolster their team and inject more premium-level talent. It starts with the starting pitching rotation and Gerrit Cole/Stephen Strasburg.
The reality is, investing in a player like Cole or Strasburg nearly guarantees wins in important games. There are no second chances in the postseason, and assuring yourself a win with a dominant pitcher is hugely beneficial. That’s how the Astros beat the Yankees, and how the Nationals managed to overcome them in the World Series. Improving the rotation isn’t a necessity, but it gives Cashman and Aaron Boone the best probability of winning it all in 2020.
Cashman must be mindful of this factoid. Low-balling players with the team’s culture isn’t going to sway any minds — zero’s at the end of their paycheck is far more influential/