The New York Yankees made improvements this offseason, but will they be enough to lead them to a World Series in 2020? That’s the question we are all asking ourselves.
Investing $324 million in Gerrit Cole was a significant first step in bolstering the starting pitching unit, and knowing that Luis Severino and James Paxton would be featuring right behind Cole was a grand reality. However, that reality has quickly dissipated into a puddle of injury and concern.
Severino has officially been ruled out for the entire 2020 season after succumbing to Tommy John surgery, and Paxton is expected to return to full form in early-May. While these two injuries bred negativity, the Yankees are capable of making a run at a World Series appearance in 2020 nonetheless.
Health is the most crucial factor, especially for the Yankees’ sluggers. Both Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton have dealt with injuries this spring, but the extra time to heal will prove to be significant.
What do the New York Yankees need to make a serious playoff run?
Aside from consistent health, they need their best hitters to pick up where they left off in 2019. DJ LeMahieu is arguably the most valuable player on the team, as he can fill multiple roles defensively and hit at a high level. His numbers in 2019 were impressive – .327 BA, 26 homers, 5.4 WAR (Fangraphs).
If LeMahieu can come close to replicating those numbers next season, the Yankees will be in good shape, as betting on their sluggers to remain healthy is becoming problematic. Throw Luke Voit into the injury pot as well, as sustained a sports hernia last season, which forced him out for quite some time.
The Yankees have attempted to deal with their injury concerns by means of Eric Cressey, a renowned strength and conditioning coach. So far, his abilities have no made much of a difference, as Stanton picked up a calf strain before spring training even began. Judge’s injury can be blamed on the doctors evaluating his CT scans — they recently discovered a stress fracture on his top right rib and a collapsed lung that had recovered.
Overall, health is the most significant factor in the Yankees making a run in 2020, but they need their historically consistent players to rise to the occasion once more. Before the MLB suspending operations, the Bombers were prepared to toss Brett Gardner, Mike Tauchman, and clint Frazier into the outfield, all reserve options.