The Yankees adding star pitcher Gerrit Cole solidified one of the more intimidating starting rotations in the league, and it also skyrocketed their predicted wins total for the 2020 season.
Last year, the Bombers pieced together a staggering 103 wins campaign on the backs of several reserve players, including Gio Urshela, Cameron Maybin, Brett Gardner, Mike Tauchman, and plenty of others. The simple reality is, if the Yanks can remain healthy, they could set a win record next season, especially with the addition of Cole, which is a guaranteed 15 wins, if you consider his last two seasons.
However, Cole isn’t the only stellar pitcher in the rotation, the Yankees also have Luis Severino, who’s ready to go after missing the entire 2019 season virtually with injuries, Masahiro Tanaka, a seasoned veteran, and James Paxton, their lefty specialist. Again, health remains the most significant factor here, but barring any injuries, they’re on pace to have a historic season.
As per Odds Shark, the Bombers are expected to reach 101.5 wins, which tops the MLB by a decent margin, especially after the second-place team, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who sit at 98.5.
The New York Yankees have all of the tools in place:
Despite losing Dellin Betances to free agency, Aaron Boone’s squad has only improved in stature and overall presence. Sluggers Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Juge, and Gary Sanchez will all return with a clean bill of health, not to mention Luke Voit, who missed the latter portion of the season with a sports hernia.
Firing former strength and conditioning head Matt Kraus in favor of the talented Eric Cressey was the first step in avoiding soft tissue injuries. Cressey’s work with All-Star pitchers Noah Syndergaard, Corey Kluber, and Max Scherzer should go a long way in the Yankees’ player, trusting him to bring the best out of them, physically.
We must not forget about Miguel Andujar either, who will return after tearing his Labrum in 2019. Just two years ago, Andujar logged a .297 batting average with 47 RBIs and 27 homers, and if he can replicate those numbers next season, the Yankees will feature one of the best offenses in recent memory.