2023 NY Yankees Preview
We enter another baseball season in the Bronx and 2009 is going to be printed on a t-shirt in Boston pretty soon.
That, of course, is the last Yankee World Series appearance, and win, for that matter.
They have added some pitching, say they’re counting on the kids and hope health finally is on their side. Here are a few reasons why the Yanks will win the World Series, a few why they won’t and much more.
3 reasons why the Yankees win the World Series.
- They are so due. 2009. Last appearance. Last win. The time is now.
- AL is weak. It’s a Houston and New York world. There are many solid teams, but are they really a threat to make an October run? Cleveland? Seattle? Toronto? Not likely.
- Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole and playoff Giancarlo Stanton? It still comes down to almost a billion dollars between the three. They need to be at their best for NY to win it all. Stay healthy, dominate playoffs, win a ring. The pressure is especially on Judge, the new captain with the new contract and poor playoff numbers overall.
3 reasons why the Yankees won’t win the World Series:
- Offense lacking in October. Hits with two outs? Not enough. Strikeouts? Too many. This offense is regular season-based and cannot seem to deliver in October for whatever reason (s). The Yanks really need a full, healthy lineup for October, with home field advantage and for Judge, Anthony Rizzo, Stanton, Harrison Bader, DJ LeMahieu and others to finally produce when it matters most.
- Lack of pitching. Cole, Carlos Rodon’s addition and Nestor Cortes (already with a hamstring strain) all look nice but the 4 and 5 spots in the rotation? Potential disaster. Frankie Montas is already injured and you cannot ever count on Luis Severino. Clarke Schmidt the savior? How many times can you really get quality starts out of a guy who you don’t really know who he is, a starter or reliever?
- Houston is better. They have been and will be until the Yankees prove everyone wrong.
Key pitcher:
Luis Severino. His rollercoaster Yankee career continues. As mentioned, the top three should be fine in the rotation if they all stay healthy. What if Sevy actually gives them a full, great season from Spring until and through October? Game changes quickly.
Key position player:
DJ LeMahieu and Giancarlo Stanton. Picked two here because if DJL is back and healthy, the offense changes. He sets the tone, he hits to contact and is tremendous defensively at multiple positions. Stanton will get hurt, of course, probably multiple times, but the Yanks need him most in October. When he gets hot, he is arguably the scariest hitter in the game. If he gets hot in October? You like New York’s chances.
Welcome, kids!
Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza should have key roles this year at left field and shortstop, respectively. We saw plenty of the former last year at left and short and his energy was unmatched. He will backup left field for Aaron Hicks (until he gets hurt, of course) and Oswald Peraza will platoon shortstop with Isiah Kiner-Falefa who is back, which makes zero sense. Brian Cashman needs to trade him and give the keys to Peraza. You’re next, hopefully, Anthony Volpe. The Yankees roster has been aging quickly. They must get younger. The Astros and Phillies started a rookie at shortstop in last year’s World Series. Try it, Yanks. You have nothing to lose. Pretty sure it worked last time (insert Derek Jeter).
Bullpen potential?
If the Yanks get deep starts from the staff like they did last year in the first half after asking the powers that be if they could go deeper into games, it obviously protects the bullpen. But once starts were shorter and injuries started and the season got late, the bullpen was exposed. Aaron Boone cannot burn guys out. It’s not easy, but something has to be done. Michael King going down last year changed the season. He doesn’t need surgery which is amazing news considering he would be out all of this year if he got it. Wandy Peralta is a great lefty option and backs down from nothing. But the Yankees really need Clay Holmes and Jonathan Loaisiga to be elite from start to finish.
Projected record: 101-61.
Postseason prediction: AL East champs. Lose in ALCS to Astros.
It’s a Houston and New York American League world. But the Yankees haven’t proved anything in October against Houston. Until they do, it’s hard to pick them. Prove me wrong, fellas.
Music & Events Calendar
