Yankees season outlook 2019
After falling to division rival Boston Redsox in the division round of the 2018 playoffs, the New York Yankees looked to address their glaring issues that held them back from a World Series birth, and the AL east crown. After a rout in game 3 of that ALDS, where Boston took the game 16-1 in Yankee stadium, it was pretty obvious that pitching, more specifically starting pitching, was the achilles heel of this roster that has failed to be consistent and healthy over the past few years. And with arguably the best bullpen and a deadly lineup, with some starting pitching, this team could really be pushed over the top and close the gap with Boston even improving on their 100 win season under 1st year manager Aaron Boone.
Here’s a few reasons why the Yankees will be EVEN BETTER this year!
Starting pitching improvements
With a starting rotation in the second half and leading up to the playoffs led by a shaky Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, and J.A Happ last year, the rotation was missing a key piece. An ace. But this offseason the Yankees went out and acquired James Paxton from Seattle for a package headlined by minor league pitcher Justus Sheffield. With the addition of the lefty Paxton along with resigning J.A. Happ to a 3 year deal, the Yankees will have a rotation led by Paxton, Tanakaand Happ in the beginning of the year. And yes Luis Severino is injured at the moment but now the rotation has the depth it lacked to survive the beginning without the new 4 year $40 million dollar man. When Severino comes back from injury, he will look to return to form and carry this rotation to the promise land. But now with Happ in his first full year, and the addition of Paxton, it doesn’t all fall on Sevys shoulders. And with this improved staff, Boone doesn’t have to ware out his bullpen arms.
A scary, scary bullpen
After the departure of David Robertson to the Phillies this offseason, Brian Cashman and the Yankees didn’t hesitate to replace the 33 year old righty with another 33 year old reliever. But this man is named Adam Ottavino. And he is filthy. His slider moves quicker than your March Madness bracket going into flames and he has shown he can work well with his first and secondary pitches. Ottavino posted a 2.43 ERA last year with 112 Ks in 77.2 innings pitched. And the rest of the bullpen from last year that was considered to be the best of the best is still intact. And if everyone can stay healthy, this pen could be the same if not better. Closer Aroldis Chapman had 32 saves with 93 Ks. Star setup man Dellin Betances has a 2.70 era with 115 Ks. This bullpen also includes re-signed Zack Britton, Ottavino, Chad Green, Jonathan Holder and Tommy Kahn’s. That is filthy and when everyone is healthy, watch out. If you don’t score quick, it could be over by the 5th.
Lineup
With the loss of Didi Gregorius due to injury, the Yankees needed to fill the void the powerful lefty short stop left. But even with that loss, the Yankees lineup is still looking dangerous and almost identical to the squad who broke the regular season home run record a year ago. And even with Aaron Judge missing a good portion of last year with a wrist injury. And Gary Sanchez having the worst season of his career. And starting rookies Miguel Andùjar and Gleyber Torres, and newly acquired Giancarlo Stanton adjusting from his move from Miami to New York... and playing meaningful games past August. With all of these roadblocks, the team still bashed baseballs out of the park left and right and gave opposing pitchers fits. A full season of Judge, a bounce back year from Sanchez and another year of Stanton, Andùjar, Torres and Hicks. A battle between Luke Voit and Greg Bird for the first base job and newly acquired Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu, the Yanks should have an even better lineup from last year and potentially catch up to Boston in the race to be the king of the east.
Health will be an important factor in the teams success this year and is already not off to a great start as the team has already lost Hicks, Betances and Severino early. But when they all come back shortly, this team has a chance to take home ring number 28, and behind Aaron Boone, who will have another year of managerial experience under his belt, can help bring the World Series trophy back to the Bronx.
