Basically the Yankees had perhaps the best starting pitching rotation next to the World Series champion Dodgers as they entered Spring Training. But quickly that changed because of injuries and they will struggle without ace Gerrit Cole as the anchor.
A brief analysis of the AL East and who would have expected the Yankees going from favorites to duplicate division titles and quickly lose their status. Two starters of their rotation along with cogs in their lineup and that changed the outlook.
Yankees- Perhaps with Gerrit Cole and Luis Gil the Ynakees had the best starting rotation in the division. They added Max Fried with the record contract for a left-hander. And Marcus Stroman was on the trading block with a $18.5 million salary which would have cleared the books for added depth and the Yankees surely need the right-hander.
But Cole is lost for the season with Tommy John surgery, a major blow to the rotation. Gil, 2024 AL Rookie of the Year is out for the next three months. They still have Carlos Rodon who has that tendency of throwing the home run ball, he got the Opening Day assignment in the Bronx at Yankee Stadium Thursday afternoon against the Brewers.
But suddenly a dominating rotation does not look as much, and Clarke Schmidt who has the potential will be delayed with shoulder fatigue, hopefully not headed for more setbacks because he can throw strikes. In place the Yankees believe veteran 38-year old Carlos Carrasco (1.69 Spring ERA) is instrumental and in five games pitched 16 innings of good baseball.
However this still isn’t Cole, Fried, Rodon, Gil, or Schmidt to open the season. The rotation has question marks, though the bullpen is their asset. Left-hander Ryan Yarborogh is a new and recent addition. Trading for changeups specialist Devin Williams and tough to hit. He will set up Luke Weaver who became a reliable closer last season.
Of course the Yanees will still score runs, especially at their home run friendly ballpark in the Bronx. And of course a healthy Aaron Judge will vye for another 50 home run season. But the difference is no Juan Soto who opted for big money and went across town to the Mets. That dynamic duo had baseball talking of an old Mantle and Maris Yankees tandem of the past.
Another cog and home run threat, Giancarlo Stanton the 2024 ALCS MVP, who revitalized his proficiency to hit the home run, has not picked up a bat with two ailing elbows. And questions arise as to when or if Stanton will get an at-bat anytime soon.
New faces and an infield of question marks. New additions of veterans and former MVP’s Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt. The Yankees made the pivot after Soto was gone. Anthony Vople is no longer a rookie as he teams with Jazz Chisholm Jr. as the infield DP unit. Will Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera man third base and provide some offense? They finally submitted to trading Gleyber Torres, though he was their most consistent hitter the past two years.
Jasson Dominguez “The Martian” could be an adventure in left field. Does his home run trot become a frequent theme to the Yankees lineup? The late season call up two years ago hit bombs at Yankee Stadium then spent a year recovering from Tommy John surgery.
We do know for the first time In Yankees history a catcher will leadoff, Austin Wells got on base in the spring, hit home runs. The Yankees are going to miss Soto on longer in the Bronx and lack a right handed presence in their lineup.
And deep in mind even with new faces there is that lingering sting of last year, best record in the league (94-66) and first World Series since their last championship of 2009. And that ugly fifth-inning in late October ending their quest to the Dodgers. It still stings but this to the Yankees is a new beginning.
“A loss is a loss,” said Judge when the Yankees assembled again last month down in Tampa Florida. But with a depleted pitching rotation and questions the Yankees are not perennial favorites for back-to-back World Series. They could win the division, GM Brian Cashman won’t sit still during the trade deadline granted it won’t be easy.
Prediction: 86 wins, one of 3 AL Wild Card teams.
Rest of the Division and League: Pitching will determine if the Orioles will overtake the Yankees and 41-year old Charlie Morton was signed to replace the departure of Corbin Burnes. Injuries hurt the orioles last season losing their closer Feix Bautista and Kyle Bradish (Tommy John) is expected back in the second half. Gunner Henderson, 2023 AL Rookie of the year is on the IL, when healthy he generates good at-bats, gets on base, the Orioles score runs.
But questions also about the Orioles. Do they revert to the team they were in 2023?
Prediction: 83 wins and battle for AL Wild Card
Boston Red Sox: 85 wins and a Yankees-Red Sox rivalry revisited. Look for youngsters to make a difference with All-Star Rafael Devers. Roman Anthony, Marcelo, Mayer, Kristian Campbell all names to watch.
Toronto Blue Jays: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and impending free agency, the Jays thrive on his presence in the lineup. Veterans Andres Gimenez, Anthony Santander, Jeff Hoffman, Yumi Garcia, and Hall of Famer Max Scherzer (If healthy) will provide the Jays a chance to contend.
Others to contend: Tampa Bay Rays always manage to find a way with youngsters and will use their temporary home of Steinbrenner Field to their advantage. Guardians made that surprise to the ALDS with fewest home runs in the league and always find ways to contend.
The Tigers are hungry and young, they got a taste of the postseason last year… Seems like yesterday, more like two years since the Rangers won a World Series and a return of Jacob DeGrom makes their starting rotation that much better
The Houston Astros with Jose Altuve now in left field and their starting pitching in that respectable range, Kansas City Royals the surprise last year, Minnesota Twins if a healthy and rebound of Carlos Correa, and never count out the Mariners and Luis Castillo on the mound. And the Angels won’t be a post season team but look for the return of a healthy Mike Trout in right field.
The Athletics in Sacramento and with their highest paid player in franchise history, Luis Severino on the mound. A young team that is hungry and competitive. And those White Sox, rebuilding still and headed for a 110 game losing season. Hey that’s an improvement from losing a record 121 games last year,
Rich Mancuso X (@Ring786) Facebook.com Rich Mancuso