Way back in April when the start of the season was right around the corner, I wrote a two piece segment on way the Yankees would and would not win the AL East. We looked at the questions surrounding the team and tried to answer them in a best and worst-case scenario to see what the most realistic outcome of the season would be for this team.
Going into the year we were asking if this team was too old, if they had the starting rotation to compete, if health would be on their side and where will the leadership come from on a team that had just lost their captain? Many of these questions have been answered in the first half of the season, but many still remain to be solved.
Now that we are at the All-Star break, the unofficial halfway mark of the season, the Yankees are in first- what has gone right? And what’s gone wrong?
Aged like a fine wine?
The elderly veterans on this squad were heavily criticized this past off-season for their lack of production, health concerns and suspensions. The media and fans were saying these guys were ‘washed up’, ‘old’ and ‘passed their primes’. Last season, Alex Rodriguez was suspended for a full season for his PED usage. Mark Teixeira battled injury after injury for the past two seasons and saw his production drop astronomically. CC Sabathia dealt with a knee injury that sidelined him for a good portion of the season, but was mostly ineffective when on the field. Carlos Beltran signed a big off-season deal and came into the Bronx, and flopped.
Fast-forward to 2015 and we can clearly say that this team would not be sitting in first place if not for Teixeira and A-Rod. The two elder statesmen have been completely rejuvenated and it has shown in their on-field output. Teixeira is enjoying himself these couple days in Cincinnati as he was named to the All-Star team for the third time in his career thanks in part to his 22 home runs and his American League leading 62 RBI. Aside from his offensive outburst, Teixeira’s most valuable asset to this team is his defense at first base. He has been working with an infield that has not made his life easy, but he makes scoops, picks and stops better than anyone in the game. He has saved his teammates double-digit errors and many runs with his golden glove.
As for A-Rod, he has come back this season with vengeance. Hitting a solid .278 with 18 home runs and 51 RBI, it was a shame he wasn’t given a nod to this week’s All Star Game. In his impressive season, he has passed many career and historic milestones thus far including climbing up the all-time home run and hits list. His 3000th hit came on a big fly and he continues to produce in big moments.
The other two vets mentioned above, Sabathia and Beltran, have brought their struggles into this season. Sabathia is 4-8 with a 5.47 ERA with only 84 strike outs. He has lost velocity on his fastball which has resulted in his giving up 122 hits in 100 innings. As for Beltran, he has been in and out of the lineup with various injuries and when on the field his defense has been more than suspect in right field. The 38-year-old outfield is hitting .260 with seven home runs and 30 RBI. With this many guys pushing their 40th birthdays, you’re not going to have all of them come back and be All-Star worthy; two of four is pretty dang good.
Depth vs. Disabled ListÂ
Thus far this year the Yankees have been hit with some injuries to key players, but have been able to survive thanks in part to their depth in both New York and all the minor league affiliates. The injuries have hit every part of the roster: the starting staff, bullpen and lineup. Masahiro Tanaka has missed time dealing with more complications to his elbow and arm. Andrew Miller had to sit out due to a forearm injury and Jacoby Ellsbury was out for an extended stretch for a bum knee. Despite these three stars all missing significant time, the team was able to chug along and finish the first half on top of the competitive AL East. The team was able to grind out wins as they got many impressive outings from Adam Warren. With his solid starts, Warren has landed an important role in the pen as Tanaka and Ivan Nova have returned to the rotation.
While Miller was out, the transition was easy for Joe Girardi as he was able to have Dellin Betances step into the closer role for the time being and not miss a beat. Dirty Dellin was so impressive in his time as closer; he locked down a spot on the AL All-Star team. With Miller back in his ninth inning role and Betances in the eight, the Yankees pen is set up to dominate the second half.
On the field and at bat, Brett Gardner found a ton of success as his outfield brethren, Jacoby Ellsbury was on the shelf. Gardner was named AL Player of the Week in June due to his hot bat and production at the top of the lineup. The Yankees also had young guys like Jose Pirela and Ramon Flores come up and give them solid innings and time in the outfield. Chris Young also found himself getting more time in the starting lineup and not just facing lefties all the time. While he is hitting considerably better against southpaws, he was still able to hit five long balls against righties; mostly when the team needed them the most.
When stars go down with injuries, you need other guys to step up, and that’s just what happened in the first half for this team. If the second half is going to be as successful, this trend will have to continue because injuries are bound to happen as the season progresses.
Late Game Domination
Mentioned it briefly above, but the Yankees bullpen will be an integral part of their success in the second half. With Betances and Miller shutting down games, the pen is a major advantage that will be leaned heavily on. Watching Betances and Miller pitch is something of pure beauty. The power and control these two have from the right and left side is unparalleled in the game. Each guy has an overpowering fastball and devastating off-speed garbage that make opposing batters look foolish. I could watch highlights of these two pitching all day.
The question is, who will be a part of the bridge between the starters and those late game studs? The answer may very well be, Adam Warren. Having that third trusted arm in high leverage situations will be a key in critical late season games. Warren proved in the first half that he has the ability to get batters out and be successful when called upon. If the other guys in the pen can get the job done, this unit will be a force to be reckoned with down the stretch.
Leader in the Clubhouse
After last season, the Yankees lost their leader and captain of 14 years, Derek Jeter. The year before, they lost their long time, future Hall of Fame closer, Mariano Rivera. In consecutive seasons, they lost their two long time leaders in the bullpen and in the dugout. The question going into this season was, who takes over as the leader? So far I think it is fair to say that it has been a complete team effort. I know that’s a copout, but guys are all chipping in. From the experience of A-Rod, to the passion of Brian McCann, and the on-field demeanor of Teixeira, the whole team is pitching in. Rodriguez is showing how hard work and concentration can pay off as he has faced the most criticism of anyone in baseball. McCann has taken control of the pitching staff and has their complete trust calling games behind the plate. Teixeira is the run saver at first base and one of the most clutch hitters on the team this season. With everyone chipping in, the Yankees have a team full of veterans that are looking to take this team back to the World Series and add a 28th championship to the Yankees legacy.
Baby Bombers
For how many years have Yankee fans yelled at management to focus on their farm system? How many seasons have fans wished and yearned for a young prospect to come up and be the next great homegrown talent? Heading into this season, it seemed as if the Yankees minor league system was where fans wanted it to be. Names coming up the pipe with potential and more so, promise. We are still waiting for the big fish in Luis Severino and Aaron Judge, but so far this year we have gotten looks at Jose Pirela, Ramon Flores, Jacob Lindgren, Slade Heathcott, Mason Williams and now Rob Refsnyder. There are even more young pups to come up the chain, but so far the results have been promising. Refsnyder proved this weekend in Boston that these young guns can play and management has made the commitment to solidifying the system for years to come. And that is something fans can be happy about.
AL Least?Â
It was only a few short years ago the American League East was considered by far the best division in baseball. There were years New York, Boston, Tampa and Baltimore were left out of the postseason, even while having better records than other teams that got into the Fall Classic. Year in and year out, teams were fighting tooth and nail to get into the playoffs and control division power. This year, not so much. The Yankees are in first at the break with a 48-40 record, which is good enough for third place in the AL, but 4.5 games back of Kansas City, who is leading the league.
The Yanks have a 3.5 game lead over Tampa, 4 over Baltimore, 4.5 over Toronto and 6.5 over Boston. Thus far, it has been pretty apparent that each team has their fatal flaws that have held them back this year. Tampa’s offense and lineup is abysmal, only scoring 332 runs- good for seventh worst in baseball. The Rays are competitive only because of their pitching which has allowed 341 runs- good for ninth best in baseball. In Toronto, they sport an offense leading baseball with 486 runs, but a pitching staff who has given up 404 runs. With the best offense in baseball, their deficiencies fall on their pitchers. The same story goes for Baltimore and Boston. With the four other division rivals having these glaring weaknesses, the Yankees can use their balance offense and pitching attack to claim another division title and march a path to the playoffs.
What to Look Forward Too?
The first half of the season has given Yankees fans many reasons to be optimistic for the second half of the year. From the strong comeback seasons of Teixeira and A-Rod, to the success of role players and young pups coming up through the system, there is much to look forward too. Heading into the second half the Yankees have a healthy roster looking to increase their lead in a subpar division. There are whispers and rumblings of media and fans alike saying this team should make a move for another front line starter, some infield help and another arm in the pen. With the deadline approaching at the end of the month, the team will no doubt make the moves that they believe will round out the team to make a push for banner #28. With all of that said, there is much to look forward to for Yankee fans as the second half approaches.
I will reiterate my thought on how I ended the second article in back in April..I (still) believe the Yankees will win the AL East.
