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OAKLAND, CA - MAY 19: Ivan Nova #47 of the New York Yankees pitches against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the second inning at O.co Coliseum on May 19, 2016 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

The 2016 Yankees season: A blessing in disguise

When faced with a season like the 2016 Yankees season, it’s important to try and find the positives scattered among the negatives. It’s important to do this, because if you don’t, you may go insane. And this season’s been bad enough; you don’t need it messing with your sanity.

So what are some of the positives? Well, I would argue the Yankees have learned some lessons, and a few things have become quite clear. Here are a few:

The “maybe we shouldn’t re-sign this guy” moment

You know that Yankees thing where they accidentally overpay an old person who goes on to have an absolutely lackluster seven years, and everyone thinks “wow, that was a super stupid idea.” Yeah? Well hopefully this season puts an end to those types of decisions. Ivan Nova, Aroldis Chapman, Carlos Beltran, and Mark Teixeira are all in contract years with several other players in a contract year next season. What if this season is enough motivation to get back on track with logical and efficient contracts?

Two or three years ago, you probably would have been okay with the possibility of re-signing Teixeira. You would have comforted yourself with some sort of delusional remark like, “You know, his defense makes up for his lack of offense and the fact that his bones are made out of paper mache.” Well maybe not, he hit .151 in 2013 and .216 in 2014…but again, delusional. And in this alternate timeline I’m talking about, the Yankees would have considered re-signing him, I’m sure of it.

Hopefully that’s no longer the case. After injuries and older players starting a steep decline, the Yankees have to take a new approach to how they sign and deal players. 2016 would be a great starting point for getting smarter with contracts.

The redemption of Ivan Nova

Masahiro Tanaka has been strong almost all season, and CC Sabathia has been one of the bigger surprises in terms of this year’s starting rotation. However in a season where Nathan Eovaldi has had his moments, Luis Severino threw his way out of the majors, and Michael Pineda thought a baseball game lasted 4 innings, Ivan Nova stepped up.

It wouldn’t be overdramatic to say that Nova may have salvaged whatever this 2016 season ends up becoming. And that’s because when the Yankees needed him, he filled a rotation spot and starting winning baseball games. Don’t run off and look at stats, because they’re not going to impress you. If Nova’s to be believed, he doesn’t play for stats. He cares about winning. And when the Yankees have given him the baseball, they’re 5-2.

While he still exhibits a few growing pains, and makes the occasional late mistake, Nova has proven that he deserves a spot in the starting rotation. Bad seasons give players the opportunity to prove their worth.

Injuries showing you what you have

At this rate, the 2017 Yankees will have anywhere from six to eight capable first basemen next season. Catching the injury bug sucks, it’s true, but it also shows you what you have depth-wise, and shows you who’s willing to step up.

Both Rob Refsnyder and Gary Sanchez are willing to prove how bad they want it and have been taking reps at first base. Sure, some of it probably has to do with a Yankee executive telling them to take reps, but they’re also competing. These young guys want a permanent spot in the Big Show and are willing to learn a new position to get it.

Earlier this year, the “Dustin Ackley Question” was answered when he got additional at bats after Teixeira’s injury before becoming injured himself. Then Chris Parmelee came out of nowhere and hit two runs in his Yankees debut, something only Roger Maris had done before. So when people get hurt, you see what you have. If Sanchez ends up getting called up so Austin Romine can take first base reps, we’ll see what we have in a talented young prospect.

Seasons like the 2016 Yankees season aren’t fun to watch at times, but they show you a lot. They show you what the future holds, and what your team stands for. They show you who the real fans are, and which players have the most grit. Seasons like the 2016 Yankees season may not be super entertaining, but they’ll teach you a lot.