What is the impact of all the injuries?
As Yankees fans, it seems as if this season (as well as some others recently) have simply been a long line to the infirmary. Since Opening Day, the Yankees have placed eleven players on the disabled list with various injuries. Many are key contributors or prospects expected to make a run for a spot on the big club.
But just how much have the Yankees been impacted by trips to the disabled list in recent years? Have they dealt with more injuries relative to other teams in the league? Have the injuries been to more important players? Using RosterResource.com’s Disabled List Tracker, I delved into these topics.
Roster effect rating
RosterResource.com takes the projected pre-season value of players to their team and uses them to calculate the roster effect rating of injuries. In 2017, the Yankees ranked right in the middle of the MLB at fifteenth in this metric. The Mets were number one. The team had 24 total DL stints, which was tied for twelfth. This shows that based on their pre-season projected values, the team wasn’t hampered too much by injuries last season, even though they lost players such as Greg Bird, Starlin Castro, Didi Gregorius, Aroldis Chapman, Gary Sanchez, and Masahiro Tanaka at times throughout the season. However, this could be skewed slightly, as a player like Gregorius likely was projected lower than his true value after continuing his ascent in 2017.
2018 impact
Looking at this year, the impact has been apparent. Yes, it is less than a month into the season, but the team has dealt with multiple injuries to key pieces. For example, the bullpen, which was supposed to be among the best in the majors (if not these best) has lost Tommy Kahnle and Adam Warren. They have also lost reinforcements such as Luis Cessa and Ben Heller.
Furthermore, it just goes to show how important depth is. Many people noted the wealth of outfield options the Yankees had entering the season. Since Spring Training, down have gone Jacoby Ellsbury, Clint Frazier, and Billy McKinney. They also were without starting center fielder Aaron Hicks for nearly two weeks.
RosterResource.com also notes the fantasy impact of injuries on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the most impactful. At the moment, Greg Bird and Brandon Drury lead the way for the Yankees in this metric, each holding a value of 3. However, this is regarding fantasy baseball, where relievers aren’t valued as much, especially non-closers. Kahnle and Warren’s absences will most definitely be missed, especially with the bullpen surprisingly struggling the way it has, ranking twenty-first in the league with a 4.34 ERA.
All in all, while the Yankees have been seemingly cursed with the injury bug so far this season, so have other teams. Pundits lauded the depth on this team in the pre-season – not only in the majors but in the minors as well. There is certainly enough talent in that locker room for them to be better than their 10-9 record indicates.