It may not really feel prefer it proper now, however — even contemplating the amusingly absurd championship-or-bust expectations that Yankees followers have for his or her staff — this season was successful.
They gained 94 video games and the AL East title. They obtained a soon-to-be MVP season from their star slugger. They went to the World Collection. It had been 15 years since they final did that, in any case. Whereas profitable the World Collection is clearly the last word aim for the Yankees (and actually any staff), for those who can’t take at the very least a little bit of pleasure from making it there, nicely, possibly happiness is simply going to show elusive for you.
However that mentioned: Now that the Yankees have fallen quick … they higher exit and win one subsequent 12 months. It’s going to be a captivating offseason as they attempt to take the following step ahead. And what’s going to that entail?
Listed here are 5 urgent questions for the Yankees this winter. Keep in mind, these are the Yankees: They higher determine all of it out … or else.
1) Can they outbid everybody for Juan Soto?Should you wanted any proof of simply how essential Soto is to this staff, you bought it on this postseason: He was just about the one man who was constant the entire method by way of. In fact, Soto can be extremely essential for any staff in baseball. That’s why everybody’s going to need him so badly. Soto’s free company is clearly the largest story of the Yankees’ offseason, and actually, of the offseason normally. He could have suitors in all places, from San Francisco to Los Angeles to Queens to possibly even his outdated staff in Washington, D.C. The Mets, particularly, are more likely to be aggressive; you’ll be able to virtually see Steve Cohen salivating. However as we noticed this 12 months, the Yankees might have Soto greater than any of these different groups. Can they actually let him get away? In the event that they do … are they actually the Yankees we’ve at all times recognized?
2) Will Aaron Boone be again? In that case, for a way lengthy?It appears like Boone has been beneath fireplace since he grew to become the supervisor of the Yankees, which sounds nerve-racking till you do not forget that he’s the supervisor of the Yankees: That’s simply a part of the job description. The Yankees do have a membership possibility on him for 2025, and that they haven’t prolonged him (both earlier than this season or throughout it) is an indication of how he was managing for his job this 12 months. You’d assume getting the Yankees to the World Collection can be sufficient to carry him again, proper? Effectively, possibly, although there will probably be Yankees followers who will probably be holding that call to herald Nestor Cortes in Recreation 1 in opposition to him for a very long time. Is he the man transferring ahead? Will they simply choose up that possibility? Will they prolong him? Will they make a change fully? It is going to be completely fascinating to see what determination is made right here.
3) Is it time to maneuver Decide out of heart?Aaron Decide has been an enough heart fielder in his profession, however his protection tends to erode because the season goes alongside, as you would possibly anticipate: He is a big man in his 30s, in any case. However in some ways, he has kind of needed to play heart area due to the Yankees’ roster building: There simply hasn’t been anybody else to place on the market. But it surely’s most likely time. Decide tends to put on down late within the 12 months, and there’s nothing extra essential to this staff than his bat. There are questions on whether or not Jasson DomĂnguez will be capable of maintain onto heart area long run, however within the quick time period, it would make sense to place him on the market and let Decide take left area … or if Soto doesn’t signal, possibly even proper. Decide had run on the market in heart area. But when he’s going to remain wholesome by way of 2031 when his contract ends, getting him again to a nook spot is the logical approach to do it.
4) How do they deepen and diversify this lineup?The largest situation with the Yankees this 12 months was how reliant they have been on Decide and Soto. That’s a purpose they should carry again Soto. However that’s additionally a purpose they should lengthen that lineup within the offseason. There are some apparent spots to focus on, notably within the infield. What’s most essential, although, is that the Yankees discover some guys you’ll be able to transfer round, so one damage doesn’t wreck them, in order that they have some choices different than simply trotting the identical lineup on the market and hoping everybody stays wholesome. You noticed how a lot the Dodgers have been helped by having somebody like Tommy Edman within the postseason, a wise ballplayer who can play wherever. The Yankees might have to seek out themselves a Tommy Edman.
5) Do they get themselves a more in-depth?Luke Weaver was wonderful for the Yankees down the stretch and within the postseason, however it’s a must to admit: There have been a number of moments whenever you thought to your self, “wait … the Yankees nearer is Luke Weaver?” The spirit of Mariano Rivera will eternally float above this franchise, and with Clay Holmes hitting free company after a tough 12 months, you surprise if the Yankees will get aggressive to herald a longtime, lockdown nearer they’ll construct the remainder of the bullpen round. The Cardinals could also be placing Ryan Helsley available on the market. “Hells Bells,” his bullpen entrance track, would sound fairly nice popping out of these Yankee Stadium audio system, wouldn’t it? Even when Weaver is the nearer transferring ahead, although, bringing in one other high-leverage possibility to switch Holmes is a should.
