The New York Yankees with an 87-63 record is all set to enter the postseason as the top team in the American League. With the Yankees facing the pressure of returning to the World Series—a stage they haven’t reached since the Core Four‘s retirement—the focus now turns to refining their strategy.
Baseball analyst Jon Heyman has come up with some suggestions for the Yankees to reinforce their 2024 championship quest. He proposes a strategic approach to optimize Aaron Judge’s performance as the postseason approaches. The recommendation is for the Yankees to consider providing Judge, their most potent offensive weapon, with more rest or increasing his time as a designated hitter (DH).
While Judge has been producing strong results, including two game-winning home runs against the Red Sox, concerns about potential fatigue linger. Judge has been in constant action since June 20, playing mostly in the physically demanding center field position.
His early September slump, which saw him go 16 games without a home run, is attributed to possible exhaustion. The article also suggests that fatigue could explain why his postseason numbers have historically dipped compared to his regular season output.
The Yankees’ success is undeniably tied to Judge’s performance, and the article argues that keeping him fresh is essential. With a three-game lead in the AL East, the team can afford to rest Judge more frequently as they push toward the playoffs.
The piece notes that the Yankees have multiple capable center fielders, meaning the defensive impact would be minimal if Judge served as DH more often. Though this would occasionally result in Giancarlo Stanton being benched, the priority, according to the author, should be ensuring that Judge is in peak condition for October.
In short, the analysis advocates for a balanced approach to Judge’s playing time, aiming to maximize his impact when it matters most in the postseason.
Analysts suggest Yankees’ playoff rotation minus Cortes
Heyman’s analysis lays out a recommended playoff rotation for the Yankees, proposing that Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt anchor the pitching staff in October. The suggestion builds on the team’s depth in starting options, which the author credits to smart roster decisions throughout the season.
Cole’s spot is considered a lock, especially given his status as the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner. The article notes that Cole could thrive even more in the postseason, potentially avoiding matchups against tough hitters like Rafael Devers, who has historically caused him trouble.
Luis Gil’s recent strong outings justify his inclusion, while Clarke Schmidt, just back from injury, is also backed by the author as a confident choice for the rotation. Despite solid performances from Marcus Stroman and Nestor Cortes, the piece argues that Rodon, Gil, and Schmidt offer a greater chance for dominance in high-stakes playoff games. However, flexibility is advised, with Cortes suggested as an option over Schmidt in matchups where opponents are vulnerable to left-handed pitching.
The Yankees’ overall health and rotation depth are highlighted as advantages heading into the postseason, especially compared to injury-plagued rivals like the Orioles. The piece concludes that if the Yankees make the right calls, this might be their best shot at a championship since their 2009 World Series victory.
Chisholm for Torres slot and vice versa
Heyman wants the Yankees to consider a lineup tweak involving Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Gleyber Torres, though such a shift seems unlikely for several reasons.
Torres is currently in the midst of a hot streak, hitting .328 over his last 16 games, following a largely underwhelming five-month stretch. Manager Aaron Boone has consistently shown strong support for Torres, often praising him in ways that seem to exceed his actual performance on the field.
Another factor is the team’s preference for keeping Chisholm, a left-handed hitter, where he currently slots in the lineup. His presence helps balance the right-handed heavy middle of the order. While Boone has previously hinted at the possibility of switching the batting order of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, Chisholm’s positioning could remain unchanged for now.
The case for moving Chisholm up, potentially into the leadoff spot, rests on his superior speed and baserunning compared to Torres. Additionally, hitting behind Giancarlo Stanton, a power hitter who needs to pace his running to avoid injury, may not fully utilize Chisholm’s dynamic abilities.
Most notably, Chisholm has outperformed Torres in nearly every offensive category this season, posting a .889 OPS compared to Torres’ .697 in 2024. With a nearly 200-point difference, Chisholm could arguably benefit from more at-bats, which a higher position in the order would provide.
Weaver over Holmes?
Analyst advocates for a shift in the Yankees’ bullpen strategy, proposing that Luke Weaver should take over as the primary closer. This suggestion comes in the wake of Clay Holmes’ struggles, including 11 blown saves this season. The piece argues that bringing Holmes back into the full-time closer role could lead to unnecessary pressure and revive memories of his past mishaps.
Weaver’s standout performance this season is highlighted as a key factor in the proposal. With a 0.95 WHIP and a 3.64 strikeout-to-walk ratio, his statistics make a compelling case for his promotion to closer, positioning him as a more reliable option than Holmes.
The analyst also presents a contrasting viewpoint from an anonymous MLB scout, who questions the overall reliability of the Yankees’ bullpen. The scout expressed doubts about the dependability of setup pitchers like Tommy Kahnle, Jake Cousins, and Holmes, raising concerns about the team’s ability to close out games effectively.
While acknowledging this criticism, the author suggests that the Yankees have limited alternatives and must make the best of their current bullpen situation. The piece concludes on a cautiously optimistic note, implying that if the bullpen remains the team’s primary issue, the Yankees are still in a strong position as they head toward the postseason.
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