Six crucial factors for the Yankees’ second-half rebound
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Follow UsThe Yankees face a challenging task as they kick off the second half of the season in Colorado. Their weaknesses were evident throughout the first half, and as they head into the All-Star break, they find themselves just one game away from securing a spot in the AL Wild Card race. Without resolving these flaws, there is no easy route to a resurgence.
Admittedly, the Yankees have been impacted by significant injuries, particularly the absence of superstar Aaron Judge since June 3 due to a toe injury, which has had a detrimental effect on their season.
Nevertheless, despite facing adversity and their season teetering on the edge, the Yankees, with a payroll just shy of $280 million (the second-highest in baseball, trailing only the Mets), are not garnering sympathy from anyone. The team’s performance in the upcoming weeks will be crucial in determining their fate.
Should the Yankees fail to correct their course, even with the anticipated comeback of their leader, they could face the possibility of missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016. Here are six key adjustments the Yankees must make in the second half of the season to regain their momentum.
#1. Yankees must have a full-time lead-off hitter
The constant rotation of the lineup has added to the struggles of an offense that is already among the lowest-ranked in several key statistical categories. The lack of stability in the batting order has hindered the team’s ability to improve their batting average, on-base percentage, and overall OPS, further highlighting the need for consistency and effective lineup management.
To be fair to Boone, the Yankees have been plagued by numerous injuries, resulting in frequent lineup adjustments and the need to shuffle players regularly. However, one aspect that Boone can control is maintaining consistency at the top of the lineup.
Despite his recent 0-for-11 performance during his short stint as the leadoff hitter before the All-Star break, Anthony Volpe should be entrusted with the responsibility of igniting the offense in order to establish a sense of stability.
Following the now-famous chicken parm dinner with Austin Wells on June 12, Anthony Volpe has been on a tear, boasting a batting average of .306, four home runs, and an impressive OPS of .906. Even during his recent 0-for-11 stretch, the 22-year-old displayed solid contact, with six hard-hit balls in those 11 at-bats, as confirmed by FanGraphs. This indicates that his lack of hits was largely due to unfavorable luck rather than a decline in performance.
Volpe’s performance and potential make it evident that he is the Yankees’ lead-off hitter for the foreseeable future, and it would be wise to give him that role consistently starting now.
#2. Yankees must address the left field
The Yankees’ revolving door in left field has been a sight to behold, with players like Oswaldo Cabrera (204 innings) and Isiah Kiner-Falefa (149.2 innings) taking on the majority of the playing time in that position.
The challenge lies in the fact that both players, Cabrera and Kiner-Falefa, have primarily played as infielders throughout their careers.
Despite Kiner-Falefa’s efforts to adapt to his super-utility role, it is evident to even casual observers that he lacks the natural instincts of an outfielder and often struggles to make routine plays expected from a Major League outfielder.
According to statistical metrics, Kiner-Falefa’s performance in the left field ranks him unfavorably among his peers. He is positioned at the 57th spot in defensive runs saved with a negative score and holds the 49th position in Outs Above Average with a score of -2 among left fielders who have played at least 100 innings.
However, the struggles in left field extend beyond Kiner-Falefa and Cabrera. The entire group of left fielders on the roster has failed to achieve a positive Outs Above Average (OAA), and only Billy McKinney stands out with a positive Defensive Runs Saved (DRS) of 2. Offensively, the performance of this group has been equally disappointing, as they have collectively batted .226 with 84 Weighted Runs Created Plus (wRC+).
The left field remains a pressing issue for the Yankees, as they cannot afford to have negative contributions on both offense and defense from that position in the second half of the season. It is crucial for the team to find a solution and address the challenges in the left field to improve their overall performance.
#3. Turn the tide at third base
There have been several underperforming players on Brian Cashman’s roster, but none have been more disappointing than the performance at the third base position.
Josh Donaldson is struggling at the plate with a slash line of .152/.232/.465, while DJ LeMahieu, a two-time batting champion, is not faring much better at .220/.285/.367. Both veterans have been in a prolonged slump that has extended from last season.
The Yankees cannot afford to rely on the hope that Josh Donaldson and DJ LeMahieu will suddenly find their form, especially when they are just one game behind a playoff spot.
With DJ LeMahieu under contract until 2026, the Yankees are somewhat obligated to have some level of faith in him, whether it’s utilizing him in a utility bench role or persisting with him at third base.
With Josh Donaldson set to become a free agent after this season, the Yankees may need to seriously consider parting ways with him if his struggles persist. Following the footsteps of Aaron Hicks’ DFA, showing Donaldson the door would be a justifiable move. Not only would it allow the team to move on from his underperformance, but it would also create an opportunity for promising youngster Oswald Peraza, who has been excelling in Triple-A with a solid .860 OPS across 43 games.
#4. Fix or dump Luis Severino
The Yankees had high expectations for their starting pitching staff heading into this season, envisioning a formidable rotation featuring the likes of Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Luis Severino, Nestor Cortes, and Frankie Montas. It was expected to be a formidable force that would give opposing teams nightmares on a regular basis.
As we approach July, it’s clear that the Yankees’ starting pitching staff has been plagued by injuries and unexpected struggles. Four of their key pitchers have spent considerable time on the injured list, and their performance has fallen to levels that were once unimaginable.
Luis Severino’s season has been challenging, with a 7.38 ERA in nine starts. He had a delayed start to the season due to a lat injury, making his first appearance on May 21 against the Cincinnati Reds.
Even with the addition of new hitting coach Sean Casey, it’s unrealistic to expect the offense to transform from the worst in the league to the best overnight. Similarly, manager Aaron Boone cannot rely solely on his top bullpen pitchers to carry the team every game.
Consequently, the pitching staff must perform up to expectations, which includes a much-needed turnaround from Luis Severino.
Additionally, if the Yankees have any aspirations of making a deep playoff run, they must identify a reliable Game 3 starter. The team is relying on pitching coach Matt Blake to work his magic and help solidify their rotation.
#5. Sustaining the bullpen’s ability
Despite stumbling into the All-Star break, the Yankees had one of the best bullpens in baseball during the first half of the season.
While the bullpen ERA of 3.11 is still an impressive number, it experienced a slight increase in the final five games leading up to the break, where they allowed 19 runs. However, considering their opposing batting average of .220, which ranks second in MLB, their overall performance remains commendable.
The first half showcased several encouraging performances from the bullpen. Clay Holmes emerged as a dominant closer with an exceptional 0.68 ERA over 26 games since May 6. Ian Hamilton has been a revelation, Tommy Kahnle has been flawless in 16 appearances without allowing a run, and both Michael King and Wandy Peralta boast sub-.300 ERAs. Additionally, Jonathan Loáisiga is making progress in his recovery from an elbow injury, gradually returning to mound work.
General Manager Brian Cashman has always emphasized the importance of having a strong pitching staff, and adding another high-leverage reliever could prove beneficial. This move would provide insurance against potential regressions or injuries that may arise in the next three months.
Maintaining a reliable bullpen is crucial for the Yankees, as it has been their consistent anchor throughout the year. Despite offensive struggles, the team remains in playoff contention and sits seven games above .500 largely due to the bullpen’s ability to compensate for the team’s offensive shortcomings. It is imperative for the bullpen to continue performing at a high level to ensure the Yankees’ success moving forward.
#6. Get a backup for Aaron Judge
Though it is a difficult task, the Yankees need one definitely. The Yankees’ struggles to secure a playoff spot in the first half can be attributed largely to their underperforming offense. The team’s offensive numbers paint a concerning picture, with a ranking of 12th-worst in runs per game (4.40), 10th-worst in OPS (.710), fifth-worst in on-base percentage (.300), and third-worst in batting average (.231).
Without Aaron Judge, they are even worse. But the Yankees shouldn’t be hostage to only one player. They need someone with comparable hitting power.
“There’s a sprint here and an opportunity here,” Brian Cashman told. “I believe that we do have more than capable players to find higher ground than we’ve found in the first half.”
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
- Categories: aaron judge, dj leMahieu, Josh Donaldson, luis severino, New York Yankees
- Tags: aaron judge, dj leMahieu, Josh Donaldson, luis severino, New York Yankees
Unless they can turn the clock back for Rizzo, LeMahieu, Stanton and Donaldson, the Yankees are toast. Gleyber, despite his foibles, is still a valuable and generally productive player. Consider that if the rest of the team was performing, his screwups would be mostly overlooked. Volpe is going to be fine. Bader has to stay healthy. Judge needs to return at least as a DH and produce at close to the level he was at prior to the injury. Left field must be addressed. IKF is a utility player and Cabrera needs to go down to AAA and regain the hitting stroke he had when he arrived last year. They need to address their catching situation as well. Higashioka is hot right how, but the bottom line is both he and Trevino are backup level catchers. Given Severino’s situation, the Yanks have two options, DFA him or send him to the bullpen. Go with a rotation of Cole, Rodon, German, Schmitt and eventually Cortes. Until Nestor returns, use Vazquez or Brito in the fifth spot as both of them have been more than adequate. All that said, this is a team that will, at best, finish with about 84-85 wins, out of a playoff spot and in line for a major overhaul in the offseason.