The New York Yankees are MLB’s Best Team.
On Paper…
The New York Yankees have upgraded a roster that won 100 games and the AL Wild Card in 2018. The team fell short of their goal last season of winning a World Series, but are poised to be even better in 2019. New York re-signed JA Happ for a full season, brought back veteran leader CC Sabathia and traded for Seattle ace James Paxton. They’ll join All Star Luis Severino (4 year/$40 million extension) and Masahiro Tanaka in the Yankees best starting rotation since 2009. The bullpen will get a full season of Zack Britton, who resigned with the Bombers, and welcomes free agent pickup and MLB holds leader Adam Ottavino, to one of the best relief corps in the game.. along with All Star closer Aroldis Chapman, Dellin Betances, Chad Green, Tommy Kahnle, and Jonathon Holder.
On the offensive side of the ball, the Bombers added former All Star Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and infielder DJ LeMahieu, to a team that already features Rookie of the Year Runner-Up Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres, Greg Bird and Luke Voight. The Yanks will have to find a way to make up for Didi Gregorius injury which is expected to keep him out until mid-July. Gary Sanchez is expected to bounce back after a tough 2018, and Austin Romine remains one of the best back up catchers in the game.
Brett Gardner was resigned this offseason, and join an outfield featuring All Star Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, Aaron Hicks (7year $70 million dollar extension), and Clint Frazier. Jacoby Ellsbury will start camp on the disabled list (as usual), leading many to conclude he’ll be dealt soon (or melted down for scrap parts).
Fans were split on whether the Yankees should have spent money to add premiere free agents Bryce Harper (who’s lefty swing is taylor-made for the Bronx) or Shortstop Manny Machado (who doesn’t hustle). While Harper’s left handed bat would have balanced the right-handed heavy lineup, Machado made more sense, as the Yankees not only are looking to plug the hole at short brought on by Didi’s injury. The Yanks are now discussing an extension with Didi.
New York’s rotation is also expected to get Lefty Jordan Montgomery back around the All-Star back, the same time frame Sir Didi is on. While the Yankees are always players around the trade deadline, these two “pickups” could be just the thing they need in what is expected to be a very competitive AL East.
While the Red Sox have won the division the past two seasons, and are the defending World Series Champions, the Yankees might be the better team in 2019, on paper… Of course, that’s why they play the games.
