Steven Tydings, Author at River Avenue Blues

Fatigue, expectations and the real Luis Severino [2019 Season Preview]

March 5, 2019 by Steven Tydings

For the last two seasons, the Yankees have had one of the best starting pitchers in baseball with Luis Severino. Shaking off the ineffectiveness of his first full-time go as a starter in 2016, Sevy has been an All-Star and received Cy Young votes in consecutive seasons, something no Yankees starter has done since 2009-11 CC Sabathia.

But Severino’s second half of 2018 was rough. Not rough enough to prevent him from signing a lucrative extension, yet it still casts doubt on his overall ability. With that in mind, can we expect a rebound to form in 2018?

Projections

2018 Totals: 191 1/3 IP, 3.39 ERA, 2.95 FIP, 10.35 K/9, 2.16 BB/9, 5.7 fWAR
ZiPS: 186 IP, 3.34 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 9.92 K/9, 2.08 BB/9, 4.9 WAR
Steamer: 196 IP, 3.45 ERA, 3.48 FIP, 10.16 K/9, 2.47 BB/9, 4.5 WAR
PECOTA: 174 IP, 3.55 ERA, 3.70 DRA, 9.93 K/9, 2.79 BB/9, 3.5 WARP

The ZiPS and Steamer projections are more or less in line with Severino’s performance from the last two seasons, giving more weight to his 2018 campaign than his superior 2017 finish. Still, those are the top marks for Yankees pitchers. ZiPS has him tied for fifth in WAR among pitchers, behind just Chris Sale, Jacob deGrom, Max Scherzer and Corey Kluber. Steamer has him tied for sixth with Justin Verlander sneaking ahead.

Meanwhile, PECOTA is clearly down on Sevy. They have him second in the Bronx in pitching WAR behind James Paxton despite the 25-year-old righty having not too dissimilar projections from other systems. These systems are conservative by design, so Severino shouldn’t be expected to fall exactly in line.

Fatigue and Tipping Pitches

This may be a tired topic, however, we have to address it: Severino had a troublesome second half last season. Actually, his late-season swoon started a couple starts before the second half despite a strong outing in the All-Star Game (and a nice catch to boot).

Recounting the Severino 2018 splits one last time:

Opening Day through July 1: 118 1/3 IP, 1.98 ERA, .195/.251/.282 line against, 138 strikeouts vs. 29 walks, six homers and a 13-2 record
July 7 through end of season: 73 IP, 5.67 ERA, .299/.340/.515 line against, 82 strikeouts vs. 17 walks, 13 homers and a 6-6 record

Two things jump out: The home runs and the batting average. He allowed more than double the homers in about 2/3 the innings. Meanwhile, the batting average jumped more than 100 points.

Each of these can be explained by two factors: Fatigue and pitch tipping. The Yankees insisted Severino wasn’t injured down the stretch and considering he threw nearly 200 innings (playoffs included), it’s dubious to think they were hiding a serious injury.

Fatigue, however, makes plenty of sense. He leaped from 142 2/3 innings in 2016 to 209 1/3 in 2017. Cole Hamels experienced a similar surge from 2007 to 2008 en route to a World Series title. In 2009, he also saw a drop off in performance, making it through the entire season into the Fall Classic but not putting up exemplary results. He would bounce back completely over the next few seasons.

Severino could repeat Hamels’ progression after losing something, not velocity, but some zip off his stuff in the second half. That may have manifested itself in his changeup results as it rated out as below average after being one of his top offerings in 2017. Being used to the larger workload coming to camp in The Best Shape of His Life™ furthers the rebound narrative.

Pitch tipping could explain the struggles as well. The Red Sox seemed to be all over his pitches in the playoffs and their players were literally calling out the pitches as he went along. That’s easily correctable. Still, it wasn’t too widespread considering how Severino shut down the Athletics for four innings in the Wild Card Game.

Expectations and Extension

Fatigue and pitching tipping are no longer valid excuses for Severino. They both can be filed under the “fool me once” doctrine and Sevy now needs to find the next step in his progression.

The projections above weren’t high on Severino for no reason. He’s fifth in fWAR since the beginning of 2017. He’s sixth in strikeout percentage and 18th in HR/FB rate despite pitching half his games in Yankee Stadium. His FIP- in fourth and his xFIP- is fourth. Even with a dreadful second half, he’s still been an elite starter for the past two years.

This year, therefore, marks the inflection point for Severino. Can he establish himself once and for all as an ace? Can he leave behind the 2018 (and not so distant 2016) issues that plagued him to achieve more consistent results? If not, he’ll remain a quandary, eerily unreliable in the eyes of baseball fans. A return to 2017 gives him credit as one of the game’s top pitchers without qualifiers.

The extension he signed last month also changes how he appears to baseball as a whole. His four-year deal worth $40 million guaranteed locks him into a below-market rate while buying out a free agent year with a club option. That solidifies his spot in the Yankees’ hierarchy as their ace for the foreseeable future and shows the team’s faith in his ability to shake off the bitter end to last season.

The real Severino

The real Luis Severino will be the one we see in 2019. He’s brought himself to the brink of stardom without tipping over into bonafide acedom. The electrifying right-hander will assuredly start Opening Day in the Bronx and carry the expectations of being a No. 1 starter on a title contender. That’s a lot, but nothing he hasn’t shown he can handle.

Severino ultimately remains the best experience to watch among Yankees starter. That’s what we look for at the ballpark and on TV, right? In my lifetime, the Yankees haven’t had an in-his-prime pitcher with Severino’s stuff who isn’t pitching the ninth inning. Even with the promise of James Paxton, the eclectic repertoire of Masahiro Tanaka and the Old Man Game of CC Sabathia, Severino is the starter by whom you mark your calendar. That shouldn’t change in 2019.

How recent history led the Yankees to avoid Bryce Harper and Manny Machado

February 27, 2019 by Steven Tydings

Like it or not, the Yankees spent modestly this winter.

While two big fish sat in free agency, the Bombers instead looked for lesser improvements. Still, the Yankees came away with arguably the best starter and reliever who changed teams this offseason while retaining three pitchers, Brett Gardner and adding two infielders.

For many fans and observers, that offseason wasn’t enough. The Yankees, after all, are the richest team in baseball and could have easily made room for Bryce Harper or Manny Machado. You can just imagine what either hitter would look like next to Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton in the lineup. The common complaint was that if you’re not going to spend on either Harper or Machado, why did the team get under the luxury tax?

However, when one looks back at the last time the Yankees spent big in free agency, there was a much more pressing need. Let’s take a look back at the 2013-14 offseason for a second.

The 2013 Yankees were as much of a disaster as an 85-win team can be, at least in New York. Injuries ran roughshod through the roster, claiming Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez, Curtis Granderson and Michael Pineda. The big money starter, CC Sabathia, sported a 4.78 ERA and was well-below league-average.

To summarize how bad it got, look at the team’s Baseball Reference page. Chris Stewart, Jayson Nix, late-career Vernon Wells and Ichiro Suzuki to go with 36-year-old Lyle Overbay and Travis Hafner each played in more than half the Yankees’ games. Yikes.

The team was set to get worse in the offseason. Alex Rodriguez was suspended for all of the 2014 season, giving New York more spending flexibility but one fewer big bat. Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte were retiring and Robinson Cano, one of just two above-average regulars, left for the greener pastures (at least in terms of dollars) of Seattle. There was no Judge or Luis Severino coming through the Minors to save the day.

This was also right at the time of the Yankees’ first attempt to evade the luxury tax in what was known as Plan 189 around these parts. The Steinbrenners were faced with the choice of getting under the tax and abandoning a realistic playoff chase or spending their way to a competitive-looking roster. This was before Brian Cashman was able to convince ownership to sell off parts and said owners chose to remain competitive.

Thus, the team went hard, eschewing Cano and signing Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann early in free agency. With a clear need still present in the rotation, Cashman got sign-off to pursue Masahiro Tanaka and acquired the righty in January 2014.

It’s easy to say that this was short-sighted with the aging roster and Ellsbury’s onerous contract. However, while one can question the methods, the intent was clear.

Back to the present day, the roster has shed the ancient appearance for a youthful glee as the Yankees returned to prominence. That ultimately was a large part of the plan after the 2016 trade deadline, turning to a young, sustainable core.

However, this core arrived well ahead of schedule. Just think back to Spring Training 2017. Aarons Judge and Hicks had combined for -0.7 WAR the prior season while Severino failed in his first go-around as a starter. The team traded two of its most prolific hitters, Beltran and McCann, as “transition” hung in the air as the buzzword. In other words, expect a worse product in the short term.

From there, Hicks, Judge and Severino turned into All-Star caliber players while Stanton fell into the Yankees’ laps. The team has won 191 games over the last two years and made it within a game of the World Series. Not a championship, but certainly poised to reach that height.

Looking at it from ownership’s perspective, the team has the infield set for years behind Miguel Andujar, Didi Gregorius and Gleyber Torres. The outfield has Hicks, Judge and Stanton while Brett Gardner and Troy Tulowitzki serve as stopgaps for Gregorius and Clint Frazier. The Bombers are already on the cusp of the World Series.

So Yankees chose to leave very good alone instead of go for standout greatness as no team pushed their postseason spot. Likely, if Judge, Sevy and others don’t turn into stars right away and reach the ALCS in 2017 — if 2018 looks more like 2013 than 2017 — the front office views Harper or Machado (or both) as necessities rather than luxuries.

The media has occasionally pointed to Ellsbury’s contract as a reason the Yankees or other teams would be hesitant to give out big contracts, but that simply doesn’t apply to the Bombers. This is the team that traded for A-Rod and Stanton’s record deals while giving Rodriguez and Sabathia top-of-the-market contracts, all while giving long-term deals to Jeter, Teixeira and so on. They’ve stomached bad deals and they’ve thrived with great ones.

The team now turns to its in-house options as well as their fine additions with Paxton and Ottavino. The team relies heavily upon Didi’s recovery, avoiding regression from Andujar and a five-man rotation with plenty of injury risk. Still, the talent and promise in the Bronx is palpable even without Machado and Harper.

Whether they regret that comfortable feeling of having essentially reached the postseason in March will play out as it may, but it’s hard to deny that compared to 2013-14, or even 2008-09, there wasn’t the pressing need. Harper or Machado wouldn’t have guaranteed the Yankees would surpass Boston or Houston and ultimately, that opportunity cost spelled the difference between either player donning pinstripes and our2 current reality.

Beyond Bird and Voit: A primer on the Yankees’ backup first base options

February 21, 2019 by Steven Tydings

For the last three seasons, the Yankees have had one of the worst first base situations in baseball.

Greg Bird’s injury history has a lot to do with it. The team is 27th in first base WAR since the start of 2016 with Bird missing all of 2016 and parts of the last two seasons.

While the team still didn’t get elite production at first last season, they were middle of the pack thanks to the unexpected mashing of Luke Voit. The Yankees were 16th in 1B WAR last year and Voit produced 1.9 of it in just 39 games.

However, Voit is far from a sure thing. He had a remarkable 148 plate appearances last year and some projections are bullish on his production, as Bobby noted recently, but is he really a middle-of-the-order masher? There’s a strong chance he’s just a flash in the pan.

And if Voit is a flash in the pan and Bird can’t get back on track, what do the Yankees do? What’s the backup plan? Certainly, they’ll each get every opportunity to win the job, particularly Bird as the lefty-power hitter the lineup needs. But what’s the backup plan?

That’s worth trying to suss out.

1. D.J. LeMahieu

When the Yankees signed LeMahieu in January, it was with the idea that he would be a multi-positional player who could fill in all around the infield. In theory, that’s great. He’s played all the positions before … in 2014.

Since 2014, LeMahieu has been a Gold Glove second baseman and nothing but. He hasn’t played another position and it’s a tremendous question mark whether he can maintain his value as a steady glove when moved to the corner infield. Would his range be a real asset at first? There’s even the question whether his unfamiliarity at first could make him a negative there.

The fielding questions come long before you dive into his hitting. Outside of his batting title in 2016, he’s been a mediocre hitter and worse outside Coors Field. That sounds like more of the same from what the Yankees have gotten at first base.

Then there’s the doomsday scenario: What if Troy Tulowitzki can’t stay healthy or produce while both Voit and Bird fail in short order? LeMahieu would need to shift over to second base to help cover Tulo, forcing the Yankees into keeping a below-average first base situation. Unless you move someone else across the diamond…

Looking for something? (Jim McIsaac/Getty)

2. Miguel Andujar

In that doomsday scenario, Andujar would still need to play third base. But let’s say the team can shift things around and Andujar becomes the backup at first base. Can he even play the position?

Andujar’s foibles at third base are well documented. He struggled on reads, was slow in making throws and didn’t have the proper footwork, leading to errors or balls skirting through the infield. Moving him down the defensive spectrum to first base eliminate some of his throws but places him back into an unfamiliar spot with balls coming at him just as quick. In terms of scooping balls at first, he can’t be too familiar, though that’s hardly a deal breaker after watching Voit butcher a few throws.

Andujar can at least hit the part at first base, but it doesn’t sound like the team is too keen on trying him opposite the hot corner. In his introductory spring press conference, Aaron Boone shied away from committing to Andujar playing any first this spring, so thrusting him into action in the regular season becomes almost out of the question.

So who’s after Andujar?

3. Other in-house options

Seriously, who?

On the active roster, Gary Sanchez and Austin Romine have first base experience in the majors. Sanchez only played three innings there in 2017 and didn’t look all that comfortable. Romine rated well by UZR in 80 innings across 2016 and ’17, but he doesn’t hit at a level of an everyday player.

Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are likely destined for first base and DH duties late in their career but not in the short term. Both play a capable corner outfield at this stage and neither has first base experience.

In the upper minors, there’s no intriguing prospect. Mike Ford and Ryan McBroom have each hit well in Trenton and Scranton over the last couple years, though each is past prospect status in their late 20s. Could either go on a Voit or Shelley Duncan-style streak in the Majors? Sure! But sustained success is questionable, even if Ford could give you some two-way dreams.

If all else fails, what about outside the organization?

4. Trade or free agency

There was one big fish — Paul Goldschmidt — on the trade market this offseason and he’s been reeled in by St. Louis. The rest are slim pickings.

Free agency doesn’t do much better. Brad Miller is three years removed from a 30-homer season and hasn’t been all that productive since in addition to some fielding woes. Logan Forsythe played a little first for the Dodgers the last two years, but he hasn’t hit enough to justify a signing. Beyond them, want a flyer on Logan Morrison? Hanley Ramirez? Meh.

By July, there might be a few more first base options popping up. A Wilmer Flores or Justin Bour might be available, as could a reunion with new Marlin Neil Walker. The only name that stands out would be Giants first baseman Brandon Belt.

At 30, Belt is no longer a spring chicken and has struggled around injuries since his 2016 All-Star appearance, albeit while still posting above-average numbers. His plate discipline and glove play in any park and his lefty bat might play especially well at Yankee Stadium. He’s signed for three more seasons at $17.2 million per year, so he wouldn’t come cheap.

Conclusion

If the Yankees are going to finally get better-than-average production from first base, it’s going to be Voit or Bird. The team’s other options are few and murky at that, so riding it out with that combo is the hand the Bombers are forced to play.

It might turn out great! Bird is finally coming off a healthy offseason and Voit could be for real, at least to an extent.

But even if the Yankees need to carry a less-than-stellar first baseman, they can survive just like they have the last few years. Bird and Voit were key down the stretch the last two years and a power-hitting first baseman certainly helps, but it’s hardly a requirement for winning a championship. Still, it’d be nice if it works out.

Frustrated with the Yankees’ offseason? Just look at the competition

February 7, 2019 by Steven Tydings

Have the Yankees closed the gap with these two? (Tim Bradbury/Getty Images)

Are you tired of discussing the Yankees’ offseason?

Why did they sign DJ LeMahieu over Manny Machado? Are they really going to pass on Bryce Harper? The arguments have been exhausting, even with the clear merit to the discussion.

While the Yankees have passed on the generation talents, they’ve filled the obvious holes in their roster going into the offseason. They needed three starters, two relievers and a stopgap at shortstop. With James Paxton, Adam Ottavino, Troy Tulowitzki and the re-signings of CC Sabathia, J.A. Happ and Zach Britton, they’ve done just that. Add in LeMahieu as insurance for the entire infield, and the Yankees have addressed their immediate issues while going over the luxury tax.

Is that enough? We’re not going to know for a while. There’s plenty of injury and performance risk in their winter acquisitions and I’d be lying if I said that Harper or Machado wouldn’t alleviate much of those concerns.

When you look at the Yankees’ competitors, their offseason improves immensely. The Bombers don’t deserve a gold medal for doing the perceived minimum to upgrade its roster, but the other American League contenders certainly deserve demerits.

The Red Sox won last offseason with the signing of J.D. Martinez and that led directly to a World Series title in the fall. You can try and rest on your laurels after a season like that. The Red Sox have done just that.

Boston re-signed Nate Eovaldi and Steve Pearce and … I’m at a loss here. Maintaining a good roster is one step to an offseason, but the Red Sox have allowed their bullpen to atrophy, seeing Joe Kelly leave (less of a concern) and Craig Kimbrel sit on the market, leaving a giant question mark at the back-end of the bullpen. With a handful of low-risk relief signings (Brian Ellington, Jenrry Mejia, Dan Runzler, Colten Brewer and Zach Putnam), they’re bound to hit on someone, but that doesn’t replace the Kimbrel-sized hole in their bullpen.

With about $240 million in committed salary, Boston sits right near the third tier of the luxury tax and appears ready to forego further improvements to stay under. Unlike the 2018 Astros, which added Gerrit Cole to a World Series champion, they’ve taken a clear step sideways.

The 2019 Astros also look to have taken a step sideways. Their big offseason move was to add Michael Brantley, which was undeniably smart. He shores up left field, a revolving door for Houston at times, and gives them a lefty bat with plenty of contact at the top of their lineup. Combine that with some more health on their infield and the Astros’ offense should take a step forward.

However, they’ve also seen Charlie Morton leave while Dallas Keuchel and Marwin Gonzalez are likely following him out the door late in this offseason. Add in Lance McCullers’s Tommy John surgery and they’re experiencing significant turnover in their rotation. Wade Miley is … fine. But four of Houston’s five starters will be free agents after the season and the fifth starter has all of 27 2/3 MLB innings under his belt, including the postseason.

Houston’s young talent in the pipeline gives them a wild card for this upcoming season. Top pitching prospect Forrest Whitley should be ready for a call-up by midseason and could supplement the rotation. With a bullpen that may need a deadline upgrade, they have the MiLB players to pick that up via trade.

Beyond those two teams, it’s not like there’s a clear elite contender to rise up. The Indians have done nothing but hemorrhage talent from their roster, seeing multiple relievers, Brantley and Edwin Encarnacion leave with Carlos Santana and Jake Bauers as the only additions thus far.

The Athletics remain injury-riddled in the rotation with their bullpen losing their veteran reinforcements from the 2018 deadline. The Angels didn’t address their rotation or lineup holes in any significant way. The Twins … meh.

Tampa Bay represents the only other competitor to improve by bringing in Morton, though it remains to be seen if they can recreate the opener’s success in 2019. The Rays also boast a top-five farm system to tap into for MLB talent or trades if they compete yet again.

All of this is to say Yankees have had a strong offseason by comparison with other teams standing pat or letting holes open up. Did they bridge eight wins with the Red Sox and close the talent gap with the Astros? That’s up for interpretation, but they seem neck-and-neck at worst. Fangraphs projections have the Yankees at 96 wins, ahead of Houston and just one game behind Boston. Furthermore, Paxton has been the best outside acquisition of any AL contender and Ottavino likely sits in third behind Brantley.

No one signing would guarantee a division title or a World Series title. Still, the Yankees have spent much less than they can and there are perfect complements to the team’s core available in free agency. However, the Yankees aren’t the only team failing to jump at the opportunity and while that could change at the drop of a hat, the American League’s collective inactivity gives the Yankees a leg up in early February.

What will we remember about the 2018 Yankees?

January 4, 2019 by Steven Tydings

Will this image last a lifetime? (Jim McIsaac/Getty)

Over the last two years, ESPN’s Sam Miller has gone through Major League Baseball history and tried to determine the part of each baseball season that will live on years from now. His 2018 post included potential candidates like gambling’s legalization, the opener strategy and Shohei Ohtani, among other options. It’s more than worth the read.

For the Yankees, 2018 was a memorable but not unforgettable season. There are plenty of moments from 2009 or other years that will live on not just in the current crop of Yankees fans’ memories but in the next generation. Instead, this past year will likely sit as either just a year building up to an eventual title for the current core or a disappointing what-if within a championship drought.

Still, inspired by Miller’s post, I sought to determine what from this season will live on for future Yankees fans. Ranging from memorable debuts, playoff failure or an unexpected breakout, these are my candidates:

1. The Home Run Record

The Yankees set a few home run records in 2018 and none more significant than the all-time single-season mark of 267 homers, surpassing the 1997 Mariners’ total of 264.

There was chatter when Giancarlo Stanton was acquired in Dec. 2017 that the Yankees would break this record, but actually pulling off the feat was a sight to behold. The Bombers unleashed a series of breathtaking dingers on baseball with Giancarlo leading the way with 38, though Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Didi Gregorius and Miguel Andujar each hit 27.

Records definitely have some staying power, even combined efforts. We remember win records from the 1998 Yankees and 2001 Mariners and four 20-game winners for the 1971 Orioles. This has the potential to be the record for some time as the league home run total fell by 520 from 2017 to 2018 and it could fall further.

However, there’s a simple reason why this record may not last in everyone’s memories; It might get broken… and soon. The 2019 Yankees could have a full year of Judge to go with an improved Stanton and Gary Sanchez, not to mention Manny Machado. The current juiced ball era leads one to believe home run records can fall and this one is no exception, whether by next year’s Yankees, another team in this era or one in a high-flying future in baseball history. If this doesn’t happen, then this record is the easy answer.

2. Miguel Andujar’s Debut

Miguel Andujar came into 2018 as the overshadowed rookie in the Yankees’ plans, starting the year in Triple-A as Brandon Drury took the reins at the hot corner. However, Drury was soon Wally Pipp’d and Andujar seized the opportunity, nearly winning Rookie of the Year despite his poor defense.

In addition to his 27 homers, which rank third all-time for a Yankees rookie, he broke Joe DiMaggio’s franchise record for doubles by a rookie. Even though Andujar walked infrequently, his palpable impact buoyed the Yankees at times.

Why would Andujar’s year be remembered well into the future? Well, 2018 could be the beginning of an accolade-laden career in the Bronx with Andujar just 23 years old right now. Even though he debuted in 2017, this would be the year the next generation knows, just like how Derek Jeter’s 1996 overshadows his 1995.

Of course, the issue here is that Andujar may not be long for New York. The team’s pursuit of Machado casts doubt on his future on River Avenue and his name swirls in trade rumors as you read this. Even though his rookie season was remarkable, Andujar’s spot in Yankees’ lore is murky without more time.

3. Gleyber Torres’ Debut

When I think about what will live on from the 2016 and 2017 Yankees, it boils down to two people: Sanchez and Judge. Sanchez’s breakout August in 2016 was record-setting for a rookie slugger while Judge’s stature and power simply took over the 2017 season. Perhaps Didi Gregorius’ Wild Card Game homer will be played for years to come, but I can guarantee Judge’s 52 homers in his rookie season will be notable, even if he surpasses that total in subsequent seasons. (For the record, it should have been 53 homers).

And that’s why Torres’ debut, while less flashy than Andujar’s, could be what stands out from 2018. As the Yankees have assembled their current core, each new piece has found a way to stand out in turn and Torres was no exception.

The first of his two walk-off hits pad the case for his 2018 to be remembered. Look at the photo at the top of this piece. Torres pointing back to the Yankees’ dugout after his game-winning three-run homer against Cleveland was the gif/screenshot-able moment that sticks out.

Unlike Andujar, he comes without the defensive shortcomings and even had some highlight-reel plays to go with a few miscues. Gleyber has staying power with the Yankees’ core as it’s clear the front office wants to keep him indefinitely.

4. Gary Sanchez and What If…

If Sanchez finds his footing and rebounds to the levels he showed in 2016 and ’17, his 2018 will read like a WTF moment. Looking at his Baseball Reference page will cause those unfamiliar with him to immediately ask, “What happened that year? Why did he hit .185 and forget how to hit?” Not that he touches the following players’ levels, but it’s reminiscent of Babe Ruth’s 1922 and Derek Jeter’s 2003.

However, the lasting legacy of Sanchez’s season might actually have been his last plate appearance. Down two, Sanchez hit a towering fly ball to left field at Yankee Stadium, falling 10 feet shy of a walk-off grand slam to win ALDS Game 4. As you surely know, the Red Sox would eliminate the Yankees just one batter later and go on to win the title.

If Yankees don’t win a championship in the next few seasons, there will be a lot of looking back and wondering how they didn’t break through. Fans will examine just how close they came. The Bombers were on the precipice in Game 6 and 7 of the 2017 ALCS in Houston, but Sanchez’s fly ball to nearly beat the archrival Sox could sear into fans’ memories, particularly if Sanchez’s decline further hampers the Pinstripers’ championship hopes in future seasons.

5. 16-1

Ugh. Like the last one, I hate to mention this, but the Yankees lost by 15 runs to the Red Sox. At home. In the playoffs.

This game had everything: The first playoff cycle, Austin Romine pitching, Dan Cortese. Within a dominant postseason for the Red Sox, the 16-1 beatdown stuck in the Sox’s minds enough that Alex Cora brought it up at the championship parade.

Why would this not last? Brock Holt getting the cycle instead of a potential Red Sox lifer like Mookie Betts or Andrew Benintendi hurts the case, as does the hectic final innings of Game 4. For some reason, the blowouts often just fade away, particularly if they aren’t the closing game of the series. However, I’m not sure the Red Sox and their fans will willingly let the Yankees faithful forget this savage destruction in the short term.

6. Luke Voit

Luuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuke!

After coming over at the deadline, Luke Voit tore the cover off the ball for the final two months of the year. He hit 14 home runs in just 39 games and batted .333/.405/.659 before hitting a game-sealing triple in the Wild Card Game. He went from the Cardinals’ third-string first baseman to a fan favorite, getting his name chanted at every home game.

Essentially, Voit was the Shane Spencer for a new generation, albeit more union-friendly and fewer championships. We still remember Spencer two decades later, though he may fade with time. Spencer never hit more than 12 homers in a season after slugging 10 in 27 games in ’98, making his season standout even more. What Voit does remains to be seen.

My Best Guess

If I had to wager what we’ll remember about the 2018 Yankees, I’d say Torres’ rookie season. His stable place on the Yankees’ roster portends a long and storied career and his All-Star 2018 was the start of it all. Andujar and Voit don’t seem destined for Monument Park and could very well be donning new uniforms by Opening Day 2020. Meanwhile, the home run record is bound to be broken.

As for the playoff moments, the Yankees’ championship window remains wide open and 2018’s short run likely concludes as a prelude to something grander. The 16-1 beatdown doesn’t have the staying power of the Red Sox’ Game 4 wins in the ALCS and World Series, or the run as a whole.

I also wouldn’t rule out something not mentioned above. Judge getting showered with cheers during his September return or the Tyler Austin-Joe Kelly brawl or something completely out of left field could surpass all of my suggestions. After all, the history has yet to be written.

Long Relievers, Traded Prospects and Phantom Pitchers [2018 Season Review]

December 3, 2018 by Steven Tydings

If he doesn’t use ABBA for his entrance music, our money back. (Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

While there are some other topics to cover, we’ve come to the end of the player portion of our 2018 Season Reviews. Therefore, we’ve covered all of the important players (and plenty of replacement level ones as well). That leaves the miscellaneous relievers that racked up innings as the last guys in the bullpen or received a spot start and little else. Let’s get to them!

Giovanny Gallegos

After debuting over 16 games in 2017, Gio Gallegos’s sophomore campaign was both brief and mostly irrelevant. He made four appearances for the Yankees, coming up as the eighth or ninth guy in the bullpen and the average leverage index was 0.23.

He would throw two innings in May and then came back up as an extra arm for the Phillies/Red Sox series in late June. The game against Philly was his best in New York as he tossed three shutout innings of relief, striking out six batters. He’d come up as the 26th man for the July 9 doubleheader in Baltimore and got a save with three innings of OK pitching.

On July 29, he was dealt along with Chasen Shreve for international money and Luke Voit, ending his Yankee tenure. He would throw two games for the Cardinals after helping their Triple-A team to the National title with a walk-off hit. Yes, you read that right: a base hit.

David Hale

David Hale signed with the Yankees three separate times in 2018 and made one appearance per signing. The Princeton University product tossed two scoreless innings in the April 23 blowout of the Twins and was subsequently designated for assignment. The Twins picked him up and he gave them one bad outing before yet another DFA.

His last two outings, May 11 and July 6, came in relief of Sonny Gray after Gray was shelled by the Athletics and Blue Jays, respectively. He saved his best for last up in Toronto when he gave the Bombers 5 2/3 innings of one-run ball, keeping them in the game even if they would eventually lose.

A week after his last Yankee appearance, he signed with the KBO’s Hanwha Eagles and made 12 starts with them to end the season.

Chance Adams

Take a chance, take a chance, take a chance? After J.A. Happ was stricken with hand, foot and mouth disease shortly after his New York debut, the team needed another starter. Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga were both hurt and Chance Adams was on turn, so the Arizona native got the call. His task? Face the eventual World Series champion Red Sox.

Adams held his own in Boston. He allowed a pair of homers and three runs over five innings, holding the Sox to just three hits and a walk. Considering his struggles in Triple-A, it was better than expected. However, he got just one run of support in a loss.

The 24-year-old made just two more relief appearances in the majors the rest of the year. He gave up four runs to the Marlins and threw a scoreless inning on the last day of the season, again in Boston.

He pitched to a 4.78 ERA while repeating Triple-A, taking plenty of shine off his prospect status. However, with both his age and previous success, there’s still something to hope for with Adams. He’s on the 40-man roster now and should get another chance, perhaps in relief.

Stephen Tarpley

We detailed Stephen Tarpley’s LOOGY status late in the season, so I’ll spare you most of the details. He struck out 13 over nine innings in the Bronx after receiving a September call-up and worked around some control issues to hold opponents to three runs. Not bad for one’s first taste of the majors.

Left-handed batters faced Tarpley 18 times and reached base just four times, three via walks. Eight struck out and none got extra bases. That’s pretty superb in an extremely small sample size.

After being groomed for a 25th-man/LOOGY role for the postseason, he was tagged for three runs in the Yankees’ 16-1 Game 3 loss to Boston. The team likely wanted him to take the final two innings but gave the ninth inning to Austin Romine instead.

Tarpley will now ride the shuttle between the Major Leagues and Scranton as a matchup lefty and long reliever. His two-seamer and sinker make him worth the 40-man roster spot and a longer look in the majors. I’m a big fan and think he could stick, though perhaps not in the Bronx.

Justus Sheffield

Justus no longer rules in the Bronx after just three appearances. His September debut came with a nine-run lead, yet he loaded the bases and narrowly escaped unscathed. Sheffield allowed an inherited runner to score in Tampa Bay a week later and was beat up by the Red Sox on the season’s final day.

The 22-year-old starter’s control issues made him unlikely to claim a Major League spot to begin 2019 and cast doubt on his future as a starter. Therefore, he was expendable as the headlining piece of the James Paxton trade, the Yankees’ first big move of the offseason. In Seattle, he’ll get a bigger ballpark and a longer leash to develop. Hope to see him back in the Bronx as an opponent soon!

George Kontos

Forget about George Kontos’ role for the 2018 Yankees? Me too. With the Yankees looking for a depth arm in early August, they purchased Kontos’ contract from the Indians. That brought Kontos’ career full circle after he was drafted by the Yankees and came up with them in late 2011 before being traded for Chris Stewart.

In his only game, he took over for an ineffective A.J. Cole and delivered 1 2/3 scoreless innings during an 8-5 loss to the Mets. If the game had any historical significance, it was as one of Jacob deGrom’s 10 wins of the year. Other than that, just makes Kontos a good name for the end-of-the-year Sporcle quiz.

Ryan Bollinger and Domingo Acevedo

The phantom ballplayers! Ryan Bollinger and Domingo Acevedo didn’t actually pitch for the Yankees in 2018, but they both spent brief moments on the 25-man roster. The team gave them call-ups when they were short on arms and sent them down immediately afterwards.

It was particularly frustrating to see Bollinger not get a chance. The 27-year-old southpaw is a former 47th round pick and worked for years in the independent leagues to return to affiliated ball. He even pitched in Australia (and has gone back there this offseason). The Yankees gave him 20 starts in 2018, most of which came in Double-A Trenton’s employ. Ultimately, he was called up twice., but he ever got into a game. Hopefully next year is the year.

As for Acevedo, the 24-year-old received a similar fate. He was added to the 40-man roster before the season and was called up straight from Trenton in July. Perhaps he would have gotten a September cup of coffee, but injuries kept him away, plus the team had plenty of arms. He was fine in Double-A and unlike Bollinger, he’s still on the 40-man roster. His debut could be in the cards next season.

The Backup Infielders [2018 Season Review]

November 29, 2018 by Steven Tydings

While we’ve gone through the Yankees’ key offensive and defensive contributors this season, they had plenty of part-time players that made smaller but memorable impacts. Here’s a look at the 2018 season for Tyler Austin, Ronald Torreyes, Tyler Wade and Adeiny Hechavarria, the primary backup infielders.

Tyler Austin

It’s easy to forget, but Tyler Austin was the Yankees’ Opening Day first baseman. Look it up! He batted ninth and struck out once. However, thanks to the constant injuries to Greg Bird and the early-season struggles of Neil Walker, Austin earned himself a long look at first base.

Beginning with the third game of the year, where Austin slugged a pair of homers off Marco Estrada, the right-handed first baseman tore up April. He hit five home runs and had seven multi-hit games, slugging .629 for the month.

However, Austin went 0-for-3 on April 26 and had to serve a four-game suspension. Why? Because of the epic brawl started with his fight against Joe Kelly on April 11. Austin’s hard slide into second base caused a fracas earlier in the game and Joe Kelly throwing at him had tension boil over.

Starting with his final at-bat on April 25 and ending on May 15, Austin went 0-for-23 with one walk and 12 strikeouts, cooling off significantly. He recovered with three straight two-hit games, including a two-homer game against the Royals, but he was demoted soon after thanks to Bird’s return.

While Austin finally achieved a healthy season in pinstripes, he would only play four more games after May. He would be traded along with MiLBer Luis Rio for Lance Lynn on July 30 after the Yankees acquired Luke Voit. Austin would go 1-for-4 with a walk in lone game vs. Yankees after the trade.

In all, Austin hit a respectable .223/.280/.471 (98 OPS+) with the Yankees in 2018, though his on-base percentage and 40 percent strikeout rate wouldn’t be palatable long-term. Joe Mauer’s retirement in Minnesota gives him a chance to play more first base, particularly after he had another home run binge after the trade. However, C.J. Cron’s acquisition makes it harder to find playing time.

Ronald Torreyes

Like Austin and Wade, Torreyes found himself the recipient of some early starts in the Bronx in 2018. Toe earned the chance to take over second base with Wade struggling early. He put up three three-hit games in April, including one against the Orioles on April 7.

However, Torreyes’ playing time quickly dried up once Gleyber Torres was called up. This happened despite Torreyes having a nine-game hitting streak and batting .410 until his last game in April.

Once Torres and Miguel Andujar took off by the end of April, it was all but over for Torreyes in the Bronx. With those two young players surrounding Didi Gregorius, the Yankees had three guys playing practically every day at Torreyes’ three positions. Toe would start just six times in May before he was sent down.

He came up for two games in June and then didn’t get significant playing time until Didi went on the shelf in August. In the game Didi was injured at first base, Torreyes had a three-hit game off the bench.

Torreyes had just 102 plate appearances in 41 games this year, batting .280/.294/.370 in sporadic playing appearances. That led to his designation for assignment this week to make room for Parker Bridwell. Hopefully, Toe will find a new start in Chicago after being dealt to the Cubs.

Tyler Wade

It was a real bummer of a season for Wade, who had a prime opportunity at second base before Torres’ call-up. In his age-23 season, Wade couldn’t crack a .500 OPS. over 70 plate appearances, batting just .167/.214/.273 (31 OPS+), which was actually an improvement over his cameo in 2017.

In nine April starts, Wade hit in just three games. He came through with big hits in the second game of the year, knocking in the game-winning runs in the middle innings. However, his inability to get the ball out of the infield led to his demotion once Torres came up.

Wade wasn’t back up until July. He had his first career homer against the Orioles while notching his first three-hit game. He had five hits over consecutive starts with two-hit game vs. Indians. Those games knocked his line from .103/.167/.154 to .188/.235/.333. giving him a season-best .569 OPS.

He was only a pinch runner or defensive replacement in September, scoring two runs and stealing one base in only his attempt.

Wade also took a step back in hitting at Triple-A in 2018, so confidence in the former prospect has to be at a low. He’s still just 24, but the idea that he can be the Yankees’ Ben Zobrist or Marwin Gonzalez seems out the window until proven otherwise.

Adeiny Hechavarria

Shortly after the Andrew McCutchen trade, the Yankees acquired Hechavarria from the Pirates just in time to get him eligible for the postseason. The Bombers were Hech’s third team of 2018 (Rays) and fourth team in two years.

Hechavarria was essentially acquired just for defensive replacement value. He had exclusively played shortstop since his rookie season and was thrust into that role initially as the Yankees waited for Didi to get healthy. However, Hechavarria was brought in to take over as a defensive replacement for Andujar on a regular basis down the stretch.

Though he hit just .194 with a .216 OBP in the Bronx, he had a couple signature offensive moments. He hit an insurance run homer against the Athletics just after Labor Day and a go-ahead homer against the Rays on Sept. 25th.

Still, he had a 51 wRC+ in 37 PAs and 18 games. He made one throwing error in the regular season and a couple misplays, but he was a clear step up from Andujar with his smooth glove in the field.

Hechavarria played in four playoff games, relieving Andujar in the sixth inning (!) of the Wild Card Game. He made a dazzling leaping catch as the Yankees pulled away.

He also replaced Andujar in the sixth inning of ALDS Game 2. While he can certainly field, it said more about Andujar’s ineptitude than Hechavarria’s talent.

Now a free agent, he’ll likely be elsewhere next year, though Didi’s injury creates an opening at short. He can’t hit well enough to deserve that spot on a regular basis to begin the year but could be good insurance in the minors.