Yankees Offseason Activity

2017 marked an exciting year for the New York Yankees. Going into the year, the team was thought to be mired in a rebuilding season with the acquisition of younger, amateur talent. Faced with doubt from fans and sports broadcasters alike at the beginning, a number of these young and unproven assets developed into solid contributors. Luis Severino (age 23) became the ace of the starting rotation, Chad Green (26) became the bullpen’s Swiss Army knife, and rookie sensation Aaron Judge (25) racked up 52 home runs, the most ever by a rookie.

In recent years, the Yankees’ rosters have largely been built by signing veteran players through the free agent market. This strategy started to fall apart for the them after 2012, as they were either eliminated early from the playoffs in following few years or simply didn't make it there. The Yankees appeared rather dull, playing with a starting lineup made up of veterans years past their primes. However, the new, young Baby Bombers provided a fresh, dynamic core that finished 91-71 and made it to the American League Championship Series. Throughout the offseason, the team has taken many of the next steps necessary to go the distance.

One of the biggest changes the Yankees will be undergoing is in management. Joe Girardi, who has led the Yankees to a 910-710 record since 2008, will be replaced by former Yankees player, Aaron Boone. Boone stood out from the pool of potential candidates for his strengths as a skilled communicator, open-minded outlook, and willingness to foster closer relationships with the Yankees’ staff and younger players. While Boone’s lack of experience in the managing spurs uncertainty, his extensive background in baseball will serve as a solid platform.

But arguably, the biggest move for the Yankees was acquiring the Miami Marlins MVP, outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. Stanton was traded for Yankee second baseman Starlin Castro and two minor league prospects: pitcher Jorge Guzman and infielder Jose Devers. Over the next 10 seasons, the Yankees will pay off $265 million of the $295 million on Stanton’s contract.

During the 2017 season, Stanton and Judge led the leaderboards in home runs and combined for 111 in total. This is reminiscent of the Yankees’ 1961 duo of players, teammates Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris, who engaged in their legendary chase after legend Babe Ruth’s standing home run record, 60, at the time. Mantle ended with 54, and Maris went on to break Ruth’s record, ending with 61 home runs. The Yankees’ lineup looks promising with both sluggers on the same team.

During the winter meetings, Stanton expressed his gratitude and enthusiasm in playing with the Yankees. "I'm glad to be here and part of the New York Yankees. It's going to be a great new chapter in my life and my career," Stanton said. "They're young, and they're in a good position to win for a long time, and I lost for a long time. So I want to change that dynamic and be a winner." Stanton played 8 seasons with the Marlins and experienced losing seasons, rocky ownership dynamic, and small crowds. While Stanton himself rose from the ashes of the Marlins’ 77-85 season with incredible achievements, he will get to put his talents to better use by playing among the Yankees’ Championship-caliber team entering the 2018 season.

At this point, the Yankees have many different options in which they can shift their lineup and outfield. It remains to be seen which players will start in which outfield position; Boone will see what works best during spring training. In addition to adding to the Yankees’ lineup, Stanton will also serve as a veteran and mentor figure for the younger players. Signing Stanton was an extremely beneficial management move by the Yankees.

However, in order to take on Stanton’s massive contract, the Yankees had to trade third baseman Chase Headley and reliever Bryan Mitchell to the Padres for outfielder Jabari Blash, effectively dropping Headley’s $13 million contract. This allowed them reset the luxury tax penalty and gave them another $30 million to spend.

While the Yankees’ starting pitching rotation remains an area of development, they can look forward to their veteran left-hander, CC Sabathia, returning to the club. On December 16, Sabathia re-signed for a one-year, $10 million contract. During the 2017 season, Sabathia compiled 14 wins and finished with a 3.69 ERA, his best over the last 4 years. In the playoffs, Sabathia had many dominant performances, including when he hurled 6 shutout innings in game 3 of the ALCS to beat the Astros, 8-1. After falling just short of the World Series last season, Sabathia decided to stick with his team and take care of the “unfinished business” in New York, according to his agent.

"I feel like this is a young team, and we will turn this into something great," Sabathia said after Game 7 of the American League Championship Series. "This is my home, and I want to see this thing through."

When Sabathia first signed with the Yankees in 2009, he agreed to a $161 million, seven year contract, the highest in MLB until 2013. That year, he won his first World Series as the Yankees defeated the Philadelphia Phillies for their 27th Championship. Winning another World Series ring to close out his rich career with the Yankees would be a fortunate full circle for Sabathia. This year, he will be crucial as the backbone of the starting rotation and as an older veteran for the young Baby Bombers.

In the meantime, the Yankees still need to fill infield spots left by Castro and Headley. To do this, they have been in contact with various teams, including the Orioles and Diamondbacks. Overall, the year ahead looks prosperous. The Yankees have a stable situation with a workable, powerful outfield and solid pitching rotation. This will be a great starting team for Aaron Boone, and hopefully, he will be able to sculpt the Yankees’ potential into solid victories. With the entry and returning of several veterans, the young, dynamic team will be balanced by discipline and experience.