New York Yankees: Four Moves to Make the Playoffs in 2017

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The New York Yankees are entering a new time for their franchise. Out is the old, and in is the young “Baby Bombers”.

The New York Yankees are undoubtedly the most successful sports franchise in North America. The Yankees have the most championships by any sports team in the major four (baseball, football, basketball, hockey) with 27. New York has appeared in 40 World Series, and has won more than any other team has even appeared in. The Yankees seem to be entering a new era for their club.

In some ways, this Yankee club is reminiscent to the 1996 New York Yankees. From 1982 to 1994 the Yankees had failed to make the postseason. In 1995 they made it, but failed to make it out of the first round. The very next year New York won the World Series, and continued to be a part of October baseball for eleven more years. That 1996 team was very similar to the Yankees now, and while the comparison is certainly hyperbolic, there are similarities between the two.

The ’96 Yankees were led by young talent. Derek Jeter (22), Andy Pettitte (24), Mariano Rivera (26), Bernie Williams (27), and Tino Martinez (29) were all key contributors under the age of thirty. Jorge Posada also played in eight games. While he didn’t contrtibute at the time he laid the groundwork for Yankee catching until 2011. The surplus of young talent allowed the Yankees to be succesful and further bring in big names like Alex Rodriguez in the future.

Compare that to this current Yankees squad. With too many names to name, the Yankees boast a vast amount of young talent in their big league squad. Not only that, they had perhaps the best performance at the trade deadline to bolster their future even further. They still have veteran contributors like Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury, but even at that they are only 32 years old. This New York Yankees squad is built for a long run of success, and with the right moves this team can take their young guns into October as early as 2017.

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4. Call-up Clint Frazier and Jordan Montgomery

When it comes to the New York Yankees farm system, Clint Frazier is the cream of the crop. Frazier was taken fifth overall by the Cleveland Indians in 2013, and was included in the deal that sent Andrew Miller to the Indians. Frazier, is ranked as the 15th best prospect in baseball by MLB.com and the Yankees 1st. Jordan Montgomery is only ranked 20th in the Yankees organization. However, Montgomery has pitched at AAA ball with insane numbers, which could see his inclusion in 2017.

Despite only batting .228 in AAA, Frazier remains one of the best talents in the minors. Many have touted Frazier’s raw power and his great fielding ability. Despite already having an outfield trio of Aaron Judge, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Brett Gardner, the Yankees should include Frazier on their opening day roster. Not only would it bolster their depth, they can move Judge to the DH slot. A true DH is something the Yankees lack, and could create that with Frazier.

As for Montgomery, he is a six-foot-six lefty that has put up great numbers. In AA, he posted a 2.55 ERA with 97 strikeouts in 102.1 innings pitched. In AAA, he posted a 0.97 ERA with 37 strike outs in 37 innings. Although the sample size is small, his fast advancement along with a good strike out rate should put himself in Yankee pinstripes next season. Montgomery could serve as a back-end arm if needed, likely transitioning out of the bullpen later in the year if need be.

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3. Sign Aroldis Chapman

Aroldis Chapman has already graced Yankee pinstripes, and he may do so again for a very long time. Aroldis Chapman has made it obvious he loves New York, despite his success in Chicago. According to CBS Sports and the New York Post Chapman said in an interview with NY Sports Day that he “would love to be a Yankee again”. Resigning Chapman would serve as the ultimate win for the Yankees, as they received highly touted prospect Gleyber Torres from the Cubs to rent out Chapman for just over three months.

Chapman had a pretty good 2016 for himself. Gathering a combined 36 saves with only 3 blown saves, Chapman further proved his worth. Chapman also had his second lowest ERA of his career, posting a 1.55 ERA. Chapman could return to New York and reestablish himself as being part of the best 1-2 combo in baseball. Dellin Betances and Aroldis Champman could continue their reign of terror at the end of ball games.

The only thing about this deal is that it is not necessarily required for the Yankees. Obviously they have the money and would love bringing Chapman back in, but they wouldn’t be left in a bad position without him. They still have Betances along with a solid bullpen. Chapman would only further increase their talent late in games, and while it’s not necessary, it could propel them into the postseason much sooner than anticipated.

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2. Trade for a talented Infielder

The New York Yankees do have a talented infield, don’t get me wrong. Didi Gregorius and Starlin Castro are a good middle infield combo. Greg Bird is a young first baseman with potential from great power, and Chase Headley is a solid third baseman. However, for the first time in what seems like forever, the Yankees lack a superstar infielder. Whether it was Jeter, Robinson Cano, or Alex Rodriguez, the Yankees always had some sort of superstar in the infield. With so many trade chips on the market, the Yankees should cash in.

The thing that makes a trade seem so sensible is the Yankees deep farm system and their young big league talent. If needed, a rebuilding team would likely jump at an offer including farm talents and a young talent like Castro or Headley. Todd Frazier and Ian Kinsler are potential fits to the New York Yankees. Both can be locked down until 2018, and can provide as a gateway to the future of the Yankees. New York likely would have to give up perhaps Castro and Headley along with some prospects, but their farm is so deep it wouldn’t hurt the Yankees too much. They massive depth in the outfield, so moving a guy like Blake Rutherford wouldn’t hurt them substantially.

If the Yankees wanted to keep their trade chips they could always sign a free agent infielder. While the second base market isn’t plentiful, the Yankees could find an upgrade for third base. Justin Turner is the obvious first choice to replace Headley at third base. With great fielding and a highly underrated bat, Turner would be an all around upgrade at third. Another free agent option is Steve Pearce, who could play either corner and second base; serving as an extremely valuable asset.

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1. Trade for a High Caliber Pitcher

The Yankees have a very young pitching staff, and could greatly benefit from acquiring a great arm. Masahiro Tanaka is currently serving as the team’s “ace”, but with his injury history it may be better to reduce it workload to a 2 or 3 starter. With a plentiful farm system the Yankees could go all in on a superstar arm. On the other hand, the Yankees could give up less and still acquire a good arm that is on the market. Whichever option they choose, trading for a great pitcher should be their number one priority.