The 2022 Yankees season was filled with drama, intrigue, history, highs, lows, and everything in between.
Before 2023 begins, it’s time to reflect back on 2022 and utilize it as a springboard for what’s to come.
The Yankees went 20-3 from late April to mid-May, but their May 10 triumph over the Blue Jays was the best. Three Blue Jays were ejected, the Yankees were down 3-0, Giancarlo Stanton hit a three-run homer in the sixth, and the Blue Jays went up by two in the eighth. Aaron Judge hit his first walk-off home run of the season to lift the Yankees to a 6-5 triumph.
As wonderful as the Yankees appeared early, their August-September slump was just as bad. Aaron Boone labeled a Sept. 2 loss to the Rays 9-0 “embarrassing” They dispersed five hits, left 10 on base, and made three mistakes with a generally healthy lineup. Boone thought it was rock bottom as their AL East lead dropped to five games, the lowest since June 1.
Nestor Cortes, non-AL MVP. The lefty started spring training facing questions about if his great finish in 2021 was a fluke. He responded them by elevating his game. With a 2.44 ERA, he became a fan and clubhouse favorite.
Joey Gallo, Frankie Montas, Aaron Hicks, and Aroldis Chapman are all possibilities for least valuable Yankee. Gallo and Montas only spent part of the season in The Bronx, so we’ll go with Chapman, who went on the injured list with an infection from a fresh tattoo and quit when his postseason roster status was in doubt.
The Yankees acquired Jose Trevino from the Rangers for Albert Abreu and Robby Ahlstrom three days before spring training ended. Trevino became an All-Star, and the Yankees claimed Abreu off waivers.
Jose Trevino, acquired days before the season, became a Yankees catcher and All-Star.
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Harrison Bader for Jordan Montgomery is now the best move. Bader joined the Yankees in a walking boot, while Montgomery was untouchable for the Cardinals. After getting healthy, Bader was one of the Yankees’ greatest postseason players and looks like a critical 2023 center fielder. Montgomery would have been the Yankees’ fifth starting after acquiring Carlos Rodon.
Judge turned down a seven-year, $213.5 million deal before Opening Day. After that, he smashed 62 homers, won AL MVP, and signed a $92 million, nine-year deal with the Yankees this month.
Worst decision: Boone taking Gerrit Cole out early in Game 3 of the ALCS sounded like a death knell. In the sixth inning, with no outs and Cole at 96 pitches, the Astros loaded the bases. Lou Trivino let up three runs to end the game.
Anthony Volpe’s readiness is 2023’s biggest question. In spring training, he will battle for the shortstop job with Oswald Peraza and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Volpe has the biggest ceiling, therefore the Yankees have kept him out of trade talks. When he’s ready to show that in The Bronx will be crucial, especially if it frees up Peraza for a trade.
Anthony Volpe’s progress in replacing Oswald Peraza and Isiah Kiner-Falefa at shortstop will determine their fates.
Matt Carpenter’s surprising influence. His early August broken foot wrecked his season and left him a shell in the playoffs. After joining the Yankees in late May, the veteran hit 15 homers in 47 games with a.305 batting average and 1.138 OPS.
Unexpected 2023 player: Matt Krook might replace Ron Marinaccio in the bullpen, according to Boone, Matt Blake, and Brian Cashman. Jimmy Cordero pitched to a 2.09 ERA in 38 2/3 innings last season at Triple-A Scranton Wilkes-Barre. Right-handed reliever was added in November.
In mid-August, the Yankees needed a spark and promoted Oswaldo Cabrera and Estevan Florial. Cabrera’s hitting and versatility made him a strong utility option for next season.
Cabrera RF, Judge DH, Torres 2B, Guzman 1B, Andujar LF, Kiner-Falefa 3B, Florial CF, Higashioka C, Peraza SS. This was a lineup for a real game that mattered, not a split-squad Grapefruit League game in March. Two days later, Hicks hit third and Kiner-Falefa hit cleanup.
LeMahieu, Judge, Rizzo, Stanton, Torres, Bader, Cabrera, Trevino, Volpe/Peraza SS. This lineup would mean a healthy DJ, but no Bryan Reynolds as the new left fielder. LeMahieu, Cabrera in left field, Kiner-Falefa traded or utility position, and a team trading for Josh Donaldson and a prospect.
Anthony Banda pitched 2/3 of an inning for the Yankees before getting DFA’d.
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Anthony Banda. When Chi Chi Gonzalez was called up to pitch, the Yankees had already won the AL East. Ronald Guzman replaced an injured Rizzo for three games in September, but he’d been with the team since spring training. Banda, a free agent, pitched for the Yankees on Aug. 28 in Oakland. He made his second and final appearance before being assigned.
Now is Estevan Florial’s moment to shine in the majors.
With the left-field free-agent market unexpectedly thin (Jurickson Profar, A.J. Pollock, David Peralta), the Yankees may try to fill the vacuum internally.
Oswaldo Cabrera, who may be more effective in a varied capacity, and Aaron Hicks are likely candidates.
Estevan Florial played effectively in Triple-A last season, but his mediocre major league record makes it uncertain if he can fix the Yankees’ left field problems.
Florial, 25, is the only other 40-man possibility. Last season, he hit.283 with 39 steals and a.850 OPS in Triple-A. When he was called up in August, he failed to maintain that momentum.
In 29 big league games over the last three years, Florial has batted.185 with a.579 OPS. No more minor league choices.
The Yankees may leave the door open for him again this spring, but unless he finally barges through, he may be headed elsewhere.
The offseason roster churn can be punishing, especially for periphery players. Lucas Luetge was DFA’d last week to make room for Tommy Kahnle.
In two seasons as a Yankees reliever, Lucas Luetge has a 2.71 ERA and 138 strikeouts.
Luetge was DFA’d in a news release announcing the arrival of Kahnle, then traded to the Braves for two minor leaguers. Luetge will join the bullpen of the five-time NL East champions.
Luetge’s two seasons with the Yankees were his first since 2015, a scouting win for the Yankees and a personal triumph for the 34-year-old lefty.
The Yankees must locate another Luetge.
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