Yankees Look Poised to Make A World Series Run

The 2010s decade was the first decade since 1910 where the Yankees did not make the World Series. They have come close numerous times this decade but fell short. With the start of the 2020 decade, they had to face the red hot Tampa Rays and fell short losing the ALDS 3-2.

With the 2021 season around the corner, they have a chance to break their dry spell and I think this is the year they can finally break through and make it to the World Series.

Hitting

When it comes to hitting, the Yankees hitting had a solid year this past season ranking 6th in AL batting average, 2nd in AL home runs, and 1st in AL OPS with qualified batters. The hitting for the Yankees this season had some very special individual performances that helped boost the team.

MVP finalist DJ LeMathieu had a stellar season for the Yankees leading the league in hitting with a .364 average, 10 home runs, and 27 RBIs. With LeMathieu resigning with the Yankees on a 6 year 90 Million dollar deal, the Yankees get their lethal hitter back and WAR leader over the past two years. Without keeping LeMathieu it would be hard to justify the Yankees continuing their success.

Home runs have been a key part of the Yankees’ success over the past decade as well. Home runs are what propels them into World Series conversations each year. If there is one thing you can rely on the Yankees for it is home runs. The Yankees lead the league in home runs during the 2017 and 2018 seasons and were 2nd in home runs in 2019 and 2020. Luke Voit lead the MLB in home runs last season with 22. A healthy Stanton and Judge could easily combine for 60 home runs next season if there are 162 games. The last healthy season Stanton had was in 2018 where he put up 38 home runs. Aaron Judge put up 27 home runs in 2018 and 2019. With a healthy season, he easily could put up 27 or more home runs again.

Pitching

In 2020, Yankees starters had a combined 4.43 ERA which was ranked around the middle of the AL last season. Their ace put up a solid 2.84 ERA with an 11.6 K/9. With Luis Severino coming back to the rotation and adding a young arm with a lot of upside in Jameson Taillon, this team could have one of the more dominant first three starters in the AL. The question is the last two spots.

The Yankees will lose out on Tanaka to Japan and won’t resign Paxton which means they need a number 4 and 5. This leaves Michael King, Deivi Garcia, Clarke Schmidt, and Jordan Montgomery. These options don’t strike fear into the heart opposition just yet. These four pitchers are still young and have plenty of time to develop but, the Yankees are in win-now mode and could use another proven starter instead of young prospects. Deivi Garcia was the best of the four last season. He was 3-2 in 6 starts with a 4.98 ERA.

The Bullpen was servable but could use improvements. Recently, the Yankees signed Darren O’Day who had a 1.10 ERA with the Braves last season. O’Day has a 2.51 career ERA. He could easily be put into a setup role early. As for the rest of the bullpen, Chapman should return, Britton was fantastic and Chad Green had a respectable 3.51 ERA.

Competition

The AL isn’t near as competitive as the NL this upcoming year. The only competitors I can see competing with them are the Blue Jays, White Sox, and Athletics. The Blue Jays have a very good young core and added two key veteran players in Marcus Semien and George Springer who have postseason experience. However compared to the Yankees, it doesn’t compete. The whole Yankees roster has years of playoff experience. The same goes for the White Soxs, an exciting team but not many players with postseason experience. The Athletics have postseason experience but, don’t have the firepower that the Yankees have.

As long as the Yankees can stay healthy, a World Series run is on the horizon.