Another year with another disappointing ending for the New York Yankees.. We all know that this is the team that used to be the unbeatable, the team everyone would fear to face. While that may be true to some teams, the one team that doesn’t fear them at all?
The Houston Astros.
Since the Wild Card game in 2015, the Astros have now sent the Yanks home on four different occasions, but this one was certainly the most humiliating way. A sweep, with the Astros celebrating in Yankee Stadium while singing New York, New York.
The first half of this season, media members were calling this Yankees team the best since ‘98. They were on pace to win 120 games. But yet, since the All Star break (including the postseason) the Yankees went 38-41. The first half? An unprecedented 64-28.
What changed? How did a team that was rolling through everyone with no sign of stopping all of the sudden stop winning? It is hard to tell. The ‘reinforcements’ that Brian Cashman traded for had the miss fortunes of being hurt.
Before you say “you can’t predict injuries”, which is a simple fact. However, we can make note of the significant factor of not having the main pieces the Yankees traded for at the deadline.
Andrew Benintendi was supposed to be the contact hitter. The leadoff guy. The player who would start the offense rolling when the ultimate opponent Stros’ came rolling through in October. However, after being hit by a pitch on September 2nd, Benintendi would not see another moment on the field for the Yankees — missing the entire postseason.
Frankie Montas was acquired from the Oakland A’s, and he was slated to be the number two in the Yankees rotation. After eight starts, he went 3-5 with a 6.35 ERA with opponents having a .363 OBP. After Luis Castillo was taken by the Mariners at the deadline, the Yankees knew they had to make a major move, which was the next best option.
Brian Cashman told reporters after the trade “Certainly, there were very few higher-end options that were available than Montas, so we were able to conclude our dialogue with the Oakland A’s. We’re excited about what he’s able to provide for us along with what we already had.” Montas did not make the ALDS roster, but did play for the ALCS. However, he only made one appearance and only pitched in 1 inning.
Scott Efross, another piece to the bullpen who was a high leverage arm, but when the ALDS roster was released, Efross was not on the roster. Why was that? Well, it was discovered that he had an elbow issue, and Jack Curry of the YES Network reported he then needed Tommy John surgery. Another trade acquisition that went wasted in the postseason.
Before joining the Yankees, Efross had a 2.66 ERA, 28.1% strikeout rate, 6.2% walk rate and 45.6% ground ball rate.
Who didn’t the Yankees have in their bullpen this postseason? Chad Green, Zack Britton, Aroldis Chapman, Michael King, Scott Efross, and Ron Marianccio. These weren’t just relievers, these are all high leverage bullpen arms, but the bullpen wasn’t the issue that resulted in the Yankees getting swept. It was a futile offense and a costly defense.
Sunday night’s loss by the Yankees, was the first postseason game the Yankees played in since October 8th, 2020 where they had more than six hits. Yes, the Yankees went ten straight playoff games without ending that streak, a stretch no other team has gone through in the history of MLB.
A look ahead.. Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, Andrew Benintendi, Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Jameson Tallion, Chad Green, and Matt Carpenter are the main free agents for the Yankees this off-season.
While we know Chapman’s time with the Yanks is surely over, the others? All in play. Later this week we will have an in-depth plan for the Yankees off-season on how they can return to the championship scene.
