New York Yankees: Best Case Scenario for 2016

If the New York Yankees’ slow start continues, it could open up some unfamiliar but intriguing avenues for the club.

The 2016 campaign for the Bronx Bombers has not gotten off to a good start. They currently stand at 5-7 after the loss to the Oakland A’s last night. You can even take this a step further and say that they haven’t played good baseball since the first half of the 2015 season. Since July 31st of last year, the Yanks are 34-39 including the Wild Card loss to the Houston Astros.

73 games is a rather large sample size, and a decent enough indicator of how things will play out. Can the Yankees turn this poor stretch around, and get back to winning baseball? Sure, but without major additions this past offseason and a super slow start this season, I wouldn’t count on it.

“It’s never too early to think about the future, especially when the present is so bleak.”

The problem that plagued this team at the end of last season is rearing its ugly head again – not getting the job done with runners in scoring position. On this recent homestand, the team has gone 2-for-42 with runners in scoring position. Is this just a slump? Maybe, but the way they closed out last season, it could be the new norm.

So that begs the question of what the Yankees’ best case scenario for this season would be. The easy answer is, “Win the World Series!” Unfortunately, this doesn’t have the facade of a World Series team. The best thing for this Yankees team is to be completely out of the race by the time the trade deadline approaches. If they happen to be so lucky (10-15 games under.500 by July 31st) it could open up a wide array of possibilities.

Trade Options: If the Bombers fall out of contention before the deadline, they will be able to do something they have never been allowed to for as far back as I can remember: trade off assets for prospects. Two names come to mind that could help out any ball-club trying to make a postseason run.

1.) Brett Gardner: Brett is one of the relatively younger (32), inexpensive pieces the Yankees have. He is a proven leadoff hitter with a very nice glove in left field and can steal a few bags with his blazing speed. With three years and $38.5 million remaining on his current deal, the Yanks should try and get a few prospects for him. Dumping Brett Gardner also frees up that spot for 24-year-old Ben Gamel. Gamel tore up AAA last season with a .300/.358/.472 slash line and stole 13 bags in 129 games. He bats left handed, and throws left handed, drawing comparisons to a young Brett Gardner.

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2.) Carlos Beltran: Beltran has been the Yankees’ best hitter this year hitting .333 with three homers and eight RBIs, and was one of the very few hitters in the lineup to finish strong last year with a .290 average after the month of April. A trade partner would have to be with an American League team who is looking for a switch-hitter with some pop.

Beltran will be a free agent after this season, and if the Yanks are out of the playoff race come the trade deadline, they should ship him and at least get something back. What the Yankees get back in return wouldn’t be the focus. Who they would call up would be the more exciting aspect. Aaron Judge, arguably the Yankees’ most talented prospect, would get the call.

After a great season in AA last year, but a not-so-great couple months in AAA, Judge is off to an impressive start this year. His early slash line of .333/.370/.500 is encouraging to go along with two homers and nine RBIs. Both Gamel and Judge appear to be ready to make contributions for this Yankees team now; they just have a few roadblocks in front of them.

High Draft Pick: The last time the New York Yankees picked in the top ten in the draft was 1992 with the 6th overall pick. That pick was used to draft Derek Jeter. It’s amazing how Brian Cashman and George Steinbrenner were able to keep this team competitive for almost 25 years without at top-10 draft pick. Nonetheless, another high draft pick could only help this franchise.

Next: Hector Olivera leave extended

It’s time for the Yankees to take a page out of the Boston Red Sox book and sell off some assets before it becomes too late. Am I suggesting that the Yankees should/are intentionally trying to “tank” this season away to open up some spots for their young talent? Precisely.