New York Yankees: Time is now to get younger

A long, successful era in New York Yankees history is over. With the retirement of Derek Jeter goes the identity of an empire that dominated Major League Baseball for nearly two decades. In its place stands an old, broken down club in need of reinvigorating youth.

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For years, the Yankees have depended on big-name signings of surefire superstars to be successful. But that practice has run stagnant. Many of the players they’ve signed in recent years are proven disappointments in the Bronx, and the team has won just one World Series over the last 14 seasons.

The Boston Red Sox, San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals have all achieved greater success than the Yankees in the timeframe. All of them also spend money when necessary, but they have relied more upon the talent developed through their respective farm systems with outstanding results.

Perhaps it’s time the Yankees do the same and go back to doing what made them so successful during their World Series runs in 1996 and 1998, when homegrown players like Derek Jeter, Andy Pettitte, Bernie Williams and Mariano Rivera led them to triumph.

Though the Yankees’ farm system is not among the league’™s best, there are many talented prospects with loads of potential, some of which should get their chance in the bigs sometime this season. It would be in New York’s best interest if they do.

Guys like middle infielders Jose Pirela and Rob Refsnyder should compete for Major League spots in Spring Training. The latter, though not a great fielder, is a potent producer at the plate and would provide a much-needed boost to a weak Yankee lineup.

Refsnyder, 23, hit .318 with 14 home runs, 63 runs batted in and an OPS of .884 between Double-A Trenton and Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. The signing of veteran Stephen Drew likely means that one of these youngsters will remain in the minors, at least for the time being, but a summer call-up is possible should Drew struggle again this season.

They also have outfielder Tyler Austin, who has looked like a fringe Major League player for the last couple years. Austin, 23, is probably best projected as a fourth outfielder as a quality hitter and fielder. Despite wrist issues that have hampered his growth, he hit .275/.336/.419 in 105 games with Trenton last season with nine home runs and 20 doubles.

2013 second-round pick Jacob Lindgren was thought to be ready for a potential call-up the moment the Yankees drafted him. The 21-year-old reliever was outstanding in 19 games across three levels, posting a 2.19 ERA while striking out 48 in 24.2 innings pitched. Appropriately nicknamed “œThe Strikeout Factory,” Lindgren should find his way to the big league club by midseason if not sooner.

The Yankees have a strong bullpen on paper, but you can never have too many quality arms to depend on. That is especially true about Lindgren, who appears every bit as good as he had been advertised to be.

All four of these players could provide the Yankees with some much-needed youth on an otherwise ancient roster bursting with stars past their prime. There are other prospects who could prove viable Major League options this season as well. Most notable among them are outfielder Slade Heathcott, catcher Gary Sanchez, and maybe even top prospect and potential right-handed ace Luis Severino.

Who knows? One of these men could exceed their expectations and turn out to be one of the unsung heroes in a surprising postseason run. The New York Yankees won’t know unless they give them a chance. At this stage for the franchise, they can afford to take those risks and see what they get in return.

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