Going All the Way
Yankees fans seem well aware that one of the most significant indicators of sustained, season-long success is organizational depth. Here, again, the Bombers outlook is bright.
We have already seen how the Yankees have not only reserves at second and third, but also upgrades. While there is still some shred of doubt about Miguel Andujar’s defense, none remains about his bat.
And the 21-year old Torres is unquestionably being groomed to take over for the 32-year old Walker, and soon.
The recovering Clint Frazier provides a sixth outfielder, while Austin and McKinney have their big bats waiting at Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Both of them, by the way, can play first, corner outfield, or DH — again, that gives the team depth and flexibility.
Last but not least is the also-recovering UI Thairo Estrada.
He is one of the best all-around players in the Yankees system, as he proved both last season and in the Arizona Fall League that followed. If he continues to play as he has, he will supplant either Wade or Torreyes in New York, or at least provide a valuable trading chip.
A Marathon, Not a Sprint
That is perhaps the final piece fans see a championship puzzle: The team’s ability to acquire more big league talent. And that’s good because starting pitching depth is the one real area of concern, as it was last year.
The 2017 Yankees began the season with five good starters, Pineda being one of them. When he went down to injury, the team made do with Luis Cessa for five starts (4.75) and Caleb Smith for two (7.71). Perhaps not so coincidentally, the team’s record suffered at the same time.
But because they had prospects to trade and money to spend, the Yankees were able to replace both of those with better pitchers: Sonny Gray (3.72) and Jaime Garcia (4.82). The added benefit for the 2018 team is that Montgomery was allowed to go back to the minors, conserving his pitch count.
Now the Yanks have a battle-tested player, instead of a battle-fatigued one.