Written by: Jose Rohdin
The Yankees 2020 season ended just like the season before it, with heartbreak on an Aroldis Chapman pitch.
For such a historic franchise with the most trophies for any team in North American team sports, going 11 years without a World Series appearance comes as a disappointment. The last decade (‘10-’19) was the first decade in Yankee history without reaching the World Series at least once.
The Yankees made a big signing in the offseason to attempt to secure that allusive 28th World Series trophy. They signed former Houston Astros ace Gerrit Cole to a 9-year $340-million-dollar contract. Yankee fans had been calling for a big free agent signing at pitcher, and it finally came.
Cole’s signing was massive, securing one of the best pitchers in the game from a rival championship contender. Cole, who grew up a Yankees fan, was the perfect fit and was immediately loved by Yankee fans. It seemed as if Cole was the nail in the coffin for the American League, and the Yankees were massive favorites to win the pennant.
Cole was just an addition to an already strong pitching staff. Masahiro Tanaka and James Paxton had already been aces in the past, and even though their stuff has dropped off a little, they are still elite pitchers. To add to that, the Yankees might have the most dangerous bullpen in the league with Zack Britten, Adam Ottavino, Chad Green, and of course, Aroldis Chapman.
On top of all that quality pitching comes one of the deadliest lineups in baseball. Bats like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, and Gary Sanchez would scare just about any starting pitcher.
On paper, this should all add up to a World Series appearance, if not winning the whole thing, but that obviously didn’t happen. Injuries really hurt the Yankees. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton, DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, Zack Britten, and Aroldis Chapman all spent time on the injured reserve list. On top of that, James Paxton, who had just come off back surgery, was struggling until he picked up an arm injury that sat him for the rest of the season. Along with all that, Gary Sanchez was just cold all year, with a batting average of .147 on the season.
The Yankees have been just on the edge for four straight seasons, and next season they hope to get over the hump and finally play for a title. The issue is what piece do they need?
The fact remains that they need to resign DJ LeMahieu at least and make an attempt for Masahiro Tanaka. But if they can’t resign Tanaka, at least Luis Severino and Domingo German will be available next season after missing the entire 2020 season. Also, rookie Deivi Garcia showed flashes of being a quality back-of-the-rotation starting pitcher.
With all the injuries this season, other players were able to show flashes. Rookie Deivi Garcia showed flashes to be a quality player, and Luke Voit solidified his role as the starting first baseman and one of the best bats in the league, leading the league in home runs.
In a season that looked as if it could have been canceled because of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s hard to judge the season altogether. The shortened season and weird spring training could be attributed to this unsuspected failure by the Yankees. However, on the bright side, the Yankees have lost to the team that has won the American League for the fourth straight season.