Your 2022 New York Yankees Preview

Following years of posting winning records and falling just short of the World Series, can the Yankees finally get back to the pinnacle of baseball in '22?

March 20, 2022

Source: Google Images

2009. It has been 13 long years since the New York Yankees have won the World Series, with '09 also serving as the last time New York won the A.L. Pennant. Going into 2022, the Yankees enter a season that features many questions. I break down some of these main questions, roster entering '22, and personal predictions for the team in what figures to be a very interesting season in the Bronx.

2017-2021 Seasons

*2020 Season shortened due to COVID-19

2017	91-71	.562	2nd	​L, ALCS
2018	100-62	.617	2nd	L, ALDS
2019	103-59	.636	1st	L, ALCS
2020	33-27	.550	2nd	L, ALDS
2021	92-70	.568	3rd	L, ALWC

Questions

Are Boone as manager and Cashman as GM the right fits for their jobs regarding leading the Yankees back to the promised land?

The Yankees, to the grumbling of many, made a pivotal decision to bring back Boone and Cashman as manager and general manager respectively this year, as most fans including myself wanted to see them fired following the 2021 Wild Card loss to Boston. As fans, we only have to hope that this was the right management decision by owner Hal Steinbrenner, as it can be argued that Cashman has only been responsible for crafting one championship roster (2009) and Boone whom has been out managed numerous times in the playoffs by Alex Cora and AJ Hinch among others. The clock is ticking for both in '22, and this season will be pivotal in deciding whether they will continue to be the ones in charge for a team that may need a serious shakeup in the front office.

What to make of the NYC Vaccine Mandate?

As part of New York City's continuation of the health departments vaccine mandate required in order to play home games for the Yankees and Mets, this could have serious effects on the Yankees. Unvaxxed players, including possible Aaron Judge, would only be allowed to play road games if it continue to stick. Brooklyn Nets superstar Kyrie Irving has already been effected by this rule, as he was banned from participating in Nets home games for much of this past season. Thus, this can also have detrimental effects on the Yankees as they prepare for the season.

Did the Yankees do an adequate job to improve the roster in Free Agency?

Many fans were upset at the Yankees choosing to pass on the likes of superstar free agents Freddie Freeman and Carlos Correa. The Yankees instead choose to sign and trade for stopgaps such as SS Isaih Kiner Falefa and resign 1B Anthony Rizzo demonstrating their commitment to prospects like SS Anthony Volpe and the roster from last year. The trade with Minnesota headlines by the acquisitions of 3B Josh Donaldson and Falefa saw C Gary Sanchez and 3B Gio Urshela is largely considered mixed as most fans feel that getting rid of Sanchez was needed but coming at the cost of a large sum of money owed to Donaldson over the course of the next two years and losing a gold glove caliber third baseman in Gio.

Roster construction issues?

Despite trading for Falefa and Donaldson and re-singing Rizzo, the Yankees still face significant roster questions. Across the board, the teams' depth is a concern. In my opinion, the Yankees still face serious questions at starting pitching, center field, and all over the infield if an injury were to occur at any position besides second base (LeMahieu and Torres). The lineup remains too righty-centric, with too much strikeout potential.

Will the Yankees resign Aaron Judge?

What shouldn't even be a question has become a very serious and major one. Yankee star Aaron Judge has stated clearly his desire to be a Yankee for the remainder of his career, but has only minimally been approached by the organization for resigning negotiations. There are reports he is growing frustrated, and the Yankees have major money tied up in two players (Cole and Stanton). Could this become a Atlanta-Freddie Freeman-esque situation?

Has the Championship window officially been shut?

The American League and AL East figure to be even deeper this year, which should only make things tougher for the Yankees in their bid to return to and win the World Series. Just getting to the playoffs will be a challenge, as teams like Boston, Tampa Bay, and Toronto figure to be just as good on paper as the Yankees. The Collective Bargaining Agreements decision to expand the playoff field to six teams from each league instead of five should alleviate the Yankees and make it an easier path to the Postseason by default. It is hard to sustain the success the Yankees have had, with about 30 years of consecutive winning seasons currently under their belt heading into this one. The "baby bomber" era is officially over with, cemented by Sanchez's departure. The era ends with two ALCS appearances, both "losses" to the Houston Astros in 2017 and 2019. For the Yankees to win the World Series in '22, a lot of moving parts will have to go right.

Projected Roster and Projected Roster Statistics by Position

Catcher

Starter: Kyle Higashioka (.205 AVG, 27 R, 14 HR, 37 RBI, 0 SB)

Depth: Ben Rortvedt, Rob Brantly

First Base

Starter: Anthony Rizzo (.267 AVG, 83 R, 26 HR, 79 RBI, 6 SB)

Depth: DJ Lemaheiu, Miguel Andujar

Second Base

Starter: Gleyber Torres (.260 AVG, 67 R, 18 HR, 69 RBI, 10 SB)

Depth: DJ Lemahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera

Third Base

Starter: Josh Donaldson (.242 AVG, 70 R, 30 HR, 67 RBI, 1 SB)

Depth: DJ Lemaheiu, Miguel Andujar

Shortstop

Starter: Isiah Kiner-Falefa (.261 AVG, 61 R, 7 HR, 42 RBI, 17 SB)

Depth: Gleyber Torres, Oswald Peraza

Left Field Starter: Joey Gallo (.202 AVG, 88 R, 39 HR, 82, RBI, 6 SB)

Depth: Giancarlo Stanton, Estevan Florial

Center Field

Starter: Aaron Hicks (.232 AVG, 65 R, 17 HR, 57 RBI, 5 SB)

Depth: Aaron Judge, Joey Gallo, Estevan Florial, Everson Pereira

Right Field

Starter: Aaron Judge (.282 AVG, 97 R, 35 HR, 95 RBI, 5 SB)

Depth: Giancarlo Stanton, Estevan Florial, Joey Gallo

Designated Hitter

Starter: Giancarlo Stanton (.265 AVG, 71 R, 32 HR, 96 RBI, 1 SB)

Starting Rotation

1. Gerrit Cole (14-8, 261 K, 3.44 ERA, 1.03 WHIP)

2. Luis Severino (9-6, 142 K, 3.88 ERA, 1.19 WHIP)

3. Jameson Taillon (8-7, 133 K, 4.17 ERA, 1.24 WHIP)

4. Jordan Montgomery (10-8, 169 K, 3.95 ERA, 1.25 WHIP)

5. Nestor Cortes (6-6, 112 K, 4.25 ERA, 1.23 WHIP)

Other Rotation Options: Domingo German (IL), Michael King, Luis Gil, Clarke Schmidt

Bullpen

Closer

Aroldis Chapman (2-4, 35 SV, 90 K, 3.05 ERA, 1.16 WHIP)

Prediction

The Yankees have talent littered over the roster, and figure to post a solid season around the 90 win mark. With that being said, the team is too strike out or bust for my liking, and I have questions about every starting pitcher besides Cole. Furthermore, depth is also a serious concern especially at CF and C. I personally would have liked to see the Yankees go after a starting pitcher like Chris Bassit and Matt Olson to fill some of their holes. I do think that this team needs changes in management and roster construction wise, but support the current approach at positions like SS to wait to see what studs like Peraza and Volpe can do in the future. The bullpen is still solid, but Chapman remains a huge question mark at closer. It is a circus when he pitches. It just seems overall that the Yankees, once obsessed with winning, continue to watch other teams get better around them while they get worse and stay complicit. This new mentality will have to revert to the old in order for the Yankees to secure Championship #28. If they played in a different division besides the AL East (or maybe NL West), I still think the Yankees would secure first or second in the division. However, this is the AL East and I still think the Yankees are a hair behind Tampa, Toronto, and Boston. Thus...

Win Total: 88

Division Finish: 4th

Playoff Seed: 5th

Playoff Result: Lose Best of Three WC Round (1st Round)

Best Case Scenario

The starters all stay healthy, with Cole placing Top 5 in AL Cy Young Voting. Gallo and Torres bounce back, which leads to a much scarier, deeper lineup. Judge and Stanton play at least 140-150 games. Loaisiga continues to take steps forward and becomes the teams closer, while Chapman irons out his deficiencies and becomes a stable back-end relief option. Rizzo and Falefa continue to play gold glove caliber defense, leading a defense that is among the leagues strongest. The Yankees find a replacement at the deadline for Hicks at CF, and trade for a solid #2 pitching option to strengthen the rotation. The Yankees cruise to the Postseason, and get revenge against the likes of Houston and Boston in October. The franchise clinches their first World Series Appearance and World Series since 2009.

Worst Case Scenario

Injuries, Injuries, Injuries. Cole continues his struggles in big games. The offense continues to be boom or bust. The Yankees refuse to make trades or capitalize on chances to improve the ball club. Chapman continues to regress. Torres and Gallo continue to be subpar at the plate. The Yankees have to sell at the deadline and trade Judge. The Yankees post a sub .500 record for the first time since 1992, and miss the Postseason for the first time since 2016. This upcoming offseason leads to many more hard decisions and the Yanks find themselves in the same place as going into this season.

Pitcher to Watch: Gerrit Cole

He, naturally, is the Ace of the staff and thus the pitcher that has to continue to be lights out and earn his money. The last time we saw him pitch, he wilted in a terrible start in the AL Wild Card Game against the archival Boston Red Sox. The Yankees will only go as far as Cole takes them. He is being paid like a superstar, and any performance that is less will be disastrous for the club.

Hitter to Watch: Gleyber Torres

This might be Torres' last shot to prove himself on the Yankees, and coming off two mediocre at best seasons this one will be critical to show that the massive numbers he posted in 2019 weren't a fluke. Torres should have an easier mental workload playing second base as opposed to shortstop. He is still young, and figures to play himself into- or out of- the Yankees future plans with his performance this season.

Reliever to Watch: Jonathan Loaisiga

I love watching this guy pitch, and think that he is a gamer and stud. Loaisiga should be in consideration for the closer position, but regardless is an elite set-up man. Look for him to be one of the Yankees representatives again at the All Star Game in July. Big things to come for "Lasagna".

Yankees Current Top Prospects:

1. Anthony Volpe, SS (20)

2. Jasson Dominguez OF (19)

3. Oswald Peraza SS (21)

4. Luis Gil P (23)

5. Clarke Schmidt P (26)

Yankees Key Series to Watch

April 7-10 (BOS)

April 11-14 (TOR)

May 6-8 (TEX)

May 12-16 (@ CHW)

May 26-29 (@ TB)

June 23-26 (HOU)

July 26-27 (@ NYM)

August 1-3 (SEA)

September 5-8 (MIN)

September 16-18 (@ MIL)