Bottom of the Barrel

The New York Yankees hit a new low before the weekend last week and it's a feeling many Yankee fans can hardly remember. The Bombers, who have been anything but, fell to under .500 for the first time this late in the season since 1995. On that date, September 5th, Derek Jeter was recalled from the minor leagues to stay with the big club, Aaron Boone was in double A, and nine current Yankees weren't even born yet. After the Braves humiliated the City of New York, outscoring the Yankees and Mets 58-13 in a six day span the Yankees finally were forced to come to the realization that the playoffs were no longer a real option this year. They have been spiraling downhill all season but with less than 50 games to play, in dead last place, and now under .500 even the most optimistic New York fan came to the reality of the situation.

Missing the playoffs and a totally lost season will of course bring calls for the head of Cashman and Boone, and rightfully so. But, even their firings, still very unlikely, won't fix the current roster. Boone and Cashman deserve plenty of blame, but the Yankees are saddled with bad ballplayers. Stanton, DJ, and Rizzo are aging quickly and are cemented into this lineup. Rodon can't stay on the field, and now the Yankees are looking at a weak crop of new talent as far as free agency goes.

Outside of Ohtani there really aren't many big names to bring in. Aaron Nola is having a down year, Matt Chapman is not a difference maker on offense and unless Cashman, or the new GM, gets creative, the Yankees have tanked their farm system and will find it hard to make an impactful trade.

There is a silver lining though and that is the international market. The Yankees whiffed on Ichiro, Senga and Ohtani, for varied reasons but they can secure a new future for this team by reaching into the international market. Yoshi Yamamoto is a supremely gifted pitcher who will be posted this winter. Yamamoto is 2 1/2 years younger than Clarke Schmidt, he’s a three time MVP in his league, and there are rumors he actually wants to play in New York. With Rodon being the type of starter you simply can't trust, Cole getting older, and the rest of the staff up in the air, a 24-year-old ace could make all the difference.

File Photo

File Photo

The same can be said for Jung Hoo-Lee. The KBO star is a 24-year-old who just won the MVP himself. He hits for average and power, while playing an excellent center field. What stands out though is his strike zone discipline. Hoo-Lee struck out an unthinkable 32 times in 627 at bats. He has the makings of everything the Bombers need to become the Bombers again. A fleet footed center fielder, who doesn't strike out and can get on base, along with a young ace .. now that is an offseason that can make us forget the mess that was 2023.