The state of baseball is depressing. No way around it. It looked like we had a possible deal in place today but then it all came crumbling down. Despite being angry, I want to keep talking about baseball, and not these ridiculous negotiations. So now is the perfect opportunity to go through some MLB organizations and come up with one area that needs to improve for better success in 22’ and beyond. I acknowledge that many teams have more than one area that needs improvement, especially since free agency is only about 40 percent complete. I will definitely work through the A.L. East, since that is right in my wheelhouse. If the lockout goes longer, I will keep going through the different divisions.
Up first are the New York Yankees, who are coming off of a disappointing 2021 campaign. It feels like every year the Yankees are the favorites to win the division and get to the World Series. Losing to their arch nemesis, the Boston Red Sox, in the Wild Card game is not the way the fanbase wanted the season to end.
I think most baseball fans and especially most Yankee fans would admit that the 2021 Bronx Bombers were the epitome of the 3 true outcomes. They were first among all teams in walks, 6th among teams in strikeouts, and hit the 6th most home runs in the game. It certainly is strange to look at the season’s numbers and see the Yankees ranked 19th in total runs scored, especially while playing in that tiny ballpark. The Yankees thought by adding Joey Gallo and Anthony Rizzo that their left handed hitting woes would be solved. Both hitters are very good at walking but Rizzo hit .249 and Gallo hit .160 once they put on the pinstripes. Those numbers contributed to a team batting average of .237, which ranked 23rd in the league.
I specifically remember a series in July when the Yankees played the Red Sox and were missing a ton of players. Greg Allen got the start in the outfield and surprisingly was a difference maker in the series. He was stealing bags and putting extra pressure on the defense by taking extra bases. It was a different offensive attack that the Red Sox faced in that series prior to their previous games against the Yankees. I remember watching the series and thinking to myself, “This just feels like a more threatening offensive attack.” In that series where they were missing a lot of their big sluggers, it felt like their offensive attack was not as station-to-station as it was for most of the season. Now, I acknowledge that Greg Allen was and is not the cure for the offensive struggles in New York. Players get hot for a series and can act like they belong for 3 games. Allen only played in 13 additional games after that Boston series so clearly he didn’t solve the Yankees’ issues. I do think there is a possible blueprint they could follow for 2022.
More athleticism and more diverse hitters should change the Bronx Bombers’ attack. The first player that I think they absolutely should look to acquire is Jose Ramirez. The Cleveland third baseman is a dynamic player and has finished in the top 6 in the MVP voting in 4 of the last 5 seasons. He can steal bags (27 in 21’), hits for a decent average (.266), and most importantly, only strikes out in 11.3 percent of his plate appearances. Ramirez is in the final year on his rookie contract but he does have a team option for 23’. With two years of possible team control, it would probably take one of the Yankees’ top prospects and maybe a few more to acquire Ramirez. For the Yankees, a AA prospect will not be much help in 22’. Brian Cashman would have the opportunity to lock up the 29 year-old superstar if Ramirez proves the bright lights are not too bright.
The second player I think could change the Yankees offense is Cedric Mullins. The Yankees do not have a true center fielder and the Orioles could look to move their breakout performer in 21’. With Mullins, there is a risk. Prior to 2021, most baseball fans would not have been able to name who Cedric Mullins played for or if he played professional baseball. Mullins decided to give up switch hitting and committed to hitting left handed. The change saw Mullins go from a fringe MLB player to a top 10 finisher in the MVP. 30-30 seasons are rare in today’s game but that is exactly what Mullins accomplished. Mullins could be a dynamic leadoff hitter for the Yankees and with that short porch in right, the power numbers could be sustainable. The Orioles are going nowhere in 2022 and could look to improve one of baseball’s top farm systems. If Cashman and the Yankees believe what Mullins did in 21’ is repeatable, he should be available at a reasonable price.
The Yankees are in a strange spot. The Steinbrenners were known for being the ultimate spenders under George’s control, but now they seem to be more worried about staying under the luxury tax rather than adding another piece to compete for a World Series. To put things into context, the San Diego Padres had a higher payroll in 2021 than the New York Yankees. Strange times.
If and when the 2022 season starts, the American League is expected to be an absolute grind. The reigning division champs, the Tampa Bay Rays, won 100 games last season and are loaded with a ton of young talent and a deep 40-man roster. They should be right in the mix to repeat. The Boston Red Sox were 2 games away from the World Series last year and will look to compete again this season. The most dangerous team may be the Toronto Blue Jays, who have a loaded roster and appear to be all in on winning. Where the Yankees fall into the mix is unknown. I could see fans making the case for winning the division or finishing in fourth.
If the Yankees are going to improve from their Wild Card loss, they will need to improve their offense. Becoming more athletic and diverse should be at the top of their list. I believe the players are out there to make the necessary changes. Does the front office want to go all in on winning? A strange question for the Yankees.