Expectations are to always win a World Series in the Bronx and this season that standard is higher than ever. The last few seasons the Yankees have given us sneak previews on what this team can become, and it all culminates this year. The Yankees must win the World Series this season.
In 2017, the Baby Bombers arrived and nearly took the Yankees to the World Series. They lost to the cheating Astros in seven games; this ultimately ended the Joe Girardi reign in New York.
During that offseason, the Yankees increased expectations by trading Giancarlo Stanton. Due to injuries and the Red Sox own cheating antics kept them from going to the Fall Classic. The following season was washed away by a large increase in injuries and more Houston sign stealing.
Brian Cashman went for a home run and signed Gerrit Cole prior to the 2020 season. Cole was magnificent; the rest of the story is a nightmare. No need to recap a joyless and overall weird season.
This is why the 2021 season is the New York Yankees turning over a new chapter. It’s a fresher team that we haven’t seen in a while, especially among the pitching staff. The lineup is more confident then ever. This is a new-look New York Yankee team, and not a new look like when an old person thinks its alright to dye their hair black.
With this fresh look comes a new mindset: there are no more excuses.
The goal is to win it all in 2021.
The most visible changes are with their starting rotation, of which Gerrit Cole is the unquestioned leader. He is still the ace, but his lieutenants have changed.
The Yankees made a hard decision and let fan favorite and playoff legend Masahiro Tanaka go back to Japan. However, they added two-time Cy Young award winner Corey Kluber on a one-year deal is a high reward upgrade.
Injury-prone James Paxton and declining J.A. Happ have moved on, and Cole’s longtime friend and former Pirates teammate Jameson Taillon is in. Jordan Montgomery still has high potential. The fifth spot in the starting rotation is open and watching that battle will be exciting during spring training.
No more Adam Ottavino and Tommy Kahnle? East fix! Veterans Darren O’Day and Justin Wilson anchor that down and have Aroldis Chapman’s back.
Let’s talk about the lineup.
And before we start, please don’t bring up Stanton or Aaron Judge’s injury problems. I’m more tired of hearing all that Yankees Twitter nonsense then I am of a Hallmark movie. The ending is the same every time. It should be noted that having them back makes a huge impact on the line-up.
Meanwhile, the Yankees get DJ LeMahieu back for six more years. Gleyber Torres is back in shape and ready to show that the 2020 season was a bad dream. In case your wondering, Gary Sanchez has been hammering the baseball this spring and is ready to get back to all-star form.
Don’t forget about Gio Urshela and Aaron Hicks who are also key contributors. Luke Voit also returns after carrying the Yankees to the playoffs last season with his bat while hurt.
The Yankees have all the pieces in place for a World Series run. Ten years is way too long not to have a canyon of hero’s parade in New York. While the past few seasons have been a disappointment, it’s time to make those years a forgotten memory.
The lineup is the best in the game whenever it is healthy and locked in. While the pitching staff does have questions, it is made up of guys who are ready to go on game day.
This season is the year where the excuses go away, and the championship run begins now. The Yankees are ready, and the rest of Major League Baseball better be as well.
See you on Opening Day against the Toronto Blue Jays.
