The Yankees went into the 2021-2022 offseason knowing that things needed to change. It had been four straight years of downturn since they were in game seven of the 2017 ALCS against the Houston Astros.
In 2018, losing in the ALDS to the Boston Red Sox. In 2019, it was back in the ALCS but losing in six to the Astros. In the shortened 2020 season, a five game loss to the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALDS. Finally, last year, a loss in the AL Wild Card game to the Red Sox.
Three teams have been responsible for knocking the Yankees out of the playoffs over the last five years. Yet, it seems like those teams have only gotten better while the Yankees have gotten worse.
This offseason, the Yankees did make some changes. They changed their entire left side of the infield by trading away Gio Urshela and acquiring Josh Donaldson and Isiah Kiner-Falefa. They traded away Gary Sanchez, something fans have wanted since he first recorded an out with the team.
Today, they just traded away Luke Voit to the San Diego Padres. When opening day strikes on April 7, the Yankees will have a new third baseman, first baseman catcher, shortstop, and left fielder from opening day in 2021. That’s a lot of change, but it’s not enough and it’s not the changes Yankee fans wanted.
Yes, Carlos Correa is still out there, and the A’s do have Frankie Montas and Sean Manaea still on their roster, but realistically, do we expect the front office to make those moves? I’d bet on no, but I hope I am wrong. When Yankee fans said a drastic overhaul of the roster, we didn’t mean just two players that are different from last year’s AL Wild Card losing roster. We meant a complete change.
We’ll see what roster trots out on opening day in a few weeks. As a fan, I’ll get excited when the games count for real. But will my excitement be as high as it’s been the last few years? That remains to be seen.
PHOTO: Associated Press
