Yankees and Astros:
New York has its swagger with the winter’s pitching prize while Houston is searching for a new culture. We explore both teams. Pages 16-19
❚ Pete Rose won’t get his wish, Page 20
Five issues facing the Yankees:
World Series or bust:
By adding free agent and former Astros starter Gerrit Cole atop their rotation, the Yankees won the winter meetings and became the preseason favorite to capture the American League pennant.
So there’s even more pressure – with a payroll well past the luxury tax guardrails – for the Yankees to fulfill their annual mission statement.
Managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner’s club hasn’t been to a World Series since winning it in 2009.
Coming off a 103-win season, with their chief rivals – the Astros and the Red Sox – weakened by key player subtractions, 2020 is set up to be the Yankees’ year.
Stay healthy:
Last season, the Yankees won the AL East despite placing a record 30 players (in 39 stints) on the injured list. In response, general manager Brian Cashman conducted a thorough investigation into the organization’s strength and conditioning methods.
Sweeping changes were made in that area, with Eric Cressey hired to the new position of director of player health and performance and Michael Schuk was elevated to head athletic trainer.
Injury prevention through more individualized programs is the goal, after the likes of Luis Severino, Giancarlo Stanton, Dellin Betances, Aaron Judge and Aaron Hicks missed significant time in 2019.
Miguel Andujar:
It was a lost 2019 season for Andujar, who played just 12 games before having year-ending right labrum surgery.
And while Andujar convalesced, Gio Urshela – a Gold Glove-caliber defender – suddenly sparked offensively and took hold of the third base job. Urshela enters 2020 as the incumbent at third base, while Andjuar – the 2018 AL Rookie of the Year runner-up – reports as an offensive force without a position.
Andujar could be tried in left field and at first base, in addition to his work at third base – where he’s still in need of defensive improvement. And he could be the opening-day designated hitter.
Back of the rotation:
Back surgery could keep James Paxton out until early June, subtracting an important rotation piece and creating a more spirited competition in camp.
Nearly two years removed from Tommy John surgery, left-hander Jordan Montgomery is a leading candidate to claim the No. 5 starter’s job. Veteran lefty J.A. Happ seems cemented as the No. 4 starter. By early June, the Yankees will also have Domingo German back in the picture. He is serving a suspension for violating MLB’s joint policy on domestic violence.
Giancarlo Stanton:
As the Yankees marched to their first division title since 2012, Stanton was a non-factor last season.
Biceps, shoulder and knee issues limited the 2017 National League MVP to 18 games in 2019, and a quadriceps strain essentially took him out of the postseason after the AL Championship Series opener.
Now, he’s expected to see significant time in left field (in addition to DH) with Brett Gardner manning center field until Aaron Hicks (Tommy John surgery) returns in the second half.
Will the impatient Yankees fans cut Stanton some slack? Doubtful.