Yankees are in the playoffs (such as they are at this point - one and done coming up, grrrr). Frankly I'm surprised, given my own assessment of the team earlier in the year. Without elaboration, here are the reasons why they made it this far (in no particular order):
- Didi overcame his understandable early season jitters and turned out to be a serviceable replacement at SS.
- Decent seasons by Headley, Gardner, Ellsbury, and Beltran. Not great seasons mind you, but acceptable performances.
- A-Rod. After dumping on him for years, I cannot get over what he did this year at his age and under the circumstances he faced.
- Gregory Bird, who filled in capably for the oft-injured Teixeira. I will be Bird-watching next year.
- Begrudgingly, Teixeira himself, when he could keep himself out of the training room. Continuing my bird analogies, this season could be Tex's swan song.
- John Ryan Murphy. I don't know which is a bigger embarrassment: That the Yankees must continue with McCann because of what they have invested in him or that they must sit Murphy down because of McCann.
- Brian McCann. Yes, I just got done dumping on him too but I must acknowledge 94 RBI's.
- Dustin Ackley, who may be a "diamond in the rough." I am glad to see that he is only 27.
- Decent seasons by Pineda, Eovaldi, and Tanaka. Not great seasons mind you, but acceptable performances.
- Luis Severino. Keep your eye on this one.
- And, of course, the dynamic duo of Betances and Miller.
Obscure Yankees whose names do not appear above were at best mediocre to bad. I will not bother listing their names.
But I
will list these well-known Yankees for whom I would be lowering the boom soon if I were Cashman:
- McCann *
- Teixeira **
- Drew **
- Young *
- Ryan **
- Sabathia **
- Nova *
* Cashman to player: "Shape up and produce next year or be gone."
** Cashman to player: "Thanks. Pack up your stuff. You're done."