It is mid-August, and the New York Yankees have fallen to .500 for the first time this late into the season since 1995. With 60-60, the team sits 6.5 games below the prized playoff wildcard spot. With 40-odd games left on the schedule, the road to glory will be filled with challenges and uphill tasks.
Having said that, the next couple of weeks should set the records straight. The outcome of the next stretch of 10-15 games will determine if the Yankees stand a chance at postseason qualification. Meanwhile, in a scenario where the Yanks end up falling out of the playoff race, would they use September to set the stage for the 2024 season?
Aaron Boone Says Few Minor League Options Are Up For Promotion Irrespective Of Results
With the kind of baseball the New York Yankees are producing currently, they might eventually fall out of the playoff race. By early September, the doors to the postseason could be shut for the Bombers. In this hypothetical scenario, the team will have one full month to themselves without worrying about the results. That could allow the club to promote rising minor league prospects to see what they have to offer. Meanwhile, the same query was put before Yankee manager Aaron Boone. Talkin Yanks podcaster Jomboy, in a conversation with Aaron Boone, stated that most of the veterans, including Anthony Rizzo and DJ LeMahieu, are banged up. So is it a possibility that the Yanks might choose to rest these players and replace them with minor-league guys?
Jomboy further added that the Yankees can use September to set foot forward in the 2024 season. They could change the goalpost and reshift focus on the next season. To this, Aaron Boone responded by saying that a couple of minor league guys are up for promotion regardless of the team’s situation. Having said that, the focus of the club is very much to win this season. They have not given up as of now. Moreover, some minor league guys could also be used as a part of the solution. But all things considered, reshifting focus to the 2024 season is out of the question for now. The men in the clubhouse still have belief in achieving the unthinkable. Until the team officially falls out of the race, they will continue to fight to their teeth.
Yankees Set Up Unwanted Franchise History With Recent Series Of Losses
The New York Yankees kicked off the new week on the wrong foot. Facing the Atlanta Braves, the team ended up losing two back-to-back games by a humiliating margin. Moreover, with a record of 60-60, the team fell to .500 for the first time since May and set up wanted franchise history. It’s the first time since 1995 that the Yanks have fallen to .500 this late into the season.
But there is one silver lining to it. In 1995, the Yankees qualified for the playoffs through the wildcard spot. It remains to be seen if history repeats itself. But by the early looks, it looks more like wishful thinking. The team needs to play a better brand of baseball through the 40-left games to turn the dream into reality.