Five Moves New York Yankees Can Make to Get Back in World Series Hunt

Here are five moves the New York Yankees can make to get back in the World Series hunt next season.

Jessica Alcheh-USA TODAY Sports

For the first time since 1990, the historic New York Yankees find themselves in last in the AL East at 59-56, five games back from the Wild Card. 

Injuries, offense and a lack of roster movement from general manager Brian Cashman has led to one of the worst seasons in franchise history. With Yankee fans constantly expecting World Series contention, Cashman and his management team will have to get together and make some big time moves this offseason.

​It will all start with the offense for Cashman and the Yankees as New York finds themselves second to last in all of baseball in batting average, only ahead of the 33-82 Oakland Athletics. Big money signing Giancarlo Stanton has only delivered 18 Home Runs and 44 RBI with a .204 batting average, a fraction of the 59 Home Run season he had in 2017 with the Marlins. New York may look to offload the extremely expensive Stanton contract and look for a left fielder that can provide hits in the middle of the lineup.

Cody Bellinger is a versatile outfielder who is hitting .327 this season with 17 home runs and 56 RBI. Bellinger, with his contract expiring this offseason, could be the perfect fit for the pinstripes and could help bolster the lineup through contact and power. Michael Brantley will also be hitting the market as a free agent and is one of the better contact hitters in the American League. Look for New York to push for one of these guys.

The Yankees will also want to strengthen their starting rotation, one that has been in constant flux all season due to injury and inconsistent play. Former stud Luis Severino is 2-7 with an 8.06 ERA since returning from injury, and Domingo German was just admitted into an inpatient program for alcohol abuse, thus ending his season. Meanwhile starters Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes, who had huge expectations coming into the year, have pitched a combined 86 innings this season. New York could look to add depth to make up for some of the inconsistencies they’ve experienced this year.

Mike Clevinger could be a tremendous depth option to add into the rotation when he hits free agency. The right hander has 64 strikeouts on the year, maintaining a 3.55 ERA and a 5-5 record for a struggling Chicago White Sox team. If the Yankees wanted to take a big swing via trade, Corbin Burnes of the Milwaukee Brewers is a guy who could move from small to big market and take his shot at a World Series with the pinstripes.

​Finally, a quality third baseman will be in order for the Yankees this offseason with Josh Donaldson’s contract set to expire. New York could keep things in house, placing DJ LeMahieu at third base full-time and upgrading Gleyber Torres to full-time second baseman. Another option could be bringing in 29-year-old Jeimer Candelario on a short-term deal. Candelario has posted a .277 batting average with 17 homers and 56 RBIs, stats that would be a huge addition to the middle of this Yankee lineup.

​Staying healthy will remain the key for the Bronx Bombers in 2024 if they want a real shot at the World Series, but some necessary roster moves will be needed to turn this mediocre Yankees squad into the powerhouse that fans are used to seeing.