It is always fun when the paper team is put into action starting in 2 months, but one can dream. The Cole move has unequivocally pushed the Yanks to the favorite positive for the World Series in 2020. The only team ahead of them in the AL was just pilfered and we stole from them. The loss of Didi and Romine can be filled internally and their 2019 productions can be replicated with who we have (or even outproduced). The loss of Betances (maybe) is no real loss as we saw only 2/3 IP from him during our 103 win campaign. The loss of Happ will likely be addition by subtraction. Not sure if we lose Gardy yet, but we will need a CFer/4th OFer for the beginning of the year with Hicks out with TJS. But this team is deep. This team is going to be dominant. There are now no weaknesses. This is gonna be fun. The first line is the expected starter on Opening day with the depth behind it
C- Sanchez, Higashioka
1B- Voit, Ford, Andujar
2B- Lemahieu, Wade, Estrada
SS- Torres, Wade, Estrada
3B- Urshela, Andujar
LF- Stanton, Frazier, Tauchman, Andujar
CF- Tauchman, Judge, Hicks
RF- Judge, Stanton, Tauchman
DH- Andujar, Ford, Frazier
That is some serious depth. Where we will need to add in Hicks' stead is to our OF depth. Tauchman is a hell of a defender and really came on as a hitter. In our righty dominated lineup, he is going to be important. But we cannot entirely expect Stanton to man LF more than half the time, so there is a solid chance either Andujar shows he can handle it or we go with Frazier out there while Stanton slips to DH. We have power in every slot. There are no impending FAs. This lineup is loaded for bear and will continue to be dominant for awhile. We hit over 300HR and missed 2 months of Judge and a season of Stanton. The HR totals from this team will be crazu
SP1- Cole
SP2- Severino
SP3- Paxton
SP4- Tanaka
SP5- German
SP6- Montgomery
SP7- Loaisiga
SP8- Happ (expected to be dealt)
SP9- D. Garcia
SP10- C. Schmidt
Power, depth, and now a true blue ace. Severino put two seasons together of true ace-hood but faded by the end. Cole did anything but that the past two seasons. He takes the pressure off of Severino. He also can be the leader and allow the others to follow. Paxton and Tanaka are entering contract years, so their production will be very important to their bottom line. But this rotation is deep, is powerful and is probably the best in the AL.
CL- Chapman
SU- Britton
SU- Ottavino
SU- Kahnle
SU- Green
RP- Holder
RP- Cessa
RP- Loaisiga
RP- Heller
Lots of power here. The back end is locked in. The top 5 in the pecking order all have wipeout stuff. The new additions in Heller and potentially Loaisiga should add some serious octane to the group and at a low cost. Lots more prospects coming up with fire in their arms, no idea if they will get a shot but this is deep
This is the best Yankee team I have seen in awhile. In the 90s-2012, we were a star driven team with some holes. This is a deep team with some stars, but no real holes. Cole's signing puts the target on our backs. Cole's signing elevates us to where we had been previously. This is gonna be fun