The season is lost! Trade everyone! Most Yankees fans were in panic mode prior to the Trade Deadline. The 2016 season has been exciting primarily because the team’s rookies — known as the Baby Bombers — have injected a new buzz to the squad. The Yankees sold at the Trade Deadline; a first for general manager Brian Cashman. As of Friday morning, the team is 2.5 games back for a Wild Card spot.
This year’s team is a scrappy bunch and I love it. The young players the organization had in the Minors are getting much needed big league experience. Cashman and manager Joe Girardi deserve credit for the Yankees being in the position they are in. It feels like the organization’s way of thinking — in terms of shedding expensive contracts and acquiring as much young talent as possible — has made it into the 21st century.
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Rather than twiddle their thumbs until the mega free agent class after the 2018 season, which is set to include Manny Machado, Jose Fernandez, Bryce Harper and Clayton Kershaw (if he opts out of his current deal), the Yankees started rebuilding. Gary Sanchez had a phenomenal August and made history by hitting his first 11 big league homers faster than any other player in Major League history. The 23-year-old brings a certain swag to the team. With his tremendous throwing arm, he’s set to be a star and could be New York’s primary backstop for the next decade. This final month will give fans a great look at the future, and maybe, with a bit of luck, a Wild Card berth. It would be great to see some of the young arms we have get on the field. You can never have enough pitching and the Yankees need some.Â
September has arrived and we should expect the fighting spirit of this season’s team to continue. A Wild Card spot is attainable. For some players, like the Baby Bombers, the final month of the year serves as a tryout to earn a starting spot for next season. For others, it’s a chance to show teams they should sign them come free agency time. So strap in for one last ride with the surprisingly plucky 2016 New York Yankees.
For more from Joe Cardoso, follow him on Twitter @cright.
Photo credits: Hero (Top) Feature Image: © Allen Kee / ESPN Images
