Empire Writes Back
Fansided

New York Yankees: What is Their Biggest Question Mark Heading into 2017?

By Nick Ziegler

Mar 23, 2017; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; New York Yankees helmet, bat and bags lay on the field prior to their spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 23, 2017; Port Charlotte, FL, USA; New York Yankees helmet, bat and bags lay on the field prior to their spring training game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Charlotte Sports Park. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit

ESPN.com recently named the biggest question mark for each team heading into the 2017 season. What is the biggest question mark for the New York Yankees?

Coming into the 2017 season, there are certainly some question marks for the New York Yankees. After being sellers at the trade deadline last season, the Yankees are clearly going in a different direction.

Even though they were able to compete for a playoff spot late in the season, reality did eventually set in for the Bronx Bombers. Now, the 2017 season will be about growing their young talent.

With catcher Gary Sanchez leading the way, the Yankees have a lot of young talent in their lineup. Seeing these young players grow should be exciting for Yankees fans, but it may not result in enough wins to be a playoff team this season.

While the Yankees lineup should be productive, the starting rotation is a huge question mark coming into the season. In ESPN’s article, Andrew Marchand says the biggest question for the Yankees is can they contend this season. Here’s what Marchand had to say.

"Can the transitioning Yankees contend as they rebuild? They have the elements to be good, but a lot is going to have to go right. The starting pitching has more questions than a grand jury inquiry; the closest guy to a sure thing is Masahiro Tanaka, who always has a lingering elbow issue. The offense will need the youngsters to be ready, but also for the pricey veterans to perform. — Andrew Marchand"

Competing while rebuilding is certainly going to be a challenge for the Yankees. Even though they were able to last season, nothing is guaranteed.

Next: Who are the 5 greatest catchers in Yankees history?

While the lineup should be good for the Yankees, they have no reliable starting pitcher besides Masahiro Tanaka. With a fifth starter still not named, the Yankees are going to have a problem in their rotation all season. Being in the playoff hunt will be a challenging thing for the Yankees this season as they try to build for the future.

Home/New York Yankees