New York Yankees: Empire Writes Back’s 2019 roster prediction roundtable
The New York Yankees had the most disappointing end to the 2018 season. So, our writers here at Empire Writes Back got together and gave our opinions on what the Yankees should do to win the World Series in 2019.
First off, let us not forget the brutal way in which the 2018 New York Yankees Season ended, in utter heartbreak.
It was the ALDS, Game Four, at Yankee Stadium.
After scoring two runs in the bottom of the ninth, Gleyber Torres stood in the box facing Craig Kimbrel.
Torres grounded out to third. The Yankees lost. Their season was over.
Only bad news would immediately follow.
Didi Gregorius, the Yankees all-star shortstop, underwent Tommy John Surgery and is out until at least June. Even worse, the Red Sox ended up winning the World Series.
Despite the Yankees re-signing of Brett Gardner, Bryce Harper still sits as a plausible option for the Yankees.
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On Monday, Dan Federico tweeted the following regarding where the Yankees’ interest is with Harper:
Source: The Yankees have expressed interest in Bryce Harper as a first baseman. They have reached out to Nationals execs about his makeup and willingness to move positions. Aren’t completely sold on Voit (“could be a September fluke”), lost a lot of hope in Bird
— Dan Federico (@DanJFederico) November 5, 2018
On Tuesday, on MLB Network Radio, Harper’s agent Scott Boras said,
Scott Boras: “Bryce has the feet, hands and skill to certainly adapt to 1st base.” #Yankees @MLBNetworkRadio
— Casey Stern (@CaseyStern) November 6, 2018
After reports that the Indians and Mariners were willing to listen on veterans, Jon Heyman reported that the Yankees were speaking to both teams, more importantly, the Indians, about their top-tier starting pitching.
Later that day, the Yankees agreed to a one-year deal with CC Sabathia that will bring him back for his eleventh season in a Yankees uniform.
And to wrap up all the madness, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman once again stated that Sonny Gray will be traded this offseason.
Despite all that happening, the Yankees fan base still has questions.
Will they re-sign David Robertson? What about J.A. Happ? Will the Yankees make a trade for a starting pitcher, or will they sign one in free agency?
To answer those questions, a few of the baseball writers here at Empire Writes Back have written our 2019 roster predictions.
We wrote about which free agents we think the Yanks will re-sign/sign, if they will make any trades, and what the roster will look like on Opening Day 2019 against the Baltimore Orioles.
Welcome to the New York Yankees 2019 empirewritesback.com roster prediction roundtable! To start, let’s move on to our first predictions!
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Here is what contributor Alex Jordan thinks the Yankees will do this offseason:
"“I think that J. A. Happ and Clint Frazier get re-signed. I think that Patrick Corbin will sign with the Yankees. Corey Kluber could also sign with the Yankees. I don’t see the Yankees doing much trading. I think McCutchen will get traded to whatever team wants him and can afford him. As for prospects making the team, I think that Luke Voit will be the first baseman and Justus Sheffield will make the team. I think the final 25 man roster will be similar to this [2018] year but with Luke Voit, Patrick Corbin and Justus Sheffield.”"
Up next, I asked our co-site expert, John Carroll, how the Yankees’ offseason will play out. He thinks there is going to be a huge focus on starting pitching!