MLB: 6 questions about the Yankees for 2022

Talk about the New York Yankees Before each season it is something that in itself comes with a great intrigue, a team that, although we do not have it in our major plan of the season, it would be a mistake not to have them present for the competition.

Despite all the mythical and competitive they are called to be year after year, it is evident that in recent times things are not going well in the Yankees, which has surrounded the club with questions and, that in their roster for 2022 they are not is the exception.

Once the market for Big leagues When hopefully the work stoppage imposed by team owners will come to an end after failing to achieve a Collective Bargaining Agreement with the Players Union, teams like the Yankees will have great challenges and gaps to cover with market pieces, but while that comes it’s time of at least wondering about tomorrow.

Will Gary Sánchez still be the catcher for the Yankees in 2022?

It is evident that, after 7 campaigns since his debut in the MLB, Gary Sanchez has not fulfilled his role as a catcher for the Yankees. Regardless of the expectations of what he can do for his bat, but he just hasn’t delivered. He’s even ended up having timeshare behind the plate with Kyle Higashioka.

The Dominican has had problems in catching from handling the pitches he receives, to blocking balls. That during 879.1 innings as a catcher in 2021 he had the disastrous result of –10 Runs Saves and a Framing (doubtful pitches or balls turned into strikes) of –2.5.

It just hasn’t turned out as a starting catcher. And the Yankees seriously haven’t looked for a replacement. Will he still be the starting catcher? Time and results tell us that it is a mistake.

Will Gleyber Torres continue as the starting shortstop?

As well as the team’s problems in catching with Sánchez, so are the problems from short stops with Torres. We’ve seen the Yankees play Torres from second base, but the truth is that he’s still their shortstop.

Things for Gleyber Torres get worse after dragging defense as the main problem in his game, but now also a drop in his production with the wood. During 516 plate appearances in 2021, the Venezuelan had an OPS + of 93, 7% lower than the league average.

As a shortstop defender for 915.2 innings he had a score of –10 Runs Saves, which is already enough of a problem to add to his bat.

Today in free agency there are the options of players from the short stops such as Carlos Correa, Trevor Story or Andrelton Simmons, so the question about Torres will have to wait until free agency resumes. But it is obvious that the Yankees in that position need other options to look for that is not called Gleyber Torres.

Will the Yankees wait for Anthony Volpe?

If he does not manage to cover the position of the shortstop and continue with Gleyber Torres, we could deduce that if he does not go for a long-term project from the SS with Carlos Correa or Trevor Story, then the Yankees wait for Anthony Volpe, a 20-year-old player who has become your best prospect.

Volpe has been projected as a very good defender, a player with great speed and great power with his bat, who also has a great notion in the batter’s box. His highest level has been Class A Advanced in Minor Leagues to date. Although we all know that waiting for a prospect is waiting to win the lottery.

Another great Giancarlo Stanton year in 2022?

Giancarlo Stanton has been a long-awaited player since joining the Yankees in 2018, but one who has had an injury-plagued road ever since. 2021 was a great year for him, why not think of a better 2022?

During 139 games in 2021 at age 31, Stanton produced 35 home runs with 97 RBIs, having the great OPS + of 136. He will reach 2022 in his 32-year campaign, where he will earn a salary of US $ 29 million, for which it is evident that the Yankees are looking forward to another year where Stanton remains healthy and producing as a star.

Who will play center fielder?

Brett Gardner spent the most time in center field for the Yankees during 2021, after an injury that only allowed Aaron Hicks to act in 32 games. Gardner is a free agent today, Hicks will return from injury and the Yankees have re-signed Ender Inciarte.

Hicks’ path has been plagued with injuries since 2018, without ever having a 100-game season since. In 2022 this will have the salary of US $ 10.5 million… will Hicks continue to be the main option as CF to stay in health? It is instantly a yes.

Inciarte hasn’t had a stellar position in the majors since 2018, other than coming to the Yankees on a minor league contract. So first to think of options on the Yankees and him, first he will have to earn a job in the spring.

What will the starting rotation be like?

Gerrit Cole and Jordan Montgomery are obvious pitchers we will see in the Yankees starting rotation in 2022. Nestor Cortes in 2021 had a great year in 14 starts with a 2.90 ERA, as did Luis Gil with 6 starts and a 3.07 ERA; Luis Severino will return from an injury that has kept him out of the game since 2019, who made his comeback with just 6 innings pitched in 2021.

After the Tommy John Severino is still a question mark for Los Mulos’ rotation, but even bigger are Jameson Taillon, who in 2021 had 29 starts and a 4.30 ERA; and Domingo Germán, who had 18 starts with a 4.58 ERA.

Seeing the return of Severino, as well as the consecration of Cortes and Gil, clearly today Taillon and Germán result in the biggest question of all the Yankees pitching for 2022.

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MLB: 6 questions about the Yankees for 2022