New York Yankees: 6 Moves the Yankees Must Make to Be Contenders in 2013
October 23, 2012 · Paul Tierney · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees, as constructed, are going to get worse before they get better. The Bombers have a $28-million-per-year third basemen in Alex Rodriguez who hasn’t hit above .276 in any of the past three seasons and a 38-year-old shortstop in Derek Jeter—along with several other home run hitters—who seem to fade in October. The one bright spot on the roster, second basemen Robinson Cano, needs to be signed to a long-term contract by next offseason.
Despite putting together the best record in the American League in 2012, the Yankees were beaten by a Detroit Tigers team that was built to win in October. Justin Verlander aside, the Tigers had a balanced lineup between power bats and players with high on-base percentages that allowed Detroit to scrape across just enough runs to win each game of the series.
The Yankees’ home run-hitting lineup has the ability to win games in the regular season. The Yanks had 245 homers in 2012, which was 31 more than the next best total. However, their style of play is not sustainable against elite pitching in the playoffs. For the Bombers to get back to being a successful October baseball team, they need to assemble a younger, more balanced lineup to score runs without smashing the ball over the fence.
Let’s take a look at six moves that the Yankees must make this offseason to become a realistic World Series contender in 2013.
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