The New York Yankees finished the 2023 campaign with a disappointing 82-80 record.
They missed the postseason for the first time since 2016 and had the worst run differential in the division at -25.
Overall, it was a lousy year for a team that had obvious World Series aspirations.
It wasn’t all bad, though.
Even while missing 56 games with various injuries, Aaron Judge finished with 37 home runs and a 1.019 OPS, Gleyber Torres was consistently productive, and Gerrit Cole is primed to win his first Cy Young award.
That wasn’t all.
The bullpen was excellent all year despite losing key names such as Jonathan Loaisiga, Lou Trivino, Scott Effross, Ron Marinaccio, and others for significant periods of time.
“The Yankees 3.34 reliever ERA was the best in MLB this season,” Talkin’ Yanks tweeted.
The Yankees 3.34 reliever ERA was the best in MLB this season pic.twitter.com/MIaUdQP9oh
— Talkin’ Yanks (@TalkinYanks) October 3, 2023
Thanks to pitching masterminds Matt Blake and Sam Briend, the Yankees have been able to salvage the careers of countless relievers and get the best out of pitchers as a whole in the organization.
Their success stories include Marinaccio, Clay Holmes, Wandy Peralta, and most recently Ian Hamilton, who had a brilliant 2.64 ERA in 58 innings this year.
Keynan Middleton, for example, had a 1.88 ERA in 14.1 frames after coming over at the deadline this year.
Tommy Kahnle finished with a 2.66 ERA in 40.2 frames, the same numbers as Nick Ramirez.
Jhony Brito went from being a lousy starter to an excellent reliever, too.
What the organization lacks in offensive production, it makes up for it in pitching excellence, particularly from its relievers.
If the Yankees ever assemble a respectable offense, they will almost certainly return to the playoffs in 2024.
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