Yankees 2017 New Years Resolutions for Success

The New Year allows people a fresh start, with many making resolutions on how to fix their flaws from the year before. What resolutions should the Yankees make to be more successful in 2017?

2016 was a disappointing year for the New York Yankees. The Bombers finished fourth in the American League East, with an 84-78 record, and failed to make the playoffs. They struggled with a lot in 2016, and some adjustments could see more success for the 2017 season. Here are some New Years resolutions the Yankees could make to have a successful 2017.

In 2017 I will: Have a consistent power bat

The Yankees never really had a definitive power bat during 2016. Carlos Beltran led the team with 22 home runs, and he was traded to Texas in early August. Starlin Castro and Didi Gregorius tied for the team lead, with 70 RBI apiece. The small numbers put up by the Yankees bats hurt them significantly in 2016, and they need one guy to step up and be the 30 homer, 100 RBI guy every successful team has. The most likely candidate to fill these shoes is newly acquired Matt Holliday, Gary Sanchez, or Greg Bird.

Holliday is known for his power, and being in the middle of the lineup as the DH should suit him well. Over the course of his 13-year career, he has averaged 27 home runs and 105 RBI a year. If he has an average year in 2017 for the Bombers, it would have been better than any numbers the 2016 team put up. Gary Sanchez lit up opposing pitchers during his short time in 2016, and a full season out of him could be scary. In just 53 games, Sanchez hit 20 home runs and drove in 42 runs, while terrorizing opposing pitchers. Bird missed 2016 due to shoulder surgery, but 2017 looks bright for the first baseman. During his short tenure in 2015, he hit 11 home runs and drove in 31 during the 46 games he was with the big league club. One, if not all, of these guys, will have a monster year in 2016 and hopefully, fill that missing piece.

In 2017 I will: Trade a former superstar

The Yankees have a few former superstars on their team. Chase Headley was supposed to be the dynamic power hitting third baseman for the Yankees but has failed to live up to the hype. After finishing in the top five in the MVP award in 2012, which he hit 31 home runs and 115 RBI; he hasn’t hit more than 14 home runs since. The former Padre has been a liability at the hot corner, and Yankee fans have been calling for him to be replaced.

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A two-time World Series champ with the Red Sox, Jacoby Ellsbury’s Yankee career has been a disappointment. He has hit .264 in his three years in pinstripes; over 30 points lower than his career totals in Boston. His stolen base numbers are down, along with his runs scored. As a top of the lineup guy, Ellsbury is not performing to the large contract he received. The 33-year-old’s best playing days are behind him, and it might be best of the Yankees moved on. Trading one or both of these former superstars could land the Yankees some more prospects, which would bolster their already dynamic farm system.

In 2017 I will: Trust the prospects

The Yankees new bolstered farm system holds some of baseball’s best prospects, highlighted by Clint Frazier, Gleyber Torres, Jorge Mateo, and Aaron Judge. Frazier and Judge are the two that are expected to play for the Yankees in 2017, with Torres, Mateo, and others for 2018. If the Yankees want to be successful in 2017, then they will need to trust some of these younger guys to produce at the big league level. Clint Frazier has been one of the best prospects in baseball, and since coming to the Yankees in the Andrew Miller trade has been the top Yankees prospect. Frazier will be one of the players to impact the Major League club and will need to have the support of his teammates and coaches to help him succeed and help the team succeed. e

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The Yankees need to make some resolutions and take action in order to have a winning season in 2017 and make the playoffs. If they can have that one consistent power bat, get rid of a liability in the lineup, and trust the prospects, then they will see 2017 be better than 2016, and isn’t that the point of making resolutions?