Can the Yankees avoid the missteps of the Red Sox and Mariners?

Still Not Running On Empty

Best of all in hopes of a long run, they have highly thought of players coming over the next three years. Foremost among them is CF Estevan Florial, who might be their most talented young player, set to arrive in 2019 at the age of 21.

RF Clint Frazier is another high upside player and might be best used to bring back a young, front-line starter. But at 23, the Yankees can take their time with him.

There is one change to the Yankees farm system, though, and it’s a welcome one. Whereas the strength of their minors was once position players, they now look to have a string of promising pitchers throughout the depths of their system.

Evaluators are confident that many of the following pitchers will either help bring back a premier talent, or contribute in the Bronx in significant ways over the next four or five years, most as relievers: Chance Adams, Justus Sheffield, Albert Abreu, Dillon Tate, Freicer Perez, Domingo Acevedo and Jonathan Loaisiga, to name just a few.

Finally, the Yankees have done a great job of lowering payroll and remain on track to be able to add free agents this year and next. And next year is very important as several top players on both sides of the ball will become available.

The Yankees situation looks very promising. Just like it did for Seattle. And Boston. So, what pitfalls that have afflicted those teams might derail the Yankees’ ride?