Yankees New Year’s Resolutions for the 2018 season

Third Baseman – Miguel Andujar, Gleyber Torres, Tyler Wade

New Year’s Resolution: Prove to be a starter at the major league level

Gleyber Torres is the favorite to win the starting second base job at some point in 2018. There’s also a possibility he could start at third. If it’s not Torres, and if the Yankees don’t acquire another player, then Tyler Wade or Miguel Andujar could start.

All three have the potential to be everyday starters someday, but it seems Torres is the readiest now. We saw glimpses of Andujar and Wade last year, but it appears they may be trade chips.

It’s no secret that GM Brian Cashman has refused to offer Torres as a trading piece since acquiring him. Recently, Cashman would not include Torres in a package deal for Pirates ace Gerrit Cole or Tigers ace Michael Fulmer.

Tyler Wade’s name was shuffled around in these packages, most recently in the Michael Fulmer proposal. It’s likely he’ll be traded if Cashman finds a buyer to secure a third baseman and/or starting pitcher.

According to Kristie Ackert and Bill Madden of the New York Daily News, the Pirates wanted both Wade and Andujar. Both players along with pitching prospect Chance Adams and Clint Frazier seemed attractive as a package. In exchange, the Yankees would receive Gerrit Cole and third baseman/utility player Josh Harrison.

The deal was just a rumor, and it appears the trade talks have significantly simmered. But the pressure is on Andujar and Wade to prove to the Yankees top brass they are invaluable.

I’d like to believe Cashman is playing mind games with his prospects to make them more hungry to perform.

Left Field – Brett Gardner

New Year’s Resolution: Earn 2019 team option by repeating 2017 performance

Brett Gardner has been undervalued player in the major leagues in my opinion because he grinds out at-bats, he’s a great fielder with above average speed, and last year he belted 21 home runs for a career high.

The Major League Baseball Alumni Association awarding Brett Gardner with the Heart & Hustle Award could not have come at a better time for the veteran outfielder. The 2018 season could be his last year because the Yankees have a $12.5M team option in 2019.

With a massive list of potential star free agents in 2019, the Yankees could decide to part ways with Gardy.  That is if Gardner does not repeat his 2017 performance in 2018.

At age 34, it will be interesting to see if Gardner can fight off father time another year and continue to be a contributing member of this Yankees ball club.