Yankees: 5 reasons why they will excel in 2019 and beyond

The Yankees won 100 games in 2018. The last time they achieved such a feat was in 2009 when they won 103 games. So what does the winningest franchise in sports have in store for 2019?

The Yankees have been gradually improving with a rich farm system, while also ridding themselves of aging players such as Mark Teixeira, Alex Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran and Brian McCann.

General manager Brian Cashman stacked the farm system by having a fire sale during the 2016 trade deadline — dealing away LHP Andrew Miller to the Indians for top prospects Clint Frazier and RHP Justus Sheffield.

The Yanks also traded Carlos Beltran to the Rangers for RHP prospect Dillon Tate, along with minor league right-handed pitchers Erik Swanson and Nick Green. The Bombers then sent catcher Brian McCann to the Astros for minor league right-handers, Albert Abreu and Jorge Guzman.

While most of the prospects that the Yankees acquired are now gone (Sheffield, Swanson and Jorge Guzman), the Bombers are still looking great, especially with Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez, Luis Severino, Didi Gregorius, Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar. And this doesn’t even include former NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton.

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Expect the Bombers to be unstoppable in the years to come, but 2019 looks to be extremely bright.

Why do I feel so good about the Yankees next season? Here’s why:

1. The Yanks fell below the $197 million luxury threshold, which means penalties for exceeding it have been reset. Hence, chairman Hal Steinbrenner said the organization would spend money this offseason.
2. Rookies, Torres and Andujar were recently nominated for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
3. Judge is fully recovered from his fractured right wrist.
4. Stanton experienced many ups and downs during his first season in the American League, yet still managed to hit .266 with 38 home runs and 100 RBIs with the Yankees.
5. Sanchez underwent left shoulder surgery and is expected to be ready for Spring Training.

During the 2017 season, The Kraken had a .278 batting average with 33 home runs and 90 RBIs. In 2018, Sanchez hit .186 with 18 home runs and 53 RBIs. I don’t like excuses, so if he is injury-free this season, there’s no reason he can’t rediscover his All-Star form.

The Yankees have already begun to upgrade their starting rotation by trading for LHP James Paxton from the Mariners. And although it cost a few of those upper-echelon prospects, that’s a significant reason having a talented farm system is so crucial.

Hopefully, the Yanks pick up at least one more starting pitcher this winter. Free agents Patrick Corbin, J.A. Happ and Dallas Keuchel, have all been linked to the Bronx.

Corbin posted a 3.15 ERA in 2018, going 11-7 and striking out 246 batters. Happ was an absolute ace for the Yankees, going 7-0 with a 2.69 ERA and 63 punch-outs. At the moment, the Yankee starting rotation consists of Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka, James Paxton and C.C. Sabathia (in no particular order).

With the Red Sox winning the World Series and Hal Steinbrenner expressing his frustration that the Yanks lost in the ALDS, I’m feeling good about the Yankees’ chances entering the 2019 season

I’ve been a devoted Yankee fan for nine years now — so I’m hopeful and patient that the Bombers will get back to where they are supposed to be: World Series bound.