Yankees Randy Levine: ‘I think we’re as good as the Red Sox right now’

Yankees team president, Randy Levine recently spoke to reporters at Yankee Stadium and said something that many fans may not agree with: ‘I think we’re as good as the Red Sox right now.’

I’m astounded to hear from the Yankees team president, Randy Levine, that he feels the current iteration of the team is as good as the Red Sox, right now. From Bryan Hoch of MLB.com:

"“I think we’re as good as the Red Sox right now,” Levine said. “I think they had a better postseason than us. We had a lot of injuries. That Division Series could have gone either way with a couple of innings. They have a great team, and they’re going to be a really great team for a long time, but I think we’re as good as they are.”"

I respectfully disagree, as the Red Sox were steam rollin’ during the whole 2018 season — eventually winning the World Series. Levine also spoke about the Yankees’, not shying away from spending, like they traditionally have when it comes to winning.

The luxury tax threshold has increased from $197 million to $206 million in 2019 — which is very helpful to the Yankees and their pursuit of frontline pitchers this offseason.

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From Mark Fischer of NYDailyNews.com:

"“I think clearly we have resources,” Levine said. “[Cashman] and his people are talking to a lot of different people, a lot of different players. They’re figuring out what pieces we need, what is the best way to go. $206 million is a pretty good number. We’re about winning championships here.”"

I’m not sure I entirely agree with the statement regarding money. The Yanks could have outbid the Nationals to sign 29-year-old two-time All-Star Patrick Corbin, but they didn’t. The Yankees offered a six-year, $110M deal when the Nationals’ offered a six-year, $140M, which convinced Corbin to sign with them instead.

As the Bombers still have quite a bit of money of left to spend, they need to step it up a notch and either sign 2015 NL MVP Bryce Harper or four-time All-Star, Manny Machado. Obviously, you have to give a lot to get a vastly talented player, but in this situation, it allows New York to save the remaining key pieces of their farm system.

The team can’t afford to lose the division to the Red Sox again next year. That would make many fans, including myself, outraged. Boston, hands down, has the best offense and starting pitching in the AL right now, with the Yankees on their heels.

There is no point denying facts when the Yanks just lost to the Red Sox, 3-games-to-1 in the ALDS. That says it all, and it no doubt, sent a message to general manager Brian Cashman — to be aggressive this offseason and upgrade the starting rotation along with at least one offensive weapon.

So far the starting rotation has been made incrementally better, after acquiring James Paxton from the Mariners in exchange for top-prospect Justus Sheffield, Don Thompson-Williams and RHP Erik Swanson. What’s next?