Yankees are proving that all players are replaceable

If the season ended today, the injury-plagued Yankees would be hosting the AL Wild Card game. Since wins are the only thing that matter in baseball, is this Cinderella story proving that “all players are replaceable?”

The 2019 season is not going as planned for the Yankees, but their B-Team, surprisingly won’t stop winning. Despite all the adversity, the Yanks hold the third-best record in the American League.

No other team in the majors have accumulated as many significant injuries as the Bronx Bombers. These turn of events made me re-consider a controversial comment made by baseball historian and statistician Bill James.

"“If the players all retired tomorrow, we would replace them, the game would go on; in three years it would make no difference whatsoever,” James said. “The players are NOT the game, any more than the beer vendors are.”"

James made those comments in November of 2018 after the Boston Red Sox, who he is a consultant for, won the World Series. MLBPA Executive Director, Tony Clark and the Boston Red Sox quickly denounced the historian’s comments.

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In my opinion, James has a point, and although he has a track record for controversial statements, he’s also a baseball innovator. The 2019 Yankees so far are proving that stars like Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton are at the very least temporarily replaceable.

I don’t believe this current Yankee roster filled with subs is built for a long-term run.

Some of the new faces have already one over the hearts of the #PinstripePride faithful. As an avid social media user, I read tweets all day long from Yankee fans who are praising the defensive magic showcased by Gio Urshela.

It appears Urshela has hit and fielded his way to an everyday role at third base even though Miguel Andujar has returned from the IL. The plan moving forward seems to have Andujar DH and have Urshela man the hot corner.

Urshela isn’t the only player filling a void nicely. Luke Voit has been instrumental for the Yankees offense batting in Aaron Judge’s No. 2 hole. Gary Sanchez is hitting moon shots again, and that’s crucial since Giancarlo Stanton is still missing.

Aaron Hicks has been a significant loss, but Clint Frazier was the Yankees leading fantasy baseball hitter in April, despite missing time due to injury. And Brett Gardner has displayed a power resurgence and has more home runs (6) than J.D. Martinez (5) this season.

Gleyber Torres hasn’t shied away from hitting clean-up, despite frequently batting ninth in 2018.

DJ LeMahieu is hitting and fielding like an All-Star while Didi Gregorius and Troy Tulowitzki continue to recover from injuries.

Luis Severino may be missing, but Domingo German has been lights out. Dellin Betances will be back soon, but Tommy Kahnle is everything the Yankees need coming out of the bullpen.

The loss of James Paxton is critical and recent — and I’m unsure if they will be able to replace their new ace, but the Yankees have proved me wrong through the first month and a half of the season.

So maybe the Yanks will continue to prove that all players are replaceable.