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Yankees: 3 offseason moves made before 2021 that now look deranged

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 25: Corey Kluber #28 of the New York Yankees walks to the dugout against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Yankee Stadium on May 25, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 25: Corey Kluber #28 of the New York Yankees walks to the dugout against the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Yankee Stadium on May 25, 2021 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
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New York Yankees pitcher Corey Kluber (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

1. Having the Gall to Spend on Corey Kluber Thinking it Would Pay off in the Postseason

The Yankees — the $5 billion franchise — had finite resources this offseason. That means you gotta spread the wealth evenly and ensure you’re patching up every glaring void. But that’s not what they did.

They had no choice but to pay DJ LeMahieu. And if they didn’t want to, they could’ve just brought in Semien, as we mentioned earlier. Only a difference of a few million for the 2021 payroll. Nonetheless, that had them searching for quarters in the couch.

But then … oh, but THEN they decided to use a significant chunk of their limited funds by spending $11 million on Corey Kluber, who had pitched just 36.2 innings since the start of 2019. This was after trading for Jameson Taillon, who had thrown just 37.1 innings over the same span.

The most sickening part? The Kluber move indicated they were already looking ahead to October, assuming they’d reach an actual playoff series (they didn’t). The Yankees obviously didn’t outright say this, but that much was obvious. On what planet did anybody expect Kluber AND Taillon to throw 150+ innings and deliver the goods on the biggest stage?

It wasn’t gonna happen. And it didn’t happen! Kluber threw 80 innings and Taillon tallied 144.1. Kluber’s extended absence due to a shoulder injury was a clear indication the Yankees were playing it safe with hopes of unleashing him in the ALDS and ALCS. They audaciously spent $11 million assuming their tremendously flawed 2020 roster would somehow shake off the disgusting stench left after the series loss to the Rays. They gambled on an offseason move and were attempting to plan their postseason rotation eight months in advance.

And that right there sums up the problems with the Yankees. Always looking way too far ahead. Ignoring things right under their nose. Shooing off the competition that’s dying to embarrass them. Well, it happened again. Twelve years in a row now.

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