5 Yankees who survived trade deadline but won’t be on 2023 roster

Feels like we can renew this article every week because that’s how often there are unforgivable individual performances poisoning this team — from the decision makers to the on-field play — since the beginning of July.

Though things have briefly turned around, nothing’s offered a cure. What was once the best, most consistent team, is now among the worst and can’t find a rhythm. It’s not like this is a surprise, though. This team is still mostly comprised of guys present on the disastrous 2021 roster.

That means the Yankees just didn’t clean house enough this past offseason to rid themselves of the stench. A lot more had to be done, and a lot more will be done when this year concludes, regardless of the outcome.

Sadly, general manager Brian Cashman could’ve done more at this year’s trade deadline. Jettisoning Joey Gallo wasn’t enough. At least two others needed to be exiled. But now that’ll be work for the offseason, when there’s more time to deliberate and make it happen.

For those who survived the trade deadline and remain in pinstripes, this last month or so of play will more than likely be their final run in New York. For some, it was good while it lasted. For others, it was never good. For the remainder, we’re just wondering what could have been.

These 5 Yankees survived the trade deadline but won’t be on 2023 roster

5. Aroldis Chapman

We’ll get this one out of the way quickly. Some of us, who were trying to be as optimistic as can possibly be, hoped that the Yankees would find a trade partner for Aroldis Chapman and his undeserved $16 million salary. How would they do that? Attach a prospect to the deal! Some teams might’ve been willing to make it happen.

But why would the Yankees try and make that happen? Their wish was coming true! Chapman was “returning to his former self!” Oh wait, that only happened for a handful of games? Then he went back to being dreadful? Then he landed on the IL with a leg infection stemming from a tattoo? Brilliant. Could’ve just dumped him.

Maybe in our wildest dreams Chapman “survived” the trade deadline, but that’s how we’ll choose to see it for the sake of our sanity. Whether true or not, he will NOT be back in 2023 unless the Yankees want riots in the Bronx.

4. Josh Donaldson

Josh Donaldson has largely been a problem for the Yankees. In the midst of a career-worst offensive season, Donaldson’s efforts on defense are no longer making up for his shortcomings at the plate. You don’t pay $25 million for good defense, sadly.

When the offseason trade with the Twins happened, it was mostly viewed positively. The Yankees got rid of a problem in Gary Sanchez and a regressing player in Gio Urshela. However, starting Isiah Kiner-Falefa at shortstop was not a “winning” move because he’s a below-average player and is better at third base, and importing a hefty short-term contract in Donaldson, who created rifts with the Yankees in the past, seemed a bit silly.

But it happened anyway, and here we are, celebrating Donaldson being placed on the paternity list because he’s unwatchable. Once upon a time, he was the Yankees’ agitator who got under opponents’ skin and helped the team establish an “attitude” en route to their historic start. Now, he can’t even trash talk properly. He’s staring at 92 MPH fastballs over the middle. He’s making errors in the field.

A broken player who the Yankees reportedly tried to trade at the deadline. They obviously didn’t because that was a near-impossible task, but with Oswaldo Cabrera, Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe making huge strides, expect Donaldson gone before Opening Day 2023 to make way for a brand new infield.

3. Aaron Hicks

How? Why? What more does the team need to see? It’s one thing if you don’t have the resources to get rid of Aaron Hicks. Some teams get screwed with such a financial commitment. That’s sadly “life” for other franchises across MLB.

Not the Yankees, though! They can toss $30 million in the trash and live with the decision as long as the beers and chicken buckets are flowing. But the problem with this Yankees front office is stubbornness and pride. They can never admit they’re wrong, and if they are they’ll pull a stunt as extreme as exiling Jacoby Ellsbury and filing a grievance with paying his salary.

This is now the fourth straight year of Bad Aaron Hicks. To be specific, he’s either been bad or injured since the moment he signed his seven-year extension. Three years remain, but the Yankees have to stop playing this game when 2023 comes along. Assuming they bring back Aaron Judge, they cannot continue surrounding him with underperformers or those with “undiscovered” potential.

Hicks has played in just 259 games since the start of 2019. He’s underwent two surgeries. He’s hit just 28 homers and 29 doubles. He’s been good for a -0.8 dWAR over that span. He can no longer play an adequate center field, which is why Judge has played there so much in 2022.

Eat the remaining money, move on, and admit you were wrong. There are plenty of other solutions.

2. Miguel Andújar

Miguel Andújar has requested a trade twice now. There’s been no room on the active roster for Miguel Andújar the past three seasons. Miguel Andújar doesn’t want to be here. Miguel Andújar is only called upon when the roster is decimated. Miguel Andújar also doesn’t produce when he’s called upon. So why is he here?

Fans were surprised when the Yankees tendered him a contract this past offseason, but there’s no way they do it again for 2023. There just isn’t. They’ll be spending $2 million on a busted commodity when they have better prospects in the pipeline who’ve already had more success at the major league level. Many thought the Yankees would’ve dumped him at the deadline to create a roster spot, but it never happened even though it would’ve benefitted everybody.

The Yankees haven’t been fair to Miggy … but he also hasn’t done himself any favors has he’s already been outperformed by Oswald Peraza and Oswaldo Cabrera in just a handful of games. Once the playoffs roll around, this will likely be the last Yankees fans see of Andújar in pinstripes.