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3 changes we'd already make to 2023 Yankees

By Adam Weinrib |
Minnesota Twins v New York Yankees
Minnesota Twins v New York Yankees / Elsa/GettyImages
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This article would be so much easier to write if the Yankees had a preferable, healthy option to Clarke Schmidt, wouldn't it? "Move Schmidt back to the bullpen" would've made a great bullet point, but it can't reasonably be a reality until either Luis Severino or Carlos Rodón make their way back to the big-league rotation.

In the interim, though, we do have a few additional ideas that could level up the 2023 Yankees.

These undermanned and over-injured Yanks won their first four series of the season for just the third time in 20 years. They charged back to split their fifth after the Minnesota Twins made a loud and resounding argument for supremacy in the opening two contests. At this moment in time, they are 8-0 in games they've needed to win to avoid losing series. They're towards the top of the league in home runs. Their offensive core is functioning as expected. And yet ... there are still some issues mounting, not all of them injury-related.

Though we acknowledge change isn't always this simple, these three shifts could help bolster the Yankees' chances of maintaining their early-season momentum.

3 changes we'd already make to 2023 Yankees

3. Use Greg Weissert in High-Leverage Opportunities

Weissert was finally promoted by the Yankees last week, taking Colten Brewer's slot in the bullpen following Jhony Brito's tough start. There's no telling how long he'll stay, but based on his minor-league resume and 2022 cameo, he already deserves to get some of the opportunities that have been going to Albert Abreu and Jimmy Cordero, especially with Jonathan Loaisiga on the shelf for a while longer.

Without throwing Ron Marinaccio into the first last season, he never would've gained the Yankees' trust and entered into their 2023 Iron Four (alongside Michael King, Clay Holmes, Wandy Peralta). As Holmes continues to mix unhittable wizardry with difficult outings, it seems possible that an eventual change in closers will have to be made.

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It could be Loaisiga, as long as he returns intact from elbow inflammation that landed him on the IL nearly two weeks ago. It could also be Marinaccio, though, who's proven unflappable during his year in the bigs.

That would leave Marinaccio's previous role up for grabs, and while we've seen pitchers like Abreu and Cordero used in short relief when the bullpen's been strapped this season, newcomer Ian Hamilton and Weissert seem like much wiser options. So far at Triple-A, Weissert has been remarkably strong, striking out 7 in 5.1 innings while posting a microscopic WHIP of 0.38. If he's able to continue to move past his MLB debut and display excellent control, he could provide higher upside than erratic options like Cordero or Abreu.

2. Keep DJ LeMahieu in the Heart of the Lineup

Yes, this would likely require rookie Anthony Volpe to get over the freshman hump and break out, considering the maneuver would turn the kid into a semi-permanent leadoff hitter.

But fans who've watched Volpe's development know that he typically starts slow at a level before conquering it. Volpe's been tracking upwards in recent days, recording a hit in five consecutive starts entering play this week, while stealing three bags on Saturday. It'll come. It might already be here.

That means LeMahieu can prepare to fully transition to the middle of the order, where he'll be able to cash in on runners in scoring position, especially while Giancarlo Stanton is recuperating. As a team, the Yankees were hitting .258 with RISP entering Tuesday's action, but that was reduced to a woeful 1-for-19 with a runner on third (and any number of outs). LeMahieu has long been adept at this particular Yankees weakness, and he's 4-for-10 with RISP already this season.

In his first game sans-Stanton on Sunday, LeMahieu ripped a two-out RBI single to clean up Gleyber Torres' base runners, then homered for the insurance later on. He should be placed directly in the middle of the order, with almost 100% regularity, until Stanton returns. Based on Tuesday's lineup, Aaron Boone seems to agree.

1. Eat Aaron Hicks' Money and Release Him

Easier typed than done, but it's certainly time.

Hicks is poised to somehow get more playing time, not less, after Stanton's injury. His worst game of the season was Sunday, featuring three strikeouts, each one ending with his body further from the ball than the last. Or maybe his worst game of the season was last Wednesday in Cleveland, when he was placed in center field and made three first-inning bloopers into unforeseen adventures (he fumbled two).

You know what? It's hard to keep count, but after vowing to have some "f*** you" last year, Hicks has looked checked out for the vast majority of his plate appearances since 2022,Non-Astros Three-Run Homer Division. Only recently has his intensity been ratcheted up to overkill, giving his ABs the appearance of max effort (perhaps taking things too far).

Look at that photo! It's from this past weekend against the Twins! Hicks is out here wearing spring training caps before regular season games. The attention to detail is below the floor. Or maybe he's just a bargain shopper? That hat is significantly discounted on the team's website right now, considering spring training ended nearly a month ago. That $10 million annual salary has to go somewhere.

Hicks' Yankees tenure should hit the sticks sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, Hal Steinbrenner isn't usually in that kind of business -- at least, not since they made A-Rod disappear. Maybe Hicks should get himself embroiled in controversy? That could help.

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