Yankees 2018 Season Preview
Ready to check out our 2018 New York Yankees predictions? With baseball season just two weeks away we’re breaking down all 30 teams and handicapping the futures market.
MLB Yankees Predictions & Handicapping Insight
The Red Sox may have won the division in 2017 but the Yankees made the statement by contending for the playoffs in advance of most everybody’s expectations and then coming within one game of reaching the World Series.
After the offseason the Evil Empire had, it is, once again, considered the favorite to win the AL East and, in fact, the whole thing.
2018 MLB Team Previews – New York Yankees
- American League East -110
- American League +505
- World Series +550
Key Additions:
- OF Giancarlo Stanton
One of Derek Jeter’s first moves as a part owner of the Miami Marlins was sending his franchise cornerstone to his previous employer.
The Yankees have the lineup everybody is talking about going into the season, pairing Aaron Judge with Giancarlo Stanton in the middle of the lineup.
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Both guys hit 50+ dingers last season and not only hit the most, but hit the deepest ones. Stanton is projected to be the team’s starting DH on Opening Day but he is a capable right fielder and will likely split time with Judge to keep both fresh.
Key Losses:
- None
Yankees Predictions: Projected Lineup:
- LF Brett Gardner
- RF Aaron Judge
- DH Giancarlo Stanton
- C Gary Sanchez
- 1B Greg Bird
- SS Didi Gregorious
- CF Aaron Hicks
- 3B Brandon Drury
- 2B Ronald Torreyes
Brandon Drury is the other new name, aside from Stanton. He had 37 doubles for Arizona last season and hit 13 home runs. Apparently, he’s been re-tooling his swing to hit more fly balls, which should lead to more home runs in Yankee Stadium.
The Yankees hope he can bring some stability to the third base position after an extended stint with Chase Headley over there.
Yankees Predictions: Projected Rotation:
- RHP Luis Severino
- RHP Sonny Gray
- RHP Masahiro Tanaka
- LHP CC Sabathia
- LHP Jordan Montgomery
Sonny Gray starts the season in the rotation after coming over at the trade deadline and having mixed results. Some extra comfort and familiarity with his surroundings should help, you would think.
Masahiro Tanaka had a crazy inconsistent season but he stabilized down the stretch and in the playoffs to pitch fantastically. He’s still young enough to be the ace the Yankees hope he can be. This is probably the best spot he’s entered, though, with plenty of proven talent around him and the pressure off.
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Jordan Montgomery looked fine for a lot last season. He has the chance to be as good as any fifth starter in baseball this season.
Meanwhile, CC Sabathia just keeps holding steady in the twilight of his career. He finally seems like a safe bet to be solid again, instead of surprising us with such performances.
Yankees Predictions: Projected Closer:
- LHP Aroldis Chapman
In addition to Chapman, New York retains Kahnle and David Robertson, who came over from the White Sox in the Todd Frazier deal last year.
Chad Green and Adam Warren were both great last season. What I love about them is the versatility to stretch out and throw two or even three innings. New York’s bullpen looks to be in great shape again and that’s without even mentioning Dellin Betances.
2018 New York Yankees Prediction:
The Yankees not only come into this season with sky-high expectations, but also a new manager in Aaron Boone. Boone replaces Joe Girardi, who was a darn good manager but not always the most likable guy, both with the fans and the front office.
You have to wonder if New York will regret the decision, but Boone is a laid-back guy inheriting a job that shouldn’t take a whole lot of mico-managing, which was one of the criticisms of Girardi.
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Stanton had his problems after he signed that mega deal with the Marlins and then after he took the pitch to the jaw before stabilizing both times. He doesn’t strike me as the most mentally tough athlete and he could be in for some ups and downs in his first season in the Bronx.
But he hits a lot of fly balls and he is a very strong man. At Yankee Stadium, that, in theory, is a combination that should yield a lot of home runs.
I think Judge is the key, though. Even though his numbers came closer to evening out late in the second half, he wasn’t the same player in the last 80 games and the playoffs, as he was in the first 80.
People look at the overall numbers, the 52 home runs and the second place finish in the MVP race and assume he’s going to do it again. Not so fast. If he whiffs like he was whiffing in the second half and the postseason, it could be a rough ride.
There isn’t another team I love in the AL East and I’m not necessarily selling the Yankees, but I am proceeding with caution.
What do you think of our 2018 New York Yankees predictions?
Comments are welcome below.
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