New York Yankees Can Rely On Experienced Players

So far in 2016, the New York Yankees‘ biggest strength has been the level of experience possessed by their healthy players.

Usually, when examining a team, you can see that the pitching, hitting or perhaps an elite player is carrying the team. That’s not the case with the Yankees. They’re hanging around .500 with Aaron Judge as the only elite prospect who might be ready to contribute in the second half of the season. Carlos Beltran is their best position player and reliever Andrew Miller has been their best pitcher.

The Yankees were supposed to have the best bullpen in MLB. They traded for Aroldis Chapman even though he was facing a domestic violence suspension from the commissioner’s office. Without Chapman, the bullpen beyond Miller and Dellin Betances was pieced together. The Yankees only rank 11th in bullpen ERA in the American League.

On offense they were hoping to have a turnstile of Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann, while Greg Bird covered the lion’s share of the work at first base. Bird’s injury in the offseason destroyed that plan. It has meant more time in the field for Beltran and more playing time for Aaron Hicks and Austin Romine, keeping Beltran and McCann fresh.  A-Rod has only played in 40 games so far in 2016, missing time in May with an injury. That allowed McCann and Beltran to play a good amount of DH, but it also limited the offense of the Yankees.

The Yankees are a dynasty nearing the end. If things don’t improve soon, a healthy Teixeira may be the first veteran to be sold off. Their veteran experience can only carry them so far, but so far that experience has kept them at the edge of playoff contention.