The New York Yankees have not been able to solve the problem that is the Houston Astros.
New York has been very good over the past few seasons, but they still have not made it back to the World Series.
The Yankees are smart enough to realize their team has not been good enough to beat Houston the past few seasons.
So everything they do this offseason should be done with dethroning the Astros in mind.
Here are two moves the Yankees need to make to compete with the Astros next year.
1. Bring Back The League MVP
The best thing going for the Yankees last season was that Aaron Judge was on their roster.
They would be wise to do whatever is necessary to make sure he stays there.
If the Yankees are serious about contending with the Astros they can not let the best hitter in the MLB from last year leave.
The Yankees have offered Aaron Judge a contract in the neighborhood of 8 years, $300 million, per @JeffPassan.
It would give Judge the record for the highest AAV for a position player in MLB History. pic.twitter.com/BV1QOb2HBl
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) November 30, 2022
Losing Judge would be a colossal failure from the Yankees’ front office and a major setback.
New York should not even worry about other free agents until they have Judge signed.
Because without him the Yankees have no chance at making a World Series run.
2. Sign A Star Shortstop
One problem the Yankees had this past season was with production from anyone not named Aaron Judge.
They got swept by the Astros in the ALCS because of their inability to consistently hit the ball.
Now the pressure is on the Yankees’ front office to go get another impact bat.
No position has a better crop of players available than shortstop.
Expect the Yankees to make a push for one of Carlos Correa or Trea Turner this offseason.
Those are the two best shortstops available and they will fill a hole on the Yankees roster.
Spending large sums of money in free agency has never been an issue for New York.
Seeing how they approach free agency knowing they need more hitters will be very interesting.
