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The analysis-driven New York Yankees haven’t won a World Series in nine years, so maybe it’s time to try a simple visualization technique.
EEver since the New York Yankees choked on Game 7 of the 2001 World Series, I consider myself a bit of a pessimist. My negative outlook was only reinforced when I suffered for years from Mark Teixeira hammering his career in change and the shame of Alex Rodriguez’s lies and DEPs.
But then came the Yankees youth movement, which erupted prematurely in 2017. I started the 2018 season as an optimist, only to be crushed by the Boston Red Sox in the ALDS.
Now, as 2019 approaches, I am in great danger of once again becoming a doom prophet. (Inconstant, I know.)
That’s why I decided to put together a vision board for the Bombers. I might not be able to take the mound in the Bronx or even call Aaron Boone to offer chair management advice, but I can at least throw some positive energy into the universe.
If that works, I would expect a full playoff share when the Yankees win the World Series.
Image 1: Judge + Stanton = 100 home runs
Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton combined 111 home runs in 2017, but they did so in separate teams. When they teamed up in 2018, the move from Judge’s DL and reduced production from Stanton only resulted in 65 explosions between them.
It’s time for this powerful duo to Actually join forces and set up historical figures.
They could be just the second pair of teammates in MLB history with 50 home runs apiece. The other was Roger Maris (61) and Mickey Mantle (54) with the 1961 Yankees.
Judge and Stanton could also break the Maris / Mantle record of 115 combined homers, also set in 1961.
The two current Yankees hitters have over 60 powers in their bats. A little friendly competition between teammates could also be a replay of the 1998 home run race between Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa.
Only this time is better because there will be no steroids (hopefully).
But I’ll settle for 100 explosions. This would be the sixth time that teammates have combined to reach the mark of the century, and the third time that these teammates have worn stripes.
Babe Ruth (60) and Lou Gehrig (47) reached 107 in 1927.
The best part is that the 1961 and 1927 Yankees won the World Series. Judge and Stanton would certainly like to continue this trend.
Image 2: 300 team home runs
If the judge’s and Stanton’s home run visualization works, then it’s conceivable that the Yankees could hit 300 home runs as a team. It sounds crazy, but it really isn’t.
Think of it this way: The Yankees set the record in 2018 with 267 home runs. Judge and Stanton combined for just 65, meaning the rest of the squad crushed 202.
It goes something like this:
100 Judge / Stanton HR + 202 other HR = 302
Of course, there are too many variables to make it that easy. You need to subtract home runs for judge saves and account for roster changes, injuries, and more.
But don’t forget Gary Sanchez and Luke Voit.
Sanchez has only contributed 18 dingers this season as he missed time with various injuries. If he can stay healthy, he is a candidate for 30 to 40 long balls.
And then there’s Luke Voit. Yankees fans got a taste of his power at the end of the year.
He’s not going to hit home at the rate he did in 2018; that would give him about 56 home runs in a full season. Still, it’s not crazy to think that Voit could throw 30 bombs if he wins the first basic job.
One factor playing against the Yankees is Didi Gregorius and his 27 missing homers in 2019. However, it is possible that they will replace him with the power of more than 35 homers from Manny Machado, which would almost make a 300-homer season a underperformance.
I really don’t want Machado and his lazy cup of tea. But if he does come to New York, I’ll console myself with this thought: The Yankees could actually smash their 2018 home run record with just the starting lineup.
Here’s an equation using last season’s home run totals for Brett Gardner, Aaron Hicks, Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres:
100 Judge / Stanton HR + 60 Sanchez / Voit HR + 35 Machado HR + 90 other HR = 285
Austin Romine and the rest of the bench can score the other 15 home runs, and here we are back to 300.
Picture 3: The Alchemy of Gary’s Golden Glove
Yeah, this one’s bordering on insanity.
Gary Sanchez winning the highest defensive honor is tantamount to an alchemist turning a turd into a gold bar. But Sanchez may have found this alchemist in 13 times Gold Glover Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez:
Part of the desire to improve yourself is wanting to learn from those who have been great and have done it before you. Thanks for the knowledge @Pudge_Rodriguez // Leave to querer ser mejor es aprender de quienes ya fueron great antes que tu. Gracias a @Pudge_Rodriguez por sus consejos. pic.twitter.com/B2GwBYOUdd
– Gary Sanchez (@ElGarySanchez) November 7, 2018
This “knowledge” that Sanchez says to receive was maybe just a few tips shared over a glass of beer, but hey, maybe that’s all he needs. Sanchez has enough athleticism, it’s just about correcting his fundamentals and technique.
In September, former Sanchez manager Joe Girardi told MLB Network Chris Russo that he still believes that the problem is resolved, but that it is easier to work on the problem during the offseason.
What does former manager Gary Sánchez think of last night in Oakland?
Joe Girardi discusses Sánchez’s capture with @MadDogUnleashed. #High heat pic.twitter.com/KIWhxb7loa
– MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 6, 2018
It’s the offseason now; time for Gary to get down to business. If he can just limit the damage when it comes to past bullets, the rest of his game is ready for a reward.
SB Nation’s Tyler Norton pointed out that Sanchez was one of MLB’s top 10 field coaches in 2018, and Yankees fans all know Sanchez’s one-arm cannon.
Also, Sanchez puts his right fingers behind the dish. “I think he’s a great player, he’s our best player on the team,” Brian Cashman told WFAN’s Boomer and Gio recently, according to Barstool Sports’ Eric Hubbs.
Pudge won a Golden Glove in 1993 with 14 passed balls and 42 wild throws passing him. Sanchez should be able to easily reduce his numbers in that range with a little extra work this offseason.
Note to Aaron Boone
Put down the iPad loaded with advanced analytics and hang this vision board on your office wall.
Deep dives in numbers are great for predicting patterns and ways in which players regress and progress. But what the Yankees really need to put the Red Sox in their place next year is unwavering confidence.
Maybe chasing records and dipping Gary Sanchez’s glove in gold paint is enough to lock in some championship swagger.
Now close your eyes, visualize and fill the Bronx with good vibes.
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