Every championship team encounters adversity, and right after their victory, they often highlight the challenges they faced. However, I find this notion misleading; simply enduring hardship doesn’t guarantee growth. Facing adversity isn’t just about overcoming obstacles but also about discovering and learning from them.
The Yankees are currently in a rough patch, and fan frustration is palpable. Radio show rants are more absurd, stadium boos are louder, and anxiety about a team with one of the best records in baseball is growing. This is a familiar cycle. The Yankees have had an easy season so far, but now they’re facing injuries, poor performances from the starting pitchers, and a lackluster offense outside of Juan Soto and Aaron Judge, raising concerns.
Was anyone expecting perfection?
This is a critical moment for the Yankees, and how they navigate this adversity will shape their season. Looking back at the 2022 Yankees, they started strong with a 61-23 record by July 9th but then struggled with injuries and underperformance, ending the season 38-40, yet still winning the AL East. Were they resilient or just barely keeping afloat? I lean towards the latter, especially with Judge’s MVP-winning, 62-homer season propping them up. Their mid-season trades for Andrew Benintendi and Frankie Montas didn’t solve their problems. The 2022 Yankees exemplify that facing adversity doesn’t always lead to strength.
So, how can a team benefit from a slump? Ideally, they find new ways to win, identify weaknesses, and see which players step up. The 2023 Texas Rangers are a prime example. When Jacob deGrom was out for the season, Nathan Eovaldi stepped up in the rotation. The Rangers also made smart trades for Max Scherzer and Jordan Montgomery, who played crucial roles in their World Series run. Their bullpen struggled, but tested starters like Andrew Heaney and Jon Gray filled in during the postseason, showing the value of adaptability.
Where does this leave the Yankees? Their weaknesses are evident: pitching depth issues, bullpen struggles, basepath control problems, and key injuries. Acknowledging these problems is crucial, but the real test is how they respond. They need players to step up or make strategic moves before the Trade Deadline. The Yankees will watch closely to see if Michael Tonkin can handle big moments, if Gleyber Torres can improve, and if Luis Gil can bounce back.
The Yankees will learn their true identity in the coming weeks. If they don’t like what they see, they still have time to make changes. Adversity brings clarity. Facing adversity doesn’t automatically make a team better, but if managed well, it can be the catalyst for becoming the team they aspire to be.
