With the offseason winding down, the New York Yankees are heading into 2023 with World Series aspirations.
However, it will be important for certain players to step up to make this a reality.
Here are the two most important players for the Yankees in 2023, and why their success will help determine the Yankees’ season.
2. Luis Severino
In a rotation headlined by Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Nestor Cortes Jr., Luis Severino is arguably the most important piece.
He is a former Cy Young contender that has struggled with injuries in the last few seasons.
When healthy, he is one of the better pitchers in baseball.
Luis severino 3K’s vs. Vladdy tonight ⚔️ pic.twitter.com/B93vW1Bnhc
— The Boys of 161st Street (@The161Boys) April 15, 2022
Last season he made just 19 starts, but posted a 3.18 ERA.
If he can do that over a full and healthy year, the Yankees will have one of the deepest rotations in all of baseball.
They will need this if they want to make a deep run into October.
1. Harrison Bader
In the 2022 postseason, Harrison Bader was the Yankees best hitter.
He stepped up, slugging five homers and hitting .400 against the Houston Astros.
Real excited for a full year of Harrison Bader pic.twitter.com/Yexfnqs4vc
— YankeesMuse (@YankeesMuse) January 2, 2023
While these aren’t numbers he will keep up over the course of the season, he will play an important role for the Yankees this year.
They have lacked a dependable center fielder in recent years.
While players like Aaron Hicks have shown flashes of being solid, they have ultimately come up short.
Bader, on the other hand, has the opportunity to give the Yankees exactly what they need with a blend of defense and offense.
If he can remain healthy, Bader could strengthen the lineup both in the field and at the plate.
While there are plenty of big names in the Yankees lineup, Bader might be the glue that can put it all together.
