The New York Yankees have a talented roster ready to compete.
They also have, however, a few players with a chip on their shoulders.
For one reason or another, they have a lot to prove.
Here are two Yankees who need to show something.
1. Josh Donaldson
Before the start of the 2022 season, the Yankees traded for Josh Donaldson thinking he would be a short-term solution to third base.
He had enjoyed a decent season with the Minnesota Twins in 2021, and the Yankees gambled on the veteran former MVP.
Defensively, he looked the part.
Offensively, however, he was mediocre: even below-average.
In 546 plate appearances, he hit 15 homers and slashed .222/.308.374.
That’s subpar performance for a hitter of his pedigree.
The Yankees universe has already left him for dead, but he does have the chance to prove them all wrong.
If I was Josh Donaldson and I heard this news after a rocky season at the plate, I’d be motivated to work hard to get my swing mechanics right so I can have a monster 2023 comeback season and prove everybody wrong. https://t.co/XvjbyK9RaT
— Ed Micheletti (@EdMicheletti) November 10, 2022
Will he take advantage of it?
Will he have enough playing time to prove he still belongs?
2. Frankie Montas
Before his trade to the Yankees at the deadline, Frankie Montas had a 3.18 ERA with the Oakland Athletics.
He immediately missed time with a shoulder issue, and was very bad upon returning with a 6.35 ERA in the Bronx.
He returned for the second playoff series and his role was secondary.
Expected to enter the 2023 campaign healthy and ready to dominate, it was reported that he would miss the first month with the same shoulder problem.
Yankees fans think that he has been a bust so far, and the worst part is that he is currently not healthy and he has just one season of team control remaining before hitting free agency.
He has enormous pressure to get healthy and show he belongs in the Bronx.
Will his shoulder give him a fighting chance?
NEXT: Yankees Catcher Takes Home A Very Special 2023 Award
