#16 New York Yankees
2016 Run Differential: -22
Best Offseason Move: Trading Brian McCann
Worst Offseason Move: None
What a difference a year makes.
Last season, the New York Yankees were moving forward with a veteran core, trying to win a World Series with a roster that included the likes of Carlos Beltran, Andrew Miller and Mark Teixeira.
Things are much different in 2017.
New York traded away a number of experienced players at the trade deadline, and received an outstanding return in terms of prospects.
Trading Aroldis Chapman to the Chicago Cubs netted the Yankees pitcher Adam Warren, as well as prospects Billy McKinney, Rashad Crawford and Gleyber Torres.
Beltran and Miller were dealt too.
The slugging outfielder headed to Texas in a trade that saw New York land three pitchers, including 2015 fourth-overall pick Dillon Tate.
In turn, Miller brought back four pieces in the form of Clint Frazier, Justus Sheffield, Ben Heller and J.P. Feyereisen.
The Yankees were also able to flip Ivan Nova to Pittsburgh for two more prospects in outfielder Tito Polo and pitcher Stephen Tarpley.
With a revamped farm system, the Yankees’ young talent could keep them in contention for the next decade.
However, the team’s current squad looks to be firmly at the edge of the Wild Card mix.
Young building blocks Gary Sanchez, Aaron Judge and Greg Bird could hit a wall at some point in their respective second seasons.
What’s more, veterans like Jacoby Ellsbury (91 wRC+), Chase Headley (92 wRC+) and Brett Gardner (97 wRC+) don’t look like players capable of carrying the offense.