Yankees skipper Aaron Boone after clinching AL East: ‘Now we’ll start to be strategic’
The champagne was still in the plastic flute and Aaron Boone was already looking ahead to how to navigate these final eight games after clinching the 2022 American League East division title Tuesday night. There are guys that need rest, there are guys who need reps. There are guys who still need to make themselves a part of the playoff roster.
The Yankees have eight games left and then with one of the two byes under the new MLB playoff structure, Boone has time to map things out.
“Now we’ll start to be strategic with obviously, I think we’re gonna have five days off in between the last game and the start of the Division Series. So, we’ll probably take a day off mostly as a group after that last day and then probably have some form or shape of some intrasquad, live BP, simulated type of stuff for at least a couple of those days,” Boone said after Tuesday night’s 5-2 win over the Blue Jays that clinched the title.
“Obviously want to get [Zack Britton] and [Aroldis Chapman] throwing. Be a little mindful of starting pitchers and how far we want to push them and things like that. Those will be all things that we kind of talk about here and trying to be strategic and strike that balance of wanting to be really competitive with and also wanting to be smart with guys.”
Britton and Chapman are guys who could be on the playoff roster bubble. Britton just returned from Tommy John surgery last week and needs to show he can contribute. Chapman has been inconsistent all year and needs to prove he can consistently get outs without blowing up.
While the Yankees need to figure out their bullpen, it was clear Lou Trivino locked up a spot Tuesday night. After a tremendous 1-run, 7.1-inning performance from Jameson Taillon, Trivino closed it out, allowing one hit over 1.2 innings of work.
“I love him against right-handed hitters, you know he’s a tough matchup on righties, especially, he’s got experience at the back end and he’s a guy that wants the ball,” Boone said. “So him having established himself as the guy that you can hand the ball to and a big spot is big and tonight was huge coming in with the game on the line there in the eighth to get the double play ball and then finish in an off was big.”
The Yankees also need to test out DJ LeMahieu, who hasn’t played since Sept. 5 and is dealing with inflammation and pain in his big/second toe area on his right foot. He could play as soon as Wednesday to test out if he can play effectively through this pain. The Yankees are hopeful that Andrew Benintendi (coming off surgery to remove the hook of the hamate bone in his right hand) could return for the playoffs, as well as Frankie Montas, who is dealing with right shoulder inflammation.
The Bombers also need to get some players going. Giancarlo Stanton has struggled since coming back from missing 28 games with a leg injury. Stanton went 0-for-5 with four strikeouts Tuesday night and is 14-for-96 in the 25 games since his return. They would also like to see Gerrit Cole revert back to the form of the ace that they signed him to a $324 million contract to be. He’s the only pitcher in the big leagues this season that has allowed four earned runs and at least two home runs in three consecutive starts. They happen to be his last three starts. He’s allowed a career-high tying 31 home runs this season, 10 in his last six starts.
“We’re obviously racking up wins and we’re finding ways to win games doing it in some different ways. Still gotta get some guys going,” Boone said. “Hopefully get more guys back in the mix. Of course, you want to go into that tournament hot and peaking or catching fire. So we’ll try and handle this next week or so the right way; getting guys rest but also trying to keep guys sharp and hopefully getting a few guys back in the mix.”
Among those who could use some rest is Aaron Judge. The slugger who is one home run shy of the American League single-season record of 61, has played every game since August 5. Judge said that he wasn’t taking a day off until the Yankees clinched and put themselves in a good spot for the postseason.
Boone wouldn’t say if he plans to rest him on Wednesday for the series finale in Toronto, but he will be getting guys off their feet down the stretch.
“You can pick your spots obviously where a lot of these guys have been through the grind in the season. Everyone’s a little nicked up, but it’s more about getting guys healthy and strong and fresh while also keeping them sharp,” Boone said. “So we’re trying to strike that balance every day. So it’s really nice to get this done today and not have this linger on.”
