3 Things Yankees Fans Can Be Thankful for This Year
By Chris Russo
With Thanksgiving coming this Thursday, and the New York Yankees again falling short of a World Championship in 2019, it may seem like their fans may not be so appreciative of what they have.
However, there are plenty of things about which they can smile as they take out the anger of their latest playoff loss on their stomachs at dinner. Here are three things Yankee fans can appreciate this holiday.
3. They Released Jacoby Ellsbury
This really happened. To be fair, his numbers from his first four years as a Yankee were roughly the same as his numbers in Boston. However, those numbers were not worth the $153 million the Yankees agreed to pay over seven seasons, especially with him injured for the entirety of the last two. The Yankees bought out Ellsbury with a year left on his contract, and they could even get back some of the $26 million they still owe him.
Jacoby Ellsbury doctor details the origins of Yankees’ fight for millions https://t.co/QmuqhYKZaZ pic.twitter.com/2CH6BTG7gV
— NY Baseball News (@Bronx_Bombers) November 25, 2019
2. The Red Sox Are an Absolute Mess
Boston may have won the World Series in 2018, but its budget was so overblown that the team had to fire championship architect Dave Dombrowski. Their bullpen is still weak, they're stuck to J.D. Martinez, their rotation is old, and odds are Mookie Betts is on the way out the door. With the Baltimore Orioles still rebuilding, the Toronto Blue Jays not quite fully developed, and the Tampa Bay Rays trying to balance the MLB's smallest budget, it's the Yankees' division to lose. Plus, Boston could be in trouble with the league.
If the #Astros are found guilty, and Alex Cora was deemed to have played a role in the cheating (in 2017), he will be fired by the #RedSox.
— Dan (@DanClarkSports) November 27, 2019
1. There Are Great Starting Pitchers Available
While childhood Yankee fan Gerrit Cole seems more likely than not to sign with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, some of the league's best starters are available to correct the 2019 Yankees' biggest weakness. World Series MVP Stephen Strasburg opted out of his deal with the Washington Nationals, and Madison Bumgarner declined the qualifying offer with the San Francisco Giants. Hyun-Jin Ryu could be a great deal at age 33, and Zack Wheeler could be willing to change boroughs. Not so bad, if they're willing to act.