The New York Yankees: The Return of The Evil Empire

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Interlude: As one of the most successful sports clubs in the world, the Yankees have won 18 division titles, 40 AL pennants, and 27 World Series championships, all of which are MLB records. The Yankees have won more titles than any other franchise in the four major North American sports leagues. Forty-four Yankees players and eleven Yankees managers have been inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame, including Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, and Whitey Ford. In pursuit of winning championships, the franchise has used a large payroll to attract talent, particularly during the Steinbrenner era. According to Forbes, the Yankees are the second highest valued sports franchise in the United States and the fifth in the world, with an estimated value of approximately $4 billion. The Yankees have garnered enormous popularity and a dedicated fanbase, as well as widespread enmity from fans of other MLB teams. The team's rivalry with the Boston Red Sox is one of the most well-known rivalries in U.S. sports.

Setup: I played every game of the 2018 season, and had a blast. I got burnt out quickly posting my last dynasty here trying to keep up with the graphics and images, so this one will be more vanilla. We pick this up at the beginning of Spring Training, in 2019. The offseason was simulated to not cheese the CPU with budgets off, and the "Ghost GM" of the Yankees still managed to take advantage of the budgets turned off; as you'll see below.


Without further ado, sit back, relax, and enjoy the rebirth of the Evil Empire .

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Re: The New York Yankees: The Return of The Evil Empire

2018 Season Summary





After sitting at 44-46 at the ASB and plagued with injuries; we made some changes to the roster, and went 41-31 in the second half of the season to squeeze into the playoffs at 85-77. An 8-0 win over Oakland put us in the ALDS where the winningest team in baseball, the Boston Red Sox, humbled us, ending our season in a 12-2 buttwhooping in which Tanaka lasted a measly 2.2 innings before getting the hook.

Houston would go on to defeat the Colorado Rockies in the World Series, 4 games to 3. Houston 1B Tyler White was the WS MVP. He hit .409 with 2 HR (both walkoffs) and 4 RBI. During the regular season he had a .236/.319/.349 triple slash, with 9 HR and 30 RBI in 108 games. Gurriel tore his MCL in May, and Houston just kinda said F*** it, lets give this guy a shot I guess.

MLB Standings - Updated: Nov 3, 2018
AL EAST	W	L	GB
Boston Red Sox	103	59	-
New York Yankees	85	77	18.0
Toronto Blue Jays	81	81	22.0
Tampa Bay Rays	77	85	26.0
Baltimore Orioles	64	98	39.0
AL CENTRAL	W	L	GB
Cleveland Indians	97	65
Detroit Tigers	81	81	16.0
Kansas City Royals	79	83	18.0
Minnesota Twins	75	87	22.0
Chicago White Sox	56	106	41.0
AL WEST	W	L	GB
Houston Astros	102	60	-
Oakland Athletics	88	74	14.0
Seattle Mariners	78	84	24.0
Houston Rangers	70	92	32.0
Los Angeles Angels	69	93	33.0
NL EAST	W	L	GB
Washington Nationals	95	67	-
New York Mets	85	77	10.0
Philadelphia Phillies	84	78	11.0
Atlanta Braves	66	96	29.0
Miami Marlins	64	98	31.0
NL CENTRAL	W	L	GB
Chicago Cubs	100	62	-
Milwaukee Brewers	87	76	13.5
Pittsburgh Pirates	81	81	19.0
St. Louis Cardinals	80	82	20.0
Cincinnati Reds	69	93	31.0
NL WEST	W	L	GB
Colorado Rockies	99	63	-
Los Angeles Dodgers	90	72	9.0
San Francisco Giants	86	77	13.5
Arizona Diamondbacks	82	80	17.0
San Diego Padres	58	104	41.0

2018 MLB Award Winners
Award	Player	Pos	Team
AL Most Valuable Player	Justin Verlander	P	Houston Astros
NL Most Valuable Player	Nolan Arenado	3B	Colorado Rockies
AL Cy Young Award	Justin Verlander	P	Houston Astros
NL Cy Young Award	Clayton Kershaw	P	Los Angeles Dodgers
AL Hank Aaron Award	Mike Trout	CF	Los Angeles Angels
NL Hank Aaron Award	Nolan Arenado	3B	Colorado Rockies
AL Rolaids Relief Award	Addison Reed	RP	Minnesota Twins
NL Rolaids Relief Award	Wade Davis	RP	Colorado Rockies
AL Rookie of the Year	Eloy Jiminez	OF	Chicago White Sox
NL Rookie of the Year	Ronald Acuna Jr.	LF	Atlanta Braves

Notable Retirements

2018 Notable Retirements - Hitting
NAME	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	BA	OBP	SLG
Rajai Davis	4332	634	1125	231	43	62	393	268	870	411	103	.260	.308	.376
Mike Napoli	4572	697	1125	224	11	267	744	650	1468	39	24	.246	.346	.475
Victor Martinez	7079	907	2095	413	4	241	1154	710	888	7	7	.296	.361	.458
Albert Pujols	9998	1736	3019	623	18	619	1941	1266	1196	114	44	.302	.383	.554
Jayson Werth	5484	883	1465	300	22	229	779	764	1450	132	23	.267	.360	.455
Chase Utley	6802	1096	1878	402	57	264	1021	713	1182	151	22	.276	.358	.468
Ichiro Suzuki	9885	1415	3080	362	96	117	780	643	1072	509	117	.312	.355	.403
Tim Tebow	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-

2018 Notable Retirements - Pitching
NAME	GP	GS	W	L	SV	QS	HLD	IP	H	ER	HR	BB	SO	WHIP	ERA
C.C. Sabathia	535	514	240	148	0	304	2	3391.1	3216	1395	347	1032	2898	1.25	3.70
James Shields	396	389	141	130	1	233	0	2512.0	2498	1116	340	722	2144	1.28	4.00
Bartolo Colon	564	555	248	190	0	284	1	3460.1	3601	1576	435	958	2535	1.32	4.10

Hall of Fame

Albert Pujols (2000-2018) .302AVG, 619HR, 1941RBI, 3019H

Ichiro Suzuki (2000-2018) .312AVG, 117HR, 780RBI, 3080H


***Dislcaimer*** I simmed the offseason because I didn't want to cheese the CPU with budgets off. The CPU Yankees decided they would take advantage of the budgets off anyways. I don't hate it

Transaction Report

Red Sox sign OF Bryce Harper to 7 year, 186.6M deal (26.65m/yr)

Tigers sign SS Manny Machado to 7 year, 216.6M deal (30.94/yr)

Mets sign C Robinson Chirinos to 2 year, 12.4M deal (6.2/yr)

Yankees sign 2B Jose Altuve to 10 year, 309.5M deal (30.95/yr)

Yankees sign 1B Paul Goldschmidt to 9 year, 278.5M deal (30.94/yr)

Angels sign 2B D.J. LeMahieu to 5 year, 115.4M deal (23.07m/yr)

Yankees sign SP Jose Quintana to 4 year, 62.0M deal (15.50m/yr)

Blue Jays sign OF Michael Brantley to 5 year, 58.8M deal (11.76m/yr)

Rangers sign SP Gio Gonzalez to 3 year, 33.9M deal (11.30m/yr)

Giants sign 3B Mike Moustakas to 3 year, 34.5M deal (11.50m/yr)

Dodgers acquire 2B Ketel Marte from the Diamondbacks for 1B Edwin Rios, SP Mitchell White

Marlins trade 2B Isan Diaz to the Indians for SS Willi Castro

The Padres acquire RP Tyler Thornburg, CF Cole Brannen from the Red Sox for 2B Estuery Ruiz

The Cardinals trade RP Luke Gregerson to the Nationals for C Pedro Severino

The Reds trade SS Jose Israel Garcia to the Red Sox for RP Marcus Walden

The Cubs trade RP Brian Duensing to the Rays for LF Garrett Whitley and 1B Joe McCarthy

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Re: The New York Yankees: The Return of The Evil Empire

The New York Yankees 2019 Season Preview

TAMPA, FL -- The New York Yankees wrapped up their 2019 spring training with a 2-1 loss against the Atlanta Braves. Finishing at 17-13, and a roster cut down to 25, the Yankees are going for it all in 2019.

"We try to be competitive every single year" Yankees GM Brian Cashman said this morning, "We managed to make the best of a bad situation last year; this year, with the help of some outside talent, we're really making a push to bring home another World Series championship to the organization and the fans."

The Yankees finished the 2018 with an 85-77 record, and squeaked into the playoffs. They were overmatched in the ALDS by the division rivals Boston Red Sox. Boston has only improved, signing megastar free agent Bryce Harper to a 7 year, 186.6 million dollar deal in the offseason. The Yankees decided to open their own wallet, and bolster the roster with some established talent of their own.

Off season key acquisitions:

1B Paul Goldschmidt, 2B Jose Altuve, SP Jose Quintana.


The New Gold Standard

Paul Goldschmidt had an MVP caliber year in Arizona last season, hitting a .318/.404/.607 triple slash, with 44 home runs and 115 RBIs. Goldschmidt replaces Justin Bour, who will now move to DH when Stanton is in the field.

Although this move slates Giancarlo to be the projected everyday left fielder, the former MVP did make an effort to improve in the field, having 8 assists, and a 98% fielding percentage. If he falters, the Yankees can always move him back to DH, putting Brandon Drury in Left, and having Gleyber Torres play everyday at 3rd base. There is a feeling that barring injury, we may not see Justin Bour on this team past the trade deadline.

A New Sparkplug at 2nd Base
Jose Altuve left the Astros after winning a World Series, and will find himself playing everyday at 2nd base. Altuve, who had a .328 batting average, also hit 22 homeruns, with a career high 98 RBIs. He also crossed the plate 98 times, and the Yankees may have him batting leadoff, as Brett Gardner was not resigned following the 2018 season.

What Does This Mean For Gleybar?

Gleybar Torres, who started at 2nd base last year, will now be used in a more utility position, as he struggled at the plate last year, hitting only .234, and striking out 168 times. As mentioned previously, if Stanton proves that he cannot handle playing the field, starting 3rd baseman Brandon Drury will move to left, opening up a spot for Gleybar in the infield. An indivision scout mentioned that if Gleybar is slow out of the gate, he may see some time back in Triple A, until the logjam at the big leagues sorts itself out, so Gleybar can continue to develop.

After a Down Year, Quintana Looks to Return to Form

Jose Quintana, once deemed too expensive for the Yankees, has signed a 4 year, 62 million dollar deal, and looks to be the third man in the rotation for the New York Yankees, behind Ace Luis Severino, and Masahiro Tanaka. Quintana had an injury plagued 2018 season, pitching just 148.1 innings, and saw a decrease in performance as well. With an ERA of 4.07, and a career high WHIP of 1.39, a fresh start could be what a potentially healthy Quintana needs. The lefty looks to shake up the right handed heavy Yankee rotation, which will move Mike Foltynewicz to the bullpen.

At the end of the day, the Yankees will be expected to compete from the get-go, and will look to give the Red Sox a run for the division. Despite amassing only 85 wins last year, they are projected to win 96 games this year. Below is the 25 man roster, as well as projected everyday lineup, rotation, and bullpen. Let's play ball!

New York Yankees Depth Chart - 2019

• Catcher
• Gary Sanchez
• Austin Romine

• First Base
• Paul Goldschmit
• Justin Bour

• Second Base
• Jose Altuve
• Gleyber Torres

• Third Base
• Brandon Drury
• Gleyber Torres

• Shortstop
• Didi Gregorius
• Gleyber Torres

• Left Field
• Giancarlo Stanton
• Jacoby Ellsbury

• Center Field
• Aaron Hicks
• Jacoby Ellsbury

• Right Field
• Aaron Judge
• Jacoby Ellsbury

• Starting Pitcher
• Luis Severino
• Masahiro Tanaka
• Jose Quintana
• Sonny Gray
• Jordan Montgomery
• Mike Foltynewicz

• Relief Pitcher
• David Robertson
• Chad Green
• Dellin Betances
• Tommy Kahnle
• Blaine Hardy
• Chasen Shreve

• Closer
• Aroldis Chapman

• Designated Hitter
• Justin Bour
• Giancarlo Stanton

Projected Lineup
2B Jose Altuve (R)
SS Didi Gregorius (L)
1B Paul Goldschmidt (R)
RF Aaron Judge (R)
LF Giancarlo Stanton (R)
C Gary Sanchez (R)
DH Justin Bour (L)
CF Aaron Hicks (S)
3B Brandon Drury (R)


Projected Rotation
RHP Luis Severino
RHP Masahiro Tanaka
LHP Jose Quintana
RHP Sonny Gray
LHP Jordan Montgomery

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Re: The New York Yankees: The Return of The Evil Empire

MLB Top 20 Propspects
Pos	Team	Player	Age	Level
3B	Toronto Blue Jays	Vladimir Guerrero Jr	20	AAA
3B	Cincinnati Reds	Nick Senzel	23	AAA
SS	Toronto Blue Jays	Bo Bichette	21	AAA
SS	San Diego Padres	Fernando Tatis Jr	20	MLB
SS	Oakland Athletics	Jose Chavez	21	AA
SP	Chicago White Sox	Michael Kopech	22	MLB
SP	Chicago White Sox	Rich Zavala	22	MLB
RF	Houston Astros	Kyle Tucker	22	AAA
SP	New York Mets	Darryl Arnett	18	AA
1B	Arizona Diamondbacks	Edwin Rios	24	AAA
SP	Houston Astros	Forrest Whitley	21	AA
SP	Pittsburgh Pirates	Mitch Keller	22	AAA
SP	Milwaukee Brewers	Freddy Peralta	22	AAA
C	Cincinnati Reds	Reggie Field	18	AA
RF	Philadelphia Phillies	Ray Favreau	19	AA
C	San Francisco Giants	Lincoln Varner	19	AA
SP	Colorado Rockies	Pedro Ruiz	22	AA
CP	San Francisco Giants	Cesar Nivar	19	AA
CF	San Diego Padres	Leonard Boston	20	AA
SP	Atlanta Braves	Jose Esquivel	20	AA

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3/28/2019 - Game 1

Yanks Win Season Opener as Stanton Goes Yard Twice

Baltimore Orioles at New York Yankees
Mar 28, 2019	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	R	H	E
Baltimore (0-0)	0	1	1	0	0	0	0	2	0	4	6	2
New York (0-0)	0	1	2	0	0	0	5	0	X	8	9	0
W: L. Severino (1-0) L: D. Bundy (0-1)

Scoring Summary
SCORING DETAILS			BAL	NYY
BAL	2	Schoop homered to left (408 feet).	1	0
NYY	2	Stanton homered to center (424 feet).	1	1
BAL	3	Sisco homered to right (425 feet).	2	1
NYY	3	Gregorius homored to left (417 feet). Drury scores.	2	3
NYY	7	Drury grounded to center for a single. Hicks scores.	2	4
NYY	7	Gregorius grounded to shortstop for a single (E6). Drury scores.	2	5
NYY	7	Goldschmidt grounded out to Alvarez (3U). Altuve scores.	2	6
NYY	7	Judge hit a sacrifice fly to Trumbo (SF9). Gregorius scores.	2	7
NYY	7	Stanton homered to right (370 feet).	2	8
BAL	8	Beckham homered to left (452 feet). Trumbo scores.	4	8

Baltimore Orioles
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Iglesias, SS	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.000
Tauchman, CF	4	0	0	0	0	1	0	.000
Mancini, LF	4	0	1	0	0	1	0	.250
Schoop, 2B	4	1	1	1	0	2	1	.250
Jones, DH	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Alvarez, 1B	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.000
Trumbo, RF	3	1	1	0	0	0	0	.333
Sisco, C	3	1	1	1	0	1	1	.333
Beckham, 3B	3	1	2	2	0	0	1	.666
TEAM TOTALS	33	4	6	4	0	11	3
BATTING: HR: Schoop, Sisco, Beckham RBI: Schoop, Sisco, Beckham 2
FIELDING: E: Iglesias, Sisco

New York Yankees
HITTERS	AB	R	H	RBI	BB	SO	HR	AVG
Altuve, 2B	4	1	1	0	0	0	0	.250
Gregorius, SS	4	2	3	2	0	0	1	.750
Goldschmidt, 1B	3	0	0	1	1	1	0	.000
Judge, RF	3	0	0	1	0	0	0	.000
Stanton, LF	4	2	2	2	0	2	2	.500
Sanchez, C	4	0	0	0	0	0	0	.000
Bour, DH	4	0	0	0	0	2	0	.000
Hicks, CF	4	1	1	0	0	1	0	.250
Drury, 3B	3	2	2	1	1	0	0	.666
TEAM TOTALS	33	8	9	7	2	6	2
BATTING: 2B: Gregorius 3B: Hicks HR: Gregorius, Stanton 2 RBI: Gregorius 2, Goldschmidt, Judge, Stanton 2, Drury 1 SF: Judge

Baltimore Orioles
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Bundy (L, 0-1)	6.0	4	3	3	2	6	2	4.50
O'Day	1.0	5	5	4	0	0	1	36.00
Bleier	1.0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0.00
TEAM TOTALS	8.0	9	8	7	2	6	3

New York Yankees
PITCHERS	IP	H	R	ER	BB	SO	HR	ERA
Severino (W, 1-0)	7.0	3	2	2	0	8	2	2.57
Hardy	1.0	2	2	2	0	1	1	18.00
Kahnle	1.0	1	0	0	0	2	0	0.00
TEAM TOTALS	9.0	6	4	4	0	11	3