5 Yankees That Need Big Performanes In 2019

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Aroldis Chapman

When you look at Chapmans's numbers from last season (2.45 ERA, 93 K in 55 Appearances) you wouldn't think that he would need a bounce back year at all. However, when you consider that he was bothered by a knee injury for several weeks, it makes even more sense for 'The Missile' to prove that he is pain free and ready own the mound as the Yankees closer in 2019.

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Greg Bird

Bird had high hopes in 2018 that he would solidify himself as the teams everyday first baseman, but another untimely injury stymied his chances. Unfortunately, things did not go his way when he returned and the big lefty found himself platooning with a red-hot acquisition named Luke Voit, whom took the Bronx by storm down the stretch. Now facing a potentially critical point in his young career, Bird must show the club the player he is more than capable of being.

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Clint Frazier

Clint Frazier's season ended before it could really begin in last year as a severe concussion kept him from returning to the field. Now that the injury is behind him, he can win a platoon spot on the active roster that would give him the chance to make a real name for himself in pinstripes

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Luis Severino

Severino got off to a spectacular start last season (14-2 2.31 ERA), He earned a spot on the All-Star team and was one of the frontrunners for the AL Cy Young award. Sadly, the second half did not play out nearly as well as the first. He posted a 5.57 ERA in 12 starts and never really found any semblance of the rhythm he had prior to the All-Star break. He has admitted that his perplexing drop-off was due to fatigue and he has worked on upping his endurance so he can stay well-conditioned for the long haul.

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Gary Sanchez

If there is any Yankee that needs a strong performance this coming season, it's Gary Sanchez. Not only was his hitting poor (. 186), his defense was called into question on many occasions. Making matters worse, Sanchez seemed disenchanted by it all and made no real effort to change the minds of his critics. Was he affected by the Yankees acquisition of Giancarlo Stanton? Was he injured for longer that he was? No one can say for certain why he played so poorly in 2018, but one thing's for certain a stellar campaign in 2019 will erase all the questions and doubts surrounding the slugging catcher known as 'Kraken'.

Yankees 2017: Who's Hot, Who's Not 2

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\Who's Hot

Gary Sanchez

August has been very nice to Sanchez thus far as he's hitting .333 through 15 games. If he is rounding into the form he had when he broke in last season, the rest of the American League should look out. 

Dellin Betances

After a few hiccups in July, Betances is once again pitching strong. He has yet to surrender a run this month and has successfully closed out two games. The Yankees are really going to need him to keep it up for the stretch run if they are going to make a push for the playoffs and the division.

Didi Gregorius

No Yankee bat is hotter than Didi's as he is swinging a scorching .359 with 23 hits in August. This season has been a revelation for the 27-year-old shortstop and should his good fortunes continue, he and the club will reap the benefits.

Luis Severino

Despite a rough outing against the Red Sox last week, Severino has proven the be the ace of the staff. He's has very impressive starts over the past two months and probably should have more wins to his record. Once a bit of an enigma, the Yankees look to have found something in the 23-year-old flamethrower.

Who's Not

Aroldis Chapman

It's been a frustrating month for the Yankee closer. His ERA is 10.38 and his command has abandoned him. Many fans are clamoring for Betances and Robertson to split the closer duties until Chapman is right, but Girardi is holding fast with position to keep him in the spot. How that will fare is anyone's guess.

Todd Frazier

Since being acquired in mid-July, Todd Frazier hasn't put together a strong showing at the plate hitting just .207 in 27 games. The Yankees have gotten by unscathed by his struggles, but you would like to see the veteran third baseman pick thigs up and make a healthy contribution through September.

Aaron Judge

Judge in a fall from grace period right now, posting a .189 average in August with league high 27 strikeouts. He also set a less than stellar mark as he has struck out in 34 consecutive games. Many had high hopes that he would be leading the MVP race at this point, but the league has adjusted to him and it will take an adjustment of his own if he wants to return to the form that took the league by storm before the All-Star break.

Yankees: Best Reliever Options in Free Agency

Mark Melancon (71.1 IP 1.64 ERA 65 SO 47 Saves)

The former Yankee prospect has made quite the name for himself since being traded in 2010. Over the past 4 season Melancon has been one of the steadier relievers in baseball, compiling 147 saves to go along with a sub-2.00 ERA. With the bullpen in need of a remodel (especially after the trades of Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman) It certainly wouldn't hurt for the organization to look at a familiar face.

Kenly Jansen (68.2 IP 1.83 ERA 104 SO 47 Saves)

Jensen would bring a great dynamic to the bullpen as his style compliments that of Dellin Betances. While some question his consistency, there is little doubt that the man has an "it" factor. if the Yankees are looking for a pitch that closely resembles what they had for half of 2016, Jensen would be a more that safe bet.

Jerry Blevins (42 IP 2.79 ERA 52 SO 16 Holds)

The Yankees could use another left hander in the bullpen especially since the team hasn't had a true specialist pitcher since the days of Mike Myers. he's held lefties to a .214 batting average for his career and considering the problem the short porch can present for pitchers, that number could be a driving factor in brining him aboard.

Sergio Romo (30.2 IP 2.64 ERA 33 SO)

Injuries limited him this past season which could present a potential problem. However, he still managed to put up decent numbers despite the setback. The need for good arms out of the bullpen is greater than ever, and Romo still has great stuff to offer.

Aroldis Chapman (58 IP 1.55 ERA 90 SO 36 Saves)

After helping the Cubs win their first World Series in 108 years, many believe that Chapman will be one of the hottest commodities this offseason. Having dealt him away to shore up the future, the Yankees find themselves in a great spot to put him back in pinstripes. Loring him back won’t be easy as several team have already expressed interest, but if the organization is as serious as everyone thinks, they won't allow any team to outbid them form Chapman's services.

Yankees: Who's Hot Who's Not 3

Who's Hot:

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 Andrew Miller

It's been a good year thus far for Miller as he has seamlessly slid into the setup role after being the team's closer for all of 2015. Sporting a 1.13 ERA and 15 strikeouts to go with his stellar season numbers, it’s going to be very hard to even consider dealing Miller at the deadline if he continues to perform like this.

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Aroldis Chapman

Since returning from an early season suspension Chapman has been as good as advertised when the Yankees acquired him. He's made mincemeat of hitters with his 100+ mph fastball, providing an intimidation factor that is giving the Yankees back end trio marquee billing in any close game.

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Brett Gardner

For the first time this season Gardner has hit a sustained hot streak batting .556 over seven games and is stinging the ball with an improved swing to boot. This a more than pleasant sight as he had fallen on troubling times at the dish for the better part of two seasons. Hopefully he can keep this consistency which would give fans and Girardi a reason for optimism that the 32-year-old outfielders prolonged slumps are over for the time being.

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Carlos Beltran

It continues to be a Renaissance season for Beltran as he poured in a .345 average with 4 homers this week. Whatever has gotten into the 40-year-old right fielder, the Yankees should hope that it does not leave him anytime soon

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Jacoby Ellsbury

Having your leadoff man hitting well is always a plus for any offense so that Yankees are definitely pleased with the results Ellsbury has yielded this week. With a .360 average and .429 on base percentage over seven games, He is giving the offense the spark it needs to get going. 

Who's Not:

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Brian McCann

Despite the success of the Yankees hitting of late, things aren't going quite as well for McCann. Batting just .176 thus week it was difficult for him to capitalize on his teammates good fortunes. To be fair, he did have to deal with a hyperextended elbow for three days, however it would be hard to say if his slump wasn't still concerning to the overall picture.

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Dellin Betances

Perhaps the most shocking cold player of the team is the "D" in the newly named "No Runs DMC". He has a 7.36 ERA over seven games, a tremendously disappointing number for a pitcher of his caliber. It will important for the Yankees to get his confidence back up with a few strong outings without wearing him down too much. If the new nickname is to stick, it will be highly important get the first guy back into dominant form