Something has to change.
The New York Yankees were one-and-done in the playoffs this year, losing to the Boston Red Sox, 6-2, in the American League Wild Card Game.
The Red Sox then knocked off the Tampa Bay Rays, who had won the AL East division title with a franchise-record 100 wins, in the American League Division Series.
Clearly, the Yankees have some work to do this offseason if they are to close the gap on their rivals.
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Former Yankees star Alex Rodriguez told The Herd with Colin Cowherd on Tuesday what has to change in the Bronx.
(The Rays) over-index in four things: speed, defense, baseball IQ and passion. ... Now, all four are either free or you can get it at the flea market almost for free. But ironically these are the things that make you win games. The Yankees have gotten (Giancarlo) Stanton, they have (Aaron) Judge and (Joey) Gallo. All three, similar players. All three, over 6′5″ right? What they need is the (Alex) Verdugos, the (Kike) Hernandez, the (Christian) Vazquez. They need baseball players and a diversified set of skills, but ironically the things you need to win a world championship are the cheapest. You can buy them at the flea market and analytics has a blind spot. Humans have a blind spot. Alex Cora has figured out a way to bring the hybrid and do it better than anyone.
Cora and the Red Sox open the American League Championship Series Friday vs. the Houston Astros.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com.
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