The Yankees season came to a close on October 9, losing to the Rays 2-1 in game 5 of the ALDS.  This season has felt like nothing but disappointment for Yankee fans, because the signing of Gerrit Cole was seen as the fast pass to the World Series.  Through this disappointing season there are a fair amount of positives to take away from this season.  

One of the greatest takeaways from the 2020 season is Luke Voit’s bat, which seems to be warming up.  Voit put up career numbers in 2020, with a .277 batting average, 22 home runs, and a .948 OPS.  2020 was a shortened season, so Voit with 22 home runs led the MLB, in just 213 AB. He is not expected to win, but was in the talk for MVP this year.  Voit stepped up big for the Yankees in the 2020 season, and is expected to put up similar numbers in years to come. 

Another takeaway from this season is DJ LeMahieu, who put up impressive numbers during the 2020 season.  DJ had a career best and MLB leading .364 batting average.  LeMahieu’s numbers have only improved since joining the Yankees in 2019 and I do not see an end to these numbers.  DJ is a free agent as of the end of the 2020 season and most likely the Yankees will pay him almost any number to re-sign him for the next few years.   

Garett Cole wasn’t as dominant as he was in the 2019 season, but still played very well in the 12 games he pitched.  He still had an ERA of only 2.84, which for a starting pitcher is extremely good.  Cole’s only flaw through the 2020 season was he gave up too many home runs.  If Cole is able to limit these home runs he is looking at the possibility of another Cy-young award.  

Lastly, there is Giancarlo Stanton who only played in 23 games in the 2020 season.  Stanton was not even a star in these 23 games, but he is considered a positive because he played phenomenal in the playoffs this year.  Stanton carried the Yankees through the series against the Indians, as well as the series against the Rays.  Stanton went on a 4 game home run streak and maintained a 1.426 OPS during these series.  He showed a light in the playoffs and this is a positive take away because Yankee fans can only hope he stays healthy and continues to play at such a high level in the years following.