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The Yankees bounced back from Thursday's loss to defeat the Royals Friday night, 6-2. >> Box Score

Five takeaways from Friday's game…

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An All-Star collection of Yankees sit on the club's injured list, which has been one of the main culprits to their 8-10 start to the season. There are six regulars that have already missed significant time in 2019, but who is missed the most?

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The Yankees bats go cold in 6-1 loss to the Royals at Yankee Stadium. >> Box Score

Five takeaways from Thursday's game…

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The Yankees rallied in the seventh inning to beat the Red Sox, 5-3, at Yankee Stadium. >> Box Score

Six takeaways from Tuesday's game…

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV  Twitter | About Me | Archives: The Yankees, behind stellar pitching and plenty of offense, beat the Red Sox, 8-0, at Yankee Stadium. >> Box Score

Five takeaways from Tuesday's game…

1 ) James Paxton was absolutely electric tonight. It was the first time he went to the mound in pinstripes, and just unleashed on the opponent. Paxton surely wasn't tipping any pitches, throwing 110 on the night, 80 of which were four-seam fastballs. Those fastballs averaged 97 mph with the fastest topping out at 99.2 mph. Paxton's final line - 8 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 12 K - could not have come at a better time for the Yankees. The Yanks traded for Paxton with this kind of a performance in mind, and hopefully for New York he builds on it.

The schedule makers snuck in an early Yankees/Red Sox series, searching for a narrative among teams expected to be sitting at the top of the American League East standings. Instead, the clash is being described as one to determine which club will utilize the series to turn its season around.

The Yankees (6-9) have battled a slew of injuries that leaves almost a complete -- and quality -- ball club on the injured list. Despite the injuries, the Yanks have held the lead in 14 of its 15 games, meaning there is clear underperformance buried in the squad's record.

The Red Sox (6-11), coming off a World Series title, are caught in the often traditional throes of the impact of a long postseason at the outset of a new year. The Sox are mostly healthy, but the club has had a difficult time getting fully on track. As both teams look to reverse course, which areas can the clubs expect improvement in and which aspects might not get better?

Every Monday, we'll be taking a look at how the Yankees' top prospects (their MLB.com Yankees Top-30 rankings are in parenthesis) are faring.

Jonathan Loaisiga, SP, Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (No. 2) - 2019

Loaisiga, who is ranked No. 64 among all MLB prospects per MLB Pipeline, just returned to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre after a brief stint with the Yankees. The 24-year-old made two starts with the Yanks, allowing two runs in 7.0 innings. With the Yankees' multiple health issues in the rotation, it will not be surprising to see Loaisiga once again in the Bronx. Until then, he will work with SWB with the concentration being to build up innings -- something he has yet to do in a professional season (68.2 innings is a career high that he set back in 2013).

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The Yankees lost the series rubber match to the White Sox, 5-2, at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

Five takeaways from Sunday's game…

1) Masahiro Tanaka was cruising … and then he wasn't. Tanaka had six strikeouts and faced just 10 batters in the first three innings. In the next inning-plus, Tanaka allowed eight baserunners, including three uncharacteristic walks. Tanaka was charged with five runs, four of which came on a Tim Anderson grand slam. Tanaka was fantastic over his first three starts, so hopefully this was a simple bump in the road as the Yanks need the right-hander on top of his game.

The Yankees beat the White Sox, 4-0, on Saturday afternoon in the Bronx >> Box score

Six takeaways from Saturday's game…

1) CC Sabathia, coming off the injured list to make his first start of the season, was spectacular. In five innings, Sabathia allowed just one base runner (on a single) and struck out three. Sabathia, who will be retiring at season's end, is now 11 strikeouts away from 3,000 for his career, which should aid his bid to be elected to the Hall of Fame. Before we concern ourselves with Sabathia's career worth, right now the Yanks can use some of the stopper stuff he's possessed the last couple of seasons. He provided it Saturday.

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The Yankees lost to the White Sox, 9-6, in a rain-shortened affair at Yankee Stadium. The Yanks have lost four straight. >> Box Score

Five takeaways from Friday's game…

1 ) What's happening (get it?) to J.A. Happ is clearly not what the Yankees were expecting when they signed the 36-year-old to a two-year deal (with a vesting option). Happ was handed a 4-1 lead, yet he allowed base runners in each inning and yet another home run. Happ's line - 4 IP, 9 H, 6 R, 2 BB and 5 K was horrendous as is his 6.19 ERA for the season. Happ is simply leaving too many pitchers over the heart of the plate and hitters are not missing them.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV  Twitter | About Me | Archives: The Yankees lose to the Astros, 8-6, and are swept out of Minute Maid Ballpark. >> Box Score

Five takeaways from Wednesday's game…

1 ) The Yankees need James Paxton to be a stopper. He couldn't quell the bleeding tonight. Paxton's ERA on the season rose to 6.00 after allowing five runs on eight hits (including two home runs to Jose Altuve) and three walks. He labored through 95 pitches in just four innings of work. Simply put, Paxton has to better. He was brought in to sit atop the rotation and carry the club to the postseason. So far, Paxton has failed to live up to expectations.

The Yankees were supposed to ride the strength of their bullpen to many victories this season, but instead it is coughing up leads on a regular basis.

With right-handed reliever Dellin Betances on the injured list, the Yankees pen has been somewhat porous, creating some short term issues and -- worse -- setting the stage for potentially long term affects.

Obvious shortcomings

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 The Yankees suffer a second straight late-inning loss to the Astros, 6-3, at Minute Maid Ballpark.

Five takeaways from Tuesday's game…

1) Rookie right-hander Jonathan Loaisiga looked great in the first inning, striking out the Astros in order. From there it was a bit of a different story, but not all of Loaisiga's doing as his defense didn't make things any easier. Loaisiga tossed just three innings, allowing two runs on four hits, two walks while striking out five batters. This was likely Loaisiga's final start with the big league club for a while with CC Sabathia due back from the injured list by the time the spot comes back through the rotation.

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The Yankees launch seven home runs, beating the Orioles, 15-3, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. >> Box score

Five things to know about Monday's game...

1) Domingo German was in control from the outset of this game (after allowing five walks in his first outing), in which he didn't allow a base hit until a one-out single in the sixth inning. German's final line - 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB and 3 K - is one which will make it easy for the Yankees to keep him in the rotation while Luis Severino remains on the injured list.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV  Twitter | About Me | Archives

Every Monday, we'll be taking a look at how the Yankees' top prospects (their MLB.com Yankees Top 10 rankings are in parenthesis) are faring.

Estevan Florial, OF, Double-A Trenton (No. 1) -- ETA 2021

Florial, 21, despite missing a majority of the 2018 season, sits atop the Yankees prospect rankings. He continues to ride the upside his five-tool ability, though he is getting to the stage where the results on the field will begin to matter more

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The Yankees launch seven home runs, beating the Orioles, 15-3, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. >> Box score

Five things to know about Sunday's game..

1) Domingo German was in control from the outset of this game (after allowing five walks in his first outing), in which he didn't allow a base hit until a one-out single in the sixth inning. German's final line - 6 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 BB and 3 K - is one which will make it easy for the Yankees to keep him in the rotation while Luis Severino remains on the injured list.

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The Yankees beat the Orioles, 6-4, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on Saturday night. >> Box score

Five things to know about Saturday's game..

1) Trying to make up for a poor first start of the season, J.A. Happ hurled just 4.1 innings of two-run ball. Happ allowed five hits, walked two and struck out five. He got stronger as the game moved along, only having trouble with Trey Mancini (homer and a double) along the way. Unfortunately, that was enough for Yankees manager Aaron Boone to remove the left-hander when Mancini stepped to the plate for the third time in the fifth inning. Happ is being relied on to log innings and he has failed to do so thus far this season...

Having played the rebuilding Orioles and Tigers to start the season, the Yankees might have believed to be much better than 3-4 at the moment. Injuries are part of the issue (some of which should have been expected), but performance has not lived up to expectations in some cases.

There are 155 games left in the season, but it's difficult to avoid wondering if the current feeling about the club would be different had they made some different decisions this offseason, including...

A stronger pursuit of Patrick Corbin

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The Yankees beat the Orioles, 8-4, at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, spoiling Baltimore's home opener. >> Box score

Six things to know about Thursday's game..

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In the rubber match of the three-game series at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees lost to the Tigers, 2-1. >> Box score

Five things to know about Wednesday's game..

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On a night where the bats were as cold as the temperature, the Yankees lost to the Tigers, 3-1, at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

Six things to know about Tuesday's game..

1) Aroldis Chapman came on in a tie game and allowed two runs on two hits after handing out a crucial walk. Chapman was sitting 97-98 mph for much of the appearance, and did hit 100 mph one pitch. But the placement on the fastball was not great and he was subsequently burned by it.

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Despite going 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, the Yankees beat the Tigers 3-1 on Monday at Yankee Stadium. >> Box score

Five things to know about Monday's game

1) Yankees starting pitcher Domingo German was erratic (five walks), but equally elusive (seven strikeouts) in his five innings of work. German allowed just one hit and an unearned run. The young righty will continue to get action this season as a starter and reliever, which will hopefully help him become more consistent.

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Major League Baseball's schedule makers threw the Yankees a bone for opening weekend of the 2019 season, but the team essentially choked on it.

The Yankees are among a quartet of American League teams heavily favored to gain a spot in the 2019 postseason and New York's roster is strong enough win the World Series. The Baltimore Orioles are in the very beginning stages of a full-blown rebuild, fresh off a 115-loss season. Yet, it was the Orioles that came out of New York with two wins in the three-game series.

An interesting outcome beyond the scoreboard results, which have the standings turned upside down, are the somewhat diverging messages coming from the Yankees' best player and its manager.

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The Yankees left the season-opening series with the Orioles on the wrong side of the standings, losing two of three games to Baltimore.

After a resounding and expected Opening Day thumping of the Orioles, the Yankees wasted a fine starting pitcher effort Saturday and roundly failed to produce with runners in scoring position. Sunday's effort was an all-around disappointment from all facets.

As the Yankees are set to begin a three-game series with the Tigers on Monday, let's take a look at three players trending up and three players/areas trending down.

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After a three-hour and 17 minute rain delay, the Yankees lost to the Orioles, 7-5, at Yankee Stadium on Sunday. >> Box score

Things to know about Sunday's game

1) J.A. Happ's first appearance of the season got off to a rough start, allowing a three-run home run in the first inning. It didn't get too much better, as Happ lasted just four innings to the tune of four runs, five hits (two homers), one walk and three strikeouts.

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The Yankees' ninth-inning rally falls short as they lose to the Orioles, 5-3, at Yankee Stadium. >> Box Score

Six things to know about Saturday's game…

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The Yankees started 2019 on the right foot, defeating the Orioles 7-2 at Yankee Stadium on Opening Day. >> Box Score

Nine things to know about Thursday's game…

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While the Yankees did not splurge on stars Manny Machado or Bryce Harper as many expected, the club completed a big trade and spread out its wealth for roster additions in free agency in an effort to supplement its incredibly talented young core.

Let's take a look at the 2019 Yankees, a team that sports an Opening Day payroll of approximately $204 million, according to Cot's Baseball Contracts ($226 million-plus for competitive balance tax purposes), as they embark on their yearly quest for a World Series title.

Pitching Staff

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The Yankees return a largely similar roster from 2018, meaning the difference this season could be based on the maturation of manager Aaron Boone.

In 2018, Boone was handed the reigns to a team that had just advanced to the ALCS, only to lose in seven games. While the Yankees might have been a surprise in 2017, the expectations heaped on Boone's team were as high as ever.

Long-time Yankees GM Brian Cashman is not merely working within the new mold of roster construction in baseball as he guides the Bombers. Instead, Cashman has been facilitating its creation -- and the groundwork goes back longer than one might think.

Within an excerpt from a new book (published in the NY Post), "Inside the Empire: The True Power Behind the New York Yankees," written by Bob Klapisch and Paul Solotaroff, we got a glimpse into the discussions leading up to the deal that brought Giancarlo Stanton to the Yanks. Klapisch and Solotaroff also paint the picture of what general managers strive to highlight in the new age of building rosters -- youthful dominance -- and how Cashman has been able to alter the club's methodology.

An aspect that might go unnoticed among the casual fan is that Cashman and the Yankees were working the youth angle well before what some believe to be the start -- the "sell-off" leading up to missing the 2016 postseason. That summer, the Yankees replenished a middling farm system and boosted the minor league organization's status to among the best in the game. But the basis for the current core was already established...

When we think of a club's overall success, it typically and rightfully relies upon the performance of the starters. However, the production from the bench players is of great importance understanding there will be injuries and performance issues along the way.

The Yankees have a couple of players considered locks to make the Opening Day roster as bench options, a handful of potential choices for the final spot on the bench and a long shot to be among the reserves late in the season.

The Yankees will be without Aaron Hicks for at least the opening series of the regular season due to back stiffness that has required two cortisone shots. With back issues, reducing the pain while getting up to game speed is difficult and can often linger well beyond the original diagnosis.

The Yankees will have to make a decision on who will take the newly vacant roster spot and they have two choices: Clint Frazier or Tyler Wade.

Which player makes the most sense?

The Yankees' four high-leverage relievers will get a ton of press and rightfully so, but the group asked to pitch in middle innings will have to do its part in what could turn out to be a very heavily used eight-pack of pitchers in 2019.

Right-handers Chad Green and Jonathan Holder plus whoever wins the battle for the final two spots in the bullpen will be expected to be ready to pitch in multiple situations and for varying lengths in their appearances. There is both upside and uncertainty among the last four relievers that will break camp with the Yankees.

Green might be more involved in high-leverage innings as he has been the last couple of seasons. The Yankees would likely prefer to utilize Green in lengthier appearances (think four to six outs), bringing in the 27-year-old to polish off a rocky inning from a starter and then cover some or all of the next frame.

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The Yankees continue to possess one of the best bullpen crews in the game. The grouping of above-average to elite relievers rattles up to six pitchers.

For New York, the biggest impact might not come from its top two holdover relievers - Aroldis Chapman and Dellin Betances - but rather the team's newest signings. Zack Britton and Adam Ottavino are working under elite reliever contracts and each pitcher's production will have a major impact on the Yankees postseason aspirations.

Britton has a slight advantage over Ottavino in that the 31-year-old southpaw has some experience in pinstripes under his belt after coming to the Yankees in a late July trade last season. The right-handed Ottavino, 33, has an edge of his own - unfamiliarity for batters - coming to the American League after parts of eight seasons in the National League.

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As spring training inches toward games that count, contract extension season dwindles away.

The Yankees have shown that they are more than willing to offer extensions to their core players, inking Luis Severino to a four-year, $40 million extension and Aaron Hicks to a seven-year, $70 million deal.

The Yankees have reportedly discussed a contract extension with Dellin Betances, and there are clear reasons to view the right-handed reliever as an extension candidate.

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For Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman, high-octane fastballs have been his game since he broke into the big leagues full-time in 2011. While Chapman's fastball still elicits mouth-opening radar gun marks on the scoreboard, he has realized that some added finesse to the top-notch velocity is a necessity.

Chapman averaged 98.6 mph with his four-seam fastball and 100.9 mph with his sinker in 2018, which ranked in the 100th percentile in the game, according to Baseball Savant. Add in a spin rate that positioned him in the 95th percentile among all pitchers, and Chapman's fastball remains one of the best weapons in the game. Yet the velocity is not enough.

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Imagine expecting more when reviewing a stat line that includes 38 home runs, 100 RBI, 102 runs scored and an OPS of .852 (126 OPS+). So it goes with Yankees DH/OF Giancarlo Stanton, who enters his second season in "what have you done for me lately" New York.

Stanton was hard-pressed to match his massive NL MVP production from 2017 (NL-leading 59 homers, 132 RB, .631 SLG and 169 OPS+). Viewing 2018 as disappointing is unfair and the notion that his downturn was due to the newness of New York and his role with the club as the primary DH might be a bit overblown.

Some of the expected improvement from Stanton in 2019 is perceived to be derived from attaining a comfort level in New York. It is true that Stanton and many other players endure an adjustment period when coming to the Yankees. This might have been believed to be more so a potential issue with Stanton, who came from Miami -- where the focus was to get through the season rather than win a World Series...

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Despite missing 45 games after getting hit in the right wrist resulting in a fracture, Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge made good on avoiding the sophomore slump last season. Judge's performance in his second full season proved his rookie campaign was no fluke.

Now, Judge, who turns 27 in late April, is primed for an MVP-caliber season. Here is why:

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives: The Yankees saw something in Aaron Hicks and caught the Twins at the perfect time to swoop in for the mere cost of a player that's hanging in the game as a backup catcher.

With Hicks firmly putting himself on the map last season, he's looking to elevate his game one last level -- to elite status. The Yankees, who signed Hicks to a seven-year, $70 million extension Monday, clearly believe Hicks has the capacity reach that standing among the game's best.

"He has more gas in his tank, he has more mountains to climb," Yankees GM Brian Cashman said. "We're excited by a player who came here that wasn't a finished product and had a lot of upside. We engaged him on a lot of levels about the talent that we thought he possessed."

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Manny Machado landed in San Diego, Nolan Arenado is staying in Colorado, and the Yankees are running out of backup plans if Miguel Andujar doesn't live up to the club's expectations in 2019.

The Yankees have remained confident that Andujar can show the necessary improvement defensively at third base to go along with the exceptional offensive production he's already displayed. Andujar worked diligently this offseason to hone his defensive skills, even leaning on the tutelage of potential Hall of Fame third baseman Adrian Beltre. As such, the Yankees current plan to see how the soon-to-be 24-year-old Andujar advances this season makes absolute sense.

Chris Carelli, SNY.TV Facebook | Twitter | About Me | Archives: While a changing of the guard could be in store for the Yankees in left field in 2019, the duo of Brett Gardner and Clint Frazier provides value beyond their battle to hold down one position.

Not all teams have the benefit of a long-tenured player's time seemingly coming to an end while a replacement appears ready to slide into the role. At best, if the Yankees have played their cards right and Gardner's fade as a full-time player is real, Frazier will be right there to seamlessly fill the gap. At worst, the Yankees appear to have versatility assurances in the outfield with Gardner and Frazier on the roster.

The Yankees might have some uncertainty about the immediate situation -- is Gardner in full decline and is Frazier completely over his concussion issues? But they are banking that at least one of the players pans out this season...

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The Yankees had a wrench thrown into its roster plans for 2019 when Didi Gregorius underwent Tommy John surgery in October. The decisions made to fill the gap remain puzzling (at least for me), including the signing of infielder DJ LeMahieu.

It is not that LeMahieu is a bad player by any means. The 30-year-old is a former batting champion (he hit .348 in 2016 for the Rockies) and one of the best defenders in the game at second base (three Gold Glove awards, including two straight honors). The perplexing aspect of his signing is that he's filling a utility role -- at a hefty price of two years, $24 million -- which won't maximize his potential production as a second baseman.

San Diego might have been a surprise landing spot for Manny Machado, but the Yankees' decision to pass on the 26-year-old should not have been a shock. Yet, there are fans who will have a hard time letting go of the Yankees' choice.

The Yankees apparently believe they have their third baseman of the future in soon to be 24-year-old Miguel Andujar, who is coming off a second-place finish in the 2018 American League Rookie of the Year balloting. While the point will be made that Andujar will never be the fielder that Machado is at third base, the Yankees youngster doesn't have to be for fans to forget about the newest Padre.

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Once SNY's Andy Martino described the Yankees' feelings about Manny Machado as being "lukewarm," everything about the pursuit, or lack thereof, rang true to those beliefs. The Yankees did not believe Machado was a difference maker at his terms and price, shifted gears and never sniffed near his desires.

It's actually easy to debate both sides of the question as to whether the Yankees were right or wrong to pass on Machado. I'll say this, the Yankees might have become better in the short term with Machado aboard, but they will not suffer because he is not. Moreover, failing to sign him will not come back to haunt the club.

It's difficult to take the stance that the Yankees would not have become a better team with Machado manning shortstop or third base. However, it's also cringeworthy to suggest that the Yankees are going to pay the consequences for passing on a 10-year, $300 million deal, knowing all too well how these deals can crumble long before they wind down.

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The Yankees had plenty of preparation time to find a temporary replacement for shortstop Didi Gregorius, who underwent Tommy John surgery on October 17, 2018. Yet, the club's answer - or prayer - is Troy Tulowitzki.

As if the Yankees were lost in 2013, the team apparently loved what they saw from Tulowitzki in a workout conducted for MLB squads in mid-December. Recall, Tulowitzki was released outright by the Toronto Blue Jays, who will pay the shortstop all but the MLB minimum ($555K) toward his $19 million due in 2019.

Taking a flyer on a player like Tulowitzki at the league minimum salary is understandable, but to outright name him the starting shortstop for a team with legitimate hopes to win a World Series title before seeing him step foot on the field in a competitive atmosphere is not.

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The Yankees are comfortable shifting Gleyber Torres to shortstop if immediate plans do not pan out in 2019. But the Yanks should reconsider the move (one that feels almost certain to be required) as a last resort -- not the first response.

Torres enters his sophomore season in the big leagues needing a clearer focus with increased expectations. Despite a very good overall rookie campaign, he did show that he's still a young man learning the game.

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Platoons don't always work, but the Yankees could benefit nicely from a loose timeshare at first base this season.

As Luke Voit seeks to cement his place at the top of the first base depth chart for the Yankees, Greg Bird lurks as a potential threat to recapture the job. Regardless of which way this competition pans out in Spring Training, the Yankees need both players to find and maintain consistent production.

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As the Yankees descend on George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa for spring training, who will be on the 25-man roster when the team heads north? There are some intriguing battles and here's how we see things shaking out.

Starting Rotation (5)

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There are few dual-facet catchers in baseball, forcing many clubs to favor either offense or defense when they pencil in its backstop. When a catcher underperforms in both aspects, the team suffers.

Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez will likely face criticism for his defensive abilities until he stops squatting behind home plate. A leaner body and hard work might ease some of the miscues, but Sanchez's offensive production is what the Yankees have counted on most. When Sanchez couldn't provide consistent offense in 2018, the masking agent for his defensive woes was wholly transparent.