MENTORING YOUTH & VYING FOR A PLAYOFF SPOT

It is very difficult to manage two very different initiatives at the same time.  When it comes to the 2016 New York Yankees, that is just what is happening.  They are mentoring youth and vying for a playoff spot at the same time.  It isn't easy to do but it is happening and with some success.

According to Fox Sports, "Now, the Yankees appear ready for the future. Combine the prospects that the Yankees got at the deadline with the prospects they have now, as well as the youth already in the majors, and they appear ready for the next six to seven years. It all starts in 2017, and it will be interesting to see the youth movement begin to develop into a dynamic combination." But what if it starts now, in 2016?  "We're in 'win today' mode,'' said Girardi, whose team is 3-1/2 games back in the race for the second AL wild-card spot. "It's just kind of where we are right now," reports ESPN on Tuesday.  So we have the youth and the will to win, so could it really happen?

The young guys are battling in the field, behind the plate and in the batter's box.  Guys like Tyler Austin are making their mark with clutch hits and a home run when we needed it last night.  Gary Sanchez is not only lethal with a bat in his hand but behind the plate as well, gunning out wanna-be base stealers.  Luis Cessa is looking good on the mound and the Yankees announced that Triple A pitcher called up at the end of the month, Bryan Mitchell will take the mound against the Jays in their final battle at the stadium tonight.  I am also loving that Tommy Layne is kicking some butt in the bull pen after being released by the Red Sox.

The Baby Bombers combined with some revived veteran energy are some how making some noise late in the season.  What was supposed to be an opportunity to give young players some major league experience is turning into a full out, we aren't done yet push to the playoff finish line.

--Suzie Pinstripe, BYB Senior Staff Writer
BYB Hot Stove Columnist
Twitter: @suzieprof