Looking back at our 21 New York Yankees predictions for the 2021 season, well, we roughly approached Gary Sanchez’s batting average.
Among the things we got right…
1) The Yankees would beat the Rays on the season’s last day to clinch an AL Wild Card spot.
2) Gerrit Cole would finish second in the AL Cy Young award balloting.
3) Manager Aaron Boone would sign a three-year contract extension at year’s end.
That’s enough encouragement to dig out that cracked crystal ball, found at a Hasbrouck Heights garage sale, and conjure 22 new predictions for the 2022 season:
1. MLB’s lockout ends on March 7, and Yankees players hurry to Tampa for a three-week spring training. A 30-man roster is allowed for the first 30 days, assuring an on-time Opening Day.
2. Led by first baseman Matt Olson, the Oakland Athletics have several attractive trade pieces but their asks for Yanks top prospects Jasson Dominguez and Anthony Volpe preclude any deal.
3. GM Brian Cashman pivots to Arizona, landing Diamondbacks’ switch-hitting center fielder/second baseman Ketel Marte and shortstop Nick Ahmed in a deal that includes Gio Urshela and prospects Luis Gil, Austin Wells and Everson Pereira.
4. Yankees sign free-agent lefty starter Carlos Rodon to an incentive-laden two-year deal.
5. Anthony Rizzo signs a three-year deal to remain the Yankees’ first baseman. “I’m still in pinstripes,’’ says Luke Voit.
6. After the Los Angeles Dodgers sign free-agent first baseman Freddie Freeman, the Yankees ship Luke Voit to the Atlanta Braves for prospects.
7. On the last day of spring training, free agent Brett Gardner rejects a Yankees’ coaching/executive offer and signs a one-year contract with the Mets.
8. Right off the bat, it’s the winter nightmare scenario. Corey Seager homers twice, Marcus Semien goes 4-for-4, and the Yankees drop their March 31 season opener at Texas.
9. Yankees lose their home opener to the Boston Red Sox, falling to 1-7 to start the season. Currently trending on Twitter: Fire Cashman. Fire Boone. Sell the Yanks.
10. DJ LeMahieu’s 10th-inning RBI double sends Yanks toward an April 15 victory at Baltimore, starting a 12-game winning streak. Twitter now trending on Buck Showalter and Steve Cohen.
11. Following offseason ankle surgery, starter Jameson Taillon makes his season debut on May 16.
12. Luis Severino stamps his full-time return to the Yankees’ rotation, becoming a finalist for June’s AL Pitcher of the Month award.
13. In a mirror of 2021, an underproductive Yankees lineup is the root cause of their mediocre record at the halfway mark, tied for fourth place at 42-39.
14. Trending on Twitter in mid-July: Trade Joey Gallo. Trade Gary Sanchez. Trade Aroldis Chapman. Jordan Montgomery for Mayor.
15. Gerrit Cole, Aaron Judge and Jonathan Loaisiga represent the Yankees at the All-Star Game.
16. Brett Gardner scores the winning run on a passed ball, completing the first-place Mets’ late July, two-game Subway Series sweep at Citi Field.
17. At the trade deadline, the Yankees stand pat. But Nestor Cortes acquires a talking parrot named ‘Babe’ to replace last year’s mascot, Bronxie the Turtle.
18. Just off the injured list, Aaron Hicks’ grand slam lifts the Yankees to a three-game, mid-August sweep of the second-place Red Sox.
19. Having big years in the minors, right-hander Luis Medina and lefty Ken Waldichuk arrive and bolster the Yanks’ pitching staff at a critical time.
20. After another quiet regular season, Gleyber Torres wins September’s AL Player of the Month award, boosting the Yanks to a wild card bid in MLB’s new 14-team playoff format.
21. Choosing their opponent under MLB’s new postseason system, the AL West champion Houston Astros pick the Yankees and win a best-of-three wild card series at Minute Maid Park.
22. A business consortium led by Twitter and Alex Rodriguez attempts to buy the Yankees.
Pete Caldera is the Yankees beat writer for NorthJersey.com. For unlimited access to all Yankees analysis, news, trades and more, please subscribe today and download our app.
Email: caldera@northjersey.com Twitter: @pcaldera