The 2014 New York Yankees season was the 112th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees began the season on April 1 at Minute Maid Park against the Houston Astros, and finished on September 28 at Fenway Park against the Boston Red Sox. They finished in second place in the American League East with an 84–78 record, which was their worst record since 1992. The Yankees failed to make the playoffs for the second year in a row, and for the third time in twenty years.
The 2014 season is also notable for being team captain Derek Jeter's final season as a professional baseball player, also, beginning that year the team's radio broadcasts switched stations, being now aired via WFAN 660 AM and its FM simulcast WFAN-FM, which assumed the duty of being the new flagship radio stations for the Yankees Radio Network.
Off-season transactions
Jacoby Ellsbury joined the Yankees after spending his whole previous career with the Boston Red Sox.
On October 9, 2013, the Yankees agreed to a new contract with free agent manager Joe Girardi for four years and $16million. At the time, the contract was the second most expensive contract for a manager behind Mike Scioscia of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.[1] On November 1, the Yankees announced they made a new deal with shortstopDerek Jeter for one year and $12million over the original $9.5million option in the original deal signed in 2010.[2] Three weeks later, on November 18, the club announced they had reached a deal with free agent utility infielder Brendan Ryan originally reported to be for one year and worth $1million.[3] However, on December 2, the club and Ryan both announced that the deal was for two years and $5million with a mutual option for 2016.[4] The same day, the Yankees non-tendered utility infielder Jayson Nix, third baseman David Adams and pitcher Matt Daley, who all became free agents.[5] On December 3, the Yankees announced that the first of their high-profile signings, former Atlanta Braves catcher Brian McCann had made a five-year, $85million deal official. The deal also had a vesting option for a sixth year worth $15million. Just hours prior to the deal, the club traded catcher Chris Stewart to the Pittsburgh Pirates for a player to be named later.[6] Just two days later, the Yankees held a press conference for the signing of McCann, who would wear number 34 in honor of Eric O'Flaherty and Derek Lowe, former teammates on the Braves.[7]
Derek Jeter announced that 2014 would be his final season just before the start of spring training. 2014 would be a retirement season for Jeter as 2013 was for Mariano Rivera.
On December 3, just hours after the McCann signing was made official, it was reported that the Yankees had agreed to a deal with former Boston Red Sox outfielder Jacoby Ellsbury for seven years and $153million.[8] The deal, which contained an option for 2021, was announced on December 7, after Ellsbury passed a physical. A press conference to unveil Ellsbury was held planned on December 13.[9] On December 4, the Yankees announced they had reached a deal with free agent utility player Kelly Johnson for one year and $3million.[10] On December 6, former Yankee and free agent Robinson Canó accepted a ten-year, $240million deal with the Seattle Mariners with a full no-trade clause. The deal to leave the Yankees was the third largest in big league history, behind Alex Rodriguez's deals with the Yankees in 2007 and the Texas Rangers in 2000 and tied Albert Pujols's $240million deal with the Angels.[11] Later that day, Curtis Granderson, a member of the club from 2010–2013, was announced to join the New York Mets on a four-year, $60million deal.[12]
While Cano and Granderson left the Yankees on December 6, the Yankees also made two signings on that date; the team reached a one-year, $16million deal with pitcher Hiroki Kuroda,[13] which became official the following day.[14] Also on December 6, the Yankees reached an agreement to sign free agent outfielder Carlos Beltrán on a three-year, $45million deal.[15] On December 13, the Yankees introduced Ellsbury at a press conference, adorning the number 22.[16] Four days later, the Yankees announced a pair of signings, bringing infielder Brian Roberts to the Bronx on a one-year, $2million deal, along with reliever Matt Thornton on a two-year, $7.5million contract.[17] On December 19, the Yankees contract with Beltran became official,[18] and the Yankees introduced him to the public at a press conference the next day.[19] In order to make room on the roster, Brett Marshall was designated for assignment on December 19, and claimed by the Chicago Cubs off waivers four days later.[20] On January 10, 2014, the Yankees made the Thornton signing official, and in order to clear room on the roster, the Yankees designated Vernon Wells for assignment.[21] On January 11, a panel of three, led by Major League Baseball arbitrator Fredric Horowitz, announced that the group had decided 2–1 to reduce the suspension on Alex Rodriguez from 211 games to 162 games and the postseason.[22] The next day, the Yankees signed infielder Scott Sizemore to a minor league deal, with an invitation to Spring training.[23] On January 14, the Yankees announced in a press release that the deal with Brian Roberts was made official, taking Alex Rodriguez's vacated space on the 40-man roster.[24]
On January 22, 2014, it was announced that the Yankees had agreed to a deal with free agent/Rakuten Golden Eagles starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka. The seven-year, $155million deal which contains an opt-out clause at the 2017–2018 offseason was made official the same day,[25] as the Yankees chose to not have Tanaka take a physical examination. In order to make room on the roster, left-handed pitcher David Huff was designated for assignment.[26] On January 24, the San Francisco Giants announced that they had acquired Huff off waivers for cash considerations.[27] On February 11, the Yankees held a press conference for Tanaka, in front of over 200 members of the media, including reporters from Japan, marking the biggest press conference for the Yankees since the one held for Hideki Matsui in 2003.[28] A day later, Derek Jeter announced on his Facebook page that he would retire after the 2014 season.[29] At a press conference held on February 19, Jeter mentioned that the decision was not about the injury he sustained in the 2012 American League Championship Series but that he felt it was time to move on.[30]
After the beginning of spring training on February 14, the Yankees reportedly signed free agent relief pitcher Andrew Bailey to a minor league deal on February 22.[31] On February 24, the Yankees announced that they had extended outfielder Brett Gardner to a 4-year, $52million deal, which would keep him on the Yankees until 2018 with a club option for 2019.[32]
The Yankees began the 2014 season without longtime starting pitcher Andy Pettitte and longtime closer Mariano Rivera, each of whom retired following the 2013 season.
Hosting the Boston Red Sox on April 10, pitcher Michael Pineda earned a win for the Yankees over their rivals. However, the game sparked a controversy as analysts were quick to discover a foreign substance, most likely pinetar, on Pineda's neck. The Red Sox chose not to appeal it but Major League Baseball agreed to talk to the Yankees organization about it. In Pineda's defense, the pitcher claimed he had dirt on his hand. The substance, which was discovered in the third inning, disappeared by the fifth inning.
On April 17, pitcher CC Sabathia earned a win on the road against the Tampa Bay Rays 10–2; during the game, Sabathia was on the mound for the third time witnessing a triple play as Sean Rodriguez bounced a ball to Yangervis Solarte (playing third base). The play was turned 5–4–3.
A few days later, during a terrible outing against the Rays, Iván Nova felt discomfort in his right arm. Nova would later be confirmed to be undergoing successful season-ending surgery.
On April 23, Michael Pineda started another game against the Red Sox. This game was away at Fenway Park. Not unlike the start against the Boston Red Sox on April 10, Pineda had another foreign substance on his body. Shockingly, it was a large amount of the substance on his neck. This occurred in the second inning, as the Red Sox manager John Farrell decided to appeal against the pitcher. As a result, umpire Gerry Davis examined the substance on Michael Pineda's neck. The substance was indeed pine tar, an illegal foreign substance. Thus, Davis immediately ejected Michael Pineda from the game and Pineda was put on a 10-game suspension. The controversy triggered analysts to discuss the possibility of Major League Baseball changing the rules and making a small amount of pine tar available for pitchers to use in very cold weathers to gain a grip on the ball. However, the substance wouldn't be allowed in decent weather. Analysts believe the rule, if looked into, could be made effective as of the 2015 season. Pineda took responsibility for cheating, however, and claimed that he would learn from his mistake.
On May 20 in a 1–6 loss to the Chicago Cubs, Masahiro Tanaka picked up his first regular season loss in professional baseball since 2012. He went 34–0 during this streak.
Through June 18, the Yankees led the majors with a 20–11 record in games decided by two runs or fewer.[33]
A crisis surrounding CC Sabathia struck the Yankees within the first few days of July. Sabathia, who was rumored to be progressing greatly in his rehab stint in the minors (coming back from an injury suffered in the month of May), unexpectedly awoke one morning to find his knee swollen quite seriously. As a result, Sabathia is scheduled to meet Dr. James Andrews on July 14. Manager Joe Girardi confirmed that Sabathia's season is most likely over. After the All Star Game, Sabathia's season was confirmed to be over as he would be undergoing knee surgery performed by the Los Angeles Dodgers's physician and would not return until 2015.[35]
In early July, Alfonso Soriano was designated for assignment and later released by the Yankees after the struggling outfielder and designated hitter failed to break out of his hitting slump. Soriano proved to spend almost all of his part of the season failing to produce both offensively and defensively. A few days before, the highly perceived Yangervis Solarte was also optioned back to the Minors due to his obtained confidence issues that resulted because of an offensive slump. He was recalled back to the Majors not long after.
Brian McCann and Chase Whitley before a game against the Orioles on July 13.
On July 3, Derek Jeter, Masahiro Tanaka, and Dellin Betances were all named American League All-Stars. Koji Uehara of the Boston Red Sox was selected to replace Tanaka on the All Star roster.[37]
After an outing against the Cleveland Indians on July 8, the fourth of the original five starting rotation pitchers was put on the disabled list. Masahiro Tanaka, who was a most valuable asset to the Yankees and an All-Star, complained about feeling discomfort in his pitching elbow to the Yankees. As a result, Tanaka was flown to New York City from Cleveland to get an MRI. He was quickly sent to Seattle to get examined as the most efficient doctors were all engaged in a meeting in Seattle. It was announced that Tanaka had partially torn his collateral ligament in his right elbow.[38] None of the doctors who met with Tanaka suggested Tommy John surgery and instead a more subtle rehab was suggested for the pitcher. This would take six weeks to complete before returning to the mound. Masahiro Tanaka was leading the Majors in wins. He was also on pace to contend for American League Rookie of the Year, the American League Cy Young Award, and possibly even the American League MVP. With the injury, Hiroki Kuroda was the last standing starter and became the Yankees ace.
As a result of the injuries to all the starting pitchers, GM Brian Cashman pursued trades with other organizations in hopes to acquire replacement starters. As a result, Cashman acquired Brandon McCarthy from Arizona and Jeff Francis from the Oakland Athletics.[39] Francis was later designated for assignment.[40]
On July 22, at 12:01 AM, Jack Curry reported that a deal between the Yankees and San Diego Padres had been confirmed that sent Yangervis Solarte and minor league right-handed pitcher Rafael De Paula to San Diego in exchange for third basemen Chase Headley and cash considerations.[41]
Before the trade deadline at 4:00 EST on July 31, the Yankees' general manager Brian Cashman made a few moves to bolster the Yankees offense. The Yankees traded prospect Peter O'Brien to Arizona for Martín Prado.[42] Also, for the first time since 1997, the Yankees made a trade with the very active Boston Red Sox that sent Kelly Johnson to Boston for Stephen Drew.[43] Earlier that day, the Yankees acquired pitcher Esmil Rogers from Toronto via claiming him off from waivers after he was designated for assignment by Toronto. The Yankees unconditionally released Scott Sizemore to make room for Rogers.[44] The Yankees designated Brian Roberts to make room for Stephen Drew. Drew would replace Roberts at second base, a position he has never played before at the professional level (including the Minors). Drew claimed he last played second base as a sophomore in high school for a varsity team.
After Masahiro Tanaka began his rehab and strengthening programs in late August so he could come back and pitch before the end of season, he was sent back to New York City on August 29 with arm soreness. He later returned in September, but he finished the season 13–5.
Derek Jeter ended up finishing his career in style including a walk off RBI win against the Baltimore Orioles at home and a big performance against the Red Sox at Fenway Park to finish the season.[45]
In Derek Jeter's final game he finished his career with a RBI infield single at Fenway Park to drive in Ichiro Suzuki and was taken out of the game after his hit. The Yankees went on to win 9 to 5.[46]
The Yankees did not make the playoffs for the second year in a row, as they failed to produce enough the last month of the season.
Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; H = Hits allowed; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; SO = Strikeouts
Brian McGuire Cashman is an American baseball executive for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He has served as the general manager and senior vice president of the Yankees since 1998. During Cashman's tenure as general manager, he inherited a core that was built by Stick Michael and Bob Watson and the Yankees have won six American League pennants and four World Series championships.
Carsten Charles Sabathia Jr. is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, and New York Yankees. Sabathia batted and threw left-handed.
Christopher Frank Capuano is an American former professional baseball pitcher whose professional playing career spanned from 2000 through 2016. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees, and was an All Star in 2006.
Joshua David Bard is an American former professional baseball catcher. He is the bullpen coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB as a catcher for the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners from 2002 to 2011. Bard was a switch-hitter who threw right-handed during his playing career.
Darrell Wayne Rasner, Jr. is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Nationals and New York Yankees and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury is an American former professional baseball center fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox from 2007 through 2013 and then played for the New York Yankees from 2014 to 2017. An enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Ellsbury is the first Native American of Navajo descent to play Major League Baseball.
Masahiro Tanaka is a Japanese professional baseball player for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). From 2007 through 2013, he played for the Eagles in NPB. Tanaka was posted by the Eagles after the 2013 season to be signed with the New York Yankees in Major League Baseball (MLB) and signed a seven-year, $155 million contract, the fifth-largest deal ever given to a pitcher at the time. He made his major league debut in 2014 and played for the Yankees through the 2020 season, before deciding to return to Japan.
The 2009 New York Yankees season was the 107th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees opened their new Yankee Stadium on April 3, 2009, when they hosted an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs. The new stadium hosted its first regular season game on April 16, when the team played against the Cleveland Indians and their first playoff game against the Minnesota Twins in the ALDS on October 7, 2009. The Yankees swept the Twins in three games to win the divisional series. They won their 40th American League pennant on October 25, defeating the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 6 games to advance to the World Series, where they defeated the defending World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies in six games to win their 27th World Series title on November 4. The Yankees finished the regular season with 103 wins and 59 losses.
The 2010 New York Yankees season was the 108th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees were attempting to defend its status as American League and World Series champions, but lost in the ALCS to the Texas Rangers. The Yankees opened and closed the regular season against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. This marked the first time since 1950 this happened. The Yankees and the Los Angeles Dodgers renewed their rivalry as the Bronx Bombers traveled west to face former Yankee icons Joe Torre and Don Mattingly, both of them current and future Dodgers managers.
Eduardo Michelle Núñez Méndez is a Dominican former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and the New York Mets. He also played for the Fubon Guardians of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) for one year. Although shortstop is his primary position, Núñez serves as a utility infielder, and played in the outfield for the Yankees as well.
Héctor Noesí is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, and Miami Marlins and in the KBO League for the Kia Tigers. Noesí throws and bats right-handed.
Michael Francisco Pineda Paulino is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins and Detroit Tigers.
The 2011 New York Yankees season was the 109th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees began the season at home against the Detroit Tigers on Thursday, March 31. The Yankees clinched a playoff berth in the first game of a doubleheader on September 21, and clinched the AL East division title in the second game. The Yankees season ended on October 6 when they lost a deciding Game 5 of the 2011 American League Division Series to the Detroit Tigers 3–2. It was the first time since 2007 that the Yankees lost an elimination game at home.
The 2012 New York Yankees season was the 110th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees began the season in St. Petersburg, Florida against the Tampa Bay Rays on April 6. They finished the season 95–67, 1st place in the AL East. They began their post-season run by beating the Baltimore Orioles in five games in the Division Series. They advanced to play the Detroit Tigers in the American League Championship Series, but were swept in four games by the Tigers following a season-ending injury to shortstop and team captain Derek Jeter.
The 2013 New York Yankees season was the 111th season for the New York Yankees franchise. The Yankees began their season at home with an 8–2 loss against the Boston Red Sox on April 1. They finished tied for third place in the American League East with an 85–77 record, which was their worst since 1992. The Yankees failed to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2008 and only the second time in nineteen years.
The 2014 Boston Red Sox season was the 114th season in the franchise's Major League Baseball history. The Red Sox finished last in the five-team American League East with a record of 71 wins and 91 losses, 25 games behind the Baltimore Orioles. It was the second last-place finish for the team in three years, and they were the second defending World Series champions to finish last in their division, the first having been the 1998 Florida Marlins. They also became the first MLB team to finish last in one season, win the World Series the next, and finish last again the following season.
The 2015 New York Yankees season was the 113th for the New York Yankees, who play in the American League East of Major League Baseball. They finished the regular season with a record of 87–75, six games behind the Toronto Blue Jays and second in the AL East. They clinched the host Wild Card berth, but lost to the Houston Astros in the 2015 American League Wild Card Game.
The 2017 New York Yankees season was the 115th season for the New York Yankees. It was also the final season with manager Joe Girardi. The Yankees finished the regular season with 91 wins and 71 losses. This season was considered a breakout season for many players, including starting pitcher Luis Severino who emerged as arguably the Yankees' best pitcher as well as rookie outfielder Aaron Judge, who broke the rookie record by passing Mark McGwire for most home runs by a rookie (50) on September 25. Judge ended the season by leading the American League with 52 home runs. The Yankees also clinched a playoff berth after missing the playoffs the previous year and won at least 90 games for the first time since 2012. They struggled to catch up to the defending American League East champions the Boston Red Sox after being in first place for the beginning of the season but managed to clinch their sixth wild card berth, their third in seven seasons. They defeated the Minnesota Twins 8–4 in the Wild Card Game and the Cleveland Indians in five games in the Division Series before losing to the Houston Astros in seven games in the 2017 American League Championship Series. Notably, during the postseason the Yankees were 6–0 at home, yet 1–6 on the road, and played an ALCS series that saw every single game won by the home team. Also, it would be also notable for being the silver jubilee season for the long time Yankee broadcaster Michael Kay and the 15th anniversary season of the team's current cable channel, YES Network.
The 2019 New York Yankees season was the 117th season in New York City for the Yankees, and the 119th season overall for the franchise. The Yankees play in Yankee Stadium in the city's northern borough of The Bronx, and are led by Aaron Boone on his second season as team manager. After a 9–1 victory over the Angels at home on September 19, the Yankees clinched the American League East Division for the first time since the 2012 season. They opened the playoffs by defeating and sweeping the Minnesota Twins in the Division Series, but were eliminated in the American League Championship Series by the Houston Astros in six games. This marked the first calendar decade since the 1910s that the team failed to make a single World Series appearance. In addition, with the Mets losing in the 2015 World Series, the 2010s decade was the first calendar decade since the 1910s that a New York City team failed to win a World Series.
The 2022 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 122nd season and the 23rd at Comerica Park. This was the Tigers' second season under manager A. J. Hinch. Opening Day was held on April 8 and they hosted their divisional rival, the Chicago White Sox and the season ended on the road against the Seattle Mariners on October 5. The team wore KB patches in honor of former Tigers player and coach Kimera Bartee who died on December 20, 2021 at the age of 49.
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