Pitcher Carlos Rodon of the New York Yankees looks on in the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium in New York City, September 24, 2023. /CFP
The New York Yankees have officially missed the 2023 Major League Baseball (MLB) playoffs after losing 7-1 to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium in New York City on Sunday.
Having suffered their 77th loss of the regular season, the Yankees, who are fourth in the American League (AL) East with a 78-77 record, are out of the race for an AL wild card berth. Their postseason appearance streak ended at six.
"That's what you work hard toward all year round – the wintertime, spring training, on through the season – for an opportunity to play in October and compete for a championship," the Yankees' manager Aaron Boone said.
The last time the Yankees had a losing regular season was in 1992 (76-86). They are now very close to suffering it again. As the team's captain, Aaron Judge told reporters that he plans to take a vocal and proactive role during the offseason to help the team return to the right track, but didn't specify what exactly he would do.
Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees fouls the ball off his bat during the third inning in the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium in New York City, September 24, 2023. /CFP
"It's not going to happen overnight," Judge said. "So we got to hit the ground running, especially when the season ends. We've got a lot to work on, a lot of things to change and a lot of stuff going on around here that needs to be fixed."
Despite their disappointing performances this season, the Yankees have the second-largest payroll (nearly $279 million) of all 30 teams in the major league. They won 99 games last season and reached the AL Championship Series.
"I feel like this club right here can win," the Yankees' starting pitcher Carlos Rodon said. "It's kind of one of those things where we have to turn the page and move on. Obviously, we have like six or seven games left, and so we have to finish strong with those and show what we can do on the field and move on from there, and look forward to next year."
"The most frustrating part of this year is we know we're good enough to be where we want to be, we just haven't done it," infielder DJ LeMahieu said. "[But] overall, there's definitely a lot to look forward to. But we know this year's not good enough."