2019 Modification

Modifying this a bit.  Simply because I can and would like to.

2019 Order...

LF Gardner (35)  L
RF Judge (27)  R
3B Machado (26)  R
DH Stanton (29)  R
1B Harper (26)  R
SS Gregorius (29)  L
C Realmuto (28)  R
CF Hicks (29)  S
2B Torres (22)  R

RHP deGrom (30)
LHP Corbin (29)
RHP Severino (24)
LHP Sabathia (38)
RHP Tanaka (30)

Chapman (31)
Betances (31)
Robertson (34)
Britton (31)
Miller (34)
Green (28)
Kahnle (29)
Holder (25)

Still trading Sanchez (for Realmuto straight-up?), Gray and ROY Andujar (for deGrom -- who would say no, and why?).

Harper to 1B because, if he truly would like to play here... he'll make that move knowing what it means in the long run.  Manny moves to 3B.  Ideally, Frazier (24) is on the bench -- and steps in for injuries, etc.  Or, I could envision him taking Brett's place.  But the loyal piece of me would like to see him stay with the team -- for the leadership, for the clubhouse.

Average age of line-up: 28.  With Frazier instead of Gardner: 27.
Yes, it's right-hand heavy 2-5. BUT LOOK AT THAT 2-5.  And my first version had Hicks ahead of Realmuto -- the only reason why I switched them was because it breaks up the left- and right-hand there.  But having Gleyber in that ninth spot, where he killed it earlier this year... all year long?

That line-up is attractive.

Average age of rotation: 30.  Worst case scenario (and I DO NOT think it should happen), but replace Sabathia with Sheffield (22): 27.  (But I repeat: a battling CC would be more effective than an untested Justus.  But, again, for injuries... maybe him.  Or Loaisiga.  Or... maybe... German.  We have used 11 starting pitchers this year.  So it's there.)

That rotation is attractive.

Average age of bullpen: still 30.  Robertson potentially takes a step backward, and maybe the signing of Miller comes back to bite us... but he's protected behind essentially everyone else.

That bullpen is also attractive.

That entire team scares me in all the right ways.