4 Important Silver Linings from the New York Yankees' Lost 2014 Season

Maurice Setter once said, "Too many people miss the silver lining because they're expecting gold.”

That would be the optimist's way of looking at the 2014 New York Yankees, a team that has become synonymous with mediocrity. 

After spending over $500 million this past offseason on an All-Star class of free agents that included Jacoby Ellsbury, Brian McCann, Carlos Beltran and Masahiro Tanaka, the Yankees are all but officially out of the playoffs. Injuries have run rampant and the offense has sputtered through a season-long slump.

Without a doubt, it has been a failed season in the Bronx.

While it is tough to get over the letdown this season has been, there are in fact some silver linings to keep in mind.

Several Yankees went far beyond the mediocrity that surrounded them, giving fans something to look forward to as a miserable season plays out its final days.

Martin Prado Is Here to Stay

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

Martin Prado may be done for the season following an emergency appendectomy, but he will be back in pinstripes.

Back on the July 31 trade deadline, the Yanks were able to pull off an 11th-hour deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks to acquire Prado. Since coming to New York, the 30-year-old is batting .316 with seven home runs and 16 runs batted in, maintaining his track record as a consistent contact hitter.

Luckily for the Yankees, Prado is under contract for the next two seasons. A versatile player, Prado has experience at every position except center field, although he is most comfortable at second base, left and the hot corner.

Prado's flexibility will be very important in 2015. Alex Rodriguez will be back, but it remains to be seen whether or not he can handle third base. Even if he can, he will need some days off following two hip surgeries and a year away from the game.

Carlos Beltran may also need to be spelled in right field at times.

Lastly, if prospect Rob Refsnyder, who is expected to be given a chance to be the team's starting second baseman, proves he is not ready for the majors, Prado will be there in his place.

The Revival of Brandon McCarthy

Jason DeCrow/Associated Press

Brandon McCarthy was another midseason trade acquisition from Arizona, and boy did it do wonders for him. 

As a Diamondback, McCarthy was 3-10 with a 5.01 ERA for a hopeless team. Since joining the Yankees, McCarthy has been a whole other pitcher, going 7-4 with a 2.54 ERA and 12 starts.

Once in pinstripes, McCarthy began throwing his cutter again, a pitch Arizona discouraged him from using. Well, it sure got that one wrong.

With CC Sabathia, Ivan Nova, Michael Pineda and Masahiro Tanaka all missing time with significant injuries, McCarthy has taken on the responsibility of being the Yankees' ace. And to think, all New York had to give up for him was Vidal Nuno.

McCarthy, 31, will be a free agent after the season. If the price is reasonable, the Yankees should jump at the chance to retain the pitcher's services.

The Emergence of Dellin Betances

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

At this time last year, Dellin Betances was a failed minor league starter struggling to make it to the big leagues.

Now, he is one of the best relief pitchers in baseball.

After moving to the bullpen, Betances saw his velocity increase and his accuracy improve in spring training. He won a spot on the Opening Day roster and has not looked back since.

In 86.2 innings pitched over the course of 66 appearances, Betances has a 1.35 ERA, 130 strikeouts and 23 walks. He has allowed just four homers all season.

Betances has been so good that there is even talk he could replace closer David Robertson in 2015, similar to the way Mariano Rivera replaced John Wetteland after the 1996 season. Robertson, who is having an impressive year of his own, will be a free agent this winter.

If the Yankees let their closer walk, they have no reason not to be confident in Betances.

Michael Pineda Can Be an Ace

Chris O'Meara/Associated Press

Michael Pineda can be an ace...if he can stay healthy.

The 25-year-old has missed an incredible amount of time in his short major league career due to an array of injuries, particularity shoulder problems. He missed two entire seasons between 2012 and 2013.

But when Pineda is healthy and on the mound, his stuff is electrifying. He has only been able to make 11 starts this year, but in those outings, Pineda has a 2.15 ERA. Incredibly, he has walked just six batters while striking out 41 in 62.2 innings.

He has shown that he is without a doubt capable of being an ace. It is just a matter of staying on the field.

As of now, Pineda is the Yankees' surest thing in the rotation heading into 2015. According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, Masahiro Tanaka will pitch Sunday after a partial tear to his ulnar collateral ligament (UCL), but that could be a disaster waiting to happen.

CC Sabathia and Ivan Nova will be question marks, as will Hiroki Kuroda's return. Brandon McCarthy may not be back and Shane Greene is young.

Good thing Pineda is talented enough to be an ace, because he may just have to step into that role in 2015.

All stats were obtained via Baseball-Reference.com and are accurate as of the end of play on September 17, 2014.

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