3 Reasons Strength and Conditioning Coach Eric Cressey Will End up Being Yankees' Best Offseason Signing

Steve Donahue had been with the New York Yankees' medical team for more than four decades, but seemingly every major player on the 2019 squad going down with injury at some point has resulted in a much-needed change. The Yankees hired renowned performance coach Eric Cressey to their strength and conditioning team, a move which just might end up being the most beneficial offseason acquisition for the club. Here are three reasons Cressey will be a game changer in the Bronx.

3. He's Helped Max Scherzer and Corey Kluber Remain Dominant

Washington Nationals starter Max Scherzer / Elsa/Getty Images

Cressey's most notable pre-Yankees work has been with star starting pitchers like the Mets' Noah Syndergaard, Texas' Corey Kluber, and Washington's Max Scherzer. Before Kluber's injury last year, all three of these pitchers were among the most durable, effective starters in the league, as they constantly were able to pitch deep into games. If Cressey can work his magic on the likes of Gerrit Cole and Luis Severino, the Yankees could have one of the best rotations in baseball.

2. He and Matt Blake Know Each Other Very Well

New York Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake / Mike Stobe/Getty Images

The Yankees continued their youth movement on their coaching staff by parting ways with Larry Rothschild and bringing in Matt Blake, a younger, more analytical mind. Cressey and Blake worked together, as the newly-minted pitching coach used to be the "pitching coordinators" for Cressey Sports Performance. The synergy between the two is already noticeable, and they should combine to help the Yankees' rotation dominate on the mound and stay healthy off of it.

1. The Injuries Every Other Game Will Finally End

Giancarlo Stanton might play a full season in 2020 / Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Donahue is among the most respected people in the entire Yankees organization, but when one team suffers through as many injuries as the Yankees did, someone had to be the fall guy. Gleyber Torres and DJ LeMahieu were among the only key members of the team who didn't spend at least a short stint on the injured list. Sometimes, a culture change can instantly work wonders, and swapping Donahue for Cressey could have an immediately positive effect on the Yankees.