By Matthew Angell

In less than three weeks, the New York Yankees will begin their chase for their 28th World Series victory. But how realistic are their chances of winning it all? According to right fielder Carlos Beltran, very realistic.

As previously reported by New York Daily News, Beltran stated, “I think we can get to the World Series, we have everything here: youth, veterans, guys in the peak of their careers. If we stay healthy and avoid long injuries, I think we have a chance.”

Beltran nailed their key to making the World Series and that’s avoiding long injuries. Injuries are inevitable to effect every club throughout the season, however, the severity of those injuries must be limited.

Players such as Beltran, Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, Jacoby Ellsbury, Mark Teixeria, and Alex Rodriguez must stay healthy if the Yankees want to make the World Series.

The bottom line with Masahiro Tanaka is he has to start earning his money. Sure, in his first two seasons he has posted 25 wins while maintaining an adequate 3.16 ERA, despite being injured at times. That’s good but not exactly ace caliber, especially for a player set to make $22 million this season. The Yankees need Tanaka to be healthy throughout the season and post at least 15-16 wins this year.

CC Sabathia has not had a successful season since 2012 and he has been dreadful to watch ever since. Last season, Sabathia left the team just before the Wild Card game to check himself into rehab to treat his apparent alcoholic addiction. Therefore he his heading into the 2016 season in a much better state of mind. Since Sabathia makes $25 million a year, odds are he’ll be at least the 5th man in the rotation. Obviously, he is not the ace he used to be, but if he can contribute about 11 wins and eat up a good amount of innings that will suffice.

For Jacoby Ellsbury, he is among the most dynamic players in baseball when he is on the field and that is a fact. He can hit well, field tremendously and is a serious threat on the base paths. However he has not been able to display these abilities due to his constant trips to the disabled list. The Yankees need this guy out there day in and day out playing to his full capabilities and it will help them in the standings throughout the season.

As for Beltran, Teixeria, and Rodriguez, they need to somehow reflect their former selves or the Yankees chances are gone. Those are three huge pieces to their lineup that cannot be replaced. Beltran is turning 39, Teixeria is turning 36 and coming off a fractured shin that cut his 2015 season short, and Rodriguez will be 41 in July. Despite their age, the three of them had successful seasons last year. Beltran posted a .276 batting average, 19 home runs, 76 RBI’s and was scorching hot throughout the second half. Teixeira’s power was on full display throughout the season hitting 31 home runs and 79 RBI’s before being injured in early August. After Rodriguez missed the entire 2014 season, he posted 33 home runs and 86 RBI’s at the age of 40. If these three can repeat their success from last season it will help the Yankees remain in contention.

Prediction: 88-74

The success of the Yankees’ season relies on staying healthy for the majority of the year. Especially since the Yankees must contend with the Toronto Blue Jays and the potential resurgence of the Boston Red Sox in order to win the division. If they can remain healthy and play to their fullest potential, they should reach this respectable record and make it into the postseason.