Yankees add former World Series champion as advisor for playoff push

If the New York Yankees are going to make the playoffs they are going to need a healthy Aaron Judge back as soon as possible and probably a trade or two to strengthen their lineup. 

But before any of that happens they are making some significant changes to their coaching staff.

Those changes continued this weekend with the addition of iconic Yankees pitcher—and five-time World Series champion—Andy Pettitte as an advisor to manager Aaron Boone. 

As noted by Bob Klapisch of NJ.com, the addition of Pettitte continues the Yankees' transition away from a more analytical-based staff toward an "old school" approach. 

The Yankees already replaced former hitting coach Dillon Lawson with Sean Casey and now have Pettitte on board as well. 

There is no official plan for the team to replace pitching coach Matt Blake, but Pettitte figures to have a pretty strong say in helping the pitching staff. 

Pettitte spent 15 seasons with the Yankees, winning 219 games with the team and collecting five World Series rings as part of the team's famed "Core Four" along with Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Jorge Posada.

The Yankees entered play on Sunday two games out of the third wild card spot in the American League and are in danger of missing the playoffs for the first time since the 2016 season.

The biggest issue is that over the past two years, the Yankees' lineup has been almost completely dependent on Judge to carry the offense. When he is healthy and in the lineup, they play like a bonafide World Series contender. When he is not, they look like a severely flawed team in need of a lot of help. 

As of Sunday, the Yankees had the ninth-best ERA in Major League Baseball but ranked 20th and 22nd, respectively, in runs scored and team OPS. 

Making some coaching changes might help a little, but it still comes down to talent. The Yankees just need a little bit more of it.