Keys of Success for the New York Yankees in 2024
Photo by: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
After a more than disappointing 2023 bid for the New York Yankees, they are looking into the 2024 season with optimism. The additions of Marcus Stroman and Juan Soto add depth and fire power to their roster.
In early December, the San Diego Padres and New York Yankees struck a trade for Michael King, Jhony Brito, Kyle Higashioka, Drew Thorpe and Randy Vasquez in exchange for star outfielder Juan Soto and outfielder Trent Grisham. This massive trade brings much needed long-term pitching depth for the Padres and the Yankees get their star lefty outfielder along with another layer of protection from injuries in Grisham, who is also a lefty.
In early January, the Yankees struck again, signing outlier starting pitcher Marcus Stroman. Stroman adds much needed help in the starting rotation from the injuries that riddled the 2023 rotation. The deal is $37 million over two-years. There is also a player option in 2026 for $18 million on the condition that Stroman pitches 140 or more innings.
These two off-season acquisitions give the Yankees the firepower they need to make a push into the Fall Classic. However, they are still question marks on the team. Anthony Rizzo, lefty first baseman, had excellent 2023 bid cut short due to a head injury suffered on May 28. His numbers were very promising before his injury, posting 11 homeruns prior to May 28 and only one after that. He played until Aug. 1 and could not reach his production standards from earlier that season. If he returns in 2024 with the same pace as 2023, Rizzo could have 30 or more homers, which is more than enough to help the team.
Another question is DJ LeMahieu. Like Rizzo, LeMahieu is an aging star with some potential left in the tank. His 2023 season was less than ideal for the contact first infielder. Sporting a batting average of just .243 in 136 games played. This is his career lowest and over his tenure with the Yankees, his BA (batting average) has tapered down to this number. 2024 is a deciding year for LeMahieu. If he can pick his BA up .280 or better, he would be supplementing the team nicely around the young core of infielders.
Giancarlo Stanton seems to be a question mark every year since joining the Yankees in 2018. His potential at the plate makes him a crucial player in the lineup. If healthy, the 6’ 6” designated hitter can easily put-up 35+ home runs. But this is what makes him a wildcard, he cannot stay healthy at his size and age. The Yankees will shell out $32 million to Stanton in 2024, making him the third highest paid player on the team behind Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole (two highly productive players). Stanton has played, on average, 92 per season with the Yankees in six seasons. This is only 57% of a full season. It is unlikely that Stanton will hit 140 games played in 2024, which would be more than exceptional from him, but one can only hope that he has a positive impact on the field in 2024.
In the dreadful 2023 season, the New York Yankees were run amuck with injuries and, simply, poor performances by most of the roster. The ‘23-’24 offseason has brought depth to the outfield and pitching rotation with Marcus Stroman and Juan Soto. It is easy to assume that these players will support the team in their efforts to win a World Series, but there are many other key players that might have a negative impact on the team. Looking forward, the Yankees need Anthony Rizzo, DJ LeMahieu, and Giancarlo Stanton to step up and add what they can to this star-studded team.
