Here’s an inside look at some of the difficulties the Yankees face as the 2024 season approaches.
Best position combat.
The majority of the roster appears to be set heading into camp, barring injuries, but there should be some battle to determine how the Yankees share playing time at catcher this season.
Jose Trevino, who has proclaimed himself healthy following wrist surgery that interrupted his season last July, appears to be a strong contender to catch Gerrit Cole on Opening Day.
But, beyond that, how big a role can Austin Wells play?
After receiving a September call-up last year, the left-handed hitter is entering spring training with renewed confidence.
It will be critical for him to continue developing a relationship with the Yankees’ pitching staff.
The 2024 Yankees prioritize Will Warren and Chase Hampton above Spencer Jones, the most well-known minor league talent, at big league camp.
SEE ALSO.
Carlos Rodon’s Yankees Spring Training Split
Carlos Rodon has’some stuff to prove’ following the dismal Yankees start.
With their starting pitching depth weak, the Yankees may need Warren and Hampton to step up this year, maybe playing the positions of Jhony Brito and Randy Vasquez from last season.
Warren appears closer to the Bronx after making 19 Triple-A starts last year and posting a 3.61 ERA. Hampton, who advanced to Double-A in his debut pro season last year, may have an even greater peak with strikeout ability, though it remains to be seen how much more minor league development he requires.
Story to watch develop.
We’ve already heard that Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes arrived in Tampa early and appear to be in fine physical shape after having their 2023 seasons disrupted by injuries.
However, it remains to be seen whether they can maintain their health and return to peak performance.
Both lefties, particularly Rodon, are vital to the Yankees’ success.
He had a forearm muscle strain last spring and was unable to recover for the remainder of the season.
Now he has an opportunity to go off to a better start in Year 2 and make his six-year, $162 million contract appear less suspicious.
The Yankees will undoubtedly benefit from it, particularly after failing to sign Japanese right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto during the offseason.
Manager’s biggest challenges.
This offseason, the Yankees added Alex Verdugo and Marcus Stroman, two strong personalities.
It will be up to Aaron Boone and the Yankees’ clubhouse leadership to ensure that the troubles that have arisen with both players in previous stops do not continue with their current squad.
Boone, who is once again in the final year of his contract (the Yankees have a club option for 2025), will have a lot on his plate.
The most intriguing newbie.
All eyes will be on Juan Soto.
At 25, Soto is already one of the best players in the game, and he will be partnered with Aaron Judge to make an explosive tandem atop the Yankees lineup.
Whether he bats before or after Judge, Soto could provide a much-needed impact bat from the left side for an offense that finished last season as one of the worst in the majors.
Soto was acquired from the Padres in December for a large package of players, and he is entering his final season before free agency. While a $500-plus million payoff is possible, he and the Yankees have a year to decide whether to extend their partnership.
Most notable absence
A couple of Yankees regulars will not be in Tampa this spring.
For the first time since 2014, they will hold a major league spring training without either Luis Severino or Kyle Higashioka.
Severino will be on the opposite coast of Florida after signing a free-agent contract with the Mets, while Higashioka will make his Cactus League debut after being traded to the Padres for Soto and Trent Grisham.
While Severino and Higashioka have been a part of the clubhouse for years, the Yankees will be without Michael King, who was supposed to join the rotation full-time until being traded in the Soto transaction.
Do not be surprised if it becomes an issue.
The Yankees are only one injury away from having Luke Weaver or Warren start the season in the major league rotation.
Last year, Brito started the Yankees’ third game of the season after their rotation was devastated by injuries during training.
Now that Brito, King, Vasquez, and Drew Thorpe have all been moved to the Padres, the Yankees’ starting rotation will be taxed once more.
Warren might show that he is ready for the opportunity, or Weaver could build on his brief run with the Yankees last September.
But for the time being, it’s a tenuous bunch that includes Cody Poteet, Luis Gil, Clayton Beeter, Yoendrys Gomez, and Cody Morris.
Biggest comeback
Rodon bears the most responsibility for rebounding both physically and performance-wise, although he has already been covered elsewhere here.
So let’s go with Giancarlo Stanton, a frequent flyer in this area.
He missed six weeks early last season due to a hamstring problem and never looked like himself after returning.
His output dropped, and watching him run the bases was awful.
He promised to make offseason modifications, and the Yankees have stated that this entails being slimmer and lighter.
It remains to be seen whether this will result in a rebound season.
If not, the Yankees may be forced to decide what to do with Stanton (who is under contract until 2027), as opening up the DH spot would allow them to maximize their lineup.
