The Yankees came into 2023 with steep expectations after making it to the ALCS last season. However, the Yankees won just 82 games after a significant injury to star Aaron Judge, as well as a sluggish offense. So, what did the Yankees do to improve their team for 2024? Here’s our Yankees offseason recap.
Related: 2023-24 MLB Offseason Recap: Philadelphia Phillies
Notable Additions
- RP Caleb Ferguson
- RP Victor Gonzalez
- OF Trent Grisham
- SP/RP Cody Morris
- SP/RP Cody Poteet
- OF Juan Soto
- SP Marcus Stroman
- OF Alex Verdugo
While the Yankees’ offense was slowed significantly thanks to injuries to both Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo, it’s hard to say 2023 was a smashing success as far as the Yanks’ lineup was concerned. Aside from Judge (175), only Gleyber Torres (118) had an OPS+ above 100 in 2023.
To deepen their depth outside of Judge, Rizzo, and Torres, New York upgraded their lineup in a big way in December when superstar Juan Soto came over from San Diego via trade. Soto finished ninth in the Majors last season in OPS (.930), thanks to plus power and arguably one of the best eyes in the game.
Additionally, the Yankees made a trade with archnemesis Boston to acquire Alex Verdugo. Verdugo will slide in alongside Soto and Judge in the outfield, a move somewhat necessitated given that Jasson Dominguez will miss all of 2024 due to Tommy John surgery recovery.
The Yankees also beefed up their rotation with ground-ball specialist Marcus Stroman. Stroman, a New York native, comes over after two seasons in Chicago, where he owned a 3.73 ERA (116 ERA+) and 238 strikeouts over 275.1 IP.
Notable Subtractions
- 1B/OF Jake Bauers
- SP Jhony Brito
- SP Domingo German
- C Kyle Higashioka
- INF/OF Isiah Kiner-Falefa
- SP Michael King
- RP Keynan Middleton
- SP Frankie Montas
- RP Wandy Peralta
- SP Luis Severino
- RP Greg Weissert
- SP Randy Vasquez
The list of subtractions from last season is lengthy. That’s somewhat thanks to the Soto trade, as Michael King, Kyle Higashioka, Randy Vasquez, and Jhony Brito were all dealt to San Diego in the deal.
Additionally, the Yankees opted not to return Frankie Montas after he missed nearly all of 2023, as well as Luis Severino. Thus, four of the top six last season in innings pitched (Severino, Brito, King, and Domingo German) will not be on the Yankees’ roster for 2024.
The Yankees also lost several key relievers from last season. Wandy Peralta signed with the Padres, while deadline acquisition Keynan Middleton is now a Cardinal. Greg Weissert was traded to Boston in the Verdugo deal.
Now, a look at the subtractions part of our Yankees offseason recap.
What to Expect in 2024
The Yankees went all-in for Soto in the winter, a move that could have rippled effects across the organization for years to come.
Soto can be a free agent after the 2024 season, meaning that this upcoming one may be the outfielder’s lone year in The Bronx. The 25-year-old, on paper, is an incredible fit for the Yankees given his power and eye, making him an ideal bat to hit in front of Aaron Judge.
But should Soto leave after 2024 and the Yankees don’t win it all, the trade could have the potential to sting over the coming years.
The good news is that New York does have pitching in the pipeline, including the returning Luis Gil, as well as prospects Will Warren and Clayton Beeter. On the other hand, the pressure will really be on Nestor Cortes and Carlos Rodon to have bounceback campaigns. Rodon, though, struggled to begin the spring.