The Yankees made it back to the Fall Classic for the first time since 2009 this past season. However, the season did not end in triumph, as a cold spell by star Aaron Judge, coupled with defensive follies and too many poor pitches led to the Yankees losing in five to the Dodgers. Here’s our 2024 season recap for the New York Yankees.
The Offense
| Stat | Number | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 815 | 3rd |
| Home Runs | 237 | 1st |
| OPS | .761 | 3rd |
| Whiff% | 23.8% | 8th |
| Hard Hit% | 42.4% | 3rd |
The Pitching
| Stat | Number | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Starters’ ERA | 3.85 | 11th |
| Relievers’ ERA | 3.62 | 6th |
| Strikeouts | 1,457 | 4th |
| Whiff% | 27.0% | 5th |
| Chase% | 28.7% | 12th |
The Good
Even though the Yankees came up short in the 2024 World Series, it doesn’t change the fact this year was New York’s most successful in 15 years. Yankees fans can attribute a marquee December 2023 trade that set the stage for their 41st American League pennant.
The Yanks acquired Juan Soto, who had a year left before free agency, in a massive deal with the Padres. It wasn’t, though, a prospect deal. Aside from Drew Thorpe, the Yankees traded four Major Leaguers in San Diego, including Michael King. It was a gamble but one that paid off.
Soto .288/.419/.569 with 41 home runs, 76 extra-base hits, and 109 RBI for the Yankees. This was a slightly different Soto, as he pulled balls at a career-high rate of 42.3%, taking advantage of Yankee Stadium’s short left field porch. Still, in Soto fashion, 18 of his 41 home runs were either straightway or to the opposite field.
Aside from the power, Soto helped set the stage for Aaron Judge, as the two were regularly the 2-3 combo in the Yankees’ lineup. Judge had yet another incredible season; he led the Majors in home runs (58), RBI (144), total bases (392), and OPS (1.159). Not much more needs to be added there.
Soto and Judge were the captains of the Yankees offense in the regular season but New York saw key contributions from other places. Gleyber Torres had a decent season (.709 OPS, 15 HR) offensively but did much of his damage in the second half. Torres hit .293/.361/.419 over 61 second-half contests.
Giancarlo Stanton hit 27 regular-season home runs, then added seven more in the postseason. Stanton was easily their best offensive player in October. Austin Wells, a 2024 AL Rookie of the Year finalist, hit 13 home runs and provided additional punch in the Yankees’ offense.
Plain and simple, this team was built to hit. However, their defensive woes in the World Series illustraed that teams can’t win it all just with the bats.
As for the Yankees’ pitching staff, things didn’t get off to a hot start. Gerrit Cole missed almost the first three months of 2024 thanks to elbow problems. Luckily, the Yankees had depth to spare.
Carlos Rodon struck out 195 in a bounceback season, one that saw him become a five-pitch pitcher, rather than a two-pitch one. Luis Gil, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year, dodged command and overthrowing problems (AL-high 77 walks) en route to 171 strikeouts and 151.2 IP. Clarke Schmidt had injury woes of his own but was excellent (2.85 ERA, 93 K over 85.1 IP) when healthy.
However, arguably the most significant development from the Yankees’ pitching staff was the rise of Luke Weaver. Weaver struggled in a starting role for much of his career. But in the bullpen, Weaver cut his arsenal down to three pitches — four-seam, cutter, changeup — and became a hit, closing games down the stretch for the Yankees.
Weaver, under contract for 2025, finished with the fifth-most strikeouts among relievers (103) and owned a 2.89 ERA.
Weaver helped form a strong Yankees bullpen, one that included castoffs Tim Mayza and Tim Hill, plus changeup maestro Tommy Kahnle.
The Bad
It’s wild to think the Yankees struggled with depth offensively, despite the presences of Soto and Judge. However, that was the case in 2024 at times.
Anthony Rizzo dealt with injury trouble — again. Rizzo sustained a right forearm fracture that cost him over two months in the summer. It came about a year after he sustained a concussion that cost Rizzo much of 2023. The thing with Rizzo, though, was that it wasn’t exactly like he was tearing it up at the plate before the injury. He hit .223/.289/.341 before his fracture, and Rizzo’s last home run in 2024 came on June 13.
Anthony Volpe sported a shorter swing but didn’t for much power in 2024. Volpe hit 12 home runs in 2024, nine less than 2023, yet slugged almost the same thanks to more doubles and triples.
Alex Verdugo, acquired from the Red Sox last winter, posted a .647 OPS. Oswaldo Cabrera had a .661 OPS. DJ LeMahieu only played in 67 games but couldn’t get on base much (.269 OBP), a problem given that’s been his strength for much of his career.
New York’s offense got a much-needed infusion of life with Jazz Chisholm Jr. in July. Chisholm Jr. hit 11 home runs over 46 games with New York and will be a key piece for the Yankees come 2025. He gave the team considerable more pop at the hot corner, a position that saw Oswaldo Cabrera and Jon Berti, among others, get time at the position.
Heading into 2025, depth surrounding Judge will be a major storyline.
Early Projected Lineup for 2025
- C: Austin Wells
- 1B: Ben Rice
- 2B: Oswaldo Cabrera
- 3B: Jazz Chisholm Jr.
- SS: Anthony Volpe
- OF: Jasson Dominguez (LF), Everson Pereira (CF), Aaron Judge (RF)
- DH: Giancarlo Stanton
- SP: Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, Luis Gil, Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes, Marcus Stroman
- RP: Luke Weaver, Ian Hamilton, Mark Leiter Jr., Tim Mayza, Jake Cousins, Clayton Beeter, Cody Poteet
The Yankees’ lineup will look different in 2025, no matter what happens this winter. Anthony Rizzo , Alex Verdugo, and Gleyber Torres hit free agency, as did Juan Soto, who could net a staggering amount this offseason.
Rizzo, Verdugo, and Torres are likely to not be retained. The former dealt with injuries in each of the last two seasons, while Torres’ spot in second could be filled by an internal option like Jon Berti, Oswaldo Cabrera, or even the oft-injured DJ LeMahieu. Soto, though, has been in contact with the Yankees’ reps this winter.
If Soto does not return to The Bronx, his departure would leave a massive hole in the Yanks’ lineup. Not only did he provide immense value on his own but his eye helped set up Aaron Judge for a massive 2024. With no Soto, Judge won’t have as much protection around him the lineup.
New York’s pitching staff, though, will see roughly the same group return. Tim Hill and Clay Holmes hit the free agent market.