On September 18, the Yankees became the second MLB and first American League to clinch a spot in the 2024 MLB Postseason. New York missed the playoffs last year thanks to injuries and offensive woes. But this season, a healthy former AL MVP and a superstar addition turned the Yankees back into an offensive juggernaut.
The Yankees’ Gamble for Soto Paid Off
The Yankees went all-in this past December when New York made the move to add Juan Soto. It wasn’t hard to see why the move was made; the Yankees had a disappointing 2023 and their offense had trouble without Aaron Judge and Anthony Rizzo for a good chunk of the season. The Yankees finished 23rd last season in runs scored.
By adding Soto, the Yankees gained an electric power bat who could provide much-needed depth and protection for #99. Sure, teams could consider not pitching to either Soto and Judge, who have been mainstays in the 2-3 slots in the lineup throughout 2024. But, that’s not practical.
So, how have things worked in Soto’s first — and possibly only season in The Bronx — year with the Yankees? Pretty good.
Soto crossed the 40-home run plateau for the first time in his career, in what’s been an incredible 2024. His campaign put aside doubts that Soto wouldn’t benefit from the friendly confines of Yankee Stadium. This season, Soto set a career-high in Pull% (42.5%), a change from previous seasons, as he’s always been willing — when he’s on — to not do too much at the plate and work with what’s given to him at the plate.
The 25-year-old also posted a .419 OBP as of September 19, second behind his partner-in-crime.
Judge Brings Down the Hammer
No, Aaron Judge won’t break his own AL home run record. But, the 2024 season has been fine, to say the least.
Judge is the current MLB leader in home runs (53), RBI (136), SLG (.689), and OPS (1.144). What’s fascinating is that Judge did all that after he struggled for much of April, at least by his standards. He only hit .207 with six home runs and a .754 OPS. Aside from a cool-off in September, Judge maintained an OPS above 1.100 in every month between May and August.
The combo of Judge and Soto has changed the game for the Yankees, who came into play with the third-best team OPS (.762) and third-most runs scored (760). But, what has to excite Yankee fans heading into October is not so much what Judge and Soto could do but also the depth that’s now around them.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., acquired in July, cracked nine home runs over his first 38 games as a Yankee. Gleyber Torres, who posted a .654 OPS over the first half, hit .338/.395/.471 over his first 16 September games.
Hiccups in the Bullpen
Arguably the most notable highlight for the Yankees last season was their bullpen. The Yankees’ relief core finished first in ERA (3.34), thanks to strong seasons from Clay Holmes, Wandy Peralta (now with San Diego), Keynan Middleton (now with St. Louis), and Ian Hamilton. This season, the Yankees bullpen ERA is 3.67 ERA, eighth-best in the Majors but a 3.72 SIERA, 17th-best. Their bullpen ERA doesn’t tell the whole story.
Clay Holmes was fine for much of the first half but his performance dipped as the season went along. Holmes, since removed from the closer’s role, walked 10 over 20 innings over the second half and gave up the same amount of home runs (2) in the second as the first, despite throwing 19 fewer innings.
Offseason acquisition Caleb Ferguson (5.13 ERA, 16 BB over 33.1 IP) and midseason pickup Mark Leiter Jr. (6.35 ERA, 6 HR over 17 IP) also had their issues in pinstripes. Ferguson, it should be noted, is no longer in the Yankees organization.
What’s saved the Yankees bullpen was the emergence of several veteran pitchers. Former Brewers reliever Jake Cousins owns a 2.39 ERA and struck out 52 over a career-high 37.2 IP. Luke Weaver, a former starter, turned his career around after a move to the bullpen. Weaver struck out 95 over 80.1 IP as a reliever and is now become the team’s key high-leverage arm.
Weaver has always possessed a great changeup. But, it’s tough to make it as a starter with two — but not three — effective pitches. Now in the bullpen, he’s been able to better leverage his arsenal, which includes a mid-90s fastball that he’s had the liberty to throw harder in shorter outings.
What to Expect from the Yankees in October
The Yankees haven’t clinched the AL East yet. But as of September 19, the Bronx Bombers had a four-game edge over the Orioles. And should New York win the East, the Yankees, who are six games ahead of the Astros, will likely receive an automatic birth into the ALDS.
The Yankees will have questions to answer in the playoffs if New York wants to win their first championship since 2009. First, how will the Yankees order their rotation?
Gerrit Cole is a lock for their playoff rotation, while Clarke Schmidt, who’s turned into a highly reliable starter after the incorporation of a Cole-esque cutter, should be in there, as well. After that, things get tricky.
Luis Gil has been electric as a starter but workload will be a concern. His mean fastball velocity in September (95.6 MPH) is down considerably from July (97.5 MPH), although that pitch has still been effective. However, Gil worked 140.2 IP in 2024. It’s not only a career-high but consider this: Gil never threw more than 96 innings in a pro season before this year.
Nestor Cortes has been on a roll since his brief stint out the Yankees bullpen. That could mean Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman, the latter of whom is currently in the pen, are on the outside looking in.
Offensively, the Yankees have reliable playoff performers, including Soto and Giancarlo Stanton. But, what will Judge do in October? Judge hit .211/.310/.462 (.772 OPS) over 44 career playoff contests and hit just .139 (5-36) two years ago.