Last year was disappointing for the New York Yankees, who finished with an 82-80 record and failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2016. After making some big moves in the offseason, the Yankees will be looking to return to form and win their first World Series since 2009. Anything less than a World Series title will mean the season will be a failure.
Starting Lineup
The Yankees' lineup will be similar to last year's. Aaron Judge and newly acquired outfielder Juan Soto will be at the top. Third baseman DJ LeMahieu is projected to be the lead-off man, but he will start the season on the injured list with a bruised right foot. Oswaldo Cabrera will most likely be at third while LeMahieu is out.
One question is, where does former Boston Red Sox outfielder Alex Verdugo fit into the lineup? You would think he would take Giancarlo Stanton's spot in the lineup since Stanton struggled last year. However, Stanton has been good in spring training, improving his .250/.314/.406 slash line to .314/.359/.714 and had three home runs, including a grand slam, and eight RBIs against the Pittsburgh Pirates last Wednesday. With Stanton's improvement, I think he will play in the outfield, and Verdugo will be the designated hitter.
Pitching Staff
After failing to get Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the Yankees tried to get Blake Snell. Snell, however, turned down New York's offers and signed with the San Francisco Giants. While they couldn't get any of those guys, they did get Marcus Stroman. They also lost Michael King in the Soto trade. The Bronx Bombers will start the season without their ace Gerrit Cole as the 2023 American League CY Young winner will be out for one to two months with an elbow injury. Nestor Cortes will start Opening Day with Cole out. Manager Aaron Boone has announced that Luis Gil will be the rotation's fifth starter, including Carlos Rendon and Clarke Schmidt.
Last year, Yankees relievers led MLB with a 3.34 ERA. Can they do it again this year? Clay Holmes may be the closer, but this is his final year before free agency, and Jonathan Loaisiga could become the Yankees' next closer.
New York Yankees Team MVP
While Judge is the obvious answer to who will be the Yankees MVP, I think Juan Soto will be the MVP this year. Last year, Soto hit .275 with 35 home runs, a career-high, and 109 RBIs. He was named to his third All-Star game and won his fourth straight Silver Slugger award. In spring training, he hit .304 with four home runs and ten RBIs. Soto will have another monstrous year this year.
One Burning Question for the New York Yankees
The Yankees' biggest question this year is whether this year will be a make-or-break year for manager Aaron Boone. Boone has yet to lead the Yankees to the World Series, and if they don't, he could lose his job.
New York Yankees Record Prediction: 93-69
I believe the Yankees are bound for 90-plus wins and a postseason birth in their current iteration. The additions of Soto and Stanton will improve the Yankees much this year. They will have a shot at making the World Series.
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