The New York Yankees have had a tough season in 2023. Nothing really went right for them. However, Gerrit Cole won the American League Cy Young Award last year. Moreover, the rookie Anthony Volpe won a Gold Glove. There were very few things to be proud about as a Yankee fan in 2023. In fact, there were a lot of worries regarding the balance and depth of the roster. They finished with a terrible 82-80 record. It was their worst season in the last 32 years. If that was a lot to digest, then what about failing to make the postseason for the first time since 2016?
The Yankees had one of the worst offenses in the league. They finished with the second-worst batting average last season. Only the nine-time World Champions, the Oakland Athletics, had it even worse than the Bronx Bombers. But it is a thing in the past, as the fans look forward to having a great season in 2024. The front office has made great changes in the roster. Currently, the outfield looks like one of the best in the league. But the starting pitching department looks a bit shaky indeed. Anyhow, to have a better season than 2023, Gerrit Cole believes the team must improve a lot.
Gerrit Cole Was Pretty Frank About What The Team Needs To Do In 2024
Last season, Gerrit Cole won the AL Cy Young. It was a great achievement, given how the team performed in general last year. However, for the Yankees ace pitcher, the World Championship is all the more important and valuable. Recently, as per Greg Joyce of The New York Post, on Thursday, Cole was pretty frank about what the Yankees must do in the upcoming season. The Yankees ace said it is true that the long list of injuries hurt them last season. But after throwing a bullpen session, Gerrit Cole said at Steinbrenner Field that the team suffers injuries too much as a group.
Hence, they must prove. What Cole said applies to the entire roster, but even more to the rotation that he is about to anchor. There are a lot of talented names behind Cole in the starting rotation. But those guys have also suffered a lot of health issues lately. Last year around this time, the fans regarded the Yankees as one of the best rotations. Then, several pitchers, including Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes, sustained injuries and health issues. Later, only Cole and Clarke Schmidt were the last men standing in that rotation.
Yankees Hope The Health Of The Roster Stays Good This Year
The NY side’s general manager mentioned they have a pretty good roster. It is solid, but health will be the key. Brian Cashman mentioned if they remain healthy, they should be able to pitch with anybody. But this year, Carlos Rodon, Nestor Cortes, and other pitchers must prove that they can stay fit throughout the course of one whole season.
Rodon’s performance last season was pretty disappointing and scared the Yankees about signing any high-profile pitcher for a high asking price. However, this year, the team is having faith in Rodon, Nortes as well as the new addition, Marcus Stroman. Gerrit Cole, too, praised Stroman for being one of the best and fierce competitors available in the game.
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