In less than a week, the New York Yankees will report for spring training at the club’s training facility in Tampa, Florida. Catchers and pitchers will report on February 14, whereas the rest of the squad will join at a later date in the same week. Having said that, a massive concern of whether or not the Yanks have all the bases covered for the upcoming season continues to bother fans. With the championship aspirations on the line, such concerns are bound to side. Meanwhile, let’s explore three such biggest concerns before the Bronx Bombers before they head into spring training.
Did Yankees Improve Enough?
The New York Yankees were one of the most active teams this off-season. They needed key reinforcements and found solace in Juan Soto. Alongside Soto, the team also acquired Alex Verdugo and Trent Grisham to bolster hitting and outfield depth. However, the club had a few misses in the pitching department. The front office missed out on Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Blake Snell, and Corbin Burnes. While they pivoted to Marcus Stroman, the starting rotation still seems relatively weaker compared to AL-East rivals. Regardless, the entire roster seems strong. And notably, the Bombers improved better than anyone this off-season and stats suggest the same. Therefore, the concerns about improvement should subside as the Yanks gear up for spring training.
Can The Yankees Stay Healthy Through Spring Camp?
Last season’s spring training session demons will return to haunt the New York Yankees in 2024. In 2023, Carlos Rodón, Frankie Montas, Tommy Kahnle, Lou Trivino, Luis Severino, Harrison Bader, Austin Wells, and Ben Rortvedt landed on the injury list just two weeks into spring training. Additionally, Nestor Cortes barely recovered from a hamstring strain in time for opening day. However, the good news is that the entire roster remains healthy for now, barring Jasson Dominguez, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery. It’s important for the Yanks to come out healthy for the opening day to kick-start the season on a strong note. A healthier Yankee roster is arguably destined for success.
Will The Veterans Bounce Back?
One of the key contributors to the New York Yankees’ awful season in 2023 was the lackluster of dependable veterans. The likes of DJ LeMahieu, Giancarlo Stanton, and Anthony Rizzo faced a grave slump. They were the supposed backbone of the hitting lineup. Instead, the veteran fell off the bandwagon, which created a lot of pressure on the rookie. That being said, for the 2024 season, the Yankee front office has made a bold move to trust these aging veterans for another season. It won’t be bold to say that DJ LeMahiue and Stanton are in the endgame. Irrespective of their contract status, another disappointing season will result in big shakeups. Even Anthony Rizzo, for that matter, could lose his roster spot. He will enter his walk year in 2024. Moreover, Aaron Judge’s constant backing won’t save the day for the baseman if runs hit dry up from his end of the bat.
To stay up-to-date with the New York Yankees 2024 season, keep following Sports News International
