Coming into this off-season the New York Yankees had to improve their team big time as they missed the playoffs last year finishing 82-80. Owner Hal Steinbrenner and General Manager Brian Cashman knew the team a jolt of energy by getting players that win and compete at a high level. Yankees were due for another big winter with the last world series championship being in 2009 where they moved to a new stadium made huge additions like CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett, Mark Teixeira and Nick Swisher. That team ended up having a fantastic season and winning their 27th championship in franchise history.
Fast forwarding to 2024, the Yankees owed to their amazing fan base that it's time to go all in again after a down year in 2023. Their goal this off-season was improving the offense, pitching and defense. They were able to do that in a trade first with the Boston Red Sox getting outfielder Alex Verdugo who brings swag, energy, great defense and a plus arm. This is an under the radar move by Cashman as everyone was waiting for something else big to happen. Eventually they were able to make a huge splash in a block buster trade with the San Diego Padres by acquiring generational star outfielder Juan Soto along with Trent Grisham who is another fantastic defender.
Yankees fans were pumped up for the moves that their front office were able to pull off as they were not done at all. Next order of business was pitching which took a while by being on the phones with other teams for trade possibilities and talking to free agents. The prices were a little to high on some of these free agent pitchers, trade packages but Cashman was able to strike a 2 year $37 million dollar contract, option for 2026 with starting pitcher Marcus Stroman who is another hard worker that brings that tough mindset, swag on the mound along with Alex Verdugo and Juan Soto. After that move, Yankees made some additions to their bullpen and add more depth ton it.
This team now has a different mindset coming into spring training with all the new additions, fresh start and more depth. Yankees needed to get back to their winning ways with Aaron Judge and Gerrit Cole still in their prime years. Also the biggest keys was getting players back and making sure everyone stays healthy throughout the year. But that's hard to do as Gerrit Cole is expected to miss some time for the Yankees and while waiting for some bullpen pitchers also to come back. With Nestor Cortes back, Carlos Rodon looking to bounce back from last year, Marcus Stroman now here, Clarke Schmidt another year underneath his belt and Luis Gil back they were not concerned with Cole out.
New York Yankees have more depth in their bullpen with a couple of lefties that bring different styles on pitching mound against other teams. They open up a four game series in Houston against the Astros and did not disappoint at all. With Cole being out for some time, Nestor Cortes got the opening day start for the Yankees. He struggled in beginning as they were down 4-0 early but this team never gave up. Cortes settled down giving the offense a chance to come back. Nestor went 5.0 innings, 5 hits, 4 er, 2 walks and 5 strikeouts. Yankees started scoring in fifth inning as Oswaldo Cabrera, Anthony Rizzo, Anthony Volpe and Alex Verdugo got some key contributions. Then Juan Soto came up with a clutch play by getting the runner out at home plate.
Game two was Carlos Rodon as he wanted to make a statement early. Houston got things going early again but Rodon was able to keep their offense to only one run with the Yankees bullpen backing him up big time. New York once again with a late rally with their offense striking in seventh, eighth and ninth. Oswaldo Cabrera continuing to have big contributions along with Juan Soto, Giancarlo Stanton as Rodon was outstanding. The bullpen was huge in this game with Nick Burdi, Luke Weaver, Victor Gonzalez, Caleb Ferguson and Clayton Beeter.
Another comeback victory for the Yankees as they head into game three of season with Marcus Stroman making his debut. Stroman gave up two early runs against Houston but settled down also as the Yankees offense was fantastic again. They hit three home runs in this game with Oswaldo Cabrera (2), Juan Soto (1), and Anthony Volpe (1). Stroman went the distance going 6 innings, getting big outs as he was pumped up after a huge strikeout. Ian Hamilton and Clay Holmes came in to close out this game for the Yankees.
Today the Yankees had Clarke Schmidt pitching and he had a great outing. Schmidt also did a great job of keeping the offense in this game as their bullpen came up clutch once again. Then Juan Soto with a big hit in the ninth which helped them take a 4-3 lead. That would be a game winning run as they swept the Houston Astros and start this season 4-0 since 2003. This team has a different vibe to them with the confidence of being in every game and winning at a high percentage. Alex Verdugo put it the best way during his post game interview as he said "they are dawgs out their" already building great chemistry with Aaron Judge and Juan Soto.
This team is something special and fun to watch already. Wait till Gerrit Cole comes back, Aaron Judge starts hitting and when full squad is healthy, you don't want to face them at all.
It reminds me of the 2009 group in my opinion.
Photo Credit 📹 New York Yankees