Yankees 2024 season preview: Projected lineup, rotation and 3 keys to winning the pennant
TAMPA, Fla. – More than midway through a calm Yankees camp, the general alarm sounded at Steinbrenner Field.
To be exact, it was March 11, the day both Gerrit Cole and Aaron Judge went for MRIs.
In these final days of spring training, Anthony Rizzo and DJ LeMahieu were nursing through ailments, trying to be on time for Thursday’s Opening Day at Houston against the Astros.
And once more, Yankees Universe was reminded how deeply the club’s 2024 pennant chances depend on the highly paid veteran stars who’ve vowed to avenge last year’s ugly, fourth-place finish.
Yankees’ projected lineup
DJ LeMahieu, 3B
Juan Soto, RF
Aaron Judge, CF
Anthony Rizzo, 1B
Gleyber Torres, 2B
Giancarlo Stanton, DH
Alex Verdugo, LF
Anthony Volpe, SS
Jose Trevino, C
Analysis: After last season’s struggle to score, Soto’s presence in a far more balanced lineup – along with a healthy Judge and Rizzo – could return the Yanks to an 800-run club.
LeMahieu (bone bruise, right foot) might be slightly delayed, with Oswaldo Cabrera as his likely replacement.
Volpe’s well-chronicled flatter bat path has seen instant results this spring, consistently driving pitches to the opposite field.
Until experiencing tightness to his left lat, Rizzo was tearing up Grapefruit League pitching, a positive sign that he’s past last year’s long-undiagnosed post-concussion symptoms.
Entering his free agent walk year, Torres has had a solid spring, as has lefty-hitting Austin Wells, who’ll see a good share of at-bats, as will lefty-hitting fourth outfielder Trent Grisham.
New York Yankees news: Luis Gil earns final spot in Yankees' rotation
Judge should have a couple of built-in DH days per week, and he’ll switch back to right field once Jasson Dominguez (elbow surgery rehab) returns by late June/early July.
That could put Stanton and the lefty-hitting Verdugo into a platoon situation, but it’s too far down the road and the slimmed down Stanton has enjoyed a healthy, productive spring.
Yankees projected rotation
Nestor Cortes, LHP
Carlos Rodon, LHP
Marcus Stroman, RHP
Clarke Schmidt, RHP
Luis Gil, RHP
Closer: Clay Holmes, RHP
Analysis: Losing the unanimous, 2023 AL Cy Young Award winner for at least the season’s first two months is a bad break.
Cole’s elbow nerve irritation opened a rotation vacancy for Gil, 25, whose elite fastball, good slider and emerging changeup made a deep impression.
Stroman’s initial Yankees camp was a huge success, both performance-wise and fitting seamlessly into a place he’s longed to be.
If the lefties Rodon and Cortes more closely resemble their 2022 All-Star versions than their forgettable 2023 seasons, then Schmidt has a chance to be among MLB’s best end-of-rotation pitchers.
But clearly, the rotation’s depth has been compromised by Cole’s injury and the Soto trade, which cost Michael King, Randy Vasquez, Jhony Brito and prospect Drew Thorpe.
Could the Yankees sustain another loss without having to delve back into the remaining free agent market, or more aggressively pursue a trade?
Notable additions
Outfielders Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham, Oscar Gonzalez; infielders Jahmai Jones, Jose Rojas, Kevin Smith, Jorbit Vivas; pitchers Marcus Stroman, Nick Burdi, Dennis Santana, Victor Gonzalez, Caleb Ferguson, Cody Poteet.
Notable subtractions
Outfielders Harrison Bader, Estevan Florial; infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa; pitchers Luis Severino, Frankie Montas, Michael King, Greg Weissert, Wandy Peralta, Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez, Domingo German, Keynan Middleton, catcher Kyle Higashioka.
Yankees' injured list
Pitchers Gerrit Cole (elbow irritation), Tommy Kahnle (shoulder rehab), Lou Trivino (elbow rehab), Scott Effross (back surgery); infielder Oswald Peraza (shoulder strain); outfielder Jasson Dominguez (elbow rehab).
Analysis: Cole’s personal Opening Day could be around June 1, in the best worst-news scenario about his elbow (no UCL tear).
Kahnle could return by mid-April, but Trivino and Effross are possibly second-half options.
Peraza is about two months away and Dominguez’s quickest return from last September’s Tommy John surgery would be around late June.
3 Keys to the Pennant
Twenty starts from Gerrit Cole
Starting pitching depth was an issue before Cole’s injury, and the Yankees might have to supplement their staff sooner or later with outside help before the trade deadline.
But they’ll still need their ace to come back and give them something close to last year’s performance level, along with bounce back seasons by Cortes and Rodon and a solid year by Stroman.
The Soto-Judge engine
Of course, Judge’s health is necessary for this unique dynamic to work at peak efficiency.
Judge missed 42 team games last year due to torn ligaments in his right big toe, suffered after banging into the Dodger Stadium wall.
This spring, Judge’s exhibition season was interrupted by core soreness. That only served to renew fears about how much is riding on the captain’s presence in a veteran lineup with a lengthy injury history.
Maintaining a top-notch bullpen
Can a somewhat altered Yankees relief corps repeat last year’s performance when they led all MLB bullpen with a 3.34 ERA?
Michael King was moving into the rotation before his trade to San Diego, but the Yankees still face the difficult task of replacing his multi-inning value. They’ll also miss the reliable lefty Wandy Peralta, who exited as a free agent.
Jonathan Loaisiga could be the next Yankees closer, with Clay Holmes entering his free agent walk year, though keeping Loaisiga on the mound is an issue and his workload will be closely managed.
Can lefty Victor Gonzalez step into Peralta’s old role, and could a healthy Nick Burdi be their next big bullpen find?
Rookie Watch
Lefty-hitting catcher Austin Wells has looked sharp at the plate this spring, and he might hit his way into increased playing time. More importantly, he’s worked hard to gain the pitching staff’s trust.
Right-hander Will Warren competed to the end with Luis Gil for the final rotation spot, and he’s expected to contribute at some point in 2024, as could Clayton Beeter or Chase Hampton.
Switch-hitting center fielder Jasson Dominguez (elbow) might be ready to join the lineup by late June, and the impressive lefty-hitting Spencer Jones, who’ll begin at Class AA Somerset, is rapidly moving toward the Bronx.
Trade Watch
Jones is about as untouchable as they get in the Yankees’ system, but GM Brian Cashman might have to tip into the prospect pool to add another established starter.
Oswald Peraza’s trade value has been compromised by a shoulder injury, and the Yankees could use another versatile infielder with some offensive upside right now.
If things were to go completely sideways, Soto, due for a massive payday in free agency, could be moved again, but that’s beyond a nightmare scenario.
Manager’s Report
This is Aaron Boone’s final guaranteed contract year, and he’s under the spotlight more than ever.
The same holds true for GM Brian Cashman and his lieutenants after the total mess of 2023, but Boone will be the one answering media questions twice daily about the club’s fortunes.
He’s enjoyed the support of his clubhouse, especially key players in Judge and Cole, but will that be enough without a deep October run?
A lot depends on the health of Boone’s expensive veterans, but this is a pivotal year.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees 2024 preview: Lineup, rotation and postseason keys
