New York Yankees’ Off-Season Earns Praise, Bombers Target Bullpen Aid as Spring Training Nears

The New York Yankees didn’t just suffer physical injuries in 2023, they suffered psychologically. In Brian Cashman’s words, the season was “disastrous”. So when the offseason began, the Pinstripes weren’t just bruised but emotionally wounded as well. 82-80 kept banging their ears like a hammer bangs the nails. A new year dawned, and come January, the winds of change swept through, bringing about significant transformations.

Not only have the Yankees improved their hitting by adding a massive star like Juan Soto, but they’ve also improved their starting pitching. With the team only needing a reliever now, is it too quick to call this offseason a giant win for the Bombers? 

The New York Yankees find respite after a rainfall of tears

Most of the Yankees would like to forget 2023 like a bad dream. What increased the pain was the fact that they had entered 2023 on the back of a 99-win season. They expected to continue the momentum, but the wheels came off before they even began to race. The Pinstripes took this as a lesson and decided to not let similar things happen again. This offseason has seen them making necessary moves and those moves are being noticed by experts. 

The Athletic praised the offseason activity of the Yankees, “They’re in a better position and, arguably, have done the most upgrading in the American League this offseason.” While they did remind us that the team still has a few injury-prone players in it, one can hope that things won’t go to the extremes of 2023. 

2023 saw Aaron Judge, Carlos Rodon, and the young rising star Jasson Dominguez, among others, suffer from injury troubles. But 2024 looks to be heading in a different direction, for once there’s Juan Soto – one of the most consistent players in the league (he has never played less than 150 games in any season barring his rookie year and 2020).

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There’s also Alex Verdugo, a slugger who can also be a trusted contact hitter. Something the Yankees needed. They were, after all, a team with one of the highest strikeouts. Marcus Stroman addresses the crucial no.3 position question in their rotation. All in all, it looks like the Yankees have addressed most of their worries except a reliever, but some fans still aren’t happy.

Doubts in Yankee Nation while reliever search continues

The loss in the Yoshinobu Yamamoto race greatly disappointed the fans. A superstar signing could’ve completely turned the pitching staff around, but it was not to be. But with a payroll that has climbed to $300 million, was it ever a realistic bet? Especially as the Yankees still need a reliever. 

The Yankees are in contention for a reunion with Wandy Peralta. The absence of Michael King has made their bullpen quite weak and the addition of Peralta or another strong left-handed reliever could turn this offseason into one of the most successful yet low-key ones for the Pinstripes.

Read more: MLB Updates: New York Yankees Eye Bullpen Reunion in Free Agency, as Crucial Pitching Market Shrinks