As our 30 clubs in 30 days season preview rolls on, it’s time to take a look at the Yankees. The bombers come into the 2024 campaign looking to rebound off of an utterly disappointing 2023 season. Last year, almost nothing went right as the injury ravaged squad scuffled to an 82-80 season. The disappointment of that near .500 record spurred the front office on to make some big moves. Star slugger Juan Soto headlines an incoming class of additions that includes Alex Verdugo, Trent Grisham, Marcus Stroman. While there is momentum off the field, spring training has dampened that feeling as Gerrit Cole is injured and will miss a minimum of 1-2 months and Aaron Judge is “banged up.” The seemingly never-ending barrage of injuries in the Bronx, particularly Cole’s, could threaten the whole season so perhaps this will spur the front office to make even more moves. The Yanks and their faithful are hopeful that the additions they have made will be enough to return them to playoffs, so let’s take a look at the keys to success.

Keys to Success

1. A Clean Bill of Health: Staying in line with our injury theme, while last year’s team had more flaws than they were willing to admit, it’s hard to deny that injuries played a part in their downfall. They need to keep the full squad on the field, especially number 99 to help power an offense that will likely have to carry the load while the staff could be vulnerable.

2. Bash Brothers: While this Yankee offense looks more balanced from the get-go this season, it will ultimately fall on two players to carry the load. Juan Soto and Aaron Judge have the chance to be one of the most feared tandems the sport has seen in some time. They should instill plenty of fear batting back-to-back in the order and will make the offense go.

3. Rebound on the Mound: Last year’s pitching staff was disappointing beyond ace Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole’s brilliant season. With Cole hurt the Yankees are hoping that comes in the form of bounce back seasons from Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes. They also added righty Marcus Stroman whose volatile personality will be a cause for worry if he doesn’t deliver on the bump.

The Lineup

1. DJ LeMahieu 3B

2. Juan Soto RF

3. Aaron Judge CF

4. Anthony Rizzo 1B

5. Gleyber Torres 2B

6. Giancarlo Stanton DH

7. Alex Verdugo LF

8. Anthony Volpe SS

9. Austin Wells/Jose Trevino (platoon)

The Staff

1. Gerrit Cole (injured 1-2 months)

2. Carlos Rodon

3. Marcus Stroman

4. Nestor Cortes

5. Clarke Schmidt

Closer: Clay Holmes

The Prediction

90 wins and an AL Wild Card Spot (Updated AL East Champs: Orioles)

Call me a biased optimist but I think the Yankees moves will pay off in a big way as they will return to the postseason. The AL East is highly competitive, and I expect them to get into a tight battle with the Orioles. It should be a fun wire to wire race, one that ultimately ends with Baltimore taking crown. I have planned to pick the Yankees for some time, but I think the Cole injury, even if it is “short term,” will hold them back from winning the East. Still though, they cannot allow it to derail their entire season. As Joel Sherman pointed out on his terrific podcast The Show, a good team can overcome a lot, last year’s defending champion Rangers being a prime example of it as they got a total of six starts from Jacob DeGrom. The Yankees will have to hit to survive, but they’re certainly capable of it.

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