In the 2023 MLB season, the Yankees had huge expectations with the team that was very similar to its 99-win season a year prior and the addition of a new player who finished 2nd in National League CY young, Carlos Rodon. Unfortunately due to the injuries of Aaron Judge, Anthony Rizzo, Carlos Rodon, Giancarlo Stanton, and Nestor Cortes on top of the inconsistency from their stars such as Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo, and Carlos Rodon. The Yankees had an embarrassment of a year, in fact their worst year in 30 years finishing 82-80.
The 2023 offseason was critical for the Yankees as they finished their worst season in 30 years and had extreme pressure from fans for not even advancing to the World Series in 14 years. However, The New York Yankees did not fail in the offseason with the addition of a contact hitter from their bitter rivals the Boston Red Sox, Alex Verdugo. Verdugo should be a key piece for the Yankees as he is a lefty and as we know the “short porch” plays a big deal in Yankee Stadium. Another problem for the Yankees in 2023 was pitching, in the offseason the top pitching prize was Yoshinobu Yamamoto, a 25-year-old Japanese ace. The Yankees did everything they could to acquire him including him meeting Japanese icons such as Masahiro Tanaka and Hideki Matsui, they also threw in a $300M contract which shows how much they wanted him despite never throwing an MLB pitch.
Unfortunately, Yamamoto chose the Dodgers, so how did the Yankees respond? They got the proven pitcher Marcus Stroman, a two-time all-star who pitches consistently with heart and passion. Stroman should make a huge impact on the Yankees rotation in 2024. Last but certainly not least the Yankees acquired the “modern-day Ted Williams” Juan Soto! Juan Soto is a once-in-a-lifetime talent who was gifted by god! This was the biggest trade acquisition the Yankees have completed since acquiring Alex Rodriguez from the Rangers. Soto is a perfect fit for the Yankees and as a diehard fan of this organization when the Yankees acquired Juan Soto I had tears in my eyes. With the additions the Yankees made and the hopeful bounceback for several key players such as Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo, Nestor Cortes, and Carlos Rodon the Yankees hope to win their 28th championship and first since 2009.