By: Ava Eilish Paolino '25
After missing the playoffs in a crushing 2023 season, the New York Yankees needed to have a successful season to appease their enraged fans and return to the high standard set upon them. So, as soon as the 2023 season ended, Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman got to work.
The first major addition to the Yankees was left-fielder Alex Verdugo, from the
Boston Red Sox. Fans were reluctant to embrace the decision, as Verdugo was coming from their rival team and had the reputation of being a controversial figure with a negative attitude in the clubhouse.
This was quick news, however, because very soon after Verdugo joined the Yankees, Cashman pulled off a trade with the San Diego Padres for Juan Soto. Compared to the Verdugo trade, you would’ve thought the Yankees brought back Babe Ruth. Everyone who watches baseball knows Juan Soto; he is one of the best hitters in baseball, with many considering him a generational talent. Fans were ecstatic and couldn’t wait to see him in pinstripes.
Though this deal sent the beloved Yankees, catcher Kyle Higashioka and pitcher Michael King, to the Padres, fans were willing to accept the sacrifice. The Yankees also signed free agent pitchers Marcus Stroman and Luke Weaver to build up their bullpen, and headed into spring training.
The season did not get off to a great start. Yankees ace, Gerrit Cole, started his season
on the injured list, and wouldn’t have his season debut until June. DJ LeMahieu also started the year on the injured list, and even after coming back, would not have his best season while rotating on and off the injured list.
Fans were losing hope early in the season, when captain Aaron Judge got off to the slowest start of his career. Throughout March and April, he simply was not hitting, leading fans to shower him with boos. This was very unlike the 2022 MVP, and fans were growing concerned. But, soon enough, Judge turned it all around. In May, he had a .361 batting average with 14 home runs and 27 RBIs.
With Gerrit Cole gone, Luis Gil really stepped up to the mound. With this being his official rookie year, he had pitched so well in the first half that he was surrounded by ROY talks. Joining in on those conversations was Austin Wells, who quickly took the main catching role from Jose Trevino.
Juan Soto definitely met the expectations of the Yankee fans; he maintained a good batting average and with Aaron Judge became an exciting pair to watch Alex Verdugo managed to flip Yankees fans’ opinions of him and quickly became a fan favorite with the “dawg craze.”
The Yankees went into the all-star break with a 58-40 record, looking to improve their offense in the second half and hopefully make the playoffs.
The Yankees acquired Jazz Chisholm, Jr. at the trade deadline, and the fans had mixed reviews. Some saw it as an upgrade and a potential to bench Gleyber Torres, and others saw him as just an average bat. But very quickly fans started to see Chisholm's infectious energy and that he seemed to be a good fit on this team.
The Yankees had a great second half, finishing the regular season with a 94-68 record. Aaron Judge continued his domination, finishing with a .322 batting average, 58 home runs, and 144 RBIs. It will be shocking if he doesn’t win the National League MVP. Juan Soto stepped up to the plate, as well, finishing with a .288 batting average, 41 home runs, and 109 RBIs.
All the Yankees starters did relatively well, but reliever wise, Luke Weaver became a star in the second half. Fans loved his hilarious personality, and the emotion he put into each performance. He went on to close a few games, as manager Aaron Boone grew reluctant to keep all-star pitcher Clay Holmes in the closer role.
Already doing significantly better than last year, the Yankees secured the AL East title, and started preparing for the playoffs.
In just the first two rounds, Giancarlo Stanton has been a postseason monster. He has absolutely dominated in every game, showing Yankees fans why the front office keeps him around. Similarly, Gleyber Torres has excelled in the leadoff position, changing fans’ opinions about his status as a Yankee next year. Though Judge got off to a slow start in round one, he has somewhat picked it up against the Guardians. Luke Weaver was especially dominant in round one, and has pitched well in round two as well. Though facing fielding and base running errors, the Yanks seem to have a good shot at the pennant.
Yankees fans are already thinking about next year; they have only gotten a taste of the talents of Juan Soto and are hoping that the Yankees can come up with a deal to keep him a Yankee for many years to come.
But, at the end of the day, Yankees fans will not be happy until they get their 28th ring. Who knows, maybe this year is the year! Tonight's game is make or break for our beloved Yankees!
All Photos Courtesy of New York Yankees Instagram
Source: MLB.com
Edited By: Catherine Grace Polatidis '26 and Ms. Brilliant
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