MLB
Dissecting the ridiculous Yankees year that was 2024
The New York side set out to win the 2024 World Series, but they collapsed in the most dramatic way possible.
With 2024 done and dusted, the New York Yankees have been confirmed as the most disappointing team in Major League Baseball.
The storied franchise, hailing from the “Big Apple,” was heavily favoured to win this year’s World Series. With a roster full of stars, the Yankees aimed to end a 15-year drought without securing the Commissioner’s Trophy.
However, after falling to Shohei Ohtani and the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, and losing a key player in free agency, the team’s chances of winning a championship in the near future seem slim, and changes may be needed.
Juan Soto: ‘The Chosen One’ no more
The Yankees entered the season relying on Aaron Judge’s power at the plate and Gerrit Cole’s dominance on the mound. However, the team needed a big left-handed bat, and before the season began, they acquired Juan Soto in a blockbuster trade with the San Diego Padres.
Soto, nicknamed “La Fiera,” proved his worth, becoming the Yankees’ second-best player with a WAR of 7.9, trailing only Judge’s remarkable 10.8. Soto led the team in runs scored (128) thanks to his exceptional plate discipline (129 walks) and 41 home runs.
Despite his stellar performance, the Yankees failed to retain Soto in free agency. The outfielder signed a 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets, opting to continue his career with the Yankees’ crosstown rivals. Once seen as the player destined to break the Yankees’ championship drought, Soto’s departure dealt a major blow to the team’s aspirations.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Arrives Midseason
Another notable storyline was the midseason addition of Jazz Chisholm Jr. The Yankees traded prospects Agustín Ramírez, Jared Serna, and Abrahan Ramírez to the Miami Marlins for the infielder.
Chisholm showed flashes of promise with a .273 batting average, recording 48 hits in 176 at-bats. However, his defensive struggles at third base disappointed fans. Chisholm committed seven errors and turned only six double plays, raising questions about his long-term fit at the position.
On the positive side, Chisholm remains under team control through 2026. His projected arbitration salary for next season is between $6 million and $7 million, but his market value, estimated at $16.9 million, suggests he could command a lucrative contract exceeding $100 million when he reaches free agency in 2027.
World Series defeat extends championship drought
The Yankees’ season reached its high point—and ultimate heartbreak—in the World Series loss to the Dodgers.
In Game 1, Freddie Freeman crushed a 10th-inning grand slam to break the Yankees’ hearts. Game 2 saw a stellar start from Yoshinobu Yamamoto, with Alex Vesia striking out Anthony Volpe for the final out to secure another Dodgers win.
Game 3 brought more pain as Freeman’s two-run homer and RBI singles from Mookie Betts and Kiké Hernández gave the Dodgers an early lead. Alex Verdugo’s ninth-inning home run provided some consolation but wasn’t enough to turn the tide.
The Yankees managed a lone victory in Game 4, led by home runs from Gleyber Torres, Anthony Volpe, and Austin Wells, who drove in eight of the team’s 11 runs. However, the joy was short-lived. The Dodgers clinched the series in Game 5, with Walker Buehler shutting down Volpe, Wells, and Verdugo in the final inning. Adding to the heartbreak was a costly fielding error by Judge that contributed to the Yankees’ defeat.
Hope for the Future
Despite the disappointment, there is hope for the Yankees in 2025. The team made significant moves in free agency and via trades to bolster their roster.
The Yankees signed ace pitcher Max Fried to a record-setting $218 million, eight-year contract. They addressed their first-base woes by acquiring veteran Paul Goldschmidt. Additionally, they upgraded their outfield and pitching rotation by trading for pitcher Devin Williams from the Milwaukee Brewers and outfielder Cody Bellinger from the Chicago Cubs.
While 2024 ended in heartbreak, the Yankees’ offseason moves could position them as serious contenders for the 2025 World Series. Of course, we all said the same thing at this time last year, but lightning rarely strikes twice.
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