Author: Mr HoangAnh

If life’s the Rocky series, then the New York Yankees are currently in Rocky 3. The team was completely knocked out cold by the opposition in 2023.

A record of just 82-80 is far from what one expects from the Bronx Bombers. The players recognized, especially the captain Aaron Judge. So he took it upon his shoulders to improve the quality of his squad – a decision that has had a profound impact on the psyche of his teammates.

The Yankees entered Spring Training with a fire in their eyes and belief in their hearts. The team wanted to prove to the world that recent failures don’t define them, the Pinstripes’ way is to dominate. But for that, they needed to change and the team did just that. But can the Yankees finally put the “league on notice” with their display? The answer lies in their motivation.

USA Today via Reuters

Aaron Judge inspires the New York Yankees into action 

Right when the Yankees’ season ended with just 82 wins, Aaron Judge knew things had to change. However, sometimes words aren’t enough, after all, inertia ends only after one actually does something. The Atheltic reported how Judge’s leading by example had a big impact on his teammates.

Starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt expressed that when he saw videos of Judge training in the Yankees facilities in winter, he was surprised and inspired. “Man, If the captain is doing it, we’ve got to get down here, too,” Schmidt thought to himself. He wasn’t alone, other Pinstripes too noticed All Rise’s presence in the facility.

Skipper Aaron Boone shared, “One of the things you can start with is Aaron living here in the winter. He started to help create and foster that culture.” The impact of Judge was such that the majority of the Bronx Bombers’ squad was in Tampa by January. Players like Carlos Rodon and Nestor Cortes Jr. wanted to forget their memories of 2023. So did DJ LeMahieu, but Judge’s impact cannot be overstated.

The results have been visible throughout the Spring Training. The Pinstripes are off to a good start and there are positive signs all around for them.

Growing up to realize their full potential – the Pinstripes’ story

While the Yankees currently have a 5-6 record in the Spring Training, things have been positive for them. Hitters like Anthony Volpe have shown immense growth, and so has Juan Soto who has started with a bang by hitting 3 homers. Even though Aaron Judge isn’t yet back to his best, other hitters are more than making up for it.

On the other hand, the pitching staff is also showing signs of a comeback. However, the recent bad start by Carlos Rodon has worried a big portion of the fanbase. But his return to form was always expected to be a slow process, so it isn’t a cause for alarm. With the entire squad remaining fit, the Yankees could start the regular season in a very strong position. And that’s exactly what the team wants.

Spencer Jones is viewed as a potential game-changing building block for the New York Yankees’ future, and he was only drafted back in 2022. The former first-round pick has been thrust upon the hype train ever since.

While it sounds nice, it definitely makes life harder for prospects attempting to tune out the noise and focus on their development. When you’re compared to former MVP Aaron Judge, it’s understandable why expectations might take an unrealistic leap.

Mar 2, 2024; Sarasota, Florida, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones (78) at Ed Smith / Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

Heck, we’re surprised Jasson Dominguez has managed to get beyond the Mike Trout and Mickey Mantle parallels in the manner he has.

Perhaps Jones is on the same path, too, because he was recently asked about the Judge comps at Yankees camp. The former Vanderbilt star is 6-foot-6 and 235 pounds, a towering presence that can roam the outfield with impressive range.

Judge, a tad bigger at 6-foot-7 and 282 pounds, has made it easy for evaluators, insiders and media personalities to point out what we’d call “lazy” similarities. They’re both big, they hit for power, and they play the outfield! Would you look at that!

Jones hasn’t let him affect him, though. He’s focusing on becoming an original version of himself. Here’s what he told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com:

“From the day you were drafted [as a first-round pick in 2022], people started calling you ‘a left-handed Aaron Judge.’ What do you think of that comparison?” Hoch asked.

“It’s a cool comparison, but ultimately I want to become my own player and do the things that I know I do well,” Jones replied. “Obviously Aaron is one of the best in the game, and it’s humbling to be compared in that regard, but I’m just going to try to learn from him as much as possible and then do what I do best, which is play.”

Yankees top prospect Spencer Jones is not Aaron Judge. He’s Spencer Jones.

Jones has had himself an impressive spring so far leading some to wonder if that’ll expedite his path to the big leagues. But not so fast. He just reached Double-A at the end of last season and still has work to do cutting back on his strikeouts and displaying consistent contact.

Remember, even Dominguez’s insane spring performance last year didn’t earn him a promotion until September. Jones is on the right trajectory, he just needs to harness his skills a bit more before the hype can become official.

There’s a reason, despite hitting over .400 with pop, that he was reassigned to minor-league camp on Tuesday afternoon after ripping an opposite-field double against the Mets.

Even Judge logged 63 Double-A games and 154 Triple-A games before sniffing MLB action. Maybe that’s the one comparison worth making as Jones trailblazes his own path.

There’s a world where the Yankees decide to simply move on from Giancarlo Stanton after the 2024 season, assuming he puts together another lackluster performance.

With Spencer Jones and Jasson Dominguez waiting in the wings, Stanton’s future with the team could be more of a liability than an asset. At the end of the day, the Yankees would have to eat a significant amount of money to release him, but simply opening up a roster spot for some of their top young prospects may be more beneficial.

The Yankees Still Owe Stanton a Ton of Money

The team still owes Stanton $98 million until his 2028 buyout option, so the front office is desperately hoping he can turn back the clock and offer the team a much better offensive performance compared to 2023.

Last season, Stanton hit .191/.275/.420, including 24 homers and 60 RBIs. His 29.9% strikeout rate and 9.9% walk rate certainly didn’t trend in the right direction, and he posted an 89 wRC+, indicating he was a below-average hitter for the first time in his career. His numbers have been deteriorating over the past three consecutive seasons, and his spring training metrics this off-season certainly don’t suggest he’s looking any better.

Of course, it is important to take spring training results with a grain of salt, but we’d like to see some upside from Stanton and make better contact. He has only one hit over 13 at-bats but has only struck out twice, suggesting he’s been putting the ball in play. While he has failed to catch up to a few fastballs up and away, the Yankees know that Stanton is a rhythm hitter, and he needs to see plenty of pitches to find his groove.

Stanton Can Work Wonders in the Batting Order

Ultimately, Stanton providing his usual production would completely change the dynamic of the offense. For now, the team likely has him slated as the cleanup hitter behind DJ LeMahieu, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge.

With that being said, his value behind those three hitters can’t be understated, and the Yankees know it could be a special combination at the top of the order. However, if he struggles and becomes more of a liability, we could see Anthony Rizzo move up the batting order to support the top three.

Regardless, Stanton is expected to spend little time in the outfield defensively, which severely limits his value.

With Jones taking big developmental steps forward and Dominguez projected to return over the summer, there’s a world where Stanton could be playing for a different team in 2025, which would leave the Yankees with a substantial salary to take on.

Alternatively, they could try to offload his contract to another team and pair it with a prospect, eating some of the money but saving a chunk in the process. That might be easier said than done.

One way or another, Stanton needs to see 100 at-bats before we can begin to break down his metrics and if he’s trending in the right direction, but staying healthy will continue to be the critical puzzle piece in his equation. Having slimmed down this off-season but maintained his strength, the hope is that he can quell any muscle injuries and increase his mobility.

New York fans certainly should be excited about the club’s newest slugger

New York is considered one of the top clubs in the American League and could end up competing for a World Series title. One of the biggest reasons why certainly was the addition of superstar slugger Juan Soto.

Soto is sure to help the club out in a major way and The Athletic’s Jim Bowden even predicted that he will end up winning the American League Most Valuable Player.

“I considered picking his teammate Aaron Judge, the (Seattle Mariners’) Julio Yarnel Rodríguez, or the (Texas Rangers’) Corey Seager but went with Soto, who I think will have the best year of his career because he’ll hit in front of (or behind) Judge, he’ll benefit from hitting in the confines of Yankee Stadium, and he’ll be playing for a free-agent contract at the breakout age of 25,” Bowden said.

“My favorite long shot is Royce Lewis, who demonstrated down the stretch last season why he was the first-overall pick in 2017, showing his MVP-caliber talent by finishing with 15 home runs in only 217 at-bats and a .372 on-base percentage.”

Soto is one of the best players in baseball and now will be able to hit in Yankee Stadium which only should make him look better.

The Yankees will have a lot more to think about than accolades at the end of the season, but members of the club already are being mentioned as candidates for prestigious awards.

The highs are high, but the possible lows…?

Mar 3, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Juan Soto (22) runs the bases after / Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports

Yankee fans have a preternatural tendency to assume their team will contend for, and probably win, the World Series. Giving them Juan Soto, even on a short-term rental, feeds that assumption. Any analysis of Yankee chances for 2024 has to begin by understanding that mindset.

Yankees’ Best-Case Scenario for 2024

Clearly the Yankees have enough talent to make World Series dreams plausible. Begin with Gerrit Cole, the game’s best pitcher right now. In 2023, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner was 15-4 with a 2.62 ERA in 33 starts encompassing 209 innings of work.

The offense begins with the outfield sluggers, Soto and Aaron Judge. In two-thirds of a season, Judge hit 37 home runs with 75 RBI. Soto, who played all 162 for San Diego, hit 35 homers with 109 RBI. Gleyber Torres produced an .800 OPS, better than anybody on the team except Judge. The Yanks also added Alex Verdugo, joining a supporting cast that includes veterans of the stripe of Giancarlo Stanton, Anthony Rizzo and DJ LeMahieu.

Stanton’s is the key name here. All the reports out of camp are that he’s in the best shape of his life and ready to deliver as he did as recently as 2021, when he produced an .870 OPS. That level of Stanton would be a capital boost for the Yankees.

Beyond Cole, the Yanks plan to use a buffet of veteran starters who’ve done it … sometimes. Marcus Stroman was great for half a season with the Cubs last year, Carlos Rodón was sensational with the Giants in 2022, and Nestor Cortes was nasty as a Yankee starter, also in 2022.

If it all works – particularly if Stanton, Stroman, Cortes and Rodón all return to previous form – then yes, this Yankee team can make dreams come true. That’s not to say the Yanks are better than the Orioles – they’re not – but they’re good enough to snag a wild card spot. And, as has been frequently demonstrated from there, anything’s possible.

Yankees’ Worst-Case Scenario for 2024

Cole, Judge and Soto may be three of the surest bets in sports (if healthy), but beyond that, the potential pitfalls to a successful 2024 in the Bronx are numerous. As noted above, save for Cole, virtually every likely rotation starter is coming off either a bad 2023 (Rodón), a bad second half of 2023 (Stroman) or virtually no 2023 at all (Cortes). Who’s to say any of those guys return to form?

It wasn’t that long ago that Anthony Rizzo was a great offensive force. But he’s 34 now and coming off the worst season of his major league career. The Yankees believe Rizzo’s .244 average and relative lack of power were aberrations, caused by a line of demarcation/the aftereffects of a concussion he suffered. What if it was, instead, the start of a trend?

Re-read the above paragraph substituting the name of DJ LeMahieu for Rizzo and changing the age from 34 to 35. Then re-read it a third time substituting the name of Stanton. Now how do you feel about the Yankee offense?

If Stroman, Cortes and Rodón all pitch like they did over the final three months of 2023, and if Rizzo, LeMahieu and Stanton all continue their decline phase, the Yanks’ 82-80 record of 2023 may actually look good.

Yankees’ Most Realistic 2024 Season Scenario

The Yanks enter 2024 with an aging, often injured roster containing more productivity-based question marks than their fan base is likely willing to admit. It’s been a full decade since the Yanks failed to play a postseason game two years running. They’re probably better than the Rays and Jays, which makes them solid wild card contenders.

But given the questions presented by reliance on Stroman, Cortes, Rodón, LeMahieu, Rizzo and Stanton, this is a team that could also be set up for one of the epic falls of 2024. The Yanks, after all, finished 25th in run production last season. Judge, Soto, Cole and — to a lesser extent — Torres are all exceptional talents in their primes, fully capable of offsetting that potential downward spiral. They may have to.

The New York Yankees made some big offseason splashes this winter in hopes of rebounding from a disappointing 82-80 record in 2023.

But what will they do next winter? Trying to re-sign outfielder Juan Soto will likely be at the top of general manager Brian Cashman’s to-do list. Could signing starting pitcher Corbin Burnes away from the Baltimore Orioles also be up there?

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman might be in the market for more rotation help next winter. Corbin Burnes would be a dream target.

Adam Weinrib of FanSided’s Yanks Go Yard thinks the 2021 National League Cy Young winner could be a “perfect Yankees free agent target.” Many players work their whole career to get a chance to cash in via free agency. Even though he’s close to doing that, Burnes isn’t excited about it.

“I’ve heard from a lot of guys that process is not a fun process,” Burnes said, which was in a March 5 report from The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. “I want to do it once, get as long a term deal as we can, get that security everyone is looking for.”

It seems like the Scott Boras client prefers long-term stability over trying to maximize his annual average salary. If so, Wienrib notes this would play into the Yankees’ hands since they prefer to spread money over a longer-term deal to minimize the potential luxury tax hit. After all, that’s been the biggest roadblock to New York landing free agent hurler Blake Snell this offseason.

Tim Britton of The Athletic projected Burnes’ current value at eight years and $260 million on March 4.

Yankees’ Rotation Outlook for 2025

FanGraphs’ Roster Resource has Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes and Clarke Schmidt as part of the Yankees’ 2024 Opening Day rotation. But what could this group look like in 2025?

Not accounting for pitching prospects in the upper minors, just about all the above hurlers are under team control for next season. There’s one big question at the top, though.

Cole is in the midst of a nine-year, $324 million deal, but he can opt out of the final four years after 2024. The Yankees can void Cole’s opt-out if they add another year and $36 million to the end of his contract. It’s hard to envision him leaving the Bronx, but his status is unknown right now.

Rodon will have four seasons left on his six-year, $162 million deal. Stroman will be in the last season of his two-year, $37 million contract if his third-year option doesn’t vest. Cortes won’t be a free agent until after 2025 and Schmidt is under team control through 2027.

Hypothetically, the Yankees wouldn’t have to make a huge move for the rotation next offseason, especially if Cole sticks around. But what if Rodon and/or Cortes struggle again in 2024? What if Schmidt doesn’t progress like they hope?

New York could trust one of its prospects or get a sure thing like Burnes for the long haul. The righty has posted a 2.86 ERA since 2020 (622.1 innings).

Signing Burnes Would Serve 2 Purposes for New York

If the Yankees become serious suitors for Burnes, signing him would serve two purposes. It would fortify the rotation for the remainder of the decade if Cole stays and Rodon bounces back. It would also simultaneously weaken the Orioles’ rotation.

New ownership should be taking over in Baltimore shortly after the 2024 regular season starts. That could pave the way for the Cy Young winner and team to find common ground on an extension before he even hits the open market.

Boras typically likes bringing his clients to free agency to maximize earnings, but there are rare occasions when it doesn’t happen. Starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg signed a seven-year, $245 million extension to stay with the Washington Nationals instead of opting to become a free agent.

If an extension doesn’t happen, it could be a tantalizing option for Cashman to pursue.

“We are ready to roll,” Yankees’ manager Aaron Boone narrated ahead of the Spring Training. But their recent defeat in the Tuesday game against the New York Mets raises the question, for how far?

As in the 2023 season, the Pinstripes came across major setbacks because of their outfield rotation; they have made a few significant acquisitions in the off-season, hoping for a better outcome in the upcoming season. On that ground, the team’s manager recently revealed the outfield plans.

Their shaking outfield marked their worst season in 30 years in 2023. However, this year the Bronx Bombers have re-loaded with the aim to take their 28th world series title home. On the same lines, the team’s skipper is leaning towards keeping a certain group of four players in the outfield.

Aaron Boone let their fan have a breath of relief

Per the Athletic’s reporter Brendan Kuty, during an in-game interview with ESPN, the Pinstripes’ manager, Aaron Boone, revealed their outfielder lineup. Juan Soto in right field, Aaron Judge in center field, and Verdugo in left field. He also added that in terms of right field in Bronx or in shorter left field, the team will consider keeping Stanton as an option “periodically.”

This all boils down to Judge, Soto and Verdugo being the outfield mainstays while Stanton serving as the designated hitter most of the times.

On one hand, the Yankees’ captain struggled for a significant amount of last season, missing around 50+games. On the other, the designated hitter/outfielder Stanton is coming off a career-worst season. Both the veterans are ready to bounce back with an aim to claim the World Series title. However, the latest acquisitions show promise.

While Soto hit 35 homers alongside 109 RBIs, alongside posting an outstanding .930 OPS beside with the Padres, Verdugo, having a lifetime .281 hitter and reigning Gold Glove finalist, is anticipated to improve the overall outfield performance of the team.

Beyond the pitched plans, the Yankees’ outfield depth extends to their bench, with options like Trent Grisham and Oswaldo Cabrera. Now, as the team is about to set foot in the regular season, projections talk about their overall strength to become the biggest challenge in the upcoming season.

The team aims to be strategic

The team’s skipper appears to be strategic, taking lessons from previous wrongdoings as the Pinstripes invested all their might to search for their colossal strength for the upcoming season, which landed the Dominican ace Juan Soto with the team. The four-time silver slugger appears to be one of the biggest strengths for his team.

Now, as he is about to pair with the Bronx’s captain, Aaron Judge, in the current season, the team’s pitching strength can be comprehended. On the other hand, Judge was on his highest form before the injury in 2023, and now, as he intends to make his robust return after defying the injury issues, fans can expect a thundering season ahead.

Juan Soto, the name speaks volumes, and so does his performance. Every team would want to get their hands on the star. The Yankees were wise enough to strike a deal with the Padres, but Soto’s stint is limited to one year.

After the 25-year-old hits the free agency market, a list of teams will compete to pursue the star. The Mets are one of the teams that fully intend to acquire the slugger. That’s if the Yankees fail to extend his contract.

MLB insider Buster Olney stated that the Mets could take a run at Soto next winter. The franchise will have the means to make a bold move after the 2024 season.

Mets keen on pursuing Juan Soto from the Yankees next offseason.

“It’s not surprising, given that the Scherzer contract and others will melt off their payroll next winter — is that they fully intend to take a run at Juan Soto next winter,” Olney of ESPN said.

Juan Soto’s performance could determine his outcome

Apart from clubs pursuing the slugger, Juan Soto’s performance could determine his outcome. A strong season will give him the option to choose. The Yankees are known for their finances, landing huge deals with top players. That said, they might be able to match his price.

Juan Soto delivered his best for the Padres and is expected to do the same or beyond for the Bronx Bombers. Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman will pull things together if Soto has a promising season.

The Yankees’ New York rivals will need to do more to acquire the star player. On the other hand, Soto can simply wait for the best offer to come his way after his stint with the Yankees.

A solid performance will attract the best offers. Soto’s agent is Scott Boras, who is known for helping his clients secure the best possible deals.

The Mets will have their eye out for the talented player, but the competition is sure to be high with the Yankees on board.

Carlos Rodón gave up two more homers over three-plus innings on Wednesday in the New York Yankees’ 4-3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.

AL batting champion Yandy Díaz homered on the game’s first pitch, a 93 mph fastball. Richie Palocios had a two-run drive on Rodón’s 60th and final offering at Tampa, Florida. Rodón allowed three runs and five hits

“He didn’t have great life on his fastball today,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone said. “I thought, really, in between the first and the last pitch I felt he pitched really well.”

Rodon went 3-8 with a 6.85 ERA in 14 starts during an injury-filled 2023. He is in the second season of a $162 million, six-year contract.

“I just need to stay on the mound,” Rodón said. “I’m pretty good when I’m healthy.”

Rodón was coming off a simulated game last Friday in which he allowed four homers to Yankees’ minor leaguers over three innings. He allowed one hit, a solo homer, in 2 1/3 innings against Toronto in his other spring training start on Feb. 25.

Yankees outfielder Alex Verdugo returned to the lineup and struck out in all three at-bats. He had been out with a bruised left leg after getting hit by a pitch last Saturday against Baltimore.

Reliever Tommy Kahnle, slowed by a shoulder injury, said “it’s trending” that he won’t be ready for opening day and may not start pitching in rehab games until the first week of the regular season.

OHTANI KEEPS HITTING

Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani went 2 for 2 with a walk against the Chicago White Sox and is 7 of 12 with seven RBIs so far in Cactus League play.

The 29-year-old Ohtani is in his first season with the Dodgers since signing a record $700 million, 10-year contract. The two-way Japanese star had right elbow surgery in September that will keep him from pitching this year.

GIOLITO EXPLORING OPTIONS ON AILING ELBOW

Red Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito will be headed to Alabama for a second opinion on his ailing right elbow.

Manager Alex Cora told reporters that Giolito will go to Birmingham on Monday to talk with Dr. Jeffrey R. Dugas as they explore treatment options, including surgery.

Giolito signed a $38.5 million, two-year deal with Boston. He made two starts in spring training, throwing two scoreless innings in his first outing before getting roughed up allowing four runs and three walks in 2 1/3 innings against Minnesota last Friday. Giolito then reported the discomfort in his elbow.

Giolito was the first overall pick by Washington in the 2012 amateur draft, agreed to a $2,925,000 signing bonus and made his professional debut that Aug. 14 in the Gulf Coast League. That was his only appearance before Tommy John surgery on Aug. 31, 2012, with Dr. Lewis Yocum.

The 29-year-old Giolito was an All-Star in 2019 and is 61-62 with a 4.43 ERA.

BELLINGER MAKES SPRING DEBUT

Chicago Cubs star Cody Bellinger made his spring training debut against the Los Angeles Angels, finishing with a walk in three plate appearances.

Bellinger finalized an $80 million, three-year deal on Feb. 27. He had a bounce-back season with the Cubs in 2023, batting .307 with 26 homers and 20 stolen bases.

ROSARIO TO NATS ON MINOR LEAGUE DEAL

Outfielder Eddie Rosario and the Washington Nationals have agreed to a minor league contract with a non-roster invitation to spring training, a person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press.

The person spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because Rosario’s agreement had not been announced. The deal is pending the successful completion of a physical exam.

The 32-year-old Rosario is a left-handed hitter who has played nine seasons in the major leagues with the Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves.

He started most of Atlanta’s games in left field last season, hitting 21 homers with 74 RBIs while batting .255. But the Braves — who led the majors with 104 wins in 2023 — declined a $9 million option for him this season.

Rosario was a star of Atlanta’s run to the 2021 World Series title. In the NL Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers that year, he hit .560 (14 of 35) with three homers and nine RBIs to win MVP honors.

LOWE WORKING BACK TO ’21 FORM

Rays infielder Brandon Lowe is healthy and working to put the previous two injury-marred seasons behind him.

After hitting 39 homers and driving in 99 runs in 2021, Lowe was limited to 65 games in 2022 and 109 last year due to back and knee injuries.

“Don’t worry about results for a little while, and go out here and try to make sure to take your at-bats, get your timing down,” Lowe said. “Try to put yourself in as many situations as you can to emulate the season and make sure that you’re healthy.”

Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said Lowe looks good and is motivated.

“I like the fact that he’s able to do everything,” Cash said. “He had to pull back on some of his routine, some of the amount of ground balls that he could take last year even before he got banged up because we were managing the workload on his back and then he fouled the ball off the knee and couldn’t do anything.”

CREWS HITS HR FOR NATS

Dylan Crews, last year’s No. 2 overall pick for the Nationals, hit his first spring training homer against the Miami Marlins. He finished 2 for 3 and also had a double, two runs scored and two RBIs, lifting his batting average to .286.

The 22-year-old was a star in college at LSU, where he was teammates with No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

ADOLIS GARCÍA

Adolis García made his first 2024 appearance in a Cactus League game, going 1 for 3 with a solo home run down the left field line in the fourth inning. García, who had batted in camp games and Tuesday’s “B” game against Kansas City, was the Rangers’ designated hittee.

The New York Yankees have made three rounds of spring training roster cuts over the last few days, and it’s safe to say fans are gradually becoming less subject to a potential surprise as Opening Day approaches.

Over the weekend, Josh Breaux, Ben Rice, Joey Gerber, Luis Gil, Yoendrys Gomez, Chase Hampton and Art Warren were reassigned to minor-league camp, which helped provide clarity with the pitching staff.

2024 New York Yankees Spring Training / New York Yankees/GettyImages

Were you thinking about an expedited Hampton promotion? Not happening. Did you think Gil was going to kick the year off with regular playing time in the bigs after Tommy John surgery? No go. Did you think YoGo was going to be a surprise addition to the Opening Day staff? Cool nickname, but nope.

The Yanks answered some more questions on Tuesday, too, and perhaps the biggest one on the minds of optimistic fans. Spencer Jones, despite an impressive start, will not be breaking camp with the Bombers.

But most of us knew that. We wouldn’t blame you for holding out hope, though. Same goes for Caleb Durbin, who lit up the Arizona Fall League but has struggled so far in spring training.

Yankees’ spring training roster cuts suggest there won’t be surprise promotions

Jeter Downs has always been a prime candidate for Triple-A and Brandon Lockridge still has some work to do in the upper levels of the system, with no room in the big-league outfield. No surprises there, or anywhere, really.

Jones was never going to crack the Opening Day roster, even with a blistering spring, and Durbin always felt like he had an outside chance/would’ve needed injuries to help his case.

As for the rest, again, pretty standard. Rice, like Durbin, needed a path cleared for any shot at major league playing time. Breaux still isn’t where he needs to be in his development. Gerber got rocked in just one inning of work (two appearances) this spring.

The first batch of demotions feel like they have the best shot to appear at the MLB level this year. Gil, Gomez, Hampton and Warren should all be utilized at some point throughout 2024, especially with injuries bound to hit the roster. Not to mention, a number arms will more than likely need a rest at some point, via an option or phantom IL stint.

All this tells us is that the Yankees might finally have formidable depth to help them get through a grueling 162-game season that has actual World Series aspirations.

Fans have to like the sound of that.