The New York Yankees entered this offseason with a clear checklist: bolster the lineup with left-handed power, strengthen our rotation with at least one solid starter (though two would’ve been a dream), and deepen our bullpen.

Despite the endless debates on Twitter, our front office has stayed true to their game plan, and honestly, they’ve executed it well. They’ve adeptly filled our three major gaps, and there’s still room for a few more moves. Personally, I feel it would be unduly harsh to view this offseason as anything other than a success, especially if we cap it off with a strong finish.

The Good: Juan Soto

Just 25 years old, this left-handed prodigy Juan Soto has already turned down two colossal contract offers, one for 13 years and the other for 15 years, both totaling around a jaw-dropping $900 million. Talk about betting on yourself!

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Now, if Soto can mirror the kind of season Aaron Judge had when he bet on himself with that $230 million, eight-year gamble after declining the Yankees’ extension, then oh boy, are we in for an electrifying offensive season in the Bronx. Just picture it: Soto leading off, followed by Judge. That’s the stuff of nightmares for any pitcher on the mound.

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The acquisition of Juan Soto, which also brought Trent Grisham to the Yankees’ outfield, emerged as the highlight of this offseason – ‘The Good’. This move, however, came at a cost: parting with several promising prospect pitchers to San Diego. Consequently, this trade-off underscored a new urgency in strengthening our pitching roster.

Marcus Stroman: The Bad?

In my view, labeling Marcus Stroman as ‘The Bad’ of the offseason isn’t quite fitting. However, it seems the Yankees’ fan base on Twitter sees things differently. Stroman’s vibrant personality might be a bit unconventional, but isn’t that a welcome change? It’s been a while since we’ve witnessed a pitcher with Stroman’s unique flair in New York. Granted, he’s made some comments about the Yankees in the past, comments he’s probably second-guessing now. As a result, he’s likely to get booed on Yankees’ Opening Day in 2024, where he’s scheduled to start.

But let’s not forget his strengths: he’s a deep pitcher, fresh off an All-Star season. My only real concern? His inflated ERA at Yankee Stadium. But then again, that was against a supposedly offensively superior team. Who am I kidding? Our Yankees have been anything but an offensive powerhouse lately. That’s an actual concern…

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This is not the first time Stroman expressed his wish to play in Pinstripes. Back in 2019, when he was with the Jays, the Medford, New York, born pitcher said, “I’m from New York and I’m a New York boy. That kind of says everything for itself. I love pitching [at Yankee Stadium]. New York is like the mecca of the world. I love excitement, the bright lights, competition, I love pressure. I always loved pitching here. I haven’t necessarily pitched well. I always enjoyed it. Yankee lineups are brutal. They are kind of hard to navigate. I love the spotlight. The bigger the moment, that’s what I kind of wanted it to be.”

The Ugly

‘The Ugly’ part of the story is still very much alive and kicking, almost as much as the Yankees’ injury list last season. Nearly every player I can recall spent at least a little time on the bench— maybe everyone except Volpe. We could assemble an all-star lineup, just from the names on our injured list.

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And now, with Juan Soto joining us as a one-year rental (for now), I’m constantly on edge. It feels like just one injury to a key player could send our entire season spiraling down the drain. I’m practically lighting candles and chanting mantras, hoping that the notorious wall at Dodger Stadium keeps a respectful and healthy distance from Aaron Judge. And for Gerrit Cole, if I could, I’d keep him in a protective bubble, far, far away from any injury-causing misfortunes.

What next? Do the New York Yankees have any further moves to make this offseason?

New York Yankees offseason so far:

• Acquired left-handed outfielder Juan Soto via trade
• Traded for left-handed outfielder Trent Grisham
• Traded for left-handed outfielder Alex Verdugo
• Obtained left-handed pitcher Victor González through trade
• Signed right-handed pitcher Marcus Stroman as a free agent
• Acquired right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet as a free agent
• Traded for right-handed pitcher Cody Morris

As of last night’s whispers, it seems the New York Yankees are eyeing a double catch in the bullpen. A reunion with Wandy Peralta and the acquisition of Houston’s Hector Neris. If the Yankees pull this off, it wouldn’t just be the cherry on top of an eventful offseason; it would be the prelude to a really exciting season.

Boonie, on the other hand, is particularly excited about the left-handed options he has in the lineup now. He said, “For the first time in a while, we have a chance to have three, four, five lefties or righties on a given day. To be able to alternate them is something that would be pretty nice.”

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Bottom line? I’m super stoked. The good stuff this offseason definitely overshadows the not-so-great. The Yankees have been more than impressive this season, and I’m just buzzing with hope that they’ll bring this same energy into the season. But hey, – this is just me, one fan, talking. Here’s to hoping…