2024 New York Yankees Q&A: What are their playoff odds, players to watch, biggest question marks?

The New York Yankees had high expectations entering the 2023 season, but injuries and poor performance resulted in the team missing the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

GM Brian Cashman made some significant roster upgrades to ensure better results in 2024, but some key injuries suffered during spring training could undermine his efforts. In preparation for their season opener, here are the answers to some of the biggest questions about the 2024 Yankees.

How many games are the Yankees projected to win and what is their season outlook? 

If the oddsmakers' predictions hold true, the Yankees will improve on last season's 82-80 finish. According to FanDuel Sportsbook, New York is projected for an over/under win total of 90.5 games in 2024 and the odds-on favorite to win the American League East (+165). Additionally, the Yankees are +900 to win the World Series, the second-shortest odds among AL teams. 

When is Opening Day, and who will start the Yankees’ first game?

On March 28, the Yankees will open the season on the road against the Houston Astros as part of a four-game set. Left-hander Nestor Cortes will take the mound for New York aiming to rebound from his injury-plagued 2023 season, during which he posted a 4.97 ERA across 12 starts. Astros LHP Framber Valdez – who has a 6.75 career ERA against the Yankees – will toe the rubber Houston’s starter on Opening Day. 

Notable offseason additions?

In light of Jasson Dominguez undergoing Tommy John surgery last September and the overall lack of offensive production the Yankees outfielders delivered when Aaron Judge wasn't in the lineup, Cashman revamped the outfield.

Of course, the Yankees' most notable addition is Juan Soto, who was acquired from the San Diego Padres, giving them arguably the top offensive duo in baseball now that he'll play alongside Judge. New York also landed Trent Grisham – a two-time Gold Glove Award winner – in that deal with San Diego while adding Alex Verdugo in a rare trade with the Boston Red Sox. 

Pitching-wise, right-hander Marcus Stroman was New York's top acquisition this offseason. Stroman, 32, signed a two-year, $37M deal with the Yankees after posting a 3.95 ERA and earning an All-Star nod as a member of the Chicago Cubs last season. 

Top storylines from spring training? 

Injuries and Soto’s strong spring. 

The Yankees enter 2024 with a massive hole in their starting rotation. RHP Gerrit Cole could miss up to two months due to nerve irritation and edema in his throwing elbow. Last season was undoubtedly the finest of Cole's career, as he ranked second in the Majors in ERA (2.63) and struck out 222 batters en route to winning the American League Cy Young Award. 

New York survived an injury scare concerning Judge, though the same can't be said for infielder DJ LeMahieu. The two-time Silver Slugger Award winner's availability for Opening Day is in jeopardy after he sustained a "significant bone bruise" on his foot earlier this month. Infielder Oswald Peraza (right shoulder strain) and RHP Tommy Kahnle (right shoulder inflammation) will also open the season on the injured list. 

On a positive note for the Yankees, the early returns from the Soto trade have been encouraging. Through 14 spring-training games, the three-time All-Star is slashing .325/.386/.700 with four home runs and 10 RBI. 

Biggest question entering the season? 

Can the starting rotation succeed without Cole?

Losing the best pitcher in baseball is already a cause for concern, but the other members of New York's rotation don't inspire total confidence that the team can be dominant without its ace. As The Athletic's Brendan Kuty and Chris Kirschner have pointed out, Yankees starters not named Cole combined for a 5.06 ERA in 2023. New York posted a 59-70 record when the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner didn't pitch last season. 

Players to watch?

It goes without saying that the Yankees won't amount to much in 2024 without strong performances from Judge and Soto (and Cole upon his return). Even so, two players whose performances could drastically alter the team's ceiling are LHP Carlos Rodon and designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton. 

Following a disastrous first season in New York, Rodon must prove he's worth the six-year, $162M deal the Yankees signed him to last offseason, especially during Cole's absence. An elbow strain and back stiffness forced Rodon to miss the start of the 2023 season and he was a disappointment after returning. Across 14 starts, Rodon posted a 6.85 ERA, the worst mark of his career excluding the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. 

The 2023 season also marked the lowest point in Stanton's MLB career. The 34-year-old missed 61 games due to a hamstring injury and struggled mightily when healthy, setting career lows in batting average (.191), on-base percentage (.275) and slugging percentage (.420). However, thanks to some tweaks in the batter's box, Stanton has enjoyed a resurgent spring, batting .324 with a 1.084 OPS, four homers and 11 RBI in 13 exhibition games.

He will never be the player he once was, but if Stanton can post an OPS above .800 this season, New York's lineup would have a strong case for being considered the best in the American League.