Health is the biggest priority for the New York Yankees throughout the 2024 season. If they can't stay healthy again, the chances of them accomplishing their goal of winning a World Series is unlikely.
Staying healthy has been an issue in the past for this organization, and until they prove they can avoid major injuries, that question will continue to be there.
Giancarlo Stanton hasn't stayed healthy for most of his career with the Yankees, a massive issue for the former MVP.
However, he's lost weight, looks faster, and the hope is that Stanton can finally have a year where he looks like the player that New York expected to get.
Bryan Hoch of MLB.com reported that Yankees manager Aaron Boone believes the slugger can have a bounce-back season.
"If he can stay healthy, [a bounce-back season] is absolutely in there. He has all the strength and fast-twitch to get that done."
Stanton is coming off a down year, slashing .191/.275/.420 with 24 home runs, tied for the fewest of any season that he's played over 23 games outside his rookie season.
A bounce-back year for Stanton changes a lot for this offense.
If New York can put out a lineup that offers a healthy Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Gleyber Torres, Anthony Rizzo, and Stanton, they'll have one of the best offensive teams in baseball.
For the former MVP, the physical changes look great in Spring Training. It's clear that there was an effort to get in better shape and he did just that during the offseason.
Now, the Yankees have to hope that it translates to staying on the field and being the hitter everyone knows he can be.
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