Yankees' Early Takeaways of 2024 MLB Season

The New York Yankees are off to a strong start to the 2024 season and look like legitimate title contenders in the American League, and that's all with ace Gerrit Cole on the sidelines and slugger Aaron Judge off to a relatively slow start.

The starting rotation has been a pleasant surprise in Cole's absence, and once he returns they should have a level of quality depth they have been lacking in recent years thanks to the emergence of Luis Gil.

If there's one glaring disappointment, it has been the early play of second baseman Gleyber Torres, who is in a contract year and could be facing the pressures of an unknown future outlook.

Ahead we've taken a closer look at those notable early takeaways from the 2024 season.

The Rotation Has Held Its Own Without Gerrit Cole

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 21: Luis Gil #81 of the New York Yankees in action against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium on April 21, 2024 in New York City. The Yankees defeated the Rays 5-4. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

The Yankees were seemingly dealt a crushing blow when 2023 AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole was placed on the injured list to start the season with nerve inflammation in his right elbow.

Instead, the remaining collection of starters has rallied to rank eight in the majors with a 3.40 ERA through the team's first 37 games.

• Nestor Cortes: 8 GS, 3.72 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 46 K, 48.1 IP
• Marcus Stroman: 7 GS, 3.41 ERA, 1.43 WHIP, 35 K, 37.0 IP
• Carlos Rodón: 7 GS, 3.68 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 36 K, 36.2 IP
• Clarke Schmidt: 7 GS, 3.50 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 41 K, 36.0 IP
• Luis Gil: 7 GS, 2.92 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 45 K, 37.0 IP

The big surprise from that group is Gil, who is only in the rotation as Cole's replacement. He was a top-five prospect in the Yankees system in 2020, 2021 and 2022, but he is now enjoying a post-hype breakout and making the most of his opportunity.

Deciding who moves to the bullpen once Cole returns is a great problem to have.

Gleyber Torres Has Been a Non-Factor

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 25: Gleyber Torres #25 of the New York Yankees in action against the Oakland Athletics during a game at Yankee Stadium on April 25, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

Gleyber Torres has been one of the most productive second basemen in the game the last two seasons, posting a 116 OPS+ while averaging 24 home runs, 72 RBI and 3.5 WAR during that span.

The 27-year-old is now facing a contract year, and he was No. 8 on the first edition of our 2024-25 free agency big board that was published on April 24, but he has some work to do if he wants to maximize his market value.

He is hitting .216/.290/.266 for a 61 OPS+ through 156 plate appearances, and his batted-ball data is down across the board, including poor marks in exit velocity (33rd percentile), hard-hit rate (15th percentile) and expected slugging (6th percentile).

It's worth mentioning that his .687 career OPS in April is the lowest of any month, so he is a notoriously slow starter.

Juan Soto Is Going to Get PAID This Winter

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - MAY 05: Juan Soto #22 of the New York Yankees follows through on his seventh inning three run double against the Detroit Tigers at Yankee Stadium on May 05, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

We already knew Juan Soto was going to sign a massive contract in free agency this winter, but he is putting himself in position for a potentially record-breaking deal with his early performance this year.

Unfathomably still only 25 years old, he leads the American League in on-base percentage (.432), OPS+ (183) and total bases (79), and he is hitting .329 with seven doubles, eight home runs and 28 RBI through 37 games.

Beneath the surface of those stellar offensive numbers, he is also posting strong defensive metrics (1 DRS, 8.5 UZR/150) in right field, shoring up a part of his game that had been a clear weakness in the past.

It's unlikely he is going to eclipse the contract that Shohei Ohtani signed, but a $500 million payday is not out of the question.

Will it come from the Yankees or elsewhere?