December 2, 2024 • 12 mins
Discover the strategic maneuvers that set the 2024 New York Yankees on a path to redemption, as we unravel the impactful offseason acquisitions of Juan Soto and Marcus Stroman. Promising a thrilling and insightful look at how these powerhouse talents integrated into the lineup, we shed light on Aaron Judge's explosive 58 home-run season and Soto's impressive first year in New York. With General Manager Brian Cashman at the helm, find out how the Yankees transformed their roster with a blend of power and pitching that reignited their postseason ambitions.
Join us as we chart the Yankees' riveting postseason journey, featuring a gripping ALDS clash with the Kansas City Royals and culminating in an electrifying World Series showdown against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Highlighting key performances from stalwarts like Garrett Cole and newcomers such as Luke Weaver, we explore the resilience and determination that characterized the Yankees' campaign. This episode promises to leave fans inspired and eager for the 2025 season, as we look back on a memorable year and anticipate more triumphs on the horizon.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:02):
Major League Baseball fans, get ready for a close-up
look from the top step of thedugout.
Welcome to the BaseballClassics Podcast.
Covering any season from 1901to the present, We'll explore
exciting pennant races, diveheadfirst, analyzing and even
doing some comparisons that arebound to settle an argument or
(00:24):
start one up.
And now here's your host, DeanPitino.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Hello again, everybody.
Thanks so much for tuning in toBaseball Classics Diamondcast
Again, always great to be withyou.
Make sure you head on over tobaseballclassicscom slash
diamondview to get the latestand greatest all condensed for
you in an easy format Rumors andtrades, free agent tracker and
(00:55):
so much more all inside ofdiamondview.
It's free, no login.
I guarantee you won't findanything as comprehensive as
this in any one website anywhere.
Baseballclassicscom slashDiamond View.
Tell all your friends about itwho love Major League Baseball.
This will keep you on the pulseevery single day in the
(01:18):
quickest, easiest way.
All right, let's get into thisepisode.
We are on our second team herein December.
On December 2nd, it's the 2024New York Yankees, with their
ambition and challenges ahead.
So let's first review what tookplace in 2024, and then we're
(01:41):
going to do a look ahead, apretty extensive look ahead on
the 2025 season for the Yankees.
So, in other words, we'll betalking about what they are up
to and what they're looking atand considering in this
offseason.
The 2024 New York Yankees seasonwas a campaign of renewed
ambition and recalibration.
(02:02):
After falling short of theplayoffs in 2023, the Yankees
entered 2024 with a roster builtto address both power and
pitching depth.
With general manager BrianCashman at the helm, the
Yankees' offseason strategycentered on strengthening the
lineup and rotation for a robustseason.
(02:23):
The Yankees made substantialmoves over the winter, starting
with high-profile acquisition ofJuan Soto from the Padres.
Soto, a left-handed powerhouse,joined a lineup already
featuring Aaron Judge.
Adding Soto's bat was astrategic step to provide
balance and versatility,complementing Judge's
(02:45):
right-handed power and bringingnew energy to Yankee Stadium.
The pitching rotation, whichhad shown flashes of potential
but lacked stability in 2023,saw an upgrade with the addition
of Marcus Stroman.
Known for his ground ball focusand control, stroman added
depth behind Garrett Cole, theYankees' ace Stroman, joined a
rotation.
Also Cole, the Yankees' aceStroman, joined a rotation also
(03:07):
featuring emerging arms likeClark Schmidt and Nestor Cortez.
Together, they represented alineup designed not only to
compete in the AL East, but tomake a deep postseason push.
The Yankees started the seasonwith momentum, displaying a
promising mix of power hittingand reliable pitching, as is
typical in the long grind ofmajor league baseball.
(03:29):
Injuries tested the team'sdepth.
Nevertheless, aaron Judgeremained a standout.
He ended the regular seasonwith 58 home runs, leading the
majors and showcasing hisconsistent power and leadership
at the plate.
His season further cemented hisstatus as one of baseball's
most dynamic players.
(03:50):
Juan Soto, settling into hisfirst season in New York,
delivered with a .288 battingaverage and 41 home runs.
His disciplined approach andability to get on base
complemented Judge's power,giving the Yankees a potent
one-two punch that carried theoffense.
Pitching saw some keyperformances, with Garrett Cole
(04:12):
leading the rotation.
Cole's consistency helpedanchor the Yankees and again he
was supported by Stroman andbreakout performances from
younger pitchers In the bullpen.
The Yankees faced somechallenges, leading them to
bring in Luke Weaver as alate-season addition.
Weaver's reliability helpedbolster the relief corps in the
(04:33):
latter part of the season With a94-68 record.
The Yankees' strong finishpositioned them as contenders in
the postseason Heading intoOctober.
The team's balanced roster anddepth were key factors in their
outlook.
The Yankees' power-hittinglineup, supported by a fortified
rotation, seemed built for thepressures of postseason baseball
(04:54):
.
By a fortified rotation, seemedbuilt for the pressures of
postseason baseball, setting thestage for what the team and
fans hoped would be a memorableOctober
run.
The New York Yankees' 2024postseason journey was a
testament to their resilienceand determination, culminating
in a hard-fought World Seriesappearance against the Los
Angeles Dodgers.
It all began in the AmericanLeague Division Series versus
(05:15):
the Kansas City Royals.
The Yankees began theirpostseason by facing the Royals
in the ALDS.
The series showcased theYankees' offensive prowess, with
Aaron Judge leading the charge.
Judge's consistent powerhitting, including multiple home
runs, set the tone for theseries.
Juan Soto, acquired in theoffseason, complimented judges'
(05:36):
efforts with timely hits andsolid defense.
The pitching staff was anchoredby Garrett Cole, delivered a
strong performance, limiting theRoyals' scoring opportunities.
The Yankees secured the seriesadvancing to the American League
Championship Series, where theymet up with the Cleveland
Guardians, a team known fortheir pitching depth and
(05:58):
strategic play.
The series was a battle of witsand endurance, with both teams
exchanging victories in theearly games.
The Yankees lineup, featuringJudge Soto and Anthony Rizzo,
faced challenges against theGuardians pitchers, but managed
to capitalize on key moments.
The bullpen, including LukeWeaver, played a crucial role in
(06:18):
maintaining leads.
The series extended to sevengames, with the Yankees
clinching the final game toadvance to the World Series.
The World Series broughttogether two storied franchises
the New York Yankees and the LosAngeles Dodgers.
The series was highlyanticipated, with both teams
showcasing deep rosters and ahistory of success.
(06:39):
The Yankees offense continuedto rely on the power of Judge
and Soto, while the Dodgerspresented a balanced attack.
The pitching matchups wereclosely contested, with Cole
facing off against the Dodgersaces.
Despite the Yankees efforts,the Dodgers ultimately secured
the championship, winning theseries in five
games.
The Yankees are facing crucialdecisions in this pivotal
(07:05):
offseason.
They have high expectations andsubstantial challenges
following their World Seriesloss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
With a roster in transition,the front office faces decisions
that will shape the team'scompetitiveness for years to
come.
Here's a look at the keyconsiderations and potential
strategies.
First one, of course,re-signing Juan Soto.
(07:29):
It's a top priority.
Retaining superstar outfielderJuan Soto is the Yankees'
primary focus this offseason.
Soto's offensive production andability to deliver in
high-pressure moments make himindispensable to the team's
future success.
Reports suggest the Yankees areprepared to offer a contract
(07:49):
exceeding $500 million to secureSoto's services.
Long-term, though, they willface stiff competition from
other clubs vying for hissignature.
A deal of this magnitude wouldnot only anchor the Yankees'
lineup for the next decade, butalso signal the team's
commitment to building aroundSoto as a generational
talent.
Garrett Cole.
(08:09):
The Yankees successfullyre-signed the ace after he
exercised his opt-out clause,ensuring stability atop the
rotation.
Cole's leadership and eliteperformance remain vital for a
team seeking to maintain itsstatus as a championship
contender.
With Cole locked in, theYankees can shift their
attention to bolstering the backend of the rotation, especially
(08:31):
if trade rumors surroundingnester cortez gained traction.
A trade involving cortez couldfree up resources for other
needs, but would also leave agap that must be
addressed.
There are vacancies at firstand second base.
With anthony rizzo's 17 milliondollar team option declined,
the yankees are in the marketfor a first baseman.
(08:51):
Pete Alonzo and ChristianWalker have emerged as potential
targets to fill that void.
Both players would bringsignificant offensive firepower,
while Alonzo's home run prowessand Walker's balanced
production standing out asattractive options.
Meanwhile, gleyber Torres hisdeparture via free agency
creates uncertainty at secondbase.
(09:11):
The Yankees could exploreexternal options or consider
promoting from within though noclear in-house solution has yet
emerged Now the youth movementfor the
Yankees.
Their firm system could play apivotal role in addressing
roster needs.
Jason D'Amicas, who showedflashes of brilliance late in
(09:31):
2024, is poised to take overleft field, while Ben Rice and
Austin Wills are strongcandidates to assume roles at
first base and catcherrespectively.
Leaning on these young talentswould provide cost-effective
solutions while injecting energyand versatility into the lineup
.
Now, bullpen reconstruction isa pressing need.
(09:52):
They need to reinforce thebullpen and that's another
priority for the Yankees,especially with key key
relievers like Klay Holmes,tommy Canely and Tim Hill
entering free agency.
Luke Weaver is a potentialcandidate for the closer role,
but the team must address depthin setup and middle relief
positions to avoid late gamecollapses that plague the 2024
campaign.
(10:12):
Expect the Yankees to exploreboth free agency and trade
markets to reconstruct theirbullpen.
A trade possibilities androster tweaks.
Speculation surrounds again thepotential trades involving
players like gary trevino and,again, cortez moving.
Trevino could clear the way forwells to take over as the
starting catcher full-time,while dealing Cortez might net
(10:35):
valuable assets to address otherroster weaknesses.
However, again, such tradeswould need to be carefully
balanced to avoid creating newgaps while filling others With
the Strategic Balancing Act.
For the Yankees, they're at acrossroads.
Balancing big ticket signingssuch as Soto or Alonso with the
integration of emerging youngtalent like D'Amicas and Wells
(10:58):
will be critical to maintainingboth short-term competitiveness
and long-term flexibility.
Moreover, the Yankees'willingness to make bold moves
in the trade and free agentmarkets will demonstrate their
commitment to bringing anotherchampionship to the Bronx as we
build towards2025,.
This 2024 season underscoredthe Yankees' pursuit of a 28th
(11:21):
World Series title.
The team's resilience,highlighted by stellar
individual performances andcollective achievements, keeps
the Bronx faithful, hopeful fora championship future.
The Yankees' 2024 offseasonpromises to be one of the most
consequential in recent memory.
By addressing key roster gaps,securing Soto and leaning into
(11:43):
their promising young core, theteam can position itself as a
formidable force in the AmericanLeague East and beyond.
With the stakes high and themargin for error slim, the
decisions made in the comingmonths could define the Yankees
trajectory for the next decade.
The postseason reaffirmed theYankees status as contenders,
(12:03):
blending veteran leadership withemerging talent.
The offseason decisions willshape the team's trajectory as
they aim to build upon theyear's success and pursue a
championship in the coming 2025season.
All right, that's a wrap forthis Baseball Classics Diamond
Cast.
We'll be back tomorrow as wetake a review and a look ahead
(12:28):
of the 2024 and 2025 San DiegoPadres.
So until then, hope you have afantastic day.
So long, everybody.
Major League Baseball fans, get ready for a close-up
look from the top step of thedugout.
Welcome to the BaseballClassics Podcast.
Covering any season from 1901to the present, We'll explore
exciting pennant races, diveheadfirst, analyzing and even
doing some comparisons that arebound to settle an argument or
(00:24):
start one up.
And now here's your host, DeanPitino.
Speaker 2 (00:33):
Hello again, everybody.
Thanks so much for tuning in toBaseball Classics Diamondcast
Again, always great to be withyou.
Make sure you head on over tobaseballclassicscom slash
diamondview to get the latestand greatest all condensed for
you in an easy format Rumors andtrades, free agent tracker and
(00:55):
so much more all inside ofdiamondview.
It's free, no login.
I guarantee you won't findanything as comprehensive as
this in any one website anywhere.
Baseballclassicscom slashDiamond View.
Tell all your friends about itwho love Major League Baseball.
This will keep you on the pulseevery single day in the
(01:18):
quickest, easiest way.
All right, let's get into thisepisode.
We are on our second team herein December.
On December 2nd, it's the 2024New York Yankees, with their
ambition and challenges ahead.
So let's first review what tookplace in 2024, and then we're
(01:41):
going to do a look ahead, apretty extensive look ahead on
the 2025 season for the Yankees.
So, in other words, we'll betalking about what they are up
to and what they're looking atand considering in this
offseason.
The 2024 New York Yankees seasonwas a campaign of renewed
ambition and recalibration.
(02:02):
After falling short of theplayoffs in 2023, the Yankees
entered 2024 with a roster builtto address both power and
pitching depth.
With general manager BrianCashman at the helm, the
Yankees' offseason strategycentered on strengthening the
lineup and rotation for a robustseason.
(02:23):
The Yankees made substantialmoves over the winter, starting
with high-profile acquisition ofJuan Soto from the Padres.
Soto, a left-handed powerhouse,joined a lineup already
featuring Aaron Judge.
Adding Soto's bat was astrategic step to provide
balance and versatility,complementing Judge's
(02:45):
right-handed power and bringingnew energy to Yankee Stadium.
The pitching rotation, whichhad shown flashes of potential
but lacked stability in 2023,saw an upgrade with the addition
of Marcus Stroman.
Known for his ground ball focusand control, stroman added
depth behind Garrett Cole, theYankees' ace Stroman, joined a
rotation.
Also Cole, the Yankees' aceStroman, joined a rotation also
(03:07):
featuring emerging arms likeClark Schmidt and Nestor Cortez.
Together, they represented alineup designed not only to
compete in the AL East, but tomake a deep postseason push.
The Yankees started the seasonwith momentum, displaying a
promising mix of power hittingand reliable pitching, as is
typical in the long grind ofmajor league baseball.
(03:29):
Injuries tested the team'sdepth.
Nevertheless, aaron Judgeremained a standout.
He ended the regular seasonwith 58 home runs, leading the
majors and showcasing hisconsistent power and leadership
at the plate.
His season further cemented hisstatus as one of baseball's
most dynamic players.
(03:50):
Juan Soto, settling into hisfirst season in New York,
delivered with a .288 battingaverage and 41 home runs.
His disciplined approach andability to get on base
complemented Judge's power,giving the Yankees a potent
one-two punch that carried theoffense.
Pitching saw some keyperformances, with Garrett Cole
(04:12):
leading the rotation.
Cole's consistency helpedanchor the Yankees and again he
was supported by Stroman andbreakout performances from
younger pitchers In the bullpen.
The Yankees faced somechallenges, leading them to
bring in Luke Weaver as alate-season addition.
Weaver's reliability helpedbolster the relief corps in the
(04:33):
latter part of the season With a94-68 record.
The Yankees' strong finishpositioned them as contenders in
the postseason Heading intoOctober.
The team's balanced roster anddepth were key factors in their
outlook.
The Yankees' power-hittinglineup, supported by a fortified
rotation, seemed built for thepressures of postseason baseball
(04:54):
.
By a fortified rotation, seemedbuilt for the pressures of
postseason baseball, setting thestage for what the team and
fans hoped would be a memorableOctober
run.
The New York Yankees' 2024postseason journey was a
testament to their resilienceand determination, culminating
in a hard-fought World Seriesappearance against the Los
Angeles Dodgers.
It all began in the AmericanLeague Division Series versus
(05:15):
the Kansas City Royals.
The Yankees began theirpostseason by facing the Royals
in the ALDS.
The series showcased theYankees' offensive prowess, with
Aaron Judge leading the charge.
Judge's consistent powerhitting, including multiple home
runs, set the tone for theseries.
Juan Soto, acquired in theoffseason, complimented judges'
(05:36):
efforts with timely hits andsolid defense.
The pitching staff was anchoredby Garrett Cole, delivered a
strong performance, limiting theRoyals' scoring opportunities.
The Yankees secured the seriesadvancing to the American League
Championship Series, where theymet up with the Cleveland
Guardians, a team known fortheir pitching depth and
(05:58):
strategic play.
The series was a battle of witsand endurance, with both teams
exchanging victories in theearly games.
The Yankees lineup, featuringJudge Soto and Anthony Rizzo,
faced challenges against theGuardians pitchers, but managed
to capitalize on key moments.
The bullpen, including LukeWeaver, played a crucial role in
(06:18):
maintaining leads.
The series extended to sevengames, with the Yankees
clinching the final game toadvance to the World Series.
The World Series broughttogether two storied franchises
the New York Yankees and the LosAngeles Dodgers.
The series was highlyanticipated, with both teams
showcasing deep rosters and ahistory of success.
(06:39):
The Yankees offense continuedto rely on the power of Judge
and Soto, while the Dodgerspresented a balanced attack.
The pitching matchups wereclosely contested, with Cole
facing off against the Dodgersaces.
Despite the Yankees efforts,the Dodgers ultimately secured
the championship, winning theseries in five
games.
The Yankees are facing crucialdecisions in this pivotal
(07:05):
offseason.
They have high expectations andsubstantial challenges
following their World Seriesloss to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
With a roster in transition,the front office faces decisions
that will shape the team'scompetitiveness for years to
come.
Here's a look at the keyconsiderations and potential
strategies.
First one, of course,re-signing Juan Soto.
(07:29):
It's a top priority.
Retaining superstar outfielderJuan Soto is the Yankees'
primary focus this offseason.
Soto's offensive production andability to deliver in
high-pressure moments make himindispensable to the team's
future success.
Reports suggest the Yankees areprepared to offer a contract
(07:49):
exceeding $500 million to secureSoto's services.
Long-term, though, they willface stiff competition from
other clubs vying for hissignature.
A deal of this magnitude wouldnot only anchor the Yankees'
lineup for the next decade, butalso signal the team's
commitment to building aroundSoto as a generational
talent.
Garrett Cole.
(08:09):
The Yankees successfullyre-signed the ace after he
exercised his opt-out clause,ensuring stability atop the
rotation.
Cole's leadership and eliteperformance remain vital for a
team seeking to maintain itsstatus as a championship
contender.
With Cole locked in, theYankees can shift their
attention to bolstering the backend of the rotation, especially
(08:31):
if trade rumors surroundingnester cortez gained traction.
A trade involving cortez couldfree up resources for other
needs, but would also leave agap that must be
addressed.
There are vacancies at firstand second base.
With anthony rizzo's 17 milliondollar team option declined,
the yankees are in the marketfor a first baseman.
(08:51):
Pete Alonzo and ChristianWalker have emerged as potential
targets to fill that void.
Both players would bringsignificant offensive firepower,
while Alonzo's home run prowessand Walker's balanced
production standing out asattractive options.
Meanwhile, gleyber Torres hisdeparture via free agency
creates uncertainty at secondbase.
(09:11):
The Yankees could exploreexternal options or consider
promoting from within though noclear in-house solution has yet
emerged Now the youth movementfor the
Yankees.
Their firm system could play apivotal role in addressing
roster needs.
Jason D'Amicas, who showedflashes of brilliance late in
(09:31):
2024, is poised to take overleft field, while Ben Rice and
Austin Wills are strongcandidates to assume roles at
first base and catcherrespectively.
Leaning on these young talentswould provide cost-effective
solutions while injecting energyand versatility into the lineup
.
Now, bullpen reconstruction isa pressing need.
(09:52):
They need to reinforce thebullpen and that's another
priority for the Yankees,especially with key key
relievers like Klay Holmes,tommy Canely and Tim Hill
entering free agency.
Luke Weaver is a potentialcandidate for the closer role,
but the team must address depthin setup and middle relief
positions to avoid late gamecollapses that plague the 2024
campaign.
(10:12):
Expect the Yankees to exploreboth free agency and trade
markets to reconstruct theirbullpen.
A trade possibilities androster tweaks.
Speculation surrounds again thepotential trades involving
players like gary trevino and,again, cortez moving.
Trevino could clear the way forwells to take over as the
starting catcher full-time,while dealing Cortez might net
(10:35):
valuable assets to address otherroster weaknesses.
However, again, such tradeswould need to be carefully
balanced to avoid creating newgaps while filling others With
the Strategic Balancing Act.
For the Yankees, they're at acrossroads.
Balancing big ticket signingssuch as Soto or Alonso with the
integration of emerging youngtalent like D'Amicas and Wells
(10:58):
will be critical to maintainingboth short-term competitiveness
and long-term flexibility.
Moreover, the Yankees'willingness to make bold moves
in the trade and free agentmarkets will demonstrate their
commitment to bringing anotherchampionship to the Bronx as we
build towards2025,.
This 2024 season underscoredthe Yankees' pursuit of a 28th
(11:21):
World Series title.
The team's resilience,highlighted by stellar
individual performances andcollective achievements, keeps
the Bronx faithful, hopeful fora championship future.
The Yankees' 2024 offseasonpromises to be one of the most
consequential in recent memory.
By addressing key roster gaps,securing Soto and leaning into
(11:43):
their promising young core, theteam can position itself as a
formidable force in the AmericanLeague East and beyond.
With the stakes high and themargin for error slim, the
decisions made in the comingmonths could define the Yankees
trajectory for the next decade.
The postseason reaffirmed theYankees status as contenders,
(12:03):
blending veteran leadership withemerging talent.
The offseason decisions willshape the team's trajectory as
they aim to build upon theyear's success and pursue a
championship in the coming 2025season.
All right, that's a wrap forthis Baseball Classics Diamond
Cast.
We'll be back tomorrow as wetake a review and a look ahead
(12:28):
of the 2024 and 2025 San DiegoPadres.
So until then, hope you have afantastic day.
So long, everybody.
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