Hyun-Jin Ryu (99), the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, throws against the Colorado Rockies during the second inning at Dodger Stadium on September 22, 2019 in Los Angeles, California, USA. Required Credit: USA TODAY Sports/Gary A. Vasquez
The New York Yankees are anticipated to have a strong 2024 MLB campaign. Although the Yankees’ pitching staff is almost as strong as their batting order, Yankees management shouldn’t give up on adding additional players to the squad.The team will benefit greatly from having another arm that can produce consistently next year, given how injuries tore through the roster in 2023 and cost important players like Carlos Rodon Jr. and Nestor Cortes Jr. crucial time on the pitch.
For roster depth, the Yankees may decide to take a chance on veteran flamethrower Hyun-Jin Ryu.
Hyun-Jin Ryu joins the group. The Bronx may be the ideal location for the prominent free agent to settle down in his search for an MLB home. According to Jim Bowden of The Athletic, Ryu may join the Yankees and contribute to the team in a number of ways. He stated, “Ryu looks healthy but will have to accept a one-year deal because of the injury risk.” Before arguing in favor of his joining a top team, Bowden said, “He would be wise to sign with a non-contending team that could trade him at the deadline if he pitches in the first half like he did at the end of 2023.”
“Or perhaps a team in contention—like the New York Yankees, Milwaukee Brewers, or St. Louis Cardinals—could turn to him for rotation depth as they have a number of starters who are prone to injuries, aging, or declining.
After undergoing Tommy John surgery in the 2023 season, Ryu recovered and went on to pitch well, striking out 38 batters in 52 innings while recording a 3.46 ERA and a.271 SO/W for the year.
The Yankees will be wise to invest in Ryu on a number of fronts.
The 36-year-old right-hander appears to still have it in him, and he would be the best fourth man in baseball right now if he joined the Yankees and batted behind Cortes Jr., Rodon Jr., and current AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole as their No. 4 option.
Ryu just signed a four-year, $80 million contract, with the final $20 million being paid in 2023. Given the danger associated with his advanced age and the timing of his Tommy John surgery, Ryu will now be available for significantly less money. The Yankees’ general manager, Brian Cashman, was hoping to acquire Corbin Burnes through trade, but the Baltimore Orioles came out on top.
The Lost Chance
With the exception of Gerrit Cole, the Yankees’ starting rotation is unfortunately loaded with inconsistent guys who are all recovering from injuries.
The Yankees would have had a World Series-caliber club if Burnes had been on the team, but he is entering his final year of arbitration, so the organization may still try to sign him in free agency the next offseason. Having said that, Cashman is still active and is only waiting for the ideal scenario and pricing to present itself.
The Yankees’ Bright Futures
Two young pitching prospects that the Yankees have now could be very important in the future, if not in 2024. Will Warren is a player to watch right away. Warren, who is 24 years old, was promoted from Double-A Somerset, where he threw 29.1 innings, to Triple-A last year, when he pitched 99.2 innings. Although he had a respectable 3.61 ERA in Triple-A, he had trouble with left-handed hitters, an issue he began to address toward the end of the season.
Warren can use a wide variety of dangerous pitches, but adding a cutter to his repertoire has helped him improve his numbers against lefties—a crucial obstacle to clear before he makes his Major League Baseball debut.
Highlights of Spring Training
In a few weeks, Warren and Chase Hampton will get the chance to show off their skills at spring training. Warren, who is anticipated to come out of the bullpen and make a few spot starts if necessary, is the player who is closest to being MLB-ready. In addition to having a strong strikeout rate and a willingness to avoid walks, he also doesn’t give up many home runs, giving up a 52.7% ground ball rate.
In a few weeks, Warren and Chase Hampton will get the chance to show off their skills at spring training. Warren, who is anticipated to come out of the bullpen and make a few spot starts if necessary, is the player who is closest to being MLB-ready. In addition to having a strong strikeout rate and a willingness to avoid walks, he also doesn’t give up many home runs, giving up a 52.7% ground ball rate.
