Washington Post reporter Dan Martin looks at three questions facing the Yankees heading into the second half of the 2024 season.
Can they turn things around?
The Yankees finished the first half of the season with an 8-18 record, falling from the top of the American League East and raising serious red flags about their starting rotation, batting lineup and just about everyone in between.
They fizzled out late last year, missing the postseason, then fizzled out badly in 2022 after a nearly historic start.
They are hoping Juan Soto’s presence and Aaron Judge’s health will be the difference this season.
If not, expect scrutiny to come to Aaron Boone, who has a team option to return as manager in 2025.
What to do at the trade deadline?
Whatever improvements the Yankees want to make to their roster, they have until July 30 to make them.
They need to determine whether the starting pitchers’ poor performance this month was simply due to poor form or something worse, and it’s clear they will be looking to strengthen their bullpen.
General manager Brian Cashman hasn’t been afraid to make big changes in other seasons, and he doesn’t have much time to decide whether to do so again this time.
Will the lineup improve?
Soto and Judge alone won’t be enough to lead the Yankees back to the World Series for the first time since 2009.
Can DJ LeMahieu pull out of his long slump, or are the foot problems he’s been dealing with over the past few seasons taking a toll on the 36-year-old?
They’re hoping Anthony Volpe can turn things around at the plate, but what about Gleyber Torres?
He’s set to become a free agent for the first time and is coming off the worst year of his career following a bounce-back season in 2023.
