What was intended to be a strategy to address the issue of scoring runs has become more complicated for the New York Yankees with Juan Soto’s exit. The team is now dealing with a challenging scenario due to numerous injuries and a lack of effectiveness at the plate.
Fans have started to remark, “Another day in the Bronx, a new drama!” The Yankees aimed to broaden their capabilities after leading Major League Baseball in 2024, but they were the worst team in terms of base running, according to Fangraphs statistics. As the season kicks off, they will be missing Giancarlo Stanton, and the departures of Alex Verdugo, Anthony Rizzo, Juan Soto, and Gleyber Torres—who were particularly ineffective in base running—add to their woes. Sluggishness didn’t appear to be a concern for them before.
Juan Soto smashed 41 home runs for the Yankees last season, a feat unmatched by his teammates, but his base-running speed was poor, and his defensive play left manager Aaron Boone displeased. Critics pointed out, “They might not have run well between bases, but they hit homers.” This raises questions about whether they can continue to deliver respectable home run figures.
Even Jose Trevino and Rizzo lagged behind in speed, with records worse than Giancarlo Stanton, who was sidelined, or Aaron Judge, as evidenced in the 2024 World Series. DJ LeMahieu, another player struggling with leg issues, barely managed to run, underscoring their need for proficient base runners.
For this reason, Jazz Chisholm Jr has been suggested to take on a bigger role. He had a strong performance in 2023, with a .256 batting average, 24 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 40 stolen bases, and he excelled in the outfield. The Yankees should likely consider him, hoping for success with a refreshed and varied roster.
While diversifying the Yankees’ lineup is necessary, there is a glimmer of optimism amid the challenging 2025 season ahead. After reaching the World Series and making some promising preseason acquisitions, the Yankees’ roster has been struck by a series of injuries, notably affecting Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Giancarlo Stanton, who is sidelined with an elbow injury.
