More From Jon Heyman The Yankees 10-3 start is impre sive, and even better, they did it without Gerrit Cole, baseballs best pitcher. Sure, its not even tax day. But the Yankees terrific winter work is already showing. Here are seven reasons the Yankees quickly rose from a 2023 disaster to American League favorite. 1. Juan Soto Trying to regain their status as the Bronx Bombers after a moribund season at bat, the Yankees targeted Soto once the previously big-spending Padres went into sell mode. The Padres named about 17 different young Yankees of interest including (also held out during Corbin Burnes and Dylan Cease talks), top shortstops Roderick Arias and first-round draftee George Lombard Jr. And the month-long negotiation that began with Yankees exec Omar Kent Emanuel Jersey Minaya talking to Padres GM A.J. Preller at the GM meetings with pitchers Michael King, Drew Thorpe, Jhony Brito, Randy Vasquez and catcher Kyle Higashioka going for Soto and Trent Grisham. One key was the Yankees relenting on the coveted Thorpe after originally discu sing higher-ranked, harder-throwing Chase Hampton. Thorpe, who features a big-time changeup, eventually went from San Diego to Chicago for Cease. Juan Soto has impre sed with a brilliant start to his Yankees tenure. Charles Wenzelberg Meantime, Soto has been brilliant (1.008 OPS), and his patient approach (.345 OBP, up from .304 last year). And beyond his all-world offense, his offseason work with Jackie Bradley Jr. turned him into a solid outfielder. 2. Marcus Stroman The Yankees turned to Stroman after a gap couldnt be closed with first choice Blake Snell. The Long Islander, who always wanted to be a Yankee, after weighing two- and three-year offers from the Giants, and a longer one for a lower salary from the Padres. The Yankees were a surprise since word got out they apparently didnt see him as a playoff starter back when they were outbid by the Mets in trade talks with Toronto. See Also 3. Anthony Volpe The talk all spring was how he flattened his swing and was ready for a rise, and its . Volpe, who hit .209 last year, is at .372. Volpe gets the bulk of the credit, since hes ultra-focused, but personal hitting coach Jason Lefkowitz and new Yankees hitting coach James Rowson helped him ditch the uppercut. 4. Giancarlo Stanton If anyone thought it was impo sible for Stanton (1.450 OPS over his past five games) to get in any better shape, he . Hes now thin and cut. Stanton dumbed it down for me and told me the key is just eating le s, but in greater detail he laid out a diet program to someone else that couldnt be copied by many, including no eating food after 3 p.m. 5. Carlos Rodon Rodon (1.72 ERA) rededicated himself after his abysmal initial year in The Bronx, arriving weeks early in Tampa to prove 2023 was a fluke. He took off many pounds, improved his body composition and added three pitches, with the cutter and changeup aiding the slider-fastball combo. Go beyond the box score with the Bombers Sign up for Inside the Yankees by Greg Joyce, exclusively on Sports+. Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Carlos Rodon has tried to prove that his 2023 disaster with the Yankees was a fluke. Charles Wenzelberg 6. Alex Verdugo The Yankees tried for a while to obtain him, almost as hard as the Red Sox were trying to unload the main piece in the most-criticized Red Sox trade since Babe Ruth. Captain Aaron Judges seal of approval helped clinch the deal. 7. Bullpen Brian Cashman and Co. have been very good at finding bullpen pieces, and the trade for lefty Caleb Ferguson one of three deals with the Dodgers looks like a winner. Louis Head Jersey
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