Yankees showing signs of greater urgency in 2024

After the conclusion of the 2023 season, Aaron Judge expressed some insightful reflections that he had clearly pondered over. He had been aware for over a month that unless something surprising occurred, his team would miss the playoffs for the first time since his early days as a rookie in 2016.

Addressing a group of reporters following the team’s loss to the Royals to end the season, Judge emphasized the necessity for a heightened sense of urgency and a realization that even upon reaching the major leagues and playing for New York, one must continue to strive for improvement.

In a later interview with the YES Network, Judge underscored the disparity between his team and the Rays, who commenced the season with a remarkable 13-game winning streak. In contrast, while the Yankees started the 2023 season by winning several series, they struggled to complete sweeps against weaker opponents.

Judge remarked, “So I think it’s the urgency to start out hot, playing in the AL East, you have to bring it every single day.”

When queried about the lack of urgency, Judge hesitated for a moment, appearing as though he wanted to articulate something, but ultimately refrained. While he didn’t provide specifics, he assured that such complacency wouldn’t occur in the upcoming season.

Observers could sense the absence of concern as the team encountered difficulties. In the first half of the season, both manager Aaron Boone and the players often conveyed to the media that their struggles were merely a temporary slump. They believed that with the length of the baseball season, they would eventually find their rhythm—as if wearing the Yankees’ iconic pinstripes would automatically secure them a playoff spot. It’s challenging to determine from an external standpoint whether the team was trying to maintain optimism and composure during a rough patch or if they were content with the status quo. However, Judge’s observations from the previous season underscored the need for a heightened level of intensity.

While many athletes stress the importance of tuning out external distractions, it appears that public scrutiny served as a significant motivator for this team.

Hal Steinbrenner expressed to the media last Thursday that the players feel a need to validate themselves to their fans, acknowledging their sense of embarrassment and the pressure they’re under. When asked about Brian Cashman, Steinbrenner emphasized that everyone in the organization feels the pressure.

The positive aspect is that players are responding to this pressure. Even before they were required to report, key players like Judge, LeMahieu, Rizzo, Torres, Rodón, and Cortes were already at the Yankees’ training facility in January. Judge was credited with organizing and motivating this initiative, fostering a team-oriented approach.

Boone remarked that while the team is always focused on preparation, there’s an added determination this time to avoid past disappointments. The collective pride within the team is evident.

While attending offseason training may seem routine, the fact that players chose to train together at the team facility rather than independently is promising. Baseball may emphasize individual performance, but teamwork remains crucial.

To mitigate injury concerns, players like Stanton and Rodón underwent significant physical transformations. Both are aiming for bounce-back seasons in 2024 and took serious steps toward achieving that goal.

The front office, led by Cashman, has been proactive but not desperate in improving the team during the offseason. Deals for players like Soto, Grisham, Verdugo, and Stroman were struck at fair prices. The impending free agency for several players should add an extra layer of motivation.

Professional athletes, inherently competitive, take pride in their performance and are sensitive to fan perception. The organization, from top to bottom, has acknowledged a sense of embarrassment and the pressure to deliver in front of their devoted fanbase, fueling their determination to improve.