3 Winners & 3 Losers from Yankees Spring Training

The regular season is officially here with Yankees Opening Day arriving on Thursday in Houston with a game against the Astros. It’s been an eventful Spring Training with the arrivals of Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, and Marcus Stroman while the injury news of Gerrit Cole and DJ LeMahieu raises concerns.

The Yankees are nearing setting their lineup for the regular season while some players have cemented their spot on the roster others have squandered key opportunities.

Here are the biggest winners and losers from 2024 Spring Training.

Winner: Juan Soto

Mar 10, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees left fielder Juan Soto (22) hits a 3-run home | Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees gave up a haul to bring Juan Soto to New York putting plenty of pressure on Brian Cashman to retain the young slugger long term. If Soto plays anything like he has this spring in the regular season, then Brian Cashman will face tense pressure in negotiations with Soto. The slugger will reach open free agency rather than resigning on an extension meaning the Yankees will need to be the highest bidder.

In 12 Spring Training games, Soto hit .294 with four home runs, ten RBIs, and a 1.039 OPS. Soto will hit free agency at just 26 years old and with buzz already started surrounding his impending free agency the asking price will only grow as Soto’s time in New York reaches its peak. The arrival of Juan Soto in the Bronx may be the most anticipated arrival in New York since Alex Rodriguez.

Loser: Ben Rortvedt

Feb 17, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Ben Rortvedt (38) prepares to workout at | Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

The catcher position was the position battle to watch heading into the Spring as the Yankees had Jose Trevino, Austin Wells, and Ben Rortvedt competing for the two spots at catcher. It currently seems as if Rortvedt will make the Opening Day roster, however he’s likely going to be traded or designated for assignment once rosters are seemingly set around the league.

The improved catching of Austin Wells made it important for Rortvedt to produce at the plate this Spring, however he struggled, batting .222 with no extra base hits in 18 at-bats. The best path for Rortvedt to make the team was likely as Gerrit Cole’s personal catcher as we saw down the end of the season but, with Cole missing time to start the year the path to playing time for Rortvedt is bleak.

Winner: Luis Gil

Feb 15, 2024; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Luis Gil (81) throws a live bathing | Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The injury to Gerrit Cole opened the door late in camp for a starting pitcher to make the big league club as the fifth starter in the rotation. The competition was seemingly between prospects Clayton Beeter, Will Warren, and Chase Hampton as well as with veterans Luke Weaver and Luis Gil.

The 25-year-old Gil looked impressive in his return from Tommy John surgery with a 2.31 ERA across 11.2 innings pitched this Spring. The performance landed Luis Gil a regular spot in the rotation where he’s performed in the past with a 3.78 ERA across seven big league starts. If Gil can regain his form from his initial debut then the Yankees rotation may be able to stay afloat until Gerrit Cole returns.

Loser: Luke Weaver

Mar 20, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Luke Weaver (30) throws a pitch | Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The favorite to serve as the team’s fifth starter if there was an injury heading into camp was veteran Luke Weaver. The spring, however, wasn’t great for Weaver with a 6.75 ERA across 5.1 innings pitched. The veteran starter will now be moved into the bullpen as a long reliever while the team faces depth issues. Weaver could have cemented himself as an important piece for the team this Spring however poor performances have made his future in the Bronx questionable. Early on Weaver will have to prove his worth out of the bullpen to avoid being designated for assignment.

Winner: Clayton Beeter

Feb 29, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Clayton Beeter (85) throws a | Kim Klement Neitzel-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees’ decision to trade away Joey Gallo resulted in the team landing a high-caliber pitching process in Clayton Beeter. The starting pitcher was helped severely by a weaker bullpen and pitching injuries allowing him to make the big league club at 25 years old.

Beeter impressed this Spring pitching to a 3.18 ERA in five games and 17 innings pitched. The rookie will open the year in the bullpen while the Yankees rotation continues to build up their arms for the season. An injury to one of the players in the rotation could see Beeter entering the rotation in the time being. Beeter avoided the Yankees signing Blake Snell and Jordan Montgomery while injuries and a great performance have gotten the Yankees 14th ranked prospect to the Show.

Loser: Oswald Peraza

Sep 26, 2023; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk (30) is tagged out by | Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

This season made it back-to-back disappointing Springs for Oswald Peraza as he struggled a year after being beaten out by Anthony Volpe for the starting shortstop job. Peraza has struggled at the plate for his career and Spring was no different as he went hitless in seven at-bats. The infielder would suffer a shoulder injury three games into the Spring derailing his season for at least a month.

Peraza came into the Spring battling for a role as the utility infielder with Oswaldo Cabrera and Jeter Downs and likely should have come out on top. Peraza disappointed fielding as well, making a few errors that cost the pitching staff. The injury to DJ LeMahieu could have seen Peraza get some time at third base to start the year, however now it’s hard to see the former top prospect cracking the big league roster in 2024.

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This article was originally published on empirewritesback.com as 3 Winners & 3 Losers from Yankees Spring Training.