During the offseason, it’s normally the New York Yankees who dominate the headlines with major acquisitions that persist throughout the winter.

They were able to accomplish that this year as well, trading for Juan Soto in a blockbuster deal that should make their lineup one of the most feared in all of Major League Baseball.

That move was certainly needed for the Yankees.

Coming off a season where they finished only two games above .500 and fourth in the AL West, that performance was unacceptable for a team who has that much talent on their roster and whose payroll is that high.

Adding insult to injury, the Baltimore Orioles won the most games in the American League last season with a payroll almost four-times less than what New York had.

With so much young talent on the Orioles’ roster, they project to be a thorn in the side of the Yankees for years to come.

The prospect of New York winning the AL East in 2024 just got a whole lot more challenging as well after their division rivals pulled off a blockbuster trade of their own to get a former Cy Young winner onto their roster.

Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that Baltimore is getting Corbin Burnes from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for one of their Major League pitchers, a top prospect and the 34th overall draft pick.

Facing the Orioles this upcoming season will be a whole lot more challenging.

The Yankees certainly have the talent to go toe to toe with Baltimore.

It will be up to them to go out and prove it on the field and take back their AL East division title.

The New York Yankees have their eyes on a World Series this season. After trading for Juan Soto and signing Marcus Stroman, they have more than enough to complete that task.

Winning a World Series is never easy, and despite the talent the Yankees have, it’s going to take a team effort to accomplish their goal. As New York enters Spring Training, the health of Carlos Rodon could be the biggest factor in them being a much different team in 2024.

Rodon struggled last season and injuries played a huge part in that. If he can return to the pitcher he was prior to 2023, it changes everything about this team.

Thomas Harrigan and David Adler of MLB.com listed the one key number for every team in 2024. They write that for the Yankees, it’s Carlos Rodon’s WAR.

They note that after Gerrit Cole, they have questions in the rotation. Rodon posted a 6.85 ERA and -0.9 WAR over his 14 starts. Harrigan and Adler write that New York needs him to produce like he did when he posted a 10.5 WAR between 2021 and 22.

With Stroman now in the mix, this takes some pressure off the left-handed potential ace. Playing for the Yankees isn’t easy with media and fan pressure, so that could’ve been a factor.

Health, a year under his belt, and a better rotation should help Rodon get back to the pitcher he was. If not, New York is going to be in a tough position on the mound this season.