3 biggest Yankees question marks entering 2023 season

Can Josh Donaldson or Aaron Hicks bounce back?

Josh Donaldson had a dismal 2022 campaign and needs a big bounce back season if he expects to continue in MLB beyond his current albatross contract (2023 is his walk year). WIth so many up-and coming prospects, and LeMahieu/Torres seemingly more appealing infield options, Donaldson needs to play well early to keep his job.

Despite his age, Donaldson's defense has continued to be his strong point, which has kept him in the lineup, but if his bat can't be an asset again, he'll probably have a difficult time playing every day. A few days ago, Donaldson hit a 436 foot bomb, which got all of Yankees Twitter excited, claiming that he's back, but he's going to have to do that on a consistent basis in the regular season before I claim that.

As for Hicks, it's still hard to believe that the team hasn't found a better option in left field. It's been four seasons since he had a really nice stat line of 27 HR/79 RBI/.833 OPS/.366 OBP/.467 SLG, and since that campaign, he really hasn't done much. The switch-hitter should be having success hitting home runs in Yankee Stadium, but he only has 20 combined dingers in three seasons.

Although some of that is due to the shortened 2020 season and an injury-plagued 2021 campaign, his stats have not been good enough in a long time, and it's starting to feel like this is his last chance to prove that he deserves to be a starter.

The Yankees are going to be a very interesting team to follow this year, and these three question marks will be the biggest focus points all season.