4 Yankees in contract year whose motivations could lift 2024 roster

Clay Holmes

Clay Holmes said the Yankees haven't approached him about an extension, but the team has no reason to at the moment. Holmes is making $6 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility and still has a lot to prove.

The right-hander's consistency has been his paramount issue. His 25 sterling games during a worthless 2021 season set the tone, but his All-Star 2022 season was a tale of two halves: 1.31 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in the first and a 4.84 ERA and 1.30 WHIP in the second. Can't have that.

Then, in 2023, it occurred in similar fashion but to a lesser extreme. Holmes wasn't the certified closer for a decent portion to start the year because of the way he finished 2023, but his 2.23 ERA and 1.10 WHIP first half (with 10 saves) combined with his 3.71 ERA and 1.28 WHIP second half (with 14 saves) made it a bit more palatable.

Truthfully, there's no room for such a discrepancy in 2024. Holmes has superior stuff, but needs to harness his command and composure. He'll be the favorite to kick off the year as the team's closer and his fight for a payday could help him secure it once and for all.

Gleyber Torres

Have you heard? Gleyber Torres is entering his final year of team control. We should probably talk more about this. How did we not see this coming!?

Just joshin', of course. Torres' Yankees tenure has been a polarizing one, and his 2023 rebound has set himself up for a promising 2024, which would then get the 27-year-old PAID and/or increase his chances of remaining a Yankee for life (which is a desire of his).

But the Yankees don't feel the need to jump the gun by any means. Torres' 2018 and 2019 were the stuff of legends, but he's never come close to replicating those 2019 numbers and just managed to match his 2018 production this past season. His defensive and baserunning lapses have also left a lot to be desired. His lack of consistency and mental shortcomings do not warrant a guaranteed life after 2024 in pinstripes.

So it'll be up to the Venezuelan slugger to rewrite his story. Torres is an incredibly important piece to the Yankees' puzzle. Much like Luis Severino last season, the Yankees need Torres and Torres needs the Yankees in this contract year.

Everything's set up for the veteran second baseman to quiet the criticisms and increase his value at the perfect time. If he can concentrate and execute, the Yankees' lineup will be as close to unstoppable as it can possibly be, and Torres will be on his way to cashing out or getting his extension in the Bronx.

Alex Verdugo

The Year of the Dugie that Boston Red Sox fans were yearning for in 2022 and 2023 might very well come with the Yankees in 2024. What a story that would be.

Acquired in a trade with the Yanks' hated rivals this offseason, Verdugo comes to New York as someone with a lot to prove. He was consistently called out by his former manager Alex Cora the last couple years in Beantown, which resulted in public spats. Verdugo took a parting shot at Cora in his introductory call with the Yanks, too.

Fans certainly like that energy, but it'll feel empty without the requisite production. Verdugo was brought in to lengthen the Yankees lineup and provide a left-handed threat to turn over the order. The potential is there, too.

Not only has his defense improved significantly, the former Dodgers top prospect has shown an ability to hit for contact and rack up extra-base hits. He also barely strikes out. Oh yeah, and Verdugo received MVP votes in the shortened 2020 season!

But he's coming off his worst full season of his MLB career. He hit .264 with a .745 OPS (100 OPS+). He kind of became a heel in Boston as the fans grew frustrated, since he was supposed to be the crown jewel of the Mookie Betts trade.

In 2024, he'll remain in the AL East with something to prove right in front of his new biggest rival. His defense in the outfield will save the Yankees after a season in which they played infielders in the left and right pastures. His bat should see an uptick in production surrounded by the most talent he's ever played alongside in his career.

Like Torres, Verdugo can set the record straight and dictate his own future. He'll make $9-10 million in his final year of arbitration eligibility, but he needs an all-around good season to convince a potential investor he's worth a longer-term deal. That'll stick it to Cora, wouldn't it?