5 Yankees players fighting for their jobs in final month of the season
As the New York Yankees approach the final stretch of the 2024 MLB season, the team faces a challenging landscape with several players fighting to secure their spots on the roster for next season. While the Yankees are always under intense scrutiny, this year’s roster has seen a mix of underperformance and injury, putting the futures of several players in jeopardy. Here are five Yankees players fighting for their jobs in the final month of the season:
### 1. **Gleyber Torres – Second Baseman**
Gleyber Torres, once heralded as a future superstar, has had a tumultuous career with the Yankees. After a promising start, Torres has struggled with consistency at the plate and in the field. His power numbers have declined since his breakout 38-home run season in 2019, and his defensive lapses have raised questions about his long-term viability at second base. With younger infielders like Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe pushing for more playing time, Torres needs a strong finish to prove he’s still a valuable piece of the Yankees’ future. If he falters, the Yankees might look to trade him in the offseason or explore other infield options.
### 2. **Clarke Schmidt – Starting Pitcher**
Clarke Schmidt entered the 2024 season with high expectations after showing flashes of potential in previous years. However, his performance this season has been inconsistent, with his ERA fluctuating and his ability to go deep into games in question. With the Yankees dealing with injuries in their starting rotation, Schmidt was given a significant opportunity to establish himself as a reliable starter. However, as the season winds down, he faces pressure from younger arms in the system and could be relegated to a bullpen role or even find himself on the trading block if he doesn’t finish strong.
### 3. **Harrison Bader – Center Fielder**
Harrison Bader was brought in to provide elite defense and a spark on offense, but his 2024 season has been marred by injuries and streaky performance. While Bader’s defense remains top-notch, his offensive production has been below expectations, with a subpar batting average and limited power output. As Bader enters free agency, his future with the Yankees is uncertain. The Yankees may decide to move on from him if he doesn’t finish the season on a high note, especially with prospects like Jasson Domínguez and Everson Pereira knocking on the door.
### 4. **Isiah Kiner-Falefa – Utility Player**
Isiah Kiner-Falefa has been a versatile piece for the Yankees, filling in at multiple positions across the infield and outfield. However, his lack of offensive production has made it difficult for him to secure a consistent role. With the emergence of younger players and the potential return of injured stars, Kiner-Falefa’s future with the Yankees is in doubt. He needs a strong final month to prove that his versatility is valuable enough to keep him on the roster, or he may find himself as a trade candidate or non-tendered in the offseason.
### 5. **Luis Severino – Starting Pitcher**
Once the ace of the Yankees’ staff, Luis Severino has been a shadow of his former self in 2024. After battling injuries over the past few seasons, Severino’s return has been anything but triumphant. His ERA has ballooned, and he has struggled with command and velocity. Severino is in the final year of his contract, and his future with the Yankees is very much in doubt. With a farm system full of pitching talent and the potential to sign free-agent starters in the offseason, Severino’s chances of staying in pinstripes may hinge on how he performs in September. A strong finish could earn him a new contract, while continued struggles might lead to his departure.
### Conclusion
The Yankees, as always, face enormous pressure to succeed, and the players on the bubble are feeling the heat as the season comes to a close. For Torres, Schmidt, Bader, Kiner-Falefa, and Severino, the final month of the season represents a critical period that could determine their future in the Bronx. Whether they rise to the occasion or falter under the pressure will have lasting implications for both their careers and the Yankees’ offseason plans.
