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5 Yankees Who Will Make or Break the 2024 Season

By Nicholas Rome

Sep 9, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) in the dugout during
Sep 9, 2023; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone (17) in the dugout during / Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
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DJ LeMahieu

Oct 1, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New York Yankees first baseman DJ LeMahieu (26) hits a
Oct 1, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; New York Yankees first baseman DJ LeMahieu (26) hits a / Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports

The addition of Juan Soto gives the Yankees one of if not the best combinations at 2-3 in the batting order. However, for Aaron Judge and Soto to drive in runs at a high level the Yankees will need a solid leadoff batter on base. DJ LeMahieu will be the top candidate to fill the role with his experience hitting in front of Aaron Judge.

LeMahieu began to return to form at the end of the 2023 season as he looked fully healthy for the first time in nearly two seasons. In the second half of the season, Lemahieu hit .273/.377/.809 with eight home runs and 17 RBIs.

If LeMahieu can get on base at a high clip, the offense will be more productive than it has been since 2019 and 2020. The offense will be dependent on runners getting on base for Soto and Judge and LeMahieu will be key for the offense.

A return to form for "The Machine" would give the Yankees offense a spark it desperately needs. If LeMahieu could post stats similar to his second-half numbers the team would have a reliable lead-off hitter while also allowing Judge and Soto to see more pitches.

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