Former GM Says New York Yankees Are 'Third Place Team'

A former GM criticizes the New York Yankees, saying they aren't good enough to win the AL East.

With the addition of Juan Soto, the New York Yankees offseason has been considered a success. The front office understood they needed to add a superstar type of talent and did just that. They did so in the old-fashioned Yankees way, which meant no one would beat their offer.

Despite the Soto trade, former New York Mets and Baltimore Orioles general manager Jim Duquette says they won't win their division.

"I think they’re (a) third third place team in the American (League East). That’s not good enough for the Yankees right now."

While there are certainly questions about New York, calling them a third-place team is interesting. The Yankees were the only team in the American League East that made a significant move this offseason. 

The Orioles haven't added a starting pitcher, the Toronto Blue Jays can't seem to find much luck in free agency, the Boston Red Sox continue to get worse, and the Tampa Bay Rays lost Tyler Glasnow and likely Wander Franco, among others.

Making a move for Soto doesn't mean New York is guaranteed to win the AL East, but they've made other moves that should help them.

With the addition of Marcus Stroman and Carlos Rodon being healthy this season, the pitching staff should be much better than it was in 2023.

Duquette has his opinion and now it's the team's job to prove him wrong.

After the most disappointing season in recent history, the Yankees need a bounce back year and it's on them to prove that they can win a World Series after the front office added some star talent this winter.