The Yankees are looking to make it back to the World Series in 2025 but they hit a bit of a snag in the offseason.
Juan Soto went crosstown to the Mets, leaving a gaping hole in the lineup and outfield. GM Brian Cashman used the money that would have gone to Soto to make the team’s strength — the starting rotation and bullpen — even better with the addition of Max Fried and Devin Williams. He also brought in two former MVPs Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt.
While on paper the Yankees are better than a season ago, there are still some question marks heading into spring training. They are depending on youngsters like Jasson Dominguez to seize a starting job while also looking at utility/veteran players to fill a role in the infield. Gleyber Torres departed in free agency, the Yankees haven’t replaced him this offseason.
There is still time to correct that, but with a salary that has surpassed $300 million, and Hal Steinbrenner‘s unwillingness to go too far beyond that, it seems the job at third base — or second — will be up to the likes of DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and others.
We also have Marcus Stroman‘s role to figure out. Will he join a six-man rotation, be a long man out of the bullpen or off the team completely? It’s clear the Yankees would love to move him, but his $18 million contract is proving a challenge.
Honestly, it’s unlikely Stroman lasts the entirety of spring training as a Yankee and that should open up some money for an infielder the team can use. However, until that day comes we are left with players currently on the roster.
With that said, here is our first Yankees 26-man roster prediction for the 2025 season…
Starting Lineup
Austin Wells: C
Paul Goldschmidt: 1B
Jazz Chisholm Jr.: 2B
Anthony Volpe: SS
DJ LeMahieu: 3B
Jasson Dominguez: LF
Aaron Judge: RF
Cody Bellinger: CF
Giancarlo Stanton: DH
Of course, this isn’t what the lineup will actually be on Opening Day. Manager Aaron Boone has intimated that he initially likes Dominguez leading off. And without Soto on the team, Judge will return to his No. 2 spot that he played the prior seasons before 2024. The rest of the lineup will be a back-and-forth of lefties and righties with Volpe, LeMahieu and Wells likely rounding out the bottom of the order.
For all the LeMahieu doubters out there, unless they bring someone proven in (see: Nolan Arenado), the Yankees will try and get the most out of the infielder who is owed $30 million across the next two years. I think the Yankees could use a talent like Arenado, even at his age, but not sure a deal can be done.
It’s possible that super-utility man Oswaldo Cabrera wins the starting job out of camp, but his skill set is probably best served on the bench where he can fill in at a number of positions.
And for those wondering why Chisholm is at second instead of third, which he played last season with the Yankees, that’s because Cashman made it clear he traded for him last year to play second. I expect that to be the case during camp and when the Yankees break camp.
Rotation
Gerrit Cole: RHP
Max Fried: LHP
Carlos Rodon: LHP
Luis Gil: RHP
Clarke Schmidt: RHP
The easiest part of the Yankees roster to predict. The addition of Fried slides Rodon and the rest of last year’s starters down a spot. Again, it’s possible Stroman is used in a six-man rotation if he’s still around but his contract situation makes it difficult for the Yankees to use him in that capacity.
Stroman has a vesting option for 2026 that kicks in if he pitches 140 innings in 2025. If he achieves that, he’ll be able to pick up $18 million again next year, something the Yankees will look to avoid at all costs.
Bullpen
Devin Williams: RHP
Jake Cousins: RHP
Mark Leiter Jr.: RHP
Ian Hamilton: RHP
Scott Effross: RHP
Tim Hill: LHP
Luke Weaver: RHP
Jonathan Loaisiga: RHP
At the time of this writing, Stroman is still on the Yankees. It’s hard to see him as a Yankee when Opening Day comes around. Stroman doesn’t want to pitch out of the bullpen and the Yankees don’t want him reaching that 140-inning mark. It’s best for both sides if the right-hander is dealt and I see the Yankees doing so even if it means taking on some lower-level prospects and eating some of his money.
The Yankees will go in with Hill as their only lefty and they’ll see Effross and Loaisiga, coming off major injuries, will be ready to go after camp breaks.
Bench
Trent Grisham: OF
Oswaldo Cabrera: INF/OF
Alex Jackson: C
Oswald Peraza: INF
Grisham will be the Yankees’ fourth outfielder for the second consecutive year while Cabrera will continue to be Boone’s best utility bench player. Peraza is out of minor league options, so New York has a big decision to make. I see Peraza making the roster barring a last-minute signing. At some point, the Yankees will have to see what they have in their young infielder.
As for the backup catcher’s spot, Jackson was acquired from the Reds when New York traded Jose Trevino this offseason. Jackson has major league experience, which will come in handy playing behind Wells in his sophomore season. Jackson is not on the 40-man roster, so the Yankees will have to make room.
