Aaron Boone thought the 2025 Yankees had an opportunity to be the perfect he’s managed.
Now that the workforce has fallen brief once more, dropping the ALDS to the Blue Jays in 4 video games, there’s an opportunity the group may disassemble. That’s as a result of the Yankees have eight gamers scheduled for unrestricted free company. Three others have a participant or membership possibility, together with star outfielder Cody Bellinger.
“I’m not really worried,” Jazz Chisholm Jr., who wouldn’t thoughts including an extension to the Yankees’ offseason to-do listing, mentioned when requested about the potential of his workforce being damaged up. “I feel like we built a pretty good family in here. I feel like a lot of guys will want to come back just to keep on trying to push for that World Series. But a lot of guys also have to get paid as well. I don’t even know how that works, personally. I don’t try to look into that.”
Under is a listing of the Yankees’ potential free brokers, in addition to some notes on how their offseasons may play out.
CODY BELLINGER
Bellinger has a $25 million participant possibility that he’s anticipated to say no. After a stellar all-around first season in pinstripes, he’s deserving of a long-term deal.
On Wednesday, because the Yankees mourned their elimination, Bellinger mentioned that he nonetheless has to debate his possibility along with his household and his agent, Scott Boras. Nonetheless, he additionally mentioned that he would “absolutely” like to return.
“I had an unbelievable time putting on this uniform,” mentioned Bellinger, whose father, Clay, performed for the Yanks from 1999-2001. “Yankee Stadium, the fans, the organization, the culture that these guys have created in this locker room, it really is special. It’s such a fun group. It was a fun group to be a part of.”
It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Yankees prioritize Bellinger this offseason, because the versatile outfielder — he also can play first — slot in nicely on and off the sector. Boone turned an enormous fan of the 30-year-old former MVP, as did Brian Cashman.
The final supervisor may desire Bellinger as a less expensive different to the Cubs’ Kyle Tucker, who is about to change into the highest free agent available on the market after garnering commerce curiosity from the Yankees final offseason.
TRENT GRISHAM
Like Bellinger, Grisham additionally has an enormous fan in Boone and has expressed curiosity in staying.
“I’m grateful to get to have managed those two guys,” the skipper mentioned. “Who knows? Hopefully in both cases, I get to keep doing it.”
Grisham might be a captivating free agent, because the 28-year-old is coming off a profession 12 months that far exceeded his earlier offensive output (34 HR, 129 wRC+). He repeatedly attributed his success to an improved psychological state, however groups might be cautious of a fluke. A proficient defender however one of many slowest heart fielders in baseball, he is also destined for a nook outfield spot.
Whereas there are dangers in signing Grisham long-term, the Yankees may make him a one-year qualifying supply, which is able to price roughly $22 million. If Grisham accepts, the Yankees would have extra flexibility and time relating to figuring out how younger outfielders Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones match into the workforce’s plans.
If Grisham rejects, the qualifying supply may restrict his market, as one other workforce must forfeit a draft choose to signal him.
“I like this place a lot,” Grisham mentioned in August. “I like the guys we have in the clubhouse. I like New York. There’s a lot of things I like about it, so we’ll see.”
DEVIN WILLIAMS
Ever since spring coaching started, the expectation has been that Williams could be one-and-done in a Yankees uniform. The precise-hander appeared uncomfortable from the get-go, and early and midseason struggles — he was twice faraway from the nearer’s position — solely amplified that thought.
It could nonetheless be stunning to see Williams return, however the 30-year-old did say he’s “definitely open to that” after admitting that being a Yankee was a “challenge” at first. In fact, he additionally famous that it takes two to tango.
“I’ve grown to love being here,” Williams, who appeared just like the shutdown reliever he was anticipated to be on the finish of the season, mentioned Wednesday. “I love the city. I love taking the train to the field every day. I really enjoyed my experience.”
Williams additionally mentioned that a chance to shut could be “a factor” in his free company. The Yankees appear set in that regard with David Bednar, who booted Williams from the job after being acquired from the Pirates on the commerce deadline.
LUKE WEAVER
Weaver would even be a stunning return, as he merely wasn’t the identical pitcher who dominated in 2024 and early on in 2025 following a hamstring harm. The 32-year-old reliever, a failed starter earlier than reviving his profession with the Yankees, turned vulnerable to implosions towards the tip of the season, and he recorded only one out whereas surrendering 5 earned runs over three postseason appearances.
Throughout the ALDS, Weaver talked about that he was having hassle — mentally and bodily — making some changes after the Yankees shared some pitch-tipping issues with the righty. Previous to that, he voiced an curiosity in sticking with the membership.
“I would want to, of course. It feels a bit like a rejuvenation. If I never came back here, it would always hold a big place in my heart,” Weaver mentioned in early September. “I would love to continue to keep that going.”
Weaver additionally mentioned that he’s “open” to beginning once more, although such a chance certainly wouldn’t include the Yankees. It could not come in any respect after the way in which his season ended.
PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT
Now 38, Goldschmidt might be greatest suited to a platoon position if he continues what has arguably been a Corridor of Fame profession. Whereas nonetheless useful within the clubhouse and as a risk in opposition to lefties, the primary baseman can now not anticipate success in opposition to righties and has been zapped of the ability he possessed in Arizona and St. Louis.
“I think I’d like to continue playing, but I haven’t sat down and thought about it,” Goldschmidt mentioned Wednesday. “I nonetheless love enjoying. I nonetheless have enjoyable on the market. I nonetheless need to attempt to go win.
“We’ll have to see what happens, but I’m thankful for my time here. I don’t know what the future is going to hold.”
Signed to a one-year, $12.5 million deal final winter, the previous MVP must be cool with considerably much less enjoying money and time for a reunion to make sense for the Yankees, as they’ve the hard-hitting Ben Rice at first base.
AMED ROSARIO
After making an attempt however failing to accumulate Rosario prior to now, the Yankees lastly landed him in a commerce with the Nationals earlier than the deadline. The utilityman didn’t play a lot, and his protection leaves loads to be desired, however the right-handed swinger is a weapon in opposition to lefties off the bench.
On high of that, the 29-year-old veteran introduced noticeable power to the Yankees’ dugout and mentored Domínguez over the previous few months of the season.
“He seems to really thrive in it and feed off the role,” Boone mentioned in September. The skipper added, “I like him on our team.”
With Ryan McMahon entrenched because the Yankees’ beginning third baseman, re-signing Rosario wouldn’t stun, as the previous is an elite defender whose left-handed swing presents little on the plate.
AUSTIN SLATER
The Yankees acquired Slater from the White Sox as a result of he additionally had a powerful monitor document in opposition to lefties. Nonetheless, he harm his hamstring shortly after the commerce, performed even lower than Rosario did, and totaled simply three hits in 25 common season plate appearances with the Bombers.
The Yankees then left the 32-year-old off their postseason rosters. With that in thoughts, there’s no motive to anticipate him again.
PAUL BLACKBURN
Signed off the scrap heap, Blackburn was nothing greater than a longman for the Yankees down the stretch. Nonetheless, the righty, a full-time starter earlier than this season, pitched nicely in September, permitting one earned run over 10 innings after tweaking his repertoire.
Weaver’s time with the Yankees adopted an analogous script on the finish of 2023 earlier than he re-signed and had a profession 12 months out of the bullpen in 2024. Maybe the Yankees see an analogous path for Blackburn, 31, after he earned his manner onto their postseason rosters.
RYAN YARBROUGH
Inked as a reliever on the very finish of spring coaching, Yarbrough, a profession swing-man, loved a profitable midseason run as a rotation fill-in for the Yankees. Nonetheless, the junk-balling lefty was derailed by an indirect harm, returned as a longman, and pitched poorly over his previous few appearances.
The 33-year-old has been a stable pitcher all through his profession and could be a pleasant depth signing, however the Yankees didn’t trouble to hold him on their October rosters.
TIM HILL
Hill, 35, has a $3 million membership possibility. There’s no motive for the Yankees to say no that, because the side-arming southpaw posted a 3.09 ERA over a team-high 70 appearances this season. He owns a 2.68 ERA since becoming a member of the workforce in the midst of the 2024 season.
Hill has additionally shared that he wish to stay in New York.
JONATHAN LOÁISIGA
Loáisiga additionally has a workforce possibility. His is valued at $5 million.
After one other injury-riddled season that featured poor efficiency when wholesome, the once-electric right-handed reliever would possibly as nicely be an unrestricted free agent. Odds are the 30-year-old’s time with the Yankees, the one massive league workforce Loáisiga has identified, is over. Then once more, it got here as a shock when the Yankees invested extra money in him final winter.
