With spring coaching simply days away, the Yankees are set to start one other title quest.
They returned to the World Collection for the primary time since 2009 only a few months in the past, however the Bombers misplaced the Fall Basic to the Dodgers in 5 video games. Some poor fundamentals, particularly in a season-ending Recreation 5, haunted the Yankees in that collection and all through the 2024 season, however they consider an offseason stuffed with change — headlined by Juan Soto’s record-setting defection to the Mets — will enhance a few of their struggles within the subject and on the basepaths.
In fact, the Yankees’ new-look roster isn’t excellent. Whereas they’re one of the best staff within the American League on paper, there are nonetheless some questions and issues with pitchers and catchers reporting on Tuesday.
With that in thoughts, let’s check out a number of the greatest storylines surrounding the pinstripers earlier than issues decide up in sunny Tampa.
THE INFIELD SITUATION
What the Yankees will do at second and third base has been a speaking level all offseason. Jazz Chisholm Jr. can play each after studying third base on the fly halfway by way of final season. So can DJ LeMahieu, Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza, however having them begin or platoon is lower than superb for a membership with championship aspirations. As of now, that’s the Yankees’ plan, although.
Aaron Boone just lately stated that he deliberate on Chisholm taking part in second “right now.” Extra just lately, Brian Cashman informed the YES Community that he was comfy with Chisholm at both place, and that he may transfer round relying on who’s pitching. Both approach, Chisholm goes to be an on a regular basis starter.
As for LeMahieu, he’s owed $30 million over the following two seasons and has proven indicators of decline whereas battling accidents the previous couple of years. The Yankees have publicly expressed hope that he can bounce again with good well being, however there’s been no current indication that LeMahieu is anyplace close to the hitter who received batting titles in 2016 and 2020.
Peraza has but to point out that he can hit massive league pitching. The proficient defender can be uncovered to waivers if he doesn’t make the Yankees’ roster out of spring coaching. Cabrera could be one of the best candidate of the three to start out, however his worth is tied to his flexibility.
If all else fails, Cashman did say “there’s always the marketplace,” however choices are at present restricted after the Yankees have been linked to quite a few infielders all winter. That would change within the coming days and weeks, although.
STROMAN’S FUTURE
With extra starters than open rotation spots, Marcus Stroman has been the topic of commerce rumors all winter. The righty, at present positioned because the Yankees’ sixth starter, struggled within the second half final 12 months and didn’t pitch in any respect within the postseason.
However buying and selling Stroman has confirmed troublesome, as he’s set to make $18 million in 2025. He additionally has a 2026 possibility for a similar amount of cash, which is able to vest if he throws 140 innings this season. Additional complicating issues: quite a lot of veteran starters are nonetheless free brokers, they usually can doubtless be signed for lower than what Stroman is due.
It’s all the time potential that the Yankees hold Stroman, as accidents pop up in spring coaching. To date, Boone and Cashman have talked as if the pitcher goes to impression the staff, they usually’ve argued that he’s higher than his second-half numbers final season. Cashman additionally stated the Yanks’ poor protection damage Stroman greater than most in 2024, however the common supervisor initially responded, “We’re going to have to see how it plays out,” when YES requested concerning the Lengthy Island native.
No matter why Stroman faltered final 12 months, he’s not projected to be within the Yankees’ Opening Day rotation. Buying and selling him would save the staff cash — they’d should eat a few of that $18 million — with the Yankees’ projected payroll already over the best luxurious tax threshold.
With Tim Hill’s deal accounted for, Cot’s now has the #Yankees‘ projected 2025 CBT payroll at $304,795,667.
The best CBT threshold is $301 million.
A TALENTED PITCHING STAFF
With Stroman on the skin trying in, the Yankees have one of many league’s higher rotations. They shortly pivoted to Max Fried following Soto’s departure, touchdown a real No. 2 behind Gerrit Cole. Fried may take some stress off Carlos Rodón following a relative bounce-back 12 months, whereas Luis Gil and Clarke Schmidt will proceed to develop behind the rotation following robust 2024 seasons.
The Yankees continued to double down on pitching once they acquired Devin Williams, certainly one of baseball’s greatest closers, from the Brewers. With him ending off video games, Luke Weaver can return to the fireman function that he shined in final season earlier than taking up the nearer’s function from Clay Holmes.
The Yankees additionally re-signed Tim Hill and Jonathan Loáisiga and traded for Fernando Cruz, giving their pen extra selection and strikeout stuff than it had firstly of final season. There are nonetheless one or two spots open within the Yankees’ bullpen, however this ought to be one of many extra dominant teams within the recreation, particularly through the late innings.
NEW-LOOK LINEUP HAS SOME QUESTIONS
With a beefed-up pitching workers and a few recent faces within the subject, the Yankees made run prevention a precedence over the offseason. Run creation could possibly be more difficult in a post-Soto world, however the staff is hoping that some adorned veterans can flip again the clock and help Aaron Decide whereas still-developing children take steps ahead.
Heart fielder Cody Bellinger and first baseman Paul Goldschmidt have been the largest additions on offense, however the former MVPs are usually not the gamers they as soon as have been. Hal Steinbrenner just lately stated the duo may make up for “a good deal” of Soto’s offense, however that’s a tall activity.
Bellinger’s left-handed swing ought to profit from house video games at Yankee Stadium, whereas the 37-year-old Goldschmidt is coming off the worst season of his profession however a strong second half.
The Yankees additionally don’t have an apparent leadoff man. Cashman just lately stated Boone has somebody in thoughts, and Boone beforehand talked briefly about Jasson Domínguez as an possibility. Getting on-base may additionally be tougher for this lineup.
A PIVOTAL SEASON FOR VOLPE
Volpe is likely one of the children who must submit higher offensive numbers as he preps for his third MLB marketing campaign. A tough-hitting postseason left the Yankees inspired, however his first two seasons featured prolonged slumps and short-lived bursts of success after he tweaked his swing final winter.
In Yr 1, Volpe flashed some pop as he joined the 20-20 membership, however he hit .209 with 167 strikeouts. Final 12 months, Volpe solely hit 12 house runs, and he nonetheless struck out 156 occasions. Some early-season batted ball luck and his pace helped his common enhance to .243, however he nonetheless completed the 12 months with a sub-.300 on-base proportion for the second straight season.
Whereas Volpe provides Gold Glove protection at shortstop, the Yankees may use — and count on extra — from his bat.
JASSON GETS HIS SHOT
After two straight September call-ups didn’t go fairly the best way the Yankees wished them to — one as a consequence of damage, the opposite efficiency — the plan is for Jasson Domínguez to be the staff’s left fielder.
The pure middle fielder must present that he can deal with the place after flailing in left final season, however the actual hope is that Domínguez’s bat lives as much as the hype after he didn’t supplant Alex Verdugo earlier than the postseason final 12 months.
If that’s the case, the 22-year-old could possibly be a viable possibility within the leadoff spot, as the highest prospect has pace, pop and persistently reached base within the minors.
