Because the Yankees prepared for the beginning of the 2025 season, they’ve their sights set on a return to the World Sequence and their first title since 2009.
Whereas short-handed, the Yankees are nonetheless strolling into the season with a formidable roster with room for upside regardless of shedding Juan Soto to the Mets over the winter. Let’s check out what that Opening Day group may appear to be barring some last-minute strikes, in addition to the most important questions dealing with the Yankees.
PROJECTED LINEUP
1. C Austin Wells2. RF Aaron Judge3. CF Cody Bellinger4. 1B Paul Goldschmidt5. 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr.6. SS Anthony Volpe7. LF Jasson Domínguez8. DH Ben Rice9. 3B Oswaldo Cabrera
PROJECTED BENCH
OF Trent Grisham, C J.C. Escarra, IF Oswald Peraza, UT Pablo Reyes
PROJECTED ROTATION
1. LHP Carlos Rodón2. LHP Max Fried3. RHP Marcus Stroman4. RHP Will Warren5. RHP Carlos Carrasco
PROJECTED BULLPEN
RHP Devin Williams (CL)RHP Luke WeaverRHP Fernando CruzRHP Mark Leiter Jr.RHP Yoendrys GómezRHP Yerry De Los SantosLHP Tim HillLHP Ryan Yarbrough
PROJECTED INJURY LIST
RHP Gerrit Cole, RHP Luis Gil, RHP Clarke Schmidt, DH Giancarlo Stanton, 3B DJ LeMahieu, RHP Jonathan Loáisiga, RHP Ian Hamilton, RHP Jake Cousins, LHP Tyler Matzek, RHP Scott Effross, RHP Clayton Beeter, RHP JT Brubaker
IS THE ROTATION RELIABLE?
The Yankees entered spring coaching with top-of-the-line rotations in baseball. Cole was going to guide it, Fried was going to be the Batman to his Robin, and Stroman was the odd man out.
Now Cole is out for the yr and Gil, the 2024 American League Rookie of the Yr, gained’t return till the summer time. Their accidents, together with a pair of nagging aches for Schmidt, have compelled Stroman into the No. 3 slot after he recorded 5.98 ERA within the second half final season and was stored out of postseason motion.
The accidents additionally cleared house for Warren, an unproven rookie, and the veteran Carrasco, who has a 5.32 ERA during the last 4 seasons.
Rodón, in the meantime, hasn’t lived as much as the large contract he signed earlier than the 2023 season, making him a wild card. Whereas the lefty took Cole’s Opening Day begin, Fried is the clear No. 1 in a bunch filled with query marks.
HOW MUCH WILL VETERAN HITTERS CONTRIBUTE?
The Yankees turned to 2 former MVPs, Bellinger and Goldschmidt, within the wake of Soto’s departure. Replicating Soto’s manufacturing will probably be powerful for these two — no matter what Hal Steinbrenner is hoping for — however their springs gave the Yankees cause to consider that they are often impactful additions to a lineup that will probably be closely reliant on Decide having one other MVP-type season of his personal.
Bellinger ought to profit from enjoying his residence video games at Yankee Stadium, as his left-handed swing is tailored for the Bronx’s brief proper subject porch. Solely 29 and in good well being, the son of former Yankee Clay Bellinger will probably be tasked with hitting behind Decide.
Goldschmidt, in the meantime, is 37 and coming off the worst season of his profession. Nonetheless, he had a .799 OPS within the second half final season, giving him and the Yankees some hope that he could be a cleanup menace all through his first season in pinstripes.
CAN YOUNGSTERS STEP UP?
Whereas the Yankees want to see their new veteran hitters flip the clock again a bit, additionally they want kids like Domínguez, Wells, Rice and Volpe to step up.
For Domínguez, this will probably be his first prolonged shot at being a giant league starter. It’s a time that he, the group and followers have lengthy been ready for, as monumental hype has adopted the 22-year-old since he was 16. Keep watch over his protection in left subject, because the pure heart fielder has had some mishaps on the market for the reason that finish of final season.
Wells, in the meantime, is the Yankees’ beginning catcher after splitting time with Jose Trevino final season. He’s established himself as a proficient receiver regardless of considerations over his protection when he was drafted, and he slugged his approach into the leadoff position this spring.
Rice did his justifiable share of bashing in exhibition play as properly, repeatedly recording Stanton-like exit velocities with the DH out indefinitely.
Volpe, in the meantime, is coming into a pivotal third season. He lacked consistency and fell wanting expectations over his first two campaigns, however the Yankees are hoping {that a} harder-hitting postseason will translate to a full season of manufacturing for the Gold Glove defender.
WILL THE YANKS STAND PAT AT THIRD BASE?
Cabrera is one other younger participant the Yankees are relying on, as he seems just like the crew’s common third baseman on the time of publication, although the crew may herald a right-handed hitter to assist on the place.
Third base is a matter that dates again to final season, however the Yankees entered camp with Cabrera, Peraza and LeMahieu as their likeliest candidates for the new nook regardless of some apparent cons being hooked up to every.
If the Yankees don’t make any strikes for a 3rd baseman now, will probably be fascinating to see if they’re keen so as to add important payroll for one earlier than the commerce deadline ought to Cabrera falter.
