As the 2025 season is about to begin, I’ve compiled some key data and ended (as usual) with my annual personal prediction without using a real Crystal Ball…

Let’s start with our initial 26-man roster, beginning with the Yankees’ home-opener lineup against the Milwaukee Brewers:

Starting Lineup
Austin Wells (C)
Aaron Judge (RF)
Cody Bellinger (CF)
Paul Goldschmidt (1B)
Jazz Chisholm (2B)
Jasson Domínguez (LF)

Anthony Volpe (SS)
Ben Rice (DH)
Oswaldo Cabrera (3B)
[Carlos Rodón (P)]
 
The Other 16 Players
Oswald Peraza – backup infielder
Pablo Reyes - backup infielder/outfielder
JC Escarra – backup catcher
Trent Grisham - backup outfielder
Max Fried – starting pitcher
Will Warren – starting pitcher
Marcus Stroman - starting pitcher
Carlos Carrasco - starting pitcher
Ryan Yarbrough – reliever or spot-starter
Mark Leiter, Jr. – reliever
Yoendrys Gómez – reliever
Brent Headrick - reliever
Fernando Cruz - reliever
Tim Hill - reliever
Luke Weaver – reliever
Devin Williams – closer
 
 
Key Factors for My 2025 Season Prediction
 
Negative:  We lost Soto’s bat in front of Judge.
Positive:  To lessen that blow, we did acquire the additions of Belinger and Goldschmidt.  They are expected to collectively improve the offense we collectively had in our standard lineup from both Soto and Rizzo.  Those additions, for sure, will also improve our team’s defense!

Negative:  Last season, our backup catcher was Jose Trevino.

Positive:  This season, our backup catcher is thankfully JC Escarra (an expected improvement from this former Uber Driver/Substitute Teacher)! 
 
Negative:  As usual, our bullpen lost some of its strength with early injuries, including Jake Cousins, Clayton Beeter, Scott Effross, Ian Hamilton, and Jonathan Loáisiga.  What else is new, especially with Loáisiga?

Positive:  We added a new, and certainly improved closer, Devin Williams.  That addition along with the subtraction of our former closer (Clay Holmes) certainly offers an expected improvement, including more saves since Holmes blew 13 of them last year!  Furthermore, our late-season closer (Weaver) who was awesome last season will now move back to being the 7^th or 8^th inning reliever, while also being available to close, if needed.  That 1-2 punchout will undoubtedly be the best offered in all of baseball this season.
 
Negative:  As mentioned, we lost Cole (for the season), Gil (for the first few months), and Schmidt (for, hopefully, just the first few weeks).
Positive:  We added Max Fried.  Although he was supposed to bring our starting pitching staff into becoming one of the best in all of baseball, he will now instead help offset the loss of Gil.
 
Last season, I predicted at least 92 wins (they won 94).  This season, I am again predicting at least 92 wins.  The main reservation from me to not match what they actually won last season is due mostly because of the lack of having Cole (at all this season) and Gil (for the first few months of this season).  I also feel that we should have found a true third baseman by now, but didn't (although there's still some time to quickly alleviate that failure (by Cashman) before it becomes an increased contribution to losses.  Play ball!!!

INJURIES - WHAT ELSE IS NEW?

Every year, all teams have to deal with injuries.  Some happen before the season, and others happen during the season.  Of course, some happen during both periods (e.g., DJ LeMahieu). So far, our key injured players who are questionable for opening day include:

Hitters:
DJ LeMahieu:  (left calf strain) - as mentioned an "as expected" injured player.

Giancarlo Stanton:  (pain in both elbows) - another "as expected" injured player.

Pitchers:

Gerrit Cole:  (recovering from Tommy John surgery).

Luis Gil:  (strain of the lat/a.k.a., latissimus dorsi strain) - last year's "Rookie of the Year" winner.

Jonathan Loáisiga:  (right UCL surgery recovery) - again, another "as expected" injured player.

Jake Cousins:  (right forearm strain) - he was great last season.

Clarke Schmidt:  (will pitch today in a Spring Training game with the hopes his back is okay), and one of our top pitching prospects.

Chase Hampton:  (recovering from Tommy John surgery) - their top AAA pitching prospect who would like have played for their MLB team this season.

From the above players listed, most of the players are expected to be back during this season, while both Cole and Hampton will be out for the full 2025 season and part of the 2026 season.  Stanton, on the other hand, has to wait to see if the PRP (platelet-rich plasma) shots he's been receiving don't effectively work.  If the shots fail, then he will potentially require season-ending surgery.

Possible Replacements of the Injured and of the Vacated Free Agents:

As we still await the hope of signing a viable third baseman for the aforementioned wounded players (I don't think either Cabrera or Peraza are fulltime players for the Yankees), here are some inhouse options (short- and long-term) for our vacated starting positions or starting pitchers:

Jasson Domínguez

Jasson, considered the Yankees' number 1 prospect, is supposed to be the one who replaces last season's main leftfielder, Alex Verdugo.  Brian Cashman has been insisting that Jasson is slated to be the team's 2025 leftfielder; however, lately, Cashman has been rightfully and only recently been stating "Jasson needs to earn the spot.".  While everyone knows the potential of Jasson, I personally think he needs more grooming in his hitting and, even more, with his defense!  We all saw defensive flaws during his short stint last year in leftfield, but my concern is not the different angle on the ball off of the bat compared to centerfield, but that he demonstrates some of the same issues Gleyber Torres had - lack of concentration, acting too lax.  My vote is to give him more AAA time to fully develop and to determine which position has the least amount of vulnerability if he doesn't.

Will Warren

Warren has added 1-2 mph to his sinker and four-seam fastball so far this spring while his sweeper has increased movement with a very impressive 3,000 rpm and nearly 20 inches of horizontal movement.  Last season was not impressive enough, but let's keep an eye on him for perhaps finally making it to the promised land this season as a starter.  With Cole out, we certainly need Warren in the rotation.

On-the-Horizon (before or during the 2026 season):

Spencer Jones

Although Jones, the Yankees' number 3 rated prospect, was last in the AA level, I've seen a decent amount of his at-bats and defense and feel he's shown a lot of progression.  He has basically had one weakness, strikeouts.  He worked overly hard on that over the winter with the main focus concentrated on moving his swing actions with his whole body as opposed to separating that portion when swinging.  It's thankfully very noticeable watching him during the Spring Training games.  Even though such games are considered nonessential, there are still key things to evaluate based on more than just the stats, such as studying any difference of the pitchers or batters from the prior season.  If you're watching those games, and have seen his 2024 at-bats, you'll see the difference. Even former players have mentioned it.  Jones has been one of my favorite draft picks in years and I truly expect him to join the team quicker than most can at this stage.  

George Lombard, Jr. 

George is the Yankees' number 2 prospect.  His exit velocities and chase rates all ran above-average.  His infield defensive prowess is top-notch.  Scouts report that his range, quick hands, and superb instincts will undoubtedly make him continue to be an excellent defender, especially as a shortstop.  During Spring Training, he has certainly opened some eyes up, especially the announcers and also Boone.  They also brag about his maturity for a 19 year-old.  Like Spencer, I would love to see him accelerate rapidly.  He totally has that "Wow!" factor like Spencer!!

JC Escarra

He is a standout!  Last season, in AAA, he produced a .930 OPS with 8 home runs and 34 RBIs in just 52 games.  Currently, he's auditioning to become Austin Wells' backup, which was vacated by Jose Trevino.  He has continued his impressive at-bats during spring.  The only concern is that he, like Wells, is a lefty hitter.  Typically, teams prefer to have one catcher as a righty and the other as a lefty.  Escarra's good offense and impressive defense should easily overtake that concern.  He's another one who has certainly shown a very good Spring Training output.  Again, that can sometimes be unworthy of consideration, but with his impressive minor league stats, he has already demonstrated he's worthy to be on the 26-man roster on March 27 (opening day)!

Everson Pereira

He had a small sampling in the majors last year.  Based on that and his AAA experiences, I personally am unsure what to expect at this early point.  He may be considered to try out for the outfield if Domínguez fails.

HAPPY NEW (YORK YANKEES’) YEAR – WE HOPE!

As all baseball fans know, Juan Soto signed a 15-year deal last month with the Mets for $765 million with incentives and options that could total $805 million by the end of the contract!  I never thought any of his offers would reach much more than $625 million.  

Crazily, even the Yankees offered much more than $700 million with their final offer being $760 million for a 16-year deal, which lessened the annual average the Mets offered but would have still been preposterous!  Also, the Mets mistakenly offered him so many perks including funding for his mother's clothing, a paid large suite at home games, exclusive security to him and his family, and so many other perks that were never offered to their other stars.  I say, "mistakenly" because no one team member should be treated that exclusively if they are truly a "team" player.  That's also against any business sense in regards to offering differential treatment.

As I mentioned in my last blog, there is no doubt that Soto is one of the top hitters in all of baseball, but he (or any other baseball player for that matter) is certainly not worth that enormous of an investment.  Although Soto just turned 26 years old, the Mets could conceivably have him until he reaches 41 years old.  His defense is subpar and, also as mentioned in my last blog, it won’t improve to any extreme degree.  In fact, it’s inevitable that he will qualify more as a DH than as a right fielder over the next few years.  That likely scenario would make his annual earnings even less palatable, if there’s room for that level.

With Soto no longer a Yankee, that made their improvement plans even more unsurmountable. Thankfully, they didn’t waste any time by acting immediately.  Here are some of their key signings (the main roster addition is underlined) with team improvements in each case:

- Attained (RHP/Closer) Devin Williams in a trade with the Brewers for (RHP) Nestor Cortes & (2B) Caleb Durbin.

- Attained (LF/CF/1B) Cody Bellinger in a trade with the Cubs for (RHP) Cody Poteet and cash.

- Signed free agent (LHP/Starter) Max Fried.

- Attained RHP (Reliever) Fernando Cruz & (C) Alex Jackson for (C) Jose Treviño.

- Re-signed free agent (RHP/Reliever) Jonathan Loáisiga.

- Signed free agent (1B) Paul Goldschmidt.

- In an unannounced deal at this point, it has been reported that the Yankees signed former Cub top prospect, (LF) Brennen Davis (a recent top 100 prospect) to a minor league deal or a spring training invite.

Of the above transactions, the 3 standouts are Devin Williams, Max Fried, and Cody Bellinger.  Devin was one of last year’s best closers in the game, Fried was one of the best starters, and Cody has had several great seasons including 2023 while 2024 was still considered good offensively and still excellent defensively at varying positions.

With Devin (WHIP=0.097), the Yankees have one of the top 2 bullpens in all of baseball, barring injuries.  Devin will become the closer with Luke Weaver moving to the 8th inning generically.  Of course, Weaver could also still close the games when needed.

With Fried (WHIP=1.16), the Yankees have also moved up their starting pitching rotation to becoming arguably the best or second best in baseball, barring injuries. He reminds me so much of Mike Mussina, which is certainly a great thing!

As for Cody Bellinger (18 HR projected to exceed 24 with Yankees Stadium factored into half his games), he is a player the Yankees coveted for years.  As alluded, his lefthanded swing is ideal for Yankee Stadium – maybe once he adjusts his swing, he may even hit 30 homeruns.  The fact that he can play centerfield, leftfield, or first base without compromising defense is awesome.  That versatility is such an asset for Boone to have to rest players or spell if injuries occur from others.  He is another player acquired who had a childhood dream of playing for the Yankees, especially since his father (Clay) played for them during 2 championship years (1999 & 2000).  All Yankees’ fans can also appreciate Cody’s public vocalized angry comments ripping the Astros for their cheating to attain championships and even specifically against the world's biggest cheater, José Altuve, for “stealing” the MVP away from Aaron Judge in 2017, who ultimately came in second place.

The Goldschmidt signing is also worth mentioning.  While he struggled in the beginning of last season, he found his way back to being a force to reckon with against his opponents during the last half – totaling 22 homers & 33 doubles.  His defense is still amongst the best at first base.  The only downside I saw last year (I watch a lot of games) was that he seemed to let his early season struggles affect his defense somewhat.  In any case, his numbers far exceed Rizzo’s, who I feel bad for because those concussions really negatively transformed his offensive and defensive abilities over the past 2 seasons.  Goldschmidt was only signed to a 1-year contract ($12.5 million), so the risk versus the potential rewards is considered low.

What’s next?  The Yankees still need to acquire either a second baseman or a third baseman.  No Yankees’ fan wants LeMahieu to be a fulltime player at any position (physically, he probably can’t anyway)!  Also, while Oswaldo Cabrera has been a good backup at multiple positions, his performance is like a roller coaster and his standard OPS does not seem like it will ever be good enough as a fulltime player for a team trying to win the World Series.  As for Oswald Peraza, his defense has shined more than his offense.  He's another good backup at this stage, but we shouldn’t count on him beyond that level.  I’m unsure what the Yankees will do for 2B or 3B with Jazz Chisholm playing one of those positions.  We also need a leftfielder or centerfielder if we don’t feel the Martian (Jasson Dominguez) is truly ready yet.  I propose (not that the Yankees read my blog or care to take my advice anyway) we sign free agent Jurickson Profar for left field (Bellinger would then play centerfield).  Last year, Profar hit .280 with 24 HRs, 85RBIs, and had a .838 OPS.  He’s also a switch hitter, which is always an advantage against any pitcher.  His only detriment is that he has Scott Boras as his agent.  If the Yankees do sign him, that would mean that the Martian would either go back to AAA to develop further or become available as trade bait for a good or great second or third baseman.  That would also open the door wider for another promising outfield star, Spencer Jones – who could be Major-League-ready by 2026.