2025 Yankees Season Preview
Record: 94-68, 1st in AL East
Photo credit: @Yankees on X
Final result: World Series loss in 6 games to the Los Angeles Dodgers
Best hitter: RF Aaron Judge (55 HR, .314 AVG, 114 RBI, 1.117 OPS)
Best pitcher: LHP Max Fried (22-9, 2.89 ERA)
Biggest boost: C Austin Wells (23 HR, .268 AVG, 52 RBI, .812 OPS)
Biggest disappointment: 3B Oswaldo Cabrera (7 HR, .253 AVG, 17 RBI, .579 OPS)
Predictions
Lineup:
1. C Austin Wells (L)
I expect Wells to thrive in the leadoff spot at first, but he will run into a bit of a roadblock along the way. The Yankees want Wells to provide consistent offense from the leadoff spot, particularly against right-handed pitchers. Wells will be one of the best defensive catchers in the American League this season, and his offense will bloom, particularly his power-hitting. My prediction: 23 HR, .268 AVG, 52 RBI, .812 OPS
2. RF Aaron Judge (C) (R)
Judge put together one of the best seasons last year by any right-handed hitter in MLB history, and his spectacular stats helped him earn his second career MVP. In his third season, given Soto’s absence, his RBI will reduce, but his average will still be high, along with his home runs. Above all else, Judge needs to stay healthy. Don’t be surprised if it takes him a little while to find consistency. Nonetheless, he will be an elite right fielder like he always has been. My prediction: 55 HR, .314 AVG, 114 RBI, 1.117 OPS
3. CF Cody Bellinger (L)
Bellinger evolved as a hitter in Chicago, reducing his strikeout rate significantly, but his pull rate went down a bit too. This might be because of the wind at Wrigley, but he needs to pull balls to the short porch a lot this season to serve as a strong three-spot hitter in the Yankees lineup. He will patrol a consistent, clean center field, and he will probably become more of a power hitter again like he was in Los Angeles. My prediction: 35 HR, .287 AVG, 83 RBI, .790 OPS
4. 1B Paul Goldschmidt (R)
The Yankees need Goldschmidt to be a consistent right-handed hitter while Stanton is absent. Goldschmidt will lead off against left-handed pitching, but he will probably (hopefully) continue to be a slugger, even in the leadoff spot. The Yankees are putting power hitters in the leadoff spot this year anyway, so I doubt Goldschmidt will try to do anything more. The Yankees will get power and consistency from their first baseman this season, for Goldschmidt is MLB’s iron man and knows how to care for his body. He had a bit of a back issue in Spring, but I trust the veteran’s judgment. He is not the first baseman of the future, but he must be one of the best hitters on this team this year. My prediction: 26 HR, .263 AVG, 78 RBI, .771 OPS
5. 2B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L)
Chisholm will move to second base this season, and he is more comfortable there than at first. I believe he will be a strong offensive contributor, but he sometimes gets overzealous and makes undisciplined errors at second base. Nonetheless, I love his energy, and he enters this season as a core member of this team. My prediction: 32 HR,.283 AVG, 87 RBI, .803 OPS, 37 SB
6. SS Anthony Volpe (R)
Volpe must have a breakout season or he will fail to meet the Yankees’ expectations of him. He is being slotted lower in the Yankees lineup this season, so he understands his role. He needs to have a defensive season like his Gold Glove-winning 2023 campaign, and I believe he will. He also needs to hit at least 20 homers and steal for this season to be considered a success for him. My prediction: 24 HR, .271 AVG, 71 RBI, .709 OPS, 27 SB
7. LF Jasson Domínguez (S)
Domínguez is a big question mark in this Yankees lineup. Given his history, he’ll probably face an IL stint at some point, but the Yankees are relying on him to be a good pull-hitter. Moreover, he needs to be a strong left fielder. He cleaned up his game in Spring Training, but last season, he looked lost in left field. Left field at Yankee Stadium is complicated because it boxes players out, and there has been tremendous turnover there for the Yankees throughout recent years. Domínguez is expected to provide consistency in left field, but I question his ability to do so. He is an elite center fielder, though. My prediction: 28 HR, .273 AVG, 86 RBI, .772 OPS
8. DH Ben Rice (L)
Rice looks to hit balls hard and drive them out of the ballpark this season, and while Stanton is absent, he will be the Yankees’ starting designated hitter. He might not play that many games, but if he plays a full season, this is my prediction: 18 HR, .268 AVG, 57 RBI, .692 OPS
9. 3B Oswaldo Cabera (S)
Cabrera should be a bench player, but he will be the Yankees’ starting third baseman this season, at least for now. He struggles to hit from the right side, which concerns the Yankees, but he is a solid defender and utility player. Unless Cabrera or LeMahieu somehow become superstar offensive players, Brian Cashman will acquire another third baseman, specifically one that hits right-handed. My prediction in 81 games: 7 HR, .253 AVG, 17 RBI, .579 OPS
Bench:
C JC Escarra (L)
Escarra will probably start 20-40 games for the Yankees this season, and he will provide some flurries of offensive power. He will smile through the entire season, and his story makes him easy to love. My prediction in 30 games: 4 HR, .248 AVG, 12 RBI, .513 OPS
OF Trent Grisham (L)
Grisham is a spotty hitter, but an amazing center fielder. If the Yankees cannot find a consistent DH to substitute for Stanton, Grisham will get more playing time this season. My prediction in 30 games: 8 HR, .251 AVG, 17 RBI, .602 OPS
3B Oswald Peraza (R)
Peraza is only on this team because he is out of Minor League options. The Yankees would love to flip him in a trade, but because of his lack of skill offensively, this is difficult to do. Peraza is a strong defender, though. My prediction in 20 games: 2 HR, .232 AVG, 7 RBI, .508 OPS
UT Pablo Reyes (R)
Reyes is on this team because he is the Yankees’ best right-handed hitting depth option. He had a good Spring, but that is irrelevant in the regular season. My prediction in 20 games: 4 HR, .217 AVG, 14 RBI, .507 OPS
Starting Rotation:
1. LHP Carlos Rodón
Rodón’s biggest weakness is himself. In the biggest moments, he tends to get nervous and struggle. He has excellent stuff, and hopefully, he is motivated by his Opening Day start. My prediction: 21-8, 3.93 ERA
2. LHP Max Fried
Fried is the Yankees’ new ace, due to Cole’s season-ending injury. I expect him to be consistent, but for the Yankees to achieve their goals, he must stay healthy. Fried has a wonderful Koufax-like curveball, and he has excellent pitchability. My prediction: 22-9, 2.89 ERA
3. RHP Marcus Stroman
It didn’t seem like Stroman was going to be part of this team ahead of Spring Straining, but then injuries plagued the Yankees’ pitching staff, and suddenly Stroman became one of their most important pitchers. He was left off the roster in the postseason, but he needs to go from zero to hero this year. Odds are, though, he’ll continue to struggle with the long ball, especially at Yankee Stadium. My prediction: 12-11, 4.61 ERA
4. RHP Will Warren
Unless the Yankees acquire another starting pitcher, it will be between Warren and Carlos Carrasco for the fifth spot in the rotation (once Clarke Schmidt returns). Warren looks to become a true Big League pitcher this year, and he’s ready, but he will struggle to find consistency. However, he will strike out a lot of guys. My prediction: 5-12, 4.53 ERA
5. RHP Carlos Carrasco
Maybe he’s the odd man out, but if Cookie can stay consistent, it will be because of his impressive delivery and durability. My prediction: 6-8, 3.17 ERA
6. RHP Clarke Schmidt
He is currently on the injured list, but Schmidt will return soon. He looks to become a more reliable starter for the Yankees this season, and as a righty in their rotation, they need it. My prediction: 12-7, 3.12 ERA
Bullpen:
Middle relievers: RHP Fernando Cruz (4.68 ERA), RHP Mark Leiter Jr. (3.12 ERA), LHP Ryan Yarbrough (2.17 ERA), RHP Jake Cousins (3.02 ERA)
Long relievers: RHP Yoendrys Gómez (4.73 ERA), LHP Brent Headrick (5.01 ERA)
Late relievers/setup men: LHP Tim Hill (2.01 ERA), RHP Luke Weaver (2.53 ERA)
Closer: RHP Devin Williams (1.27 ERA, 27 SV)
Active Roster
Pitching
Starting Rotation:
#59 RHP Carlos Carrasco
#54 LHP Max Fried
#55 LHP Carlos Rodón
#0 RHP Marcus Stroman
#98 RHP Will Warren
Bullpen:
#61 RHP Jake Cousins
#63 RHP Fernando Cruz
#94 RHP Yoendrys Gómez
#77 LHP Brent Headrick
#41 LHP Tim Hill
#56 RHP Mark Leiter Jr.
#30 RHP Luke Weaver
#38 RHP Devin Williams
#33 LHP Ryan Yarbrough
Position Players
Catchers:
#79 JC Escarra (L/R)
#28 C Austin Wells (L/R)
Infielders:
#95 UT Oswaldo Cabrera (S/R)
#13 2B/3B Jazz Chisholm Jr. (L/R)
#48 1B Paul Goldschmidt (R/R)
#93 1B/C Ben Rice (L/R)
#11 SS Anthony Volpe (R/R)
Outfielders:
#35 CF/RF Cody Bellinger (L/L)
#24 LF/CF Jasson Domínguez (S/R)
#12 CF Trent Grisham (L/L)
#99 RF/CF Aaron Judge (C) (R/R)
Injuries
3/26: DH Giancarlo Stanton (right and left elbow epicondylitis) to 10-day IL (retroactive to 3/24)
3/26: RHP Jonathan Loáisiga (right elbow surgery recovery) to 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24)
3/26: RHP JT Brubaker (left rib fractures) to 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24)
3/26: RHP Clarke Schmidt (right rotator cuff tendonitis) to 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24)
3/26: RHP Clayton Beeter (right shoulder impingement syndrome) to 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24)
3/26: RHP Scott Effross (left hamstring strain) to 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24)
3/26: 3B DJ LeMahieu (left calf strain) to 10-day IL (retroactive to 3/24)
3/26: RHP Ian Hamilton (viral illness) to 15-day IL (retroactive to 3/24)
3/24: RHP Luis Gil (right lat strain) to 60-day IL
3/22: RHP Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery recovery) to 60-day IL (OFTS)
DJ LeMahieu:
LeMahieu returned from injury to a Spring Training game on March 1. Then, in his second at-bat, he strained his calf. The Yankees owe LeMahieu $30 million across this season and next, but if possible, they would love to trade him. LeMahieu is in New York right now, but he hopes to return to Tampa to engage in baseball activities as soon as next week. LeMahieu expects to return as soon as May.
Giancarlo Stanton:
This one is the most puzzling because while we know Stanton is battling dual-elbow tendinitis and received three rounds of PRP injections, we haven’t heard any updates on his expected return yet. Stanton is yet to return to baseball activities. Jon Heyman said earlier this week that Stanton’s injury was probably caused by a bat switch last season, and “the recommender is no longer around the Yankees.” Stanton earned the ALCS MVP last year for his sensational postseason performance and the hope his he can get healthy by midseason and be ready for another postseason.
Clarke Schmidt:
Schmidt has been a bit delayed in Spring after a back and shoulder issue. Schmidt reportedly needs to make it to 70 pitches before returning to the Yankees. Ideally, they will get him back by the second or third week of April. He is already preparing to return.
Tyler Matzek:
The Yankees acquired the lefty Matzek late in the offseason to serve as a high-leverage reliever. He strained his oblique on February 25, but he has been throwing bullpen sessions for about two weeks, and he could join the team as soon as the second week of April, but probably a bit later. But Matzek still needs to prove he deserves a roster spot now that the Yankees have signed Ryan Yarbrough.
Ian Hamilton:
Hamilton looked good to me in a Spring game this weekend, but because of an infection, he is a bit behind. He is technically ready to go right now, but given his injury history, the Yankees are playing it safe. They will give him a bit more time to build up. Maybe he’ll be back for the team’s first road trip.
Luis Gil:
Gil is recovering from a lat strain, and he is expected to return by late June at the earliest. He is 2-3 weeks into a 6-8 week IL stint, and he will need about six more weeks to build up.
AL East Predictions
1. New York Yankees: 94-68
Top hitter: RF Aaron Judge (55 HR, .314 AVG, 114 RBI, 1.117 OPS)
Top pitcher: LHP Max Fried (22-9, 2.89 ERA)
Player in question: LF Jasson Domínguez (28 HR, .273 AVG, 86 RBI, .772 OPS)
2. Boston Red Sox: 85-77
Top hitter: 3B Alex Bregman (38 HR, .289 AVG, 101 RBI, .715 OPS)
Top pitcher: LHP Garrett Crochet (24-7, 3.05 ERA)
Player in question: SS Trevor Story (11 HR, .238 AVG, 65 RBI, .603 OPS)
3. Baltimore Orioles: 83-79
Top hitter: SS Gunnar Henderson (42 HR, .289 AVG, 98 RBI, .902 OPS)
Top pitcher: RHP Tomoyuki Sugano (16-8, 2.92 ERA)
Player in question: C Adley Rutschman (27 HR, .271 AVG, 82 RBI, .878 OPS)
4. Toronto Blue Jays: 81-81
Top hitter: 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (41 HR, .317 AVG, 112 RBI, 1.072 OPS)
Top pitcher: RHP Chris Bassitt (12-10, 3.67 ERA)
Player in question: SS Bo Bichette (22 HR, .271 AVG, 89 RBI, .872 OPS)
5. Tampa Bay Rays: 74-88
Top hitter: 3B/1B Yandy Díaz (26 HR, .278 AVG, 78 RBI, .790 OPS)
Top pitcher: LHP Shane McClanahan (12-5, 3.51 ERA)
Player in question: RHP Ryan Pepiot (7-9, 4.75 ERA)
Happy Opening Day, everyone! Let’s go Yankees!
