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TAMPA, Fla. - After six weeks in Yankees camp - well we've learned once again that you can't predict baseball, Suzyn.
How will injuries to key Yankees impact their chances to repeat as AL pennant winners? Who will emerge as indispensable contributors and whose performance might slip, leading to midseason changes?
Undaunted as we leave spring training, here are five bold predictions for the Yankees' 2025 season:
Despite the devastating loss of ace Gerrit Cole (reconstructive elbow surgery) until 2026, and other stars on the injury list, the Yankees still win the division.
Yes, starter Luis Gil (lat strain) might not return until July, Giancarlo Stanton (elbow tendinitis) is out indefinitely, a host of relievers begin 2025 on the IL and that massive 2024 difference-maker, Juan Soto, is a Met.
This requires Aaron Judge to play 150 games at an MVP caliber, and for the remaining Yankees starters to stay healthy and productive, but the formidable AL East doesn't have a standout challenger.
The talented Orioles didn't add that needed impact starter and they're dealing with injuries to MVP candidate Gunnar Henderson and starter Grayson Rodriguez out of the gate.
But the O's are still the Yanks' biggest threat, though the Red Sox and Blue Jays are improved. Will playing home games at Steinbrenner Field (with Yankee Stadium's dimensions) help the Rays' offense?
Not since Mariano Rivera’s final season has a Yankees’ closer saved at least 40 games.
Rivera registered 44 saves in 2013, and this year Devin Williams will save a career-high 40 games.
Armed with his famous “Air-bender’’ changeup and entering his free agent walk year, Williams replaces Clay Holmes – now the Mets’ Opening Day starter – and fronts a bullpen that features Luke Weaver in a primary setup role.
That bridge to Williams should improve as the likes of Jake Cousins, Ian Hamilton and Tyler Matzek become activated off the injured list.
You could say that Williams, 30, has already impacted the Yankees; the organization’s 50-year ban on beards ended shortly after his arrival at camp.
Williams complied with the previous club policy, but he’d always pitched and felt comfortable with a beard, and owner Hal Steinbrenner changed his stance after canvassing the clubhouse.
In a full, healthy year, Yankees' captain Aaron Judge - the reigning AL MVP - is constantly in this conversation.
Batting behind Judge is a former NL MVP (2019) in the lefty-hitting Bellinger, whose swing at Yankee Stadium, his potential walk-year free agent status and his comfort (already) in pinstripes could make him a candidate.
Bellinger, 29, finished 10th in the NL MVP balloting with the 2023 Cubs, but saw his OPS drop to .751 in 130 games last year with Chicago.
"I expect more from myself. That's what I'm here for,'' Bellinger said earlier in camp, and he might find it by regularly batting between Judge and a more consistent Paul Goldschmidt in 2025.
The energetic Jazz Chisholm Jr. already voiced some personal 2025 predictions, targeting a Silver Slugger award and an All-Star selection.
Back at his natural position, the second baseman also believes that him and Anthony Volpe "can be the best shortstop-second baseman (combo) in the league...we’re probably going to turn the most double plays as well.''
They could also reach the 25-25 club together - that's 25 homers and 25 stolen bases each.
In 2024, the lefty-hitting Chisholm Jr. combined for 24 home runs and 40 steals, with 11 of his homers coming in 46 games as a Yankee.
After posting a 21-homer, 24-steal rookie season, Volpe went 12-28 last year, but he's shown more power this spring training - especially to the opposite way, a benefit a Yankee Stadium.
In their long history, the Yankees have never had a catcher bat leadoff.
That's set to change this year, with Aaron Boone preferring to bat the lefty-hitting Austin Wells leadoff against right-handed starters.
Paul Goldschmidt, who has also never previously batted leadoff, is the probable leadoff choice against lefty starters for a club that doesn't have a typical on-base/speed guy for the role.
But you don't want anyone attempting to steal with Judge at bat, and Wells - with a 1.263 OPS and six homers this exhibition season - could have staying power in the leadoff spot.
During his best stretch last season, Wells posted a .388 on-base percentage in 210 plate appearances across 58 games.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees predictions for 2025: Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams, Anthony Volpe
Continue reading...
How will injuries to key Yankees impact their chances to repeat as AL pennant winners? Who will emerge as indispensable contributors and whose performance might slip, leading to midseason changes?
Undaunted as we leave spring training, here are five bold predictions for the Yankees' 2025 season:
1. Yankees repeat as AL East champs
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Despite the devastating loss of ace Gerrit Cole (reconstructive elbow surgery) until 2026, and other stars on the injury list, the Yankees still win the division.
Yes, starter Luis Gil (lat strain) might not return until July, Giancarlo Stanton (elbow tendinitis) is out indefinitely, a host of relievers begin 2025 on the IL and that massive 2024 difference-maker, Juan Soto, is a Met.
This requires Aaron Judge to play 150 games at an MVP caliber, and for the remaining Yankees starters to stay healthy and productive, but the formidable AL East doesn't have a standout challenger.
The talented Orioles didn't add that needed impact starter and they're dealing with injuries to MVP candidate Gunnar Henderson and starter Grayson Rodriguez out of the gate.
But the O's are still the Yanks' biggest threat, though the Red Sox and Blue Jays are improved. Will playing home games at Steinbrenner Field (with Yankee Stadium's dimensions) help the Rays' offense?
2. 40 saves for Devin Williams
You must be registered for see images
Not since Mariano Rivera’s final season has a Yankees’ closer saved at least 40 games.
Rivera registered 44 saves in 2013, and this year Devin Williams will save a career-high 40 games.
Armed with his famous “Air-bender’’ changeup and entering his free agent walk year, Williams replaces Clay Holmes – now the Mets’ Opening Day starter – and fronts a bullpen that features Luke Weaver in a primary setup role.
That bridge to Williams should improve as the likes of Jake Cousins, Ian Hamilton and Tyler Matzek become activated off the injured list.
You could say that Williams, 30, has already impacted the Yankees; the organization’s 50-year ban on beards ended shortly after his arrival at camp.
Williams complied with the previous club policy, but he’d always pitched and felt comfortable with a beard, and owner Hal Steinbrenner changed his stance after canvassing the clubhouse.
3. Cody Bellinger is in the MVP conversation
You must be registered for see images
In a full, healthy year, Yankees' captain Aaron Judge - the reigning AL MVP - is constantly in this conversation.
Batting behind Judge is a former NL MVP (2019) in the lefty-hitting Bellinger, whose swing at Yankee Stadium, his potential walk-year free agent status and his comfort (already) in pinstripes could make him a candidate.
Bellinger, 29, finished 10th in the NL MVP balloting with the 2023 Cubs, but saw his OPS drop to .751 in 130 games last year with Chicago.
"I expect more from myself. That's what I'm here for,'' Bellinger said earlier in camp, and he might find it by regularly batting between Judge and a more consistent Paul Goldschmidt in 2025.
4. Anthony Volpe and Jazz Chisholm Jr. in 25-25 club
You must be registered for see images attach
The energetic Jazz Chisholm Jr. already voiced some personal 2025 predictions, targeting a Silver Slugger award and an All-Star selection.
Back at his natural position, the second baseman also believes that him and Anthony Volpe "can be the best shortstop-second baseman (combo) in the league...we’re probably going to turn the most double plays as well.''
They could also reach the 25-25 club together - that's 25 homers and 25 stolen bases each.
In 2024, the lefty-hitting Chisholm Jr. combined for 24 home runs and 40 steals, with 11 of his homers coming in 46 games as a Yankee.
After posting a 21-homer, 24-steal rookie season, Volpe went 12-28 last year, but he's shown more power this spring training - especially to the opposite way, a benefit a Yankee Stadium.
5. Austin Wells stays in the leadoff spot
You must be registered for see images
In their long history, the Yankees have never had a catcher bat leadoff.
That's set to change this year, with Aaron Boone preferring to bat the lefty-hitting Austin Wells leadoff against right-handed starters.
Paul Goldschmidt, who has also never previously batted leadoff, is the probable leadoff choice against lefty starters for a club that doesn't have a typical on-base/speed guy for the role.
But you don't want anyone attempting to steal with Judge at bat, and Wells - with a 1.263 OPS and six homers this exhibition season - could have staying power in the leadoff spot.
During his best stretch last season, Wells posted a .388 on-base percentage in 210 plate appearances across 58 games.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees predictions for 2025: Cody Bellinger, Devin Williams, Anthony Volpe
Continue reading...
