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TAMPA, Fla. – Spring training became sort of brutal at Steinbrenner Field.
Giancarlo Stanton arrived at Yankees camp with elbow injuries he’d been nursing since last season, and who knows when he’ll return to Aaron Boone's lineup.
And when ace Gerrit Cole’s valuable right elbow rebelled for a second straight March (following Luis Gil's lat strain), this time it meant season-ending Tommy John surgery.
A host of relievers will start on the injured list, too, but “I think we have a good team,’’ said GM Brian Cashman. “And we look forward to testing it when we deploy it March 27.’’
Despite their injury situation, questions at third base, left field and in the rotation – not to mention Juan Soto’s free agent departure – the defending AL champs can argue they’re still the team to beat.
2. Aaron Judge, RF (R)
3. Cody Bellinger, CF (L)
4. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B (R)
5. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B (L)
6. Anthony Volpe, SS (R)
7. Jasson Dominguez, LF (S)
8. Ben Rice, DH (L)
9. Oswaldo Cabrera, 3B (S)
Analysis: The fourth-place 2023 Yankees improved from a 673-run team to an 815-run pennant winner in 2024, fueled by the historic Soto-Judge dynamic.
Soto has taken his elite on-base and slugging skills to Citi Field, and it's incumbent on Judge, the soon-to-be-33-year-old reigning AL MVP, to anchor a lefty-weighted lineup that has more athleticism.
Story continues below photo gallery
Stanton's absence puts Goldschmidt, 37, in the cleanup spot, looking more like the hitter who posted an .818 OPS in his last 54 games with St. Louis, as opposed to his .665 start last season for the Cardinals.
Goldschmidt could also be the leadoff choice against lefties, with Wells batting first against righty starters - two unorthodox choices on a club without a pure top-of-the-order hitter.
Chisholm Jr. and Volpe are each 20-20 candidates (homers, stolen bases), Dominguez came on offensively later in camp (though his left field defense needs work) and we'll see if Cashman upgrades third base by the trade deadline.
Closer: Devin Williams, RHP
Analysis: Stroman arrived at camp as the sixth starter and emerged at No. 3.
Cole is out until mid-2026, Gil isn't expected until July and Clarke Schmidt's bout of shoulder fatigue has delayed him until early April, as he builds up pitch counts.
Those injuries created openings for rookie Will Warren and veteran Carlos Carrasco, who have pitched well but weren't being counted on as camp began, on a team with questionable rotation depth.
Fried's $218 million free agent signing becomes that much more essential, and he's looked the part. Coming off a career high 32 starts, Rodon's ability to post will go a long way toward stabilizing this rotation.
Max Fried, LHP; Devin Williams, Carlos Carrasco, Fernando Cruz, RHPs; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B; JC Escarra, C; Pablo Reyes, IF-OF.
Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, OFs; Gleyber Torres, 2B; Anthony Rizzo, 1B; Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, RHPs; Nestor Cortes, LHP; Jose Trevino, C
RHP Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery), OF Giancarlo Stanton (tendinitis, both elbows), IF DJ LeMahieu (left calf strain), RHP Clarke Schmidt (shoulder fatigue), RHP Jonathan Loaisiga (rehab, elbow surgery), RHP Scott Effross (left hamstring strain), RHP Jake Cousins (forearm strain), LHP Tyler Matzek (strained oblique), RHP JT Brubaker (fractured ribs), RHP Chase Hampton (Tommy John surgery), RHP Clayton Beeter (shoulder inflammation). Analysis: Led by Cole's elbow surgery, the Yanks' limited rotation depth is instantly tested.
And that challenge extends to Hampton, the organization's top pitching prospect, also lost until mid-2026.
Cousins and Matzek might return in a few weeks to bolster the bullpen, but Loaisiga isn't due back until late May or early June.
Stanton appears to be at least two months away, and it'll cost him the year if he requires surgery. And at this point, the Yanks can't count on LeMahieu - perhaps a month away - to be a contributing factor.
Cody Bellinger's impact on the Yankees' lineup
Since his arrival, Cody Bellinger has looked completely comfortable as a Yankee, and he's coming off a fantastic Grapefruit League season at the plate and in center field.
With his big, left-handed swing, Bellinger is due to follow Yankees' captain Aaron Judge in Boone's batting order. In essence, this is a free agent walk year for Bellinger, with a player option for $25 million in 2026.
If Bellinger is closer to the 30-homer, .900 OPS player we've seen instead of last year's 18 HR/.751 OPS showing in 130 games last year as a Chicago Cub, that starts to mitigate at least some of the Soto loss.
Sixty starts from the Yankees' two big lefties
If Max Fried and Carlos Rodon make 30 starts each, who've had past injury issues, that provides hope for a Cole-less rotation to go deep into October. They'll still need a strong supporting cast, including a half-season from '24 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil that more resembles his 2024 first half than his shaky second half, and a healthier Clarke Schmidt.
Last year, Schmidt improved his arsenal and posted a 2.85 ERA, but only made 16 regular season starts due to a lat strain. He was slowed this year in camp by a back issue and shoulder fatigue but is trending well.
Better fundamental play, better balance
You've heard Cashman lament the 2024 club's baserunning and defense, and, well, you won't have Gleyber Torres to blame anymore.
Jasson Dominguez's offense will keep him in the lineup, but he's yet to show he's a capable left fielder.
The additions of Bellinger and Goldschmidt, with Gold Glove pedigrees and reputations as good baserunners helps, as should a full year of Jazz Chisholm Jr. at his natural second base position.
Again, Soto is irreplaceable offensively, but there's a route back to 800 runs with Bellinger and Goldschmidt returning to form, a full season of Chisholm Jr.'s power-speed element, and the offensive upside of Wells and Volpe.
Lefty-hitting J.C. Escarra, 30 next month, made an offensive impression in camp and showed good receiving skills, but how much will he play behind Austin Wells and hot-hitting Ben Rice, who emerged as the top DH choice?
Will Warren's improved breaking stuff and changeup, and last year's limited-but-harsh MLB experience should be beneficial as he opens in the rotation, and he's ready for the task.
Though he just turned 22, it's been a long time waiting on the promise of switch-hitting Jasson Dominguez, potentially providing another power-speed element. But we'll scrutinize every fly ball to left field.
Right-handed hitting outfield prospect Everson Pereira, coming off elbow surgery last year, could impact the 2025 club down the line, as could right-hander Cam Schlittler, who opened eyes in camp.
Third base, outfield depth and pitching depth remain areas to potentially bolster, and Cashman recently stated his desire to provide Boone with another right-handed hitter.
Out of minor league options, infielder Oswald Peraza remains a trade candidate, and his roster status was still uncertain as of Sunday night.
Former Gold Glove Award outfielder Trent Grisham makes $5 million, but the Yanks would ideally have a right-handed hitting, plus-defender.
If the starting rotation picture changes, Marcus Stroman might once again be the subject of trade discussion (with an $18 million option for 2026 that vests at 140 innings) but not right now.
Any drama attached to Aaron Boone's lame duck contract situation was eliminated early in camp.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner publicly backed Boone after the Yankees' World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, then signed him to an extension through the 2027 season.
This is Boone's eighth season at the helm, and "I don’t like that we haven’t won a championship yet, so that bothers me,'' he said earlier in camp. "But I know what I signed up for when I got into this. I wouldn’t want it any other way.''
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees 2025 season preview: Lineup, rotation and postseason keys
Continue reading...
Giancarlo Stanton arrived at Yankees camp with elbow injuries he’d been nursing since last season, and who knows when he’ll return to Aaron Boone's lineup.
And when ace Gerrit Cole’s valuable right elbow rebelled for a second straight March (following Luis Gil's lat strain), this time it meant season-ending Tommy John surgery.
A host of relievers will start on the injured list, too, but “I think we have a good team,’’ said GM Brian Cashman. “And we look forward to testing it when we deploy it March 27.’’
Despite their injury situation, questions at third base, left field and in the rotation – not to mention Juan Soto’s free agent departure – the defending AL champs can argue they’re still the team to beat.
Yankees' 2025 projected lineup
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- Austin Wells, C (L)
2. Aaron Judge, RF (R)
3. Cody Bellinger, CF (L)
4. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B (R)
5. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B (L)
6. Anthony Volpe, SS (R)
7. Jasson Dominguez, LF (S)
8. Ben Rice, DH (L)
9. Oswaldo Cabrera, 3B (S)
Analysis: The fourth-place 2023 Yankees improved from a 673-run team to an 815-run pennant winner in 2024, fueled by the historic Soto-Judge dynamic.
Soto has taken his elite on-base and slugging skills to Citi Field, and it's incumbent on Judge, the soon-to-be-33-year-old reigning AL MVP, to anchor a lefty-weighted lineup that has more athleticism.
Story continues below photo gallery
Stanton's absence puts Goldschmidt, 37, in the cleanup spot, looking more like the hitter who posted an .818 OPS in his last 54 games with St. Louis, as opposed to his .665 start last season for the Cardinals.
Goldschmidt could also be the leadoff choice against lefties, with Wells batting first against righty starters - two unorthodox choices on a club without a pure top-of-the-order hitter.
Chisholm Jr. and Volpe are each 20-20 candidates (homers, stolen bases), Dominguez came on offensively later in camp (though his left field defense needs work) and we'll see if Cashman upgrades third base by the trade deadline.
Yankees' 2025 projected rotation
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- Carlos Rodon, LHP
- Max Fried, LHP
- Marcus Stroman, RHP
- Carlos Carrasco, RHP
- Will Warren, RHP
Closer: Devin Williams, RHP
Analysis: Stroman arrived at camp as the sixth starter and emerged at No. 3.
Cole is out until mid-2026, Gil isn't expected until July and Clarke Schmidt's bout of shoulder fatigue has delayed him until early April, as he builds up pitch counts.
Those injuries created openings for rookie Will Warren and veteran Carlos Carrasco, who have pitched well but weren't being counted on as camp began, on a team with questionable rotation depth.
Fried's $218 million free agent signing becomes that much more essential, and he's looked the part. Coming off a career high 32 starts, Rodon's ability to post will go a long way toward stabilizing this rotation.
Yankees' 2025 notable additions
Max Fried, LHP; Devin Williams, Carlos Carrasco, Fernando Cruz, RHPs; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B; JC Escarra, C; Pablo Reyes, IF-OF.
Yankees' 2025 notable subtractions
Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, OFs; Gleyber Torres, 2B; Anthony Rizzo, 1B; Clay Holmes, Tommy Kahnle, RHPs; Nestor Cortes, LHP; Jose Trevino, C
Yankees' injury list
RHP Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery), OF Giancarlo Stanton (tendinitis, both elbows), IF DJ LeMahieu (left calf strain), RHP Clarke Schmidt (shoulder fatigue), RHP Jonathan Loaisiga (rehab, elbow surgery), RHP Scott Effross (left hamstring strain), RHP Jake Cousins (forearm strain), LHP Tyler Matzek (strained oblique), RHP JT Brubaker (fractured ribs), RHP Chase Hampton (Tommy John surgery), RHP Clayton Beeter (shoulder inflammation). Analysis: Led by Cole's elbow surgery, the Yanks' limited rotation depth is instantly tested.
And that challenge extends to Hampton, the organization's top pitching prospect, also lost until mid-2026.
Cousins and Matzek might return in a few weeks to bolster the bullpen, but Loaisiga isn't due back until late May or early June.
Stanton appears to be at least two months away, and it'll cost him the year if he requires surgery. And at this point, the Yanks can't count on LeMahieu - perhaps a month away - to be a contributing factor.
2025 Yankees' three keys to the pennant
Cody Bellinger's impact on the Yankees' lineup
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Since his arrival, Cody Bellinger has looked completely comfortable as a Yankee, and he's coming off a fantastic Grapefruit League season at the plate and in center field.
With his big, left-handed swing, Bellinger is due to follow Yankees' captain Aaron Judge in Boone's batting order. In essence, this is a free agent walk year for Bellinger, with a player option for $25 million in 2026.
If Bellinger is closer to the 30-homer, .900 OPS player we've seen instead of last year's 18 HR/.751 OPS showing in 130 games last year as a Chicago Cub, that starts to mitigate at least some of the Soto loss.
Sixty starts from the Yankees' two big lefties
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If Max Fried and Carlos Rodon make 30 starts each, who've had past injury issues, that provides hope for a Cole-less rotation to go deep into October. They'll still need a strong supporting cast, including a half-season from '24 AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil that more resembles his 2024 first half than his shaky second half, and a healthier Clarke Schmidt.
Last year, Schmidt improved his arsenal and posted a 2.85 ERA, but only made 16 regular season starts due to a lat strain. He was slowed this year in camp by a back issue and shoulder fatigue but is trending well.
Better fundamental play, better balance
You must be registered for see images attach
You've heard Cashman lament the 2024 club's baserunning and defense, and, well, you won't have Gleyber Torres to blame anymore.
Jasson Dominguez's offense will keep him in the lineup, but he's yet to show he's a capable left fielder.
The additions of Bellinger and Goldschmidt, with Gold Glove pedigrees and reputations as good baserunners helps, as should a full year of Jazz Chisholm Jr. at his natural second base position.
Again, Soto is irreplaceable offensively, but there's a route back to 800 runs with Bellinger and Goldschmidt returning to form, a full season of Chisholm Jr.'s power-speed element, and the offensive upside of Wells and Volpe.
Yankees' rookie watch
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Lefty-hitting J.C. Escarra, 30 next month, made an offensive impression in camp and showed good receiving skills, but how much will he play behind Austin Wells and hot-hitting Ben Rice, who emerged as the top DH choice?
Will Warren's improved breaking stuff and changeup, and last year's limited-but-harsh MLB experience should be beneficial as he opens in the rotation, and he's ready for the task.
Though he just turned 22, it's been a long time waiting on the promise of switch-hitting Jasson Dominguez, potentially providing another power-speed element. But we'll scrutinize every fly ball to left field.
Right-handed hitting outfield prospect Everson Pereira, coming off elbow surgery last year, could impact the 2025 club down the line, as could right-hander Cam Schlittler, who opened eyes in camp.
Yankees' trade watch
You must be registered for see images attach
Third base, outfield depth and pitching depth remain areas to potentially bolster, and Cashman recently stated his desire to provide Boone with another right-handed hitter.
Out of minor league options, infielder Oswald Peraza remains a trade candidate, and his roster status was still uncertain as of Sunday night.
Former Gold Glove Award outfielder Trent Grisham makes $5 million, but the Yanks would ideally have a right-handed hitting, plus-defender.
If the starting rotation picture changes, Marcus Stroman might once again be the subject of trade discussion (with an $18 million option for 2026 that vests at 140 innings) but not right now.
Yankees manager's report
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Any drama attached to Aaron Boone's lame duck contract situation was eliminated early in camp.
Owner Hal Steinbrenner publicly backed Boone after the Yankees' World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers, then signed him to an extension through the 2027 season.
This is Boone's eighth season at the helm, and "I don’t like that we haven’t won a championship yet, so that bothers me,'' he said earlier in camp. "But I know what I signed up for when I got into this. I wouldn’t want it any other way.''
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees 2025 season preview: Lineup, rotation and postseason keys
Continue reading...
