The New York Yankees began their 2025 season with spring training games against the Tampa Bay Rays on Friday, February 21. The Yankees’ offseason couldn’t have ended sooner after a devastating World Series loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games. Losing generational talent Juan Soto to the Mets added to the organization’s woes. This minor inconvenience, however, did not deter Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner and General Manager Brian Cashman from exceeding expectations during the winter.
Signing veteran left-handed pitcher Max Fried to an eight-year $218,000,000 contract with a $ 20,000,000 signing bonus immensely improved the rotation. Fried, a World Series champion with the Atlanta Braves in 2021, slides in as the number two starter behind Gerrit Cole. Fried’s power arm command and high strikeout rate make him a challenging foe against hitters. Fried’s pitching repertoire includes a sinker, sweeper, four-seam fastball, changeup, slider, and curveball. Pitching in Yankee Stadium is no easy task, but I believe Fried will find the Bronx atmosphere very exciting and welcoming. One of the Yankees’ greatest weaknesses was their bullpen last season, specifically their inability to win close games.
Former Yankees closer Clay Holmes signed with city-rival Mets as a starting pitcher for three years for $38 million. As a closer in the Bronx, Holmes was responsible for 13 blown saves in the season despite pitching to a 3.14 ERA. Most of Holmes’ blown saves were a result of lack of control and focus in high-pressure moments. Although it would be illogical to administer the blown saves to one individual, Manager Aaron Boone’s excessive trust in Holmes failed to relieve the issue. Signing Devin Williams to a 1-year 8.6 million deal in the offseason looks to solve the need for a consistent closer accustomed to the role. Williams is competitive and does not shy away from pivotal moments in his career and showcasing “The Airbender” a filthy changeup which appears to defy gravity has helped the young star to a career ERA of 1.83. Since the great Mariano Rivera retired in 2009, the Yankees have had little success in finding another closer, but Williams intends to end that narrative soon.
Veteran first baseman Anthony Rizzo was replaced with Paul Goldschmidt, a move that looks to improve defensive and offensive metrics for the 2025 season. The veteran first baseman, former 2018 silver slugger and NL MVP winner in 2022 with the St. Louis Cardinals, is now 37 years old but has a career 3.89 batting average. Goldschmidt is excited to be in the Pinstripes. In a most recent interview with Goldschiidmt, he stated he “wanted to learn the nuances”, referring to his new infield teammates and becoming accustomed to each individual’s on-field behavior.
Juan Soto’s free agency departure to Queens allowed the Yankees to add the 2019 NL MVP Cody Bellinger, a talented defender with plenty of speed and hits for power. Bellinger is a career .259 hitter in 8 seasons at the show. Bellinger’s sweet left-handed swing is perfect for the short porch at Yankee Stadium. Many successful former Yankees, such as Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez, took advantage of the friendly right-field dimension in their careers. Bellinger will join back-to-back American League MVP Aaron Judge in the outfield with hopes that rookie sensation Jasson “El Marciano” Dominguez will helm left field.
Dominguez signed with the New York Yankees in 2019 at the age of 16, with high praise for his defensive skills and plate discipline. The Martian made his MLB debut in 2023, instantly igniting a spark in the Bronx with 4 HR’s, 8 hits, 7 runs batted in, 2 walks, and 8 strikeouts across 31 at-bats. The Martian faces very little competition at left field this spring after free agent Alex Verdugo is no longer on the Yankees’ active roster. Yankees Manager Aaron Boone stated, “Dominguez will have to earn the LF gig” and “will get every chance to be the Yankees Starting left Fielder” in 2025.
Jazz Chisholm will take over second base as the two-time all-star Gleyber Torres signed with the Detroit Tigers in free agency for 1-year 15,000,000. Torres was responsible for 18 errors at 2nd in 2024, a massive blow to his stock with the Yankees, who favored a mutual parting in the offseason. Jazz Chisholm was acquired before the MLB trade deadline in 2024 and will naturally slide into the right side of the field, a position he is familiar with playing with the Miami Marlins. Chisholm had a solid 2024 campaign despite the mid-season trade, finishing with 40 stolen bases, 24 HRs, and a .256 batting average. The elusive second baseman looks to improve on those stellar metrics in his first full season in the Bronx.
The Yankees also welcomed lefty specialist Tim Hill in the 2nd half of the season, an elite pick by Brian Cashman who signed Hill in the offseason to a 1-year 2.85 million with a 3 million club option. In 35 appearances with the Yankees, Hill’s ERA was a blissful 2.05 along with 3 wins. Hill showcased his focus and toughness on the mound in his first postseason action of his career with 1 ER in 8.1 innings and a 1.08 ERA. Hill looks poised to have another strong 2025 season in the Bronx. Jonathan Loaisiga also agreed to a 1-year, 5 million deal with the potential to earn up to 10.5 million in performance bonuses. Loaisiga returns to the mound after Tommy John surgery a year prior, with a career 3.44 era in pinstripes.
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