2024-25 MLB Offseason Recap: New York Yankees

Traditionally, the Yankees are an active team every offseason. New York went all-in during the 2023-24 offseason, adding Juan Soto, Marcus Stroman, and Alex Verdugo, among others, to fortify their roster for a World Series push. It ultimately didn’t work (although the Yankees came close). So, how did the Yankees respond this past winter?

Notable Additions

• 1B/OF Cody Bellinger (2.2 bWAR)
• RP Fernando Cruz (0.3 bWAR)
• SP Max Fried (3.5 bWAR)
• 1B Paul Goldschmidt (1.3 bWAR)
• RP Devin Williams (1.4 bWAR)

The Yankees came three games shy of winning the 28th World Series in franchise history last October. However, the 2024 World Series exposed some flaws in the Yankees’ roster structure, including defensive reliability.

New York will hope Cody Bellinger, the former NL MVP, will help in that regard.

Bellinger was acquired via trade from the Cubs, giving the Yankees a fresh face in center field. The 29-year-old possesses significantly better range in the outfield compared to Aaron Judge. And while Bellinger hasn’t put up the gaudy numbers he did as a Dodger since 2019, the new Yankee and left-handed bat could benefit from friendlier confines in Yankee Stadium.

The ex-Cub wasn’t the only former MVP added by the Yankees. Paul Goldschmidt will take over first base, as he’ll look to rebound after two down seasons after he won the 2022 NL MVP.

New York also made several pitching acquisitions, including Devin Williams. Williams, a pending free agent after 2025, has been one of the game’s most prolific bullpen arms since 2020. Much of that has to do with his elite changeup.

Williams is set to take over the closer’s job from Luke Weaver. Weaver excelled as a versatile, multi-inning arm out of the pen last year for the Yankees.

However, the most notable addition this winter was Max Fried, who was given the largest contract to a left-handed pitcher in MLB history in December. Fried was a stalwart of the Braves’ rotation from 2019-24, helping Atlanta win the 2021 World Series and ranking among the best in home runs conceded in ERA.

Fried can be considered a complete pitcher. Not only is he a three-time Gold Glover but he also has a strong arm, can manipulate the baseball, & generate movement with all his offerings.

Fried is poised to headline the Yankees’ 2025 rotation thanks to a significant injury.

Notable Losses

• 2B Jon Berti (0.6 bWAR)
• SP Nestor Cortes (2.6 bWAR)
• RP Clay Holmes (0.7 bWAR)
• RP Tommy Kahnle (0.8 bWAR)
• 1B Anthony Rizzo (0.2 bWAR)
• OF Juan Soto (7.9 bWAR)
• 2B Gleyber Torres (1.8 bWAR)
• C Jose Trevino (0.6 bWAR)
• OF Alex Verdugo (0.8 bWAR)

It’s a lengthy list of departures, headlined by Juan Soto.

The Yankees tried to retain Juan Soto, who was a smooth fit hitting ahead of Aaron Judge. Ultimately, Soto signed with the Mets.

New York also didn’t retain several other notable pieces, including a few expected players. Anthony Rizzo only played 92 games last season and has dealt with injury troubles. Rizzo, as of this writing, remains a free agent.

The same can be said for Alex Verdugo, who was a rental added last winter to fill out the Yankees’ outfield while Jasson Dominguez recovered from Tommy John surgery. Verdugo didn’t hit well in The Bronx, as he slashed .233/.291/.356 (.647 OPS) in what was his worst season to date.

Second baseman Gleyber Torres signed with Detroit, ending what was a good, yet interesting run with the Yankees. Tommy Kahnle also signed with the Tigers, one of several ex-Yankee relievers to find a new home.

What to Expect in 2025

The Yankees used the money not spent on Soto to beef up their roster, adding a co-ace, along with a left-handed bat who can hit for power and play strong defense. But, will it be enough?

For one, Fried’s decision to sign with the Yankees becomes even more important, with Gerrit Cole out for all of 2025 thanks to Tommy John surgery.

Two, the Yankees didn’t add another infielder to replace Torres. Jazz Chisholm Jr., acquired last July from the Marlins, will shift over to second base to fill the gap but how the Yankees will handle the hot corner remains to be seen. DJ LeMahieu was expected to see time at third but he’ll start the year on the IL.

LeMahieu’s absence leaves Oswaldo Cabrera and Oswald Peraza as in-house options at third. Neither have had prolonged offense success at the MLB level. Cabrera started last year hot but ended it with a .247/.296/.365 (.661 OPS) slash line. Peraza, meanwhile, owns a career .612 OPS over parts of three seasons.

And as of yet, the Yankees haven’t added anyone to replace Giancarlo Stanton, dealing with “significant” elbow issues, externally.