Score: 81/100
Yankees Rebuild After Soto Departure, Add Key Pieces for 2025
The New York Yankees have been busy this offseason, but has the team done enough to remain competitive after losing Juan Soto? Let's break down the moves and how they stack up for the 2025 season.
Key Additions:
Max Fried signed an eight-year, $218 million deal with the Yankees. If he is healthy, that could be quite the game-changer for the rotation—prediction: Fried posts a 2.70 ERA with 180+ strikeouts.
Cody Bellinger signed to join the Yanks, bringing his highly regarded bat and glove to Yankee Stadium's outfield grass. Prediction: Bellinger hits .270 with 22 home runs and 72 RBIs.
Paul Goldschmidt: At 37, Goldschmidt does say he "got exposed" last season. But if he rebounds, he can still be a considerable factor. Prediction: Goldschmidt hits .240 with 18 home runs and 72 RBIs.
Strengths:
Aaron Judge: The game's second-best player is returning. Prediction: Judge hits 49 home runs with a.288 average.
Anthony Volpe: The young shortstop just keeps getting better. Prediction: Volpe hits .275 with 17 home runs and 30 stolen bases.
Weaknesses:
Over-reliance on Veteran Signings: While bringing in veterans like Paul Goldschmidt and Cody Bellinger can provide immediate boosts, it doesn't address the long-term sustainability of the roster. Beyond Jasson Domínguez, the Yankees' farm system is not deep, which could pose challenges for future competitiveness. Other prospects, such as Spencer Jones and George Lombard Jr., show promise, but the system as a whole doesn't offer the depth seen in different organizations.
Infield Depth: With Gleyber Torres gone, the infield could be a concern. The Yankees need to address this before the season starts.
On-Base Percentage: The Yankees' OBP was lacking last season. They'll need to improve in this area to compete.
Final Prediction:
The Yankees will finish 92-70 in 2025. They'll be big contenders in the AL East with key additions like Fried, Bellinger, Goldschmidt, and Judge plus the return of Volpe, but they need to iron out their infield depth and OBP issues before they can genuinely contest for the title.
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