The New York Yankees’ 2025 season is officially over. The Toronto Blue Jays took the American League Divisional Series overwhelmingly with a 3-1 “gentlemen’s sweep”. It was bound to happen, no matter how much hope I had for this team. The reality is that this organization has too many flaws right now, both big and small. I understand that nothing is perfect in life, but it does not hurt to strive for perfection.
Outside of Aaron Judge, a majority of the facets of a winning ball club are in critical condition and need improvement immediately. Especially if New York wishes to win another World Series sometime soon. Here is my list of issues and the size of the problem.
Lineup (SMALL)
Rotation / Rotation Depth (SMALL)
Bullpen (MEDIUM)
Farm System (LARGE)
Hitting Coach (LARGE)
Manager (LARGE)
Lineup:
It is hard to argue that the lineup needs massive changes. I understand that without Aaron Judge, the final stats look much different, but numbers don’t lie. The Yankees finished 1st in BB (639), R (849), TB (2,488), HR (274), RBI (820), SLG (.455), and OPS (.787). Finishing at the top of the seven major hitting categories is super impressive. That being said, Aaron Judge is under contract and will be right back in the heart of this Yankee lineup for the next six years. They 100% need to get rid of Anthony Volpe. This is not recency bias with his awful performance in the ALDS. He has been terrible all season, both with the bat and the glove. I don’t have anything against Volpe, and he has proved he can be a good player. He needs a change of scenery, and the Yankees need to get a whole lot more production out of the shortstop position. I would LOVE for them to go out and approach the “if you can’t beat them, buy them” mentality and acquire Bo Bichette in free agency.
Rotation / Rotational Depth:
This is hard to actually put in writing following the performance of the starters from the ALDS, but I don’t think the Yankees need to do much in the offseason to the starting rotation. Next year, the Yankees will throw out Gerrit Cole (early 2026), Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Cam Schlittler, Luis Gil, Will Warren, and Clarke Schmidt (post-ASG). I know that I have confidence in a thirty-four-year-old Gerrit Cole and Clarke Schmidt, both coming back from massive surgeries and returning to form. I think the rotation is good enough to hold down the fort, giving Cole and Schmidt time to fully rehab. Cole had Tommy John surgery in March 2025, so figure June 2026, he will be close? Schmidt, on the other hand, had an internal brace procedure and will not return until post-All-Star Break. The Yankees have some talent, so maybe adding another 3, 4, or 5-level starter wouldn’t hurt.
Bullpen:
It’s not as bad as it looks. There are very solid pieces in the Bullpen; obviously, they did not all come together this season. The Yankees need to add some high-end relievers to this staff, or it will be more of the same in 2026. Would love to add Pete Fairbanks, Jason Adam, and Alex Vesia to the fold.
Farm System:
I do not need to elaborate on this one. The farm system has some intriguing prospects, such as George Lombard Jr., Spencer Jones, Carlos Lagrange, Bryce Cunningham, Ben Hess, Chase Hampton, and Henry Lalane. The pitching prospects entice me as the Yankees have produced some solid arms as of late. It is the bats. Let’s be honest, the Yankees have not produced a good batting prospect since Aaron Judge, who made his debut back in 2016.
Hitting Department Coaching:
James Rowson, Casey Dykes, and Pat Roessler all need to go. The lineup has talent but refuses to hit to its potential. Too many times Yankee hitters are swinging on the first pitch and hitting from behind in the count. I know I am someone who watches from afar and has never coached baseball, but it seems obvious. Too many prospects are not making the jump to the bigs and producing positive results.
Manager:
I do not know what else to say. The Yankees need a new leader as soon as possible.
2026 My Ideal Projected Rotation:
Gerrit Cole (IL)
Max Fried
Carlos Rodon
Cam Schlittler
Luis Gil
Will Warren
Clarke Schmidt (IL)
2026 - My Ideal Projected Bullpen:
David Bednar (ARB)
Devin Williams (FA)
Luke Weaver (FA)
Tim Hill (Team Option)
Jake Bird (Pre-Arb)*
Fernando Cruz (Pre-Arb)*
Pete Fairbanks (FA)
Jason Adam (FA)
Alex Vesia (FA)
2026 - My Ideal Projected Lineup:
Trent Grisham CF (FA)
Bo Bichette SS (FA)
Aaron Judge RF
Cody Bellinger LF (Player Option)
Giancarlo Stanton DH
Jazz Chisholm Jr. 2B (Arb)
Ben Rice 1B
Austin Wells C
Ryan McMahon 3B
Bench - Jasson Dominguez, Jose Caballero, Amed Rosario
Final Team Cumulative Pitching Statistics:
2nd in OBA (.229)
3rd in W (94)
4th in H (1,239)
4th in SO (1,440)
10th in QS (62)
12th in WHIP (1.25)
14th in ERA (3.91)
Final Team Cumulative Hitting Statistics:
1st in BB (639)
1st in R (849)
1st in TB (2,488)
1st in HR (274)
1st in RBI (820)
1st in SLG (.455)
1st in OPS (.787)
3rd in OBP (.332)
8th in SB (134)
10th in AVG (.251)
28th in SO (1,463)
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