When Juan Soto made the stunning decision to sign with the New York Mets, Yankees general manager Brian Cashman and his front office didn’t hesitate. They pivoted quickly, pulling the trigger on deals for Max Fried, Devin Williams, and Cody Bellinger, ensuring that even without Soto, the Bronx Bombers remain one of the American League’s top contenders.
With Fried anchoring the rotation behind Gerrit Cole and Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt added to the lineup, the Yankees aren’t just aiming to make the playoffs for the 26th time in 32 seasons—they’re chasing their 28th World Series title.
New York Yankees Preview: Offense
Replacing Soto’s Bat
There’s no sugarcoating it: losing Juan Soto, a top-five hitter in baseball, is a major blow. His 180 wRC+ and .421 wOBA were instrumental in making the Yankees the third-best offense in wOBA and second-best in wRC+ last season. Aaron Judge, who put together an MVP-winning 58-homer, .322 AVG season, benefited greatly from having Soto behind him.
That said, this offense is still dangerous.
Projected Lineup:
- Jason Dominguez. LF
- Aaron Judge, RF
- Cody Bellinger, CF
- Giancarlo Stanton, DH
- Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
- Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
- Austin Wells, C
- Anthony Volpe, SS
- DK LeMahiue, 2B
The Key Questions
- Can Judge repeat his historic season? It’s unlikely he runs a .700 SLG again, but even a slight regression still makes him one of the best hitters in the game.
- Will Bellinger thrive in Yankee Stadium? His power has dipped in recent years, but his bat-to-ball skills and swing path should play well with the short right-field porch.
- Can Goldschmidt bounce back? At 37 years old, he was merely a league-average hitter last season. But the move to Yankee Stadium could give him a late-career boost.
- What does the supporting cast contribute? The Yankees need big steps forward from Anthony Volpe (.243 AVG, .293 OBP) and Austin Wells, who showed promise with a 105 wRC+ in limited action.
New York Yankees Preview: Pitching
The biggest addition of the offseason wasn’t Bellinger or Goldschmidt—it was Max Fried.
Projected Rotation:
- Gerrit Cole
- Max Fried
- Carlos Rodón
- Clarke Schmidt
- Luis Gil
Why Fried is a Game-Changer
Fried is the perfect fit for Yankee Stadium—a left-handed ace who keeps the ball on the ground (54% ground ball rate in his career, nearly 59% last season). After missing time in 2023 due to injuries, he bounced back with 29 starts and 174.1 innings last season, proving he can still be a top-tier frontline starter.
Rotation Concerns
- Cole’s durability – The 2023 AL Cy Young winner will turn 34 this season and missed time last year with arm concerns.
- Rodón’s consistency – He posted a 3.96 ERA with a 4.39 FIP in 175 innings. The Yankees need him to be a reliable No. 3 starter.
- Gil’s workload – Coming off a Rookie of the Year season, his command issues and late-season fatigue raise concerns.
- Depth questions – With Nestor Cortes gone, the Yankees may need to rely on midseason call-ups or trade deadline reinforcements.
The Devin Williams Factor: A New Closer in the Bronx
Losing Clay Holmes could have been a setback, but the Yankees upgraded their bullpen with the best reliever available.
Williams vs. Holmes (2024 Stats)
- Williams: 1.86 ERA, 36 saves, 14.5 K/9
- Holmes: 2.86 ERA, 32 saves, 10.8 K/9
Williams’s “Airbender” changeup is one of the most unhittable pitches in baseball, and he immediately solidifies the Yankees’ bullpen.
Bullpen Depth
- Setup options: Luke Weaver, Fernando Cruz
- Middle relief depth: Jonathan Loáisiga, Ian Hamilton
Final Outlook: Are the Yankees Still a Title Contender?
Even without Soto, this is one of the best teams in baseball.
- A top-tier rotation led by Cole and Fried
- An elite bullpen with Devin Williams at the back end
- A dangerous offense—even if not as potent as last year
The biggest challenge? Navigating a brutal AL East and staying healthy.
The Yankees won 94 games last year, and even with some regression, they’re a safe bet to clear 91.5 wins and contend for another deep October run.