The Yankees’ roster in 2024 was good enough to get to the World Series but not good enough to win it in the Bronx. In this off-season, the Yankees need to make improvements to their roster and improve in the fundamentals that absolutely and spectacularly failed them in the fifth inning of game 5 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
This article proposes radical changes and free-agent signings in this off-season to improve the roster. The Yankees can also make trades, giving them myriad possibilities the Yankees can pursue in this off-season. The moves should improve the roster and enable the Yankees to win the World Series rather than collapse.
Off-Season Infield Moves
In this off-season, the Yankees should move Aaron Judge to first base. The Yankees need a first baseman after buying out Anthony Rizzo. The move can reduce wear and tear on Aaron Judge, and he can do it. The Yankees did not make a qualifying offer to Gleyber Torres, and so they need a second baseman. They should move Jazz Chisolm there, his natural position.
On the left side of the infield, the Yankees have a mainstay at shortstop in Anthony Volpe. The Yankees should not rely on DJ LeMahieu to play third base. They should instead sign a free agent to play third base on the cheap. A good example of this is Ahmed Rosario. Rosario is cheap, skilled, and has the versatility the Yankees covet.
With LeMahieu and Cabrera both under contract and on the bench, the Yankees have great versatility They both, plus Rosario and Chisolm can play multiple positions. In this way, the Yankees can use this off-season to improve their versatility. This is important Because injuries will happen.
Stay the Course at Designated Hitter
At DH the Yankees have Giancarlo Staton. Stanton was great in the postseason, so this forgives him for his inevitable injuries. Staton’s contract makes him immovable and he cannot run or play the field, but he can hit. He is a dangerous hitter who somehow finds extra gear in the postseason, where he is challenging records. What was the third base coach, Rojas, thinking about sending him home in game 5 of the World Series? We address the Yankees’ coaching staff below.
Off-Season Outfield Moves
The Yankee’s highest off-season priority is signing Juan Soto. No matter how much money it takes, the Yankees should break the bank to sign him. Soto is a subpar defensive outfielder with a great arm. With Aaron Judge at first base, Soto can play right field. That is the position to which he is best suited.
In center field, the Yankees need a young, quick, and cheap off-season option. It is time to see if The Martian, Jasson Dominguez, can live up to the hype of being the Yankee’s top prospect. If he does not pan out the Yankees could need to make multiple off-season moves. Dominguez has been favorably compared with Mickey Mantle. It is time in 2025 to live up to these lofty expectations.
In left field, the Yankees need to recruit a starter with Alex Verdugo gone. The Yankees are going to spend so much money on Juan Soto and there is an off-season need to sign an experienced star here with strong fundamentals. Jurickson Profar had a great 2024 season and is a free agent. He is an attractive option, but the Yankees should be worried about buying high here, Profar is worth it.
Off-season moves in the Starting Rotation
The Yankees are stuck in their starting rotation. They should be grateful that this off-season started with news that Garrett Cole was coming back to them. He is the best pitcher on the planet, and the Yankees need him to be healthy next year. It is justifiable to wonder if he is on the downslope of his career.
The Yankees should count on Clarke Schmidt and Luis Gill to improve in 2025. They are skilled and cost-effective options for the rotation. As cost-effective as those options go, the Yankees need both Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman to live up to their lofty contracts. That gives the Yankees five starters in their rotation. That is what they need. They have Nestor Cortes as a sixth starter for inevitable injuries, but he is lefthanded and better suited for the bullpen.
Off-Season Moves in the Bullpen
Speaking of the bullpen, The Yankees have found something in closer Luke Weaver. By adding Nestor Cortes to the Bullpen the Yankees add a lefty. He might not like it, but it makes sense. With Cousins, Leiter Jr., who had a great World Series, Ian Hamilton, and Scott Effross the Yankees have 6 viable bullpen arms. They should look to add two more hard throwers to the bullpen, preferably lefthanders. Unfortunately, Mariano Rivera is not walking through the bullpen door.
Off-Season Moves on the Coaching Staff
It is not good that Aaron Boone is back as Manager of the New York Yankees in 2025. He has 7 years to improve the fundamentals that failed the Yankees in 2024. If they are going to improve in this off-season, they must replace the entire coaching staff with coaches who will hold players accountable for the so-called little things. The little things will kill a team in the biggest moments. This is exactly what happened to the Yankees. They must change their mindset in this off-season.
Conclusion
The Yankees must improve their roster in the off-season if they are to win in 2025. They were good enough to make the World Series but were not good enough to win it. These many off-season moves will improve the roster, but they must play fundamentally sound if they are to win it all. Getting new coaches will change the mindset so that the mistakes that plagued the Yankees at the most inopportune times may not happen.
