Even before Ace-right-hander Gerrit Cole went down for the 2025 and possibly longer-because of an elbow injury for the New York Yankees vulnerable in its attempt to return to the World Series.
Juan Soto left Bronx for Crosstown New York Mets in free agency, and three other everyday players also went elsewhere. Other Baseman Gleyber Torres (Tigers) and right -wing trader Clay Holmes (also Mets) left through free agency. Excessor Alex Verdugo and the first bass man Anthony Rizzo are still looking for new teams.
Several important contributors, who slugger Giancarlo Stanton and right-hander Luis Gil, also went down with injuries in spring training-more supportive players as well.
The dangers of a Yankees al Pennant -repetition also come beyond the district. After missing the playoffs over the past three seasons, Boston Red Sox finally loaded and adds to the left -hander Garrett Crochet in a trade, plus the right -wing trader Walker Buehler, Infielder Alex Bregman and Lefty Reliever Aroldis Chapman in free agency. Buehler may surprise after collecting it during Dodger’s World Series driving. Bregman should rake on Fenway. Chapman has aged well.
Baltimore Orioles has some difficulties during spring training, with less damage to Gunnar Henderson and Jordan Westburg, plus a major concern with the right hand Grayson Rodriguez. But they still have lots of unused young talents in the mix, such as 20-year-old power-hitting prospect Samuel Basallo and corner fields Slugger Coby Mayo. They would have been better if GM Mike Elias spent more at free agents, although Tyler O’Neill will help in the outfield. The right -wing dealer Charlie Morton is always a good acquisition, even when he ages. Tomoyuki Sugano, an import from Japan, goes from curiosity to “type of important.”
They also come back closer to Félix Bautista, who returns from Tommy John operation at the end of 2023. But even with his injuries it is about manager Brandon Hyde who collects Orioles to play better than the sum of their parts. They didn’t really do it in 2024 – and they still made the playoffs.
The Tampa Bay beams missed the playoffs a season ago but liked the season during the previous five seasons before that. They come back to the right Shane McClanahan and Shane Baz from major injuries. They will also have third Baseman Junior Caminero – a star in creation – from opening day ahead. Yankees was even friendly enough to let the rays use their spring training home at Steinbrenner Field to play home games in 2025 after a hurricane literally ripped the roof from Tropicana Field.
Whatever the others in Al East does, as long as Yankees has no more significant injuries, they should remain challengers for the division. Everything beyond that – without Cole – is a big question.
Jasson Domínguez finally gets a chance to go from Hyped Prospect to Everyday Player as a left field. Getting close to Soto is not likely, but can he produce something at the plate that is significantly better than Verdugo?
Can Infielder Jazz Chisholm, which fits beautifully when he came into a trade from Marlin’s Midseason, finally do well on all his potential?
Will Paul Goldschmidt bounce back after two sinking seasons in St. Louis? He is 37 1/2 years old, but he was on a Hall of Fame track in his premiere. Yankees has chosen wisely from veterinarians like Goldschmidt in the past, but it is still to decide whether Goldy will be gold on Broadway.
Ben Rice seems to be the first choice as designated Hitter without Stanton. He is a solid opportunity – and 26 – so good for him to have an opportunity. It’s about taking advantage.
There are more questions. Will Catcher Austin Wells be able to meet the entire season he did for part of 2024? Can Shortstop Anthony Volpe find sufficiently even bats to stay warmer longer at the plate?
And the pitching staff. Bullpen remains a strength, especially with the acquisition of Devin Williams (although they made him shave his beard before saying he could keep it). But the starters are stretched thin. It is good that they signed freely agent left max fried and failed to talk to the right hand Marcus Stroman for a new career in long relief. Fried, left Carlos Rodón and Stroman do not dominate collectively, but they will get the job done. But can Yankees get a whole season by Clarke Schmidt? And how long until General Manager Brian Cashman does a big trade?
All provided that Slugger Aaron Judge continues to continue and does not spend any significant time on the site. He is one of the best players in his generation – as long as he stays away from the coach’s room.
But Yankees has so many questions. The other teams in Al East also have them. And New York should still be considered a playoffs. But there is nothing for sure with anything more.
