New York Yankees spring training for the 2025 season is now underway. After making their 41st trip to the World Series in October, expectations are sky-high for the club this year. Yes, they lost the bidding war for superstar outfielder Juan Soto to the New York Mets this offseason. But they made a slew of moves that make them, arguably, a better team now than they were in 2024.
All-Star pitcher Max Fried and elite closer Devin Williams were big additions to their pitching staff in the offseason. While former NL MVPs Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt should improve their defense and be solid additions to the batting order. Yet, there are still some big questions the New York Yankees will need to answer before the 2025 MLB season begins next month.
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Will Aaron Boone be a lame-duck manager for a second year?
After missing the playoffs in 2023, manager Aaron Boone was given one more season to prove he deserves to keep his job beyond last season. Well, he led the Yankees to another AL East title and the 2024 World Series. That would seem like enough to earn an extension. However, he is again only signed for one year.
Surprisingly, the team has not given the 51-year-old an extension yet. Don’t expect that to last. Chances are Boone will land a new three-year deal early in the season.
How do the New York Yankees fill Juan Soto’s hitting void?
Juan Soto had a fantastic season in 2024 and likely would have won the AL MVP award if not for teammate Aaron Judge having an even better year. His departure to Queens leaves a huge void in the batting order. However, the Yankees have a real chance to fill that hole, and then some if several players have good seasons.
Cody Bellinger will be a plus addition and many pundits believe he will excel hitting in Yankee Stadium. Paul Goldschmidt and Jasson Dominguez are the big question marks. The latter may be in an age-based decline while the former is a highly touted prospect with a lot to prove. As long as the trio are not bad and are solid producers, they should be able to make up the stats Soto put up last year.
Who will be the starting second and third baseman in 2025?
The biggest position battle this spring could be at second or third. Late-season addition Jazz Chisholm will be manning one of those spots this year — mostly likely second. It will be up to 36-year-old DJ LeMahieu, or utility players Oswaldo Cabrera or Oswald Peraza to win the other job this spring.
The Yankees have always had a trust in LeMahieu. And Cabrera and Peraza are better served off the bench. It will be LeMahieu’s job to lose. But aging out of being a starter or more injuries are a real possibility early in the season.
Will Jasson Dominguez show promise of being the Yankees’ No. 1 prospect?
New York Yankees fans have heard for the last few years how talented No. 1 prospect Jasson Dominguez is. And they got a taste of his potential two years ago. However, injuries and veterans on the big league roster blocking him limited his opportunities in the Bronx since then. Now, he is expected to be the starting left fielder in 2025.
While he didn’t look great late last season as a September callup, it can’t be overlooked that he just turned 22 this month. And not only is he the best prospect in the Yankees system, but is viewed as one of the best in baseball. Don’t be surprised if Dominguez has a very productive first full season in 2025.
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Will Paul Goldschmidt be another Anthony Rizzo?
The Yankees moved on from locker room favorite Anthony Rizzo due to an obvious decline in his skills and health over the last two years. In his place is former NL MVP Paul Goldschmidt. However, the last two seasons have shown that the 37-year-old’s best days are also behind him.
New York is hoping they can squeeze one last good season out of the seven-time All-Star. Several of the team’s moves this season will deliver good to great results. This won’t be one of them. Expect Goldschmidt to put up similar numbers as he did in 2024. (.245/.302/.414/.716).