Aaron Boone thought the 2025 Yankees had an opportunity to be the very best he’s managed.
Now that the crew has fallen brief once more, dropping the ALDS to the Blue Jays in 4 video games, there’s an opportunity the group may disassemble. That’s as a result of the Yankees have eight gamers scheduled for unrestricted free company. Three others have a participant or membership possibility, together with star outfielder Cody Bellinger.
“I’m not likely nervous,” Jazz Chisholm Jr., who wouldn’t thoughts including an extension to the Yankees’ offseason to-do checklist, stated when requested about the potential for his crew being damaged up. “I really feel like we constructed a fairly good household in right here. I really feel like lots of guys will wish to come again simply to maintain on making an attempt to push for that World Sequence. However lots of guys additionally must receives a commission as nicely. I don’t even understand how that works, personally. I don’t attempt to look into that.”
Beneath is a listing of the Yankees’ potential free brokers, in addition to some notes on how their offseasons may play out.
CODY BELLINGER
Bellinger has a $25 million participant possibility that he’s anticipated to say no. After a stellar all-around first season in pinstripes, he’s deserving of a long-term deal.
On Wednesday, because the Yankees mourned their elimination, Bellinger stated that he nonetheless has to debate his possibility along with his household and his agent, Scott Boras. Nevertheless, he additionally stated that he would “completely” like to return.
“I had an unbelievable time placing on this uniform,” stated Bellinger, whose father, Clay, performed for the Yanks from 1999-2001. “Yankee Stadium, the followers, the group, the tradition that these guys have created on this locker room, it truly is particular. It’s such a enjoyable group. It was a enjoyable group to be part of.”
It wouldn’t be a shock to see the Yankees prioritize Bellinger this offseason, because the versatile outfielder — he can even play first — slot in nicely on and off the sphere. Boone turned an enormous fan of the 30-year-old former MVP, as did Brian Cashman.
The final supervisor may desire Bellinger as a less expensive various to the Cubs’ Kyle Tucker, who is about to change into the highest free agent in the marketplace after garnering commerce curiosity from the Yankees final offseason.
TRENT GRISHAM
Like Bellinger, Grisham additionally has a giant fan in Boone and has expressed curiosity in staying.
“I’m grateful to get to have managed these two guys,” the skipper stated. “Who is aware of? Hopefully in each instances, I get to maintain doing it.”
Grisham can be a captivating free agent, because the 28-year-old is coming off a profession yr that far exceeded his earlier offensive output (34 HR, 129 wRC+). He repeatedly attributed his success to an improved psychological state, however groups can be cautious of a fluke. A gifted defender however one of many slowest middle fielders in baseball, he may be destined for a nook outfield spot.
Whereas there are dangers in signing Grisham long-term, the Yankees may make him a one-year qualifying supply, which can price roughly $22 million. If Grisham accepts, the Yankees would have extra flexibility and time in the case of figuring out how younger outfielders Jasson Domínguez and Spencer Jones match into the crew’s plans.
If Grisham rejects, the qualifying supply may restrict his market, as one other crew must forfeit a draft choose to signal him.
“I like this place loads,” Grisham stated in August. “I like the blokes now we have within the clubhouse. I like New York. There’s lots of issues I like about it, so we’ll see.”
DEVIN WILLIAMS
Ever since spring coaching started, the expectation has been that Williams could be one-and-done in a Yankees uniform. The correct-hander appeared uncomfortable from the get-go, and early and midseason struggles — he was twice faraway from the nearer’s function — solely amplified that thought.
It might nonetheless be stunning to see Williams return, however the 30-year-old did say he’s “undoubtedly open to that” after admitting that being a Yankee was a “problem” at first. In fact, he additionally famous that it takes two to tango.
“I’ve grown to like being right here,” Williams, who regarded just like the shutdown reliever he was anticipated to be on the finish of the season, stated Wednesday. “I really like town. I really like taking the prepare to the sphere daily. I actually loved my expertise.”
Williams additionally stated that a chance to shut could be “an element” in his free company. The Yankees appear set in that regard with David Bednar, who booted Williams from the job after being acquired from the Pirates on the commerce deadline.
LUKE WEAVER
Weaver would even be a stunning return, as he merely wasn’t the identical pitcher who dominated in 2024 and early on in 2025 following a hamstring damage. The 32-year-old reliever, a failed starter earlier than reviving his profession with the Yankees, turned liable to implosions towards the tip of the season, and he recorded only one out whereas surrendering 5 earned runs over three postseason appearances.
Through the ALDS, Weaver talked about that he was having bother — mentally and bodily — making some changes after the Yankees shared some pitch-tipping issues with the righty. Previous to that, he voiced an curiosity in sticking with the membership.
“I might wish to, in fact. It feels a bit like a rejuvenation. If I by no means got here again right here, it could at all times maintain a giant place in my coronary heart,” Weaver stated in early September. “I might like to proceed to maintain that going.”
Weaver additionally stated that he’s “open” to beginning once more, although such a chance absolutely wouldn’t include the Yankees. It might not come in any respect after the way in which his season ended.
PAUL GOLDSCHMIDT
Now 38, Goldschmidt can be greatest fitted to a platoon function if he continues what has arguably been a Corridor of Fame profession. Whereas nonetheless useful within the clubhouse and as a menace towards lefties, the primary baseman can now not anticipate success towards righties and has been zapped of the ability he possessed in Arizona and St. Louis.
“I feel I’d wish to proceed enjoying, however I haven’t sat down and considered it,” Goldschmidt stated Wednesday. “I nonetheless love enjoying. I nonetheless have enjoyable on the market. I nonetheless wish to attempt to go win.
“We’ll must see what occurs, however I’m grateful for my time right here. I don’t know what the longer term goes to carry.”
Signed to a one-year, $12.5 million deal final winter, the previous MVP must be cool with considerably much less enjoying money and time for a reunion to make sense for the Yankees, as they’ve the hard-hitting Ben Rice at first base.
AMED ROSARIO
After making an attempt however failing to accumulate Rosario previously, the Yankees lastly landed him in a commerce with the Nationals earlier than the deadline. The utilityman didn’t play a lot, and his protection leaves loads to be desired, however the right-handed swinger is a weapon towards lefties off the bench.
On prime of that, the 29-year-old veteran introduced noticeable vitality to the Yankees’ dugout and mentored Domínguez over the previous few months of the season.
“He appears to essentially thrive in it and feed off the function,” Boone stated in September. The skipper added, “I like him on our crew.”
With Ryan McMahon entrenched because the Yankees’ beginning third baseman, re-signing Rosario wouldn’t stun, as the previous is an elite defender whose left-handed swing provides little on the plate.
AUSTIN SLATER
The Yankees acquired Slater from the White Sox as a result of he additionally had a robust observe file towards lefties. Nevertheless, he damage his hamstring shortly after the commerce, performed even lower than Rosario did, and totaled simply three hits in 25 common season plate appearances with the Bombers.
The Yankees then left the 32-year-old off their postseason rosters. With that in thoughts, there’s no motive to anticipate him again.
PAUL BLACKBURN
Signed off the scrap heap, Blackburn was nothing greater than a longman for the Yankees down the stretch. Nevertheless, the righty, a full-time starter earlier than this season, pitched nicely in September, permitting one earned run over 10 innings after tweaking his repertoire.
Weaver’s time with the Yankees adopted an identical script on the finish of 2023 earlier than he re-signed and had a profession yr out of the bullpen in 2024. Maybe the Yankees see an identical path for Blackburn, 31, after he earned his means onto their postseason rosters.
RYAN YARBROUGH
Inked as a reliever on the very finish of spring coaching, Yarbrough, a profession swing-man, loved a profitable midseason run as a rotation fill-in for the Yankees. Nevertheless, the junk-balling lefty was derailed by an indirect damage, returned as a longman, and pitched poorly over his previous few appearances.
The 33-year-old has been a strong pitcher all through his profession and could be a pleasant depth signing, however the Yankees didn’t hassle to hold him on their October rosters.
TIM HILL
Hill, 35, has a $3 million membership possibility. There’s no motive for the Yankees to say no that, as the side-arming southpaw posted a 3.09 ERA over a team-high 70 appearances this season. He owns a 2.68 ERA since becoming a member of the crew in the course of the 2024 season.
Hill has additionally shared that he wish to stay in New York.
JONATHAN LOÁISIGA
Loáisiga additionally has a crew possibility. His is valued at $5 million.
After one other injury-riddled season that featured poor efficiency when wholesome, the once-electric right-handed reliever would possibly as nicely be an unrestricted free agent. Odds are the 30-year-old’s time with the Yankees, the one huge league crew Loáisiga has recognized, is over. Then once more, it got here as a shock when the Yankees invested extra money in him final winter.
