By James Vlietstra
January 31, 2025
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We are mere days away from the opening of Spring Training 2025!!!
The 40-man roster currently has 39 players on it. I’m going to go through each of them as well as a few non roster invitees and interesting minor league players.
Michael Arias, 23, RHP. Purchased from Cubs, two minor league options left. # 29 Yankees Prospect by MLB Pipeline. Hard thrower reaches the upper 90s. He’s a Blake reclamation project. Don’t expect to see him this year.
Clayton Beeter, 26, RHP. Acquired in trade with the Dodgers, two options remaining.
Last year, he has 12.9 K/9 along with 2.67 K/W. If healthy, he could compete for a substantial role, possibly in the bullpen as a long reliever.
JT Brubaker, 31, RHP. Acquired in a trade with the Pirates.
Technically has five years of experience but has been injured the last two. He did end 2024 by throwing 16.2 minor league innings. Has a salary of $1.8M. Currently the seventh starter. It’ll be interesting to see how they use him if he makes it through spring healthy.
Gerrit Cole, 34, RHP. Signed a free agent contract that pays him $36M through 2028.
After a dominating 2023, in which he won the Cy Young Award and topped 200 innings for the sixth time in his career, he had arm fatigue which limited him to 95 innings last year. He needs a major bounce back season and two or three more like 23 if he wants a chance at one day making the Hall Of Fame.
Roansy Contreras, 25, RHP. Claimed off waivers, zero options left.
Former Yankee prospect had a decent year for Pittsburgh and the Angels in 2024 unlikely he sticks all year but could help then get some wins.
Jake Cousins, 30, RHP. Purchased, one option left.
Had a very solid season last year for the Yankees could be on the Scranton shuttle but likely here all year and hopefully contributes again.
Fernando Cruz, 34, RHP. Acquired in a trade with Cincinnati, three options left.
Has a career 3.17 K/W. Will be given a few chances because of the options but they don’t have a lot invested in him if they decide to cut him loose.
Yerry DeLosSantos, 27, RHP. Signed as an MiLB free agent, two options left.
Spent all of 2024 at triple AAA Scranton and they added him to the 40-man after the season. Possibly will spend all year in Scranton again.
Scott Effross, 31, RHP. Acquired with a trade with the Royals, two options left.
Got injured in late 2022 after acquired at the trade deadline. Returned late in season to pitch in three games last season. Should be a key contributor in the Bullpen but just in case has options.
Max Fried, 31, LHP. Signed as a free agent 8 year 218 million contract.
Signed to be the co-ace with Cole only has 165 plus IP four times. Has a career 3.51 K/W if he pitches to the back of his baseball card he will be 16- 6 with a 5.0 WAR.
Louis Gil, 26, RHP. Acquired in a trade with the Twins, one option left.
Reigning Rookie Of the Year. After missing nearly two years from TJ surgery he rebounded to win 15 games despite leading the majors with 77 walks. As the number 5 starter he is sufficient, however, if Brubaker excels, Gil could become a trade chip.
Yoendrys Gomez, 25, RHP. International Free Agent, zero options left.
The often injured Gomez has been on the Yankees 40 man roster since 2020 and has only pitched 13.1 major league innings. He had a decent year as a starter for AAA Scranton. If healthy, a spring training trade is possible. I can’t see him sticking in the Majors all year.
Ian Hamilton, 29, RHP. Yankee signed him as a Minor League free agent, one option left.
The last two years he has produced 2.1 WAR, 137 ERA+ and 2.75 K/W expect him to be a key 7th inning reliever.
Mark Leiter Jr., 33, RHP. Acquired with trade with the Cubs. Earning $2.2M, zero options left.
Last year he threw 58 innings with a 3.91 K/W and an impressive 13.3 K/9. He will be a key factor in their success.
Jonathan Loaisiga, 30, RHP. Signed as a Free Agent for $5M dollars with a $5M dollar option for 2026. The Yankees brought he back as a free agent, hoping he can return to his 2021 form after battling injuries for several years. Could be a key contributor.
Carlos Rodon, 32, LHP. Signed a 6 year $162M dollars free agent contract through 2028. After a disastrous 2023, he topped 175 innings for the second time in his career last year. He needs to improve upon his 1.7 HR/9 he averaged the past two seasons.
Clarke Schmidt, 29, RHP. 2017 first round pick $3.6M, one option left.
Time for the number four starter to step up. A career sub .500 pitcher for the Yankees last year had 2.0 WAR and 145 ERA+ and 3.1 K/W and 85.1 IP. If he can maintain these numbers over 160 innings it will be a big step.
Marcus Stroman, 33, RHP. $18.5M with an $18M dollar vesting option if he pitches 140 innings. Last year, he underperformed and has been reduced to the number six starter. Cashman is actively trying to deal him.
Will Warren, 25, RHP. Draft pick, two options left, #5 prospect via MLP Pipeline.
He got his first cup of coffee last year. Warren was one of several Yankee prospects that had disappointing seasons last year. Brush it off and move forward.
Luke Weaver, 31, RHP. Claimed off waivers, $2.5M free agent after season.
In 2024, he had his best season to date. 1.9 WAR 142 ERA+ 3.96 K/W and took over the closer role. I am expecting him to be the 8th inning set up man.
Devin Williams, 30, RHP. Acquired through trade with Brewers. Earning $8.6M this year will be a free agent at seasons’ end.
A career K/9 of 14.3 3.45 K/W 232 ERA+ and 1.02 WhIP. Has to be some concern as he only threw 21.2 innings last year was acquired to be the closer as Clay Holmes left via free agency.
Allan Winans, 29 RHP. Claimed via waivers, one option left.
Starting pitching depth I think he will be one of the first to be removed if a trade or signing is made.
JC Escarra, 29, C. signed as a minor league free agent, three options left.
Escarra was placed on the 40 man after the season ended but before he became a free agent. That means the Yankee saw value and didn’t want to lose him for nothing I can’t see him being Wells’ back up with zero major league experience.
Jesus Rodriguez, 22, C. IFA, three options left.
Has a career OPS .874 advanced from Tampa to Somerset in two seasons. His emergence allowed them to trade both Agustin Ramirez and Carlos Narvaez. He could contribute in the second half of the season at the big league level.
Austin Wells, 25, C. First round draft pick, three options left.
2.5 WAR last year and came in third for AL ROY. He is the starting catcher and as of now not much of a safety net behind him should improve offensively as he is more comfortable.
Oswaldo Cabrera, 25, Utility. IFA, two options left.
As of now, he is their depth as both an outfielder and infielder on a team that doesn’t do a lot of substituting. If no other deals are made, he will probably rotate with LeMahieu at third base.
Jazz Chisholm Jr., 27, 2B. Acquired in trade with Marlins earning $5.85M, two options left.
In roughly a third of a season with the Yankees, in 2024, he had a 1.5 WAR 11HR 18SB and 130 OPS+. He has fans dreaming about his full season Yankee Stadium numbers.
Paul Goldschmidt, 37, 1B. Signed a free agent $12.5M contract.
Goldschmidt is a durable gold gloved winning first basemen. Other than the pandemic season of 2020, he has played 150 plus games every year since 2015 with a career .892 OPS and 4 top three NL MVP seasons. He is what they hoped what Rizzo would be.
DJ Le Mahieu, 36, 2B, signed a 6 year $90M contract that runs through next year.
He only played 67 games last season. Thank God! His -1.6 WAR could have been much worse he is a four time gold glove winner and two time batting champ but his OPS+ of 51 says the end is near.
Oswald Peraza, 24, SS. IFA, no options left.
Was known as a glove first prospect, has been on the 40 since 2020. Only played 4 games with the Yankees and another 99 with the minors last year. Likely gone during spring training unless there is an injury.
Ben Rice, 25, 1B. Draft, two options left.
Was last years feel good story. As he hit OPS of .968 in the minors and as a 12th round pick and homegrown player. However, a first baseman with a -0.4 WAR and 72 OPS+ doesn’t cut it. If a 40 man spot is needed, it could be his.
Jorbit Vivas, 23, 2B. Acquired via trade, one option left, number 17 prospect MLB pipeline.
In 101 games last year, mostly at triple A, his OPS was .706. Not a lot of upside from my vantage point. Already have Cabrera and Peraza in a similar skill set.
Anthony Volpe, 23, SS. First round pick, three options left.
During his two year career, this is the good: Platinum glove winner, 3.4 WAR / 162, 17 homeruns and 26 stolen bases /162. However the bad: .288 OBP and 83 OPS+ Can he get to a .300 OBP? 100 OPS+? That is what he did in AAA and will be the difference in becoming a perennial all star.
Cody Bellinger, 29, OF. Acquired in trade with Cubs, earing $27.5M with a $25M player option for next season.
As an optimist, I am excited to see what he does aiming for the short porch. His 2019 MVP season his pull percentage was 39.5. Last year it dipped to 35.2. That was also a long time ago.
Jasson Dominguez, 22, OF. IFA. Two options left. # 1 Yankees Prospect via MLB Pipeline.
Injuries cost him most of last year. Prospect fatigue seems to have set in with him. The Yankees signed him for $5.1M in 2019. He turns 22 this week and is an early favorite for the AL ROY. He has been a five tool athlete his entire life. The team Is counting on him to live up to the hype.
Trent Grisham, 28, OF. Acquired in a trade with the Padres. Making $5M in his last season before free agency.
Was used sparingly in his first season as a Yankee in 2024 and didn’t excel. I can see him getting moved to free up some funds.
Aaron Judge, 32, OF. Another Yankees first round pick. Will earn $40M every year until 2031.
He will give a run at the Triple Crown and 400 Total Bases once again. My question is: Has he already done enough to earn entrance into the Hall of Fame?
Everson Pereira, 23, OF. IFA. #10 Prospect via MLB Pipeline. One option left.
He’s a career MiLB .855 OPS hitter but only got to play in 40 games last year due to injuries. If they were able to trade Grisham, I would promote Pereira.
Giancarlo Stanton, 35, DH. Acquired via trade with the Marlins. Due $32M this year and an additional $54M the following two.
He has 429 career homeruns. He has three years left on his contract. That’s an average of 24 needed a year to hit number 500 in a Yankees uniform.
That does it for the official 40-man roster. The next group of names are Yankees minor leaguers, many of whom may be invited to spring training as a non-rostered invitee. Some of these players are Rule 5 eligible at the end of the season.
Alex Jackson, 29, C. Acquired in a trade with the Reds. Has zero options left.
Going into spring training, he’s the only player, other than Wells, with major league experience, having played in 124 games since 2019. His career OPS+ is 27. So there’s a very good chance that even if he breaks camp with the team, he will be replaced sooner than later.
Dominic Smith, 29, 1B. Signed as a MiLB free agent.
He has six years of Major League experience, with an OPS+ of 97. He will likely be stashed at AAA, unless something happens to Goldschmidt. He probably has an opt out date, in case he’s in the minors and another opportunity comes along.
Andrew Velazquez, 30, SS. Signed as a MiLB free agent.
Best known for his defense, tragedy has struck if he ends up as the starting shortstop.
Rafael Flores, 24, C. Rule 5 eligible.
Last year, between Hudson Valley and Somerset, he played 122 games, mostly at catcher and produced an OPS of .875.
Brock Selvidge, 22, LHP. Drafted. Rule 5 eligible. #7 Prospect.
He threw 84.2 unspectacular innings at Somerset last season. That means he should be in Scranton this year and at minimal, a summertime trade chip.
Spencer Jones, 23, OF. First round pick. Rule 5 eligible. #2 Prospect.
Played 122 games last season in Somerset, but struck out 200 times. I could see a scenario in which Stanton inevitably gets injured and Jones is brought up to the big league club.
Zach Messinger, 25, RHP. Drafted. Rule 5 eligible. #18 Prospect.
Threw 150 innings in Somerset last year. Could be an emergency starter. Surprisingly, he wasn’t selected in last year's Rule 5 draft as he is major league ready.
Henry LaLane, 20, LHP. IFA. Rule 5 eligible. #11 Prospect.
Last year, he only managed 12.1 innings. Would love to see a bounce back, healthy season.
Brendon Beck, 26, RHP. Rule 5 eligible. He has only pitched 34 professional innings since being drafted in the second round out of Stanford in 2021.
Justin Lange, 23, RHP. Rule 5 eligible.
He struck out 13.8/9 in 2023 over 85.1 innings before missing all of last season.
Sean Hermann, 21, RHP. Drafted. Rule 5 eligible.
Threw 112.2 innings in 2023 before missing all of 2024.
Elmer Rodriguez Cruz, 21, RHP. Acquired in trade with Red Sox. #12 Prospect.
Threw 89.2 innings for Boston’s A and A+ teams in 2024.
Trystan Vrieling, 24, RHP. Drafted. Rule 5 eligible. #28 Prospect.
Threw 147.1 innings in Somerset last year. Could be fast tracked if needed.
Eric Reyzelman, 23, RHP. Drafted. Rule 5 Eligible.
Struck out 14.7 and had a 0.957 WHIP last year as a dominant reliever in 31 games, mostly in Somerset. Could be a dark horse to make the team out of spring training.
Chase Hampton, 23, RHP. Drafted. Rule 5 eligible. #6 Prospect.
Had big hopes for him going into last season but injuries limited him to only 18.2 innings. Hopefully he’s recovered and returns.
Cam Schlittler, 24, RHP. Drafted. Rule 5 eligible. #26 Prospect.
Struck out 11.5/9 over 120.2 innings last year.
Carson Coleman, 26, RHP. Returned Rule 5 Pick.
He was selected by the Rangers but was injured all year and never played.
Zach Greene, 28, RHP. Returned Rule 5 Pick.
He was selected by the Mets but was injured all year and never played.
Ryan Anderson, 26, LHP. Drafted. Rule 5 eligible.
Had a 1.0 WHIP and 3.4 K/W rate. One of the few lefty relievers they have.
Wilking Rodriguez, 35, RHP. Free Agent.
Only pitched 11.2 innings last year.
Colby White, 27, RHP. Picked Off Waivers.
Pitched 32.1 innings for Somerset last season.
Geoff Hartlieb, 31, RHP. Free Agent
Unlikely he leaves Scranton.
Colten Brewer, 32, RHP. Signed as a MiLB free agent
Prototypical AAAA pitcher.
Brandon Leibrandt, 32, LHP. Free agent signing
Another arm with major league experience in Scranton.
Brennan Davis, 25, OF, Free Agent.
Former top 20 prospect in the sport. Wouldn’t shock me if he gets called up at some point.
Pablo Reyes, 31, SS. Free Agent
Glove first backup to the backups.
TJ Rumfield, 24, 1B. Acquired in trade with Philly. Rule 5 eligible.
Had a .824 OPS last year, mostly in Scranton.
A few things that I noticed:
First off, they do not have a single left handed reliever on their roster.
Next, their depth at catching is currently lacking in experience.
At this point, if they could send away the contracts for Stroman and LeMahieu for the even worse contract of Arenado, I would do it in an instant.
Yes, after thinking about it for about five minutes, Judge is already a Hall Of Famer. A repeat of last season or two puts him in the “Inner Circle”.
Somehow, they only have $46M coming off the books next year. Goldshmidt, Weaver, Williams, Grisham, Brubaker, Rizzo (paying his buyout) and Hicks (assuming they decline his $12.5M option and buy him out). Whoever thought his 7 year $70M contract would take so long to disappear.
Last year at this point, there were players already injured and going onto the 60-day IL as soon as it was allowed. In total, they placed close to a dozen players on the 60. As of now, I believe everyone finished last year playing and hopefully healthy.
This was not supposed to be about the minor league system at all…I have a few of those planned in the coming weeks. However, everyone says how much the Yankees system fell off. I strongly disagree. Their system was hit with injury after injury after injury last season. They have a tremendous amount of talent. Of course they need to be able to return from those injuries and continue to progress.
