5 big Yankees storylines to watch as 2025 MLB season begins

The Yankees' offseason was a roller coaster, to say the least.

Juan Soto signed with the Mets, eliminating an MVP-caliber bat from New York's lineup, and injuries to ace Gerrit Cole among other notable bats and arms in the spring have put a damper on expectations for this season.

After going to the World Series last season for the first time since 2009, the Yanks are looking to get back and finish what they couldn't a year ago. That will be more difficult with the roster the way it is.

Although the Bombers retooled by signing Max Fried, Cody Bellinger, and Paul Goldschmidt with the money they were planning to use to re-sign Soto, there are more questions than answers surrounding this year's team.

It'll be up to manager Aaron Boone and GM Brian Cashman to answer them, but while we wait for the year to play out here are five big storylines to watch as the 2025 season begins...

Can Max Fried help Yanks survive without Cole?

A little de ja vu, to start things off.

A year ago, I wondered if the Yankees could survive without Cole. The AL Cy Young winner exited camp last spring with elbow soreness and didn't return until a few months in.

This time, the ace underwent Tommy John surgery and will miss the entire 2025 season, so the stakes are arguably more dire -- especially considering the team's other injuries to Luis Gil (lat) and Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) that will leave just Carlos Rodon and Marcus Stroman as the holdovers from a year ago in the rotation.

Last season, Nestor Cortes, Stroman, Rodon, and Gil stepped up to help the Yanks get out to the best record in baseball through April, and it gave the team enough leeway until Cole's eventual return.

The difference this year is the addition of Fried. He was signed to be the team's co-ace and now he'll be the team's No. 1 starter. The southpaw has been as advertised this spring and will be looked upon to anchor a rotation that will include veteran Carlos Carrasco and prospect Will Warren to start the season.

Can Fried stay healthy and help keep the team afloat until reinforcements arrive?

How will the lineup perform without Juan Soto?

Judge had another MVP season in 2024 and was the best hitter in baseball. However, it can't be overstated how much punch the Yankees are missing this year without Soto.

Although Soto benefited from batting in front of Judge, the Yankees captain had more ducks on the pond when he was at the plate and didn't have to be burdened with elevating the offense alone. With Soto gone, Judge will be looked upon to do more. Can he come close to his MVP season? It'll go a long way to helping a short-handed rotation.

Also, what production will we see from newcomers Bellinger and Goldschmidt? Their MVP days are likely behind them but the Yanks need production from their two sluggers -- especially Goldschmidt.

First base has been a black hole of production the last two seasons with Anthony Rizzo's diminishing numbers -- and inability to stay healthy -- so if the former NL MVP can give New York a consistent bat from that position, it'll benefit the rest of the lineup.

The Yankees also need youngsters Anthony Volpe and Austin Wells to take the next step in their development. Meanwhile, New York needs production from another young bat...

Can Jasson Dominguez deliver?

There may not be another player on the roster who can impact the Yankees more than Dominguez.

That may seem like hyperbole, but consider the expectations surrounding the young outfielder. Dominguez burst onto the scene in 2023, showing off his power and speed. But Tommy John surgery -- and the addition of Soto -- put a halt to the switch-hitter's ascent to the big leagues.

Now that he's healthy and there's a spot open in the outfield, 2025 is Dominguez's time to sink or swim. And for the Yankees' sake, they need him to swim.

Adding a switch-hitting power bat lengthens the lineup and, again, takes some of the pressure off of Judge and the others.

This season is also an indicator of the Yankees' future. At just 22 years old, New York sees Dominguez as their future outfielder for years to come and if he doesn't pan out, the questions will only get bigger and louder.

How will Brian Cashman improve the roster?

Signings and trades are a part of each team's season, but with the expectations surrounding the 2025 Yankees and the mounting injuries, Cashman will need to be creative to improve this roster.

It's understandable that the longtime Yankees GM will wait and see how the rotation will play without Cole before making a move, but he can't be too patient -- especially with the Orioles and the upstart Red Sox in their division.

And that's not even bringing up the Yanks not having an everyday third baseman.

Right now, New York is going to go with a committee at the hot corner, but Cashman refused to get a legit bat in that position and it could hurt them in the long run. As the season moves along, a trade opportunity could present itself (Nolan Arenado) but again, Cashman can't wait too long to make improvements -- especially if the American League East is more competitive than a season ago.

Solving the third base puzzle

We alluded to it above, but third base has been a question the Yankees have been trying to answer since the offseason began.

Camp started with four potential options, but now it's really down to two. Oswaldo Cabrera is likely the Opening Day third baseman as New York employs a revolving door of infielders.

DJ LeMahieu was going to be in that rotation, but the injury he suffered this spring will likely force him to the IL to start the season. That leaves Pablo Reyes or former top prospect Oswald Peraza as Cabrera's potential backup.

Peraza hasn't shown much in his brief stints in the majors, but without any minor league options remaining this is likely the infielder's last shot to show what he has.

But this is all a short-term solution. What's the answer for the long-term this season?

It's hard to imagine the Yankees sticking with LeMahieu/Cabrera/Peraza the whole year. Will Cashman make a deal? Will a midseason call-up, like youngster Jorbit Vivas, do the trick?

We'll have to take the Yankees' third base situation a week at a time, but it'll be among the most scrutinized aspects of this team if production at the plate/field is not there.