3 secret weapons Yankees must consider putting on the 2025 postseason roster

It may be hard to believe, but the postseason is finally here. And even if the Yankees are facing an uphill climb to win the American League East, they already locked in a Wild Card spot.

If they want to make a long run through October, they’re going to need to pull the right levers when it comes to the roster. That means Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman really need to make sure the right supporting cast members get a nod for the postseason.

3 secret weapons Yankees must consider putting on the 2025 postseason roster

Amed Rosario 

While José Caballero has gotten a ton of attention as the Yankees’ utility player as he's provided a solution to the Anthony Volpe problem, Rosario is arguably just as important to the Yankees’ success. 

He’s only gotten 31 at-bats since being acquired by the Yankees at the trade deadline, but he’s recorded 10 hits with a homer and five RBI. If everything was normal, Rosario wouldn’t get any postseason playing time, but the fact he clobbers left-handed pitching completely changes the outlook.

Rosario may not be back next season, but he’s a good “break glass in case of emergency” option to have given his defensive versatility and favorable splits.

Austin Slater 

Slater only appeared in two games with the Yankees before hitting the injured with a hamstring strain. He returned from the IL this month, and has gone 3-for-16 with no extra-base hits.

Although those stats aren’t anything to write home about, he’s hit .268 against left-handed pitchers in his career and is 2-for-7 in his career in the postseason. When the Yankees acquired Slater and Rosario at the trade deadline, their plan was to create matchup nightmares vs lefties.

The Yankees have plenty of matchup-proof hitters like Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge, but having a valuable platoon hitter like Slater is just as important. Not to mention, he can play all three outfield spots in the event of an emergency.

Ryan Yarbrough 

The Yankees got Yarbrough back from the injured list earlier this month after he missed nearly three months due to an oblique strain and he’s allowed three earned runs across 8 1/3 innings out of the bullpen before his concerning blowup against the Twins nine days ago. After starting the season as a swingman out of the bullpen, he moved to the rotation in June due to injuries.

That versatile usage will be a key X-factor once the postseason rolls around. While the Yankees have an abundance of starters who can go deep into games, all it takes is one bad start for plans to unravel, which is why having some solid depth options in your bullpen is almost as important as having shutdown relievers in the back of it. 

The left-handed Yarbrough could work as a matchup reliever (lefty batters have hit just .181 against him this year) or could serve as a solid fireman option who could help get through the middle innings.