3 Yankees offseason decisions that already look genius, 1 that looks awful

The 2025 season is young, and the sample size of Yankees player performances is too small to declare any one offseason move a total bust or unprecedented success. But that doesn’t mean Yankees fans aren’t already catching feelings (as the kids might say) for some of the newest additions to New York’s roster.

After all, it’s been a weird and wild start thus far, with a record-setting number of home runs and a league-wide controversy about the use of so-called “torpedo” bats (which, for the record, are perfectly legal and are only inciting controversy because the rest of MLB wishes they had their own massive stockpiles of the futuristic-looking lumber).

But if you look beyond the short porch dingers and fancy bats, it’s starting to become clear that Brian Cashman and company made some smart moves in the offseason (as well as one not-so-smart move). Here’s how the offseason decisions are looking as the Yankees head into a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.

3 Genius Decisions The Yankees Made This Offseason

The Yankees let outfielder Alex Verdugo walk after a disappointing 2024, and right now that seems like a smart decision. Left-field “martian” Jasson Dominguez currently has a 131 OPS+, and Trent Grisham is rocking an OPS+ of 325. So it’s safe to say the Yankees have no use for Verdugo, who languished in free agency for months before finally being signed by the Atlanta Braves to a one-year deal that currently has him ramping up in the minors after missing most of spring training.

The Bombers also said goodbye to Anthony Rizzo in the offseason. Rizzo was beloved when he joined the team, but his .637 OPS last year was his worst since his 2011 rookie season. As of April 4, he remains unsigned. Meanwhile, newly added veteran first baseman Paul Goldschmidt entered the series with an OPS of .798, and backup Ben Rice has been absolutely raking with a 1.349 OPS. Although Yankees fans might miss Rizzo’s personality, they definitely don’t miss his plate appearances.

The Yanks also acquired veteran right-handed reliever Fernando Cruz in a trade from the Cincinnati Reds during the offseason. New York gave up catcher Jose Trevino in exchange for Cruz. After a difficult spring, the righty opened his Yankees tenure with three near-flawless innings, surrendering no runs, no hits, and allowing only one walk (we'll ignore the three-run homer in garbage time Friday that somewhat blemished his line). Meanwhile, Trevino has had a rough start to the season (with a .552 OPS) while Austin Wells has earned a spot as a leadoff hitter and has a .997 OPS. Trevino has plenty of time to become more of a threat at the plate, but so far this year, the addition of Cruz to the bullpen has been a welcome one, and the Yankees are doing just fine with Wells behind the plate.

After a successful offseason, the Yankees aren't missing Anthony Rizzo, Alex Verdugo, or Jose Trevino --- but it sure would be nice to still have Clay Holmes

1 Awful Decision The Yankees Made This Offseason

Yanks fans have decidedly moved on from their ex-closer Clay Holmes, but that doesn’t mean Holmes has slunk away quietly into the night. He’s now a starter with the crosstown Mets, and dare it be said, he ain’t looking too bad right now. Thus far, he’s pitched a total of 9.1 innings, giving up three earned runs, earning 10 strikeouts, and allowing six walks. These aren’t necessarily numbers that will result in Holmes being named an All-Star for the third time in his career, but they ain’t that bad either, especially considering recent bullpen addition Ryan Yarbrough currently has an ERA of 21.60, following four earned runs in two-thirds of an inning against the Diamondbacks on April 3.

Carlos “Cookie” Carrasco had a decent enough start on April 3, but he’s given up six earned runs in a total of 7.1 innings this season. And Marcus Stroman’s start on March 30 was so-so; he allowed three earned runs in 4.2 innings. In other words, the Yankees would be a better team right now if they had Clay Holmes on the mound instead of Yarbrough, Carrasco, or Stroman.

We’ll see how the rest of the season shakes out, but so far it looks like the Bombers might’ve made a mistake by not finding a new role for Holmes.