Biggest questions the New York Yankees must answer in 2025

Can the Yankees' shaky defense improve in 2025?

If there was ever one game that perfectly displayed New York's struggles on defense last season, it was the infamous Game 5 of the World Series. The Yankees blew a 5-0 lead after committing three errors in the fifth inning. It was a fitting way for the Yankees' season to end since defense was arguably their biggest flaw.

There are reasons to believe the Yankees will improve on defense this season, though. While losing a generational hitter like Juan Soto is a tough blow, one thing the Yankees surely won't miss is his defense. Soto had -5 outs above average in 2024, among the worst at his position, and displaced Aaron Judge in right field.

The Yankees will also improve defensively now that Gleyber Torres is no longer at second base. Torres had -4 outs above average, a terrible mark at a crucial defensive position. His departure allows Jazz Chisholm Jr. to take over at the keystone.

Chisholm excelled at third base last season, recording eight outs above average despite that being his first time ever logging reps at the hot corner in his career. With Torres now in Detroit, Chisholm can slide over to his more natural position, where he and shortstop Anthony Volpe seem to have chemistry both on and off the field.

The one area where New York might be weaker defensively is in left field. Despite his struggles as a hitter, Alex Verdugo held his own with the glove, recording two outs above average. Jasson Dominguez is taking over for Verdugo in left field this season. While the 22-year-old has loads of potential at the plate, he's a liability in the field and has dropped multiple routine fly balls during spring training. Dominguez will need to improve defensively, but he's still young and has time to grow.

Overall, the Yankees cut some dead weight on the defensive end this offseason, and hopefully that means we won't see another defensive disaster like in Game 5.