Cincinnati Reds v New York Yankees / Luke Hales/GettyImages

After a way-later-than-expected, but also far-too-familiar, ending to the New York Yankees’ 2024 playoff run, we’ve arrived on the precipice of free agency a bit too soon. Yet again.

After reaching the World Series, but barely sniffing competitive baseball after capturing the pennant, these Yankees will have plenty of roster-altering decisions to make, and may even need to strip the front office and coaching staffs for parts in the process. Aaron Boone’s place in the dugout is far from assured. Brian Cashman could step down (up?) into an advisor role at any time. Swiftly bowing out of the Fall Classic once the AL Central disappeared will do that to a team. Anything can happen. Many things should happen.

With the pressure officially boiling over, these are the Yankees most likely to find themselves on another roster next year.*

*We reserve the right to add Juan Soto to this list at any time if the offseason begins tripping towards disaster. All editorial rights reserved. No passionate authors were harmed in the writing of this disclaimer.

These Yankees players won’t be back for 2025 MLB season

Clay Holmes, Closer (?)

Since losing his closer role, Holmes has rebounded somewhat, harnessing his bowling ball sinker more often than not down the stretch. Will he still be paid like a closer, or will he be looking at a maximum AAV of $8-10 million for three years? Regardless, it feels like too hefty a commitment for these Yankees, given how much else they have on their plate, and how tattered Holmes’ relationship to the fan base felt prior to his representative playoff run.

Anthony Rizzo, First Baseman

For a brief stretch at the start of September, it felt as if Aaron Judge would be able to finagle his close friend’s return, even if the two sides agreed to shred the option currently baked into his contract. Now, after gutting through a freak accident and watching his power dissolve, Rizzo feels more like coach than player. After another disappointing October for Judge, this is one decision the front office shouldn’t lean on his guidance about.

Tommy Kahnle, RHP/Jonathan Loaisiga, RHP

Both should receive well-wishes along the way, but Kahnle, who will be 36 next summer, probably doesn’t have another multi-year Yankees offer awaiting him. Loaisiga, unless he comes extremely cheap after another immediate injury setback (like, Luke Weaver prices), should find shelter elsewhere, too.

Alex Verdugo, Left Fielder

Though Verdugo started all October long, this is Jasson Dominguez’s position to lose next year … well, unless he can play center after Judge shifts to a vacated right. Let’s not think about that. Oddly, the collective opinion of Verdugo is far more universally positive than it was in September, but he still won’t receive a qualifying offer or a multi-year deal.

Gleyber Torres, Second Baseman

Torres has done enough, as a leadoff hitter, to secure a qualifying offer, and could come back to the Yankees at ~$21 million for the 2025 season. We’re betting on his excellent August-through-October outweighing his desire to return on a one-year pact. The Yankees will receive a draft pick, and Torres will cash in on a four-year deal that’s too rich for New York’s blood. No more pillow contract here.