Where Yankees’ roster stands entering massive offseason
After yet another season that ended at the hands of the Astros, the Yankees enter a major offseason that will come with a number of crucial decisions.
Here’s a look at where some of the key players — of the 54 the Yankees used in 2022 — stand heading into the offseason:
Aaron Judge
The likely AL MVP put the Yankees on his back for much of the season, driving his free-agent price tag up after he turned down a $213.5 million extension before Opening Day. Can the two sides find common ground now that he’s on the open market?
Giancarlo Stanton
Calf, Achilles and foot injuries made Stanton a full-time DH again for almost the entire second half of the season. He still has five years left on his contract.
Anthony Rizzo
The veteran first baseman has a $16 million player option. He hit 32 homers and was the Yankees’ best playoff bat, but battled back issues in the second half.
DJ LeMahieu
The veteran infielder may need offseason surgery to address a broken toe that he played through for most of the second half and cost him the playoffs. The Yankees need to get him healthy with four years and $60 million left on his contract.
Gleyber Torres
He is under team control for two more years, but after the Yankees considered moving him at the trade deadline for a pitcher, he could re-enter trade discussions again this offseason.
Josh Donaldson
The 36-year-old third baseman had a rough season and was a strikeout machine in the playoffs. Due $21 million next year, the Yankees might have to attach a prospect to him to get rid of him in a trade.
Isiah Kiner-Falefa
Set to enter his final year of arbitration before becoming a free agent, do the Yankees still need him as a stopgap at shortstop, or might he be on the move?
Aaron Hicks
Coming back from wrist surgery, Hicks struggled both offensively and defensively to the point where here he lost his everyday role. He still has three years and $30 million left on his contract.
Harrison Bader
After arriving as a distressed asset, once Bader got healthy he flashed his talent — especially with a surprising five playoff home runs — that the Yankees will welcome with one more year of team control.
Andrew Benintendi
He played just 33 games as a Yankee before breaking his hamate bone and will now enter free agency. The Yankees could use his left-handed, contact-oriented bat.
Matt Carpenter
The 36-year-old free agent still wants to play next season. His revamped left-handed swing played well at Yankee Stadium before he broke his foot in August and rushed back for the playoffs.
Oswaldo Cabrera
The rookie proved to be a versatile fielder, which could set him up to bounce around the diamond in a near-everyday role next year.
Oswald Peraza
After the 23-year-old showed himself well as a September call-up, the Yankees will need to decide whether he is ready to start next season in the big leagues.
Jose Trevino
His All-Star first half was followed by a second-half swoon offensively, but his defense remained elite and he is under contract through 2025.
Kyle Higashioka
He lost some playing time to Trevino but his bat got steadier in the second half. He is under team control through 2024.
Gerrit Cole
Coming off a solid season that would have been even better if not for his home run issues, Cole is under contract through 2028 (with a player option after 2024).
Nestor Cortes
Assuming his most recent groin injury is not anything major, the well-traveled lefty will prepare to be a staple in the Yankee rotation after proving he was for real in 2022.
Luis Severino
The Yankees hold a $15 million option on Severino, which appears likely to get picked up — banking on the right-hander’s upside over his injury history.
Jameson Taillon
A steady rotation piece for most of the year, the right-hander enters free agency for the first time.
Frankie Montas
The right-handed starter — who is entering his walk year — will need to get healthy after battling shoulder injuries twice this season.
Domingo German
He could be in play as a fifth starter next year after posting a solid 3.61 ERA in 14 starts this season.
Clarke Schmidt
Another controllable arm that will offer starting depth, though he also became a factor out of the bullpen late this season.
Aroldis Chapman
After ditching the Yankees by missing a mandatory workout before the ALDS that led to him being left off the playoff roster, Chapman enters free agency. The Yankees will let him walk.
Clay Holmes
The All-Star reliever followed a dominant first half with a shaky second half. But if his late-season shoulder strain does not linger, he’ll be a key bullpen piece under team control for two more years.
Chad Green
Enters free agency after undergoing Tommy John surgery in June, meaning he will likely miss a chunk of next season.
Michael King
The Yankees sorely missed him down the stretch and in the playoffs after he broke his elbow in July. But he appears to have avoided Tommy John surgery and expects to be ready for spring training.
Scott Effross
The trade deadline addition will miss all of next year after undergoing Tommy John surgery during the playoffs.
Wandy Peralta
The left-handed reliever proved invaluable in the playoffs and will return for one more year under team control.
Jonathan Loaisiga
He found his footing in the second half after dealing with a shoulder issue and remains under team control for two more years.
Ron Marinaccio
A shin issue knocked him out for the playoffs, but he emerged as a real high-leverage option heading forward.
Lou Trivino
Part of the Yankees’ trade deadline haul, he was a steady bullpen arm who has two years left on his contract.
Zack Britton
The veteran lefty reliever rushed back from UCL surgery to try to be a postseason factor but was derailed by arm fatigue. Now he enters free agency again at the age of 34.
