The New York Yankees are undergoing a major roster overhaul following the departure of Juan Soto, with several key shifts anticipated for the upcoming season as the team enters a new era. Along with changes to the batting lineup, defensive realignments will be at the forefront of the transformation.
Jazz Chisholm is expected to return to his natural position at second base, while the Yankees are looking to Jasson Dominguez to take over center field in 2025. The biggest move, however, may be Aaron Judge’s return to right field. Judge has spent the past few seasons in center field, a position he filled out of necessity as the Yankees dealt with various roster issues. But now, with the roster beginning to take shape, it looks as though Judge will move back to right, a position where he has been one of the game’s best, alongside Mookie Betts. Fans will likely celebrate this decision, as the shift will allow the Yankees to better utilize their players’ strengths. General manager Brian Cashman even hinted at the possibility of Dominguez stepping into center field on a full-time basis starting in 2025, a move that would align with the team’s long-term plans after the loss of Soto.
Meanwhile, Gleyber Torres is attracting attention on the open market. MLB Network’s Jon Morosi reported that the LA Angels and Toronto Blue Jays are both interested in the former Yankees second baseman. Both teams could provide Torres with a fresh start, as they are in rebuilding phases with lower expectations and less media scrutiny compared to New York. Torres, who was once seen as a future cornerstone for the Yankees, has struggled to recapture the form he showed in his All-Star years of 2018 and 2019. Though still a competent big-leaguer, his inconsistency at times and tendency to go through unproductive stretches have dimmed his star. A change of scenery could be beneficial, but his next destination will likely depend on the broader landscape of the offseason.
In other moves, former Yankees prospect Thairo Estrada has found a new home with the Colorado Rockies after a productive stint with the San Francisco Giants. Estrada, once a promising infielder in the Yankees’ system, carved out a role as a utility player with the Giants before injuries and a waiver designation led to his departure. The Rockies, looking to strengthen their infield depth, signed Estrada to a deal, hoping he can regain his form.
As for Estevan Florial, another former top prospect, his journey has taken him overseas. After being traded to the Cleveland Guardians ahead of the 2024 season, Florial struggled to make an impact in the majors and was ultimately squeezed out. He has now signed with the Hanwha Eagles in the Korean Baseball Organization, where he will look to rebuild his value. Yankees fans are familiar with Florial’s ups and downs—he was a highly touted prospect but struggled to adjust to big-league pitching, and his time in Triple-A proved to be his ceiling. A stint in Korea could help him regain his confidence and possibly set him up for an MLB return in the future, though it’s uncertain how long he will remain in the KBO.
As the Yankees retool for the future, these player movements highlight the team’s shifting landscape and the adjustments required to keep pace in the competitive AL East.
