Grading the 2025 Yankees: Solid marks, but not good enough

Year 8 of the Aaron Boone era with the Yankees began as all of the previous years did — with the highest of expectations.

And it ended the way the previous ones did — with a loud October thud.

In this case, the Yankees, who in 2024 won their first American League pennant since 2009, were taken out by the Blue Jays in four games in a Division Series. Though the Yankees had the best record in the majors after Aug. 10, going 32-12, a season-long issue had been their performance against the better teams in the AL. After the Yankees to a degree got that monkey off their back by downing a depleted Red Sox team in their Wild Card Series, the can’t-beat-the-good-teams narrative continued in the ALDS against the Blue Jays. Toronto won the season series against the Yankees, 8-5, to earn the tiebreaker for the AL East title after both teams finished 94-68, and the Blue Jays mostly coasted, especially in the first two games in Toronto, in the Division Series.

There were plenty of successes for the Yankees along the way. That includes the performance of Max Fried atop the rotation after Gerrit Cole went down for the season in spring training, the blossoming of Ben Rice as a hitter, the fireballing Cam Schlittler showing top-of-the-rotation potential after his July call-up and, of course, another standout season from Aaron Judge, who may well take home a third AL MVP in four years.

But the year, one in which the AL was never weaker, cannot be categorized as anything but a disappointment.

Here, then, are the Yankees' grades for 2025:

Aaron Boone, manager

Boone continues to be exactly who managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner and general manager Brian Cashman hired before the 2018 season — an effective and, for the most part, well-liked communicator when it comes to dealing with players, and all-in when it comes to the collaborative effort between the front office and the field manager that is so much a part of the sport when it comes to decision-making. Boone’s eternally sunny disposition, even in the worst of times, grates on the fan base but generally is appreciated in the clubhouse. GRADE: B

David Bednar, RP

By far the most effective of the three reliever acquisitions at the trade deadline  by Cashman. GRADE: A- 

Cody Bellinger, OF/1B

The Scott Boras client was among the Yankees’ best all-around players, and his performance made his re-signing a club priority. GRADE:  A-

Jose Caballero, INF/OF

Upgraded the defense and was exactly the sparkplug the Yankees hoped he’d be, especially on the bases. GRADE: B+

Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B

Produced  the fourth 30-30 season in franchise history. Dynamic as he is, he's still prone to the occasional head-scratching mistake. GRADE: B+

Fernando Cruz, RP

Brought in as a strikeout artist, and the 35-year-old more than produced. Two IL stints kept his season from being even better. GRADE: B+ 

Jasson Dominguez, OF

Occasionally flashed the skills that made him one of the most hyped organizational prospects in years, but consistent playing time, mainly because of Trent Grisham, was sporadic. GRADE: C

Camilo Doval, RP

A disappointing trade-deadline acquisition, though he provided hope for ’26 with a strong postseason. GRADE: D+

Max Fried, SP

Had a  Cy Young Award-caliber season after more than filling the shoes of injured ace Cole. Missed an ‘A+’ by a blister. GRADE: A

Luis Gil, SP

A lat injury suffered in spring training kept him sidelined until Aug. 3, but even with command issues, he showed that his AL Rookie of the Year performance in ’24 was no fluke. GRADE: B-

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B/DH

Clubhouse leader who slowed after a blistering start but crushed lefties and selflessly mentored an emerging Ben Rice. GRADE: B

Trent Grisham, CF

Followed up the worst year (2024) of his career with his best. GRADE: A-

Tim Hill, RP

Quietly one of the bullpen’s few reliable and consistent arms. GRADE: B+

Aaron Judge, RF/DH

Another MVP-caliber season that included his first career batting title and, at last, sustained postseason success. GRADE: A

DJ LeMahieu, INF

Unfortunate end to an ‘A’ career. GRADE: D-

Mark Leiter Jr., RP

Threw better than the numbers indicated, but too many late-inning inconsistencies contributed to too many bullpen high-wire acts. GRADE: C

Ryan McMahon, 3B

Never got going offensively after his acquisition at the deadline, but ridiculously good defensively. GRADE: B+

Oswald Peraza, INF

One-time top organizational prospect was never the same after being soundly beaten by Anthony Volpe in the starting shortstop competition in spring training in ’23. Unceremoniously dumped at trade deadline. GRADE: D

Ben Rice, 1B/C/DH

Started spring training hitting the ball hard and never really stopped. GRADE: A-

Carlos Rodon, SP

Third season of lefthander’s six-year, $162 million deal was far and away his best in the Bronx. GRADE: B+

Amed Rosario, INF

Trade-deadline acquisition was brought in to hit lefties and did just that. GRADE: B

Cam Schlittler, SP

Rookie righthander’s historic start in closeout ALDS victory over Boston has the Yankees, and their fans, dreaming on 2026 — and beyond. GRADE: A-

Clarke Schmidt, SP

A good season that might have become a great one was derailed by Tommy John surgery in July. GRADE: B

Giancarlo Stanton, DH/OF

Missed season’s first 2½ months but didn’t take long to pick up where he left off in the 2024 postseason. This postseason was a different matter. GRADE: B+

Marcus Stroman, SP

Curtain closed quickly on the 2025 edition of the Stro Show. GRADE: D

Anthony Volpe, SS

Third-year shortstop regressed on both sides of the ball, setting up perhaps a make-or-break 2026. GRADE: D

Will Warren, SP

Spring training injuries to others put the  untested rookie into the rotation and he showed workhorse potential in tying Rodon for team high in starts with 33. GRADE: B

Luke Weaver, RP

Club’s best reliever in ’24 started that way this season but was never the same after hamstring injury in June. GRADE: B

Austin Wells, C

Bat was not as consistent as expected, but rival scouts raved all season how far he’s come defensively since the minors. GRADE: C

Devin Williams, RP

Lost closer job in season’s first month but did rebound in season’s second half. GRADE: C-

Ryan Yarbrough, RP/SP

Effective plug-in starter after starting year as long man, but season was sunk by oblique injury. GRADE: C+

By Erik Boland

erik.boland@newsday.comeboland11

Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.