The New York Yankees season ended this week (on my birthday to make it worse). It is time to turn the page and look to the future. I am sure I will write something recapping the season and perhaps pointing out what went wrong, but for this piece I want to focus on the Yankees’ upcoming free agent class. The class is composed of four batters and six relief pitchers (oddly no starters). Let’s take a look at each player and whether they should keep the team “N’Sync.”

Paul Goldschmidt (1B)

In almost 400 plate appearances, he put up a solid .252/.315/4.52 slash line. But as almost always in his career, it’s a tale of what he did against LHP vs. RHP. Against LHP, he was excellent (.299/.393/.573), and against RHP he had the lowest OPS on the team (.213/.239/.351). The Yankees already have Ben Rice and Luis Garcia Jr. to play first base, and he will likely retire. (Bye, Bye, Bye)

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2B)

Well, that wasn’t a 50/50 season, and he won’t get $50 million in free agency. His season was basically a disaster. A slash line of .231/.312/.399 was far below what was expected. He also struck out a whopping 157 times in 527 plate appearances and just simply didn’t have his head in several games. Giving him even a qualifying offer would be a big mistake. (Bye Bye Bye)

Trent Grisham (CF)

Luckily, that strikeout to end the game is the last we will see of him in pinstripes. One of the worst leadoff hitters any team has ever used (.199/.303/.378). His .211/.308/.395 slash line was about league average, and about his career split of .217/.319/.399. 2025 was obviously an outlier, so let someone else pay for the slow-footed Grisham. (Bye Bye Bye).

Amed Rosario (IF/OF)

What do you do with a career hitter who mashes left-handed pitching and fails at it this season (.208/.250/.356)? You leave him off the playoff roster! Yes, his overall slash line of .238/.279/.405 isn’t horrendous, but he is a butcher with the glove. (Bye Bye Bye)

David Bednar (RP)

Could the Yankees lose their closer? They could, depending on the market. Bednar was excellent with a 7-3 record, a 2.47 ERA, and a 1.038 WHIP. Cost is king, but the Yankees should want him to return as the closer; he has earned it. (I Want You Back)

Paul Blackburn (RP)

The Yankees let Luke Weaver walk in the last offseason and then basically created their own version of him. For $2 million, the Yankees got a guy who went 7-3 with a 1.69 ERA and a 1.094 WHIP. The Yankees should obviously want to re-sign him as long as he stays in their price range. (I Want You Back)

Ryan Yarborough (RP)

I have always liked Yarborough and was happy the Yankees brought him back for $2.5 million. I would be fine with bringing him back for that deal. 2-1 with a 3.69 ERA and a 1.216 WHIP and a serviceable cheap long man out of the bullpen. Sign me up! (I Want You back)

Tim Hill (RP)

He finished the season with an ERA more than double what it was in 2024, and he was left off the postseason roster. That is an ominous sign regarding how the club values you. Hill went 5-2 with a 4.60 ERA and 1.142 WHIP. He seemed to get worse as the season went on, and that was likely his last one for the Yankees. (Bye, Bye, Bye)

John Schreiber (RP)

The last person to join the team, via the Kansas City Royals, actually impressed in pinstripes. In 11 innings, he gave up only 2 earned runs, with 4 walks and 4 strikeouts. He got the job done, even if it wasn’t always pretty. On a short-term cheap deal, bringing him back makes sense. (I Want You Back).

Michael Fulmer (RP)

The Yankees had so many bullpen injuries that they picked up someone cut by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. The former Rookie of the Year was ok in pinstripes with 5 earned runs in 10 innings and 14 strikeouts. The problem was 6 walks, and he always looked to be in trouble. No thanks. (Bye, Bye, Bye)