The days of George Steinbrenner seem like a distant memory in the Bronx. The New York Yankees last won the World Series in 2009, when he was still at the helm. But most, if not all, Yankee fans still openly subscribe to his philosophy, believing that there is no such thing as a good season; you win or you lose. If you didn’t win, you lost. And if you lost, how can it be a good season?
2025 was just the latest reminder that The Boss’s shadow has continued to diminish, along with his all-or-nothing mantra. Yet it wasn’t the fact that the Yankees lost that was most disheartening, but the embarrassing way their season collapsed. The Yankees made it to the postseason, but it never really seemed like they belonged there.
If the Yankees want to regain at least some of their once dynastic dominance, they’ll have to start with the free agent market. Here are three free agents who best fit the Yankees’ needs.
BY Kyle Tucker
With Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham headed to free agency, the Yankees are left with a huge opening, giving the team a chance to upgrade a crucial position. With 30+ HR power outside of Yankee Stadium, ample speed, solid bat-to-ball skills and a keen eye for the dish, Tucker has the potential to be a transformational upgrade.
In an injury-hampered year — though it’s hard to call it a down year — the former Gold Glover slashed .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs and 25 stolen bases in 500 at-bats. His career average over 162 games is 273/.358/.507 with 31 home runs, 25 stolen bases and 103 RBI.
1B Josh Naylor
Both Yankee fans and Gerrit Cole maybe not fond of Naylor, but the Yankees are in dire need of a hitter who can excel in the postseason and who has no trouble making contact, and Naylor is one of the few proven free agents who fits the bill. This year, Naylor slashed .295/.353/.462 with 20 home runs and an astonishing 30-2 stolen base record. And in the Bronx, his stealthy left-handed power (hitting 31 home runs by 2024) could be a gamechanger. In the 2025 playoffs, Naylor went 16-for-47 (.340) with three home runs and four walks – although this performance was a jump interference.
The biggest problem with adding a first baseman is that Ben Rice appears to have already won the position. However, if he can continue to develop as a catcher, Rice could take over for Austin Wells, who has been unproductive in the batting order. This would eliminate a major dead spot in the lineup and give the Yankees a vital opportunity to improve. If the Yankees can’t find enough room to improve, they won’t win. Other options include Munetaka Murakami and Pete Alonso, but acquiring either star may be unlikely.
SS Bo Bichette
Bichette is mocked for being one of, if not the worst defender at shortstop. However, the Yankees currently have a shortstop – Anthony Volpe – who is struggling with both bat and glove. This season, Bichette posted a WAR value of 3.4 compared to Volpe’s 1.7. Yet the statistics do not do justice to either player as both have dealt with injuries.
Bichette is coming off a year in which he hit .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs in 582 at-bats. He has a proven HR potential of over 25 and could slot seamlessly into the lineup ahead of Aaron Judge. While Bichette may not be a defensive improvement, he is an improvement nonetheless.
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