Yankees in Panic After Losing Juan Soto Are They Desperate to Rely on Defense

The New York Yankees are gearing up for a new era following Juan Soto’s shocking decision to join the Mets. In response, GM Brian Cashman has emphasized pitching depth and defensive improvements as the team pivots toward a more well-rounded approach.

A Defensive Overhaul in Progress

While the Yankees still have offensive gaps to fill, their biggest shift comes in run prevention. Cashman has made it clear: “Add to the pitching, improve the defense.”

So far, the Yankees have signed players with high offensive ceilings and pitchers with question marks—but what about the defense?

Cody Bellinger: A Major Upgrade in Center Field

The Yankees’ biggest defensive upgrade will likely be in center field. Cody Bellinger may not be the same Gold Glove-caliber defender he was with the Dodgers, but he’s still a significant improvement over Aaron Judge, who struggled in the role last season.

Among 40 qualified center fielders in 2024, Judge ranked 39th, with declining speed leading to misplays. The Yankees had already planned to move him back to right field before acquiring Bellinger.

Bellinger, who split time between center and right field with the Cubs last season, remains a playable defender with solid range. While no longer elite, he’s still a huge step up from the defensive woes of 2024.

Second Base Woes: Torres Out, Chisholm In?

The Yankees have officially moved on from Gleyber Torres, who led all MLB second basemen in errors last season. His inconsistent glove and high-profile misplays—such as his costly Game 1 mistake in the World Series—only amplified his defensive struggles.

With Torres gone, the Yankees are eyeing Jazz Chisholm Jr. as a potential replacement. While Chisholm has played multiple positions, his strongest defensive seasons have come at second base. His arrival could allow DJ LeMahieu—a dependable veteran—to shift to third base.

Paul Goldschmidt: A More Reliable First Base Option

Although Paul Goldschmidt isn’t the same Gold Glove first baseman he once was, he still represents a defensive improvement over last year’s rotation.

In 2024, Yankees first basemen—primarily Anthony Rizzo, Ben Rice, and DJ LeMahieu—struggled defensively. Goldschmidt, meanwhile, ranked 16th among 40 first basemen in Outs Above Average (OAA), making him a steadying presence on the infield.

Corner Outfield: A Mixed Bag

The corner outfield defense is a mix of improvements and setbacks. Judge’s move to right field makes the team stronger, as he is far better defensively than Soto. However, the departure of Alex Verdugo, a reliable left fielder, leaves questions.

Jasson Dominguez is the favorite to start in left field, but his September performance raised concerns. The speed is there, but he looked lost at times. If needed, Boone could swap Dominguez and Bellinger, depending on how the youngster adjusts in spring training.

Catcher Concerns: A Drop in Pitch Framing?

One defensive downgrade is at backup catcher, following the departure of Jose Trevino.

Trevino was among the elite pitch framers in MLB, but his throwing arm was a liability. While his replacement will likely have a stronger arm, it’s unclear if he’ll match Trevino’s framing ability—potentially impacting Yankees pitchers.

Can the Yankees’ Defense Carry Them in 2025?

While public perception painted the Yankees’ 2024 defense as disastrous, the stats tell a different story. The team ranked seventh in MLB errors, yet advanced metrics viewed their overall defense as slightly above average.

In 2025, the Yankees aren’t settling for “above average”—they’re aiming for elite.

“I’m excited,” said manager Aaron Boone. “Obviously missing out on Juan stung, but… there are different ways to [build a team].”

And the Yankees are betting big on defense to get them back to the top.