The New York Yankees are entering the 2025 season with significant challenges, including the departure of Juan Soto and a series of injuries to key players like Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, and Giancarlo Stanton. MLB.com’s Anthony Castrovince has made a bold prediction that the Yankees will miss the playoffs and finish with a losing record for the first time since 1992, potentially ending a 32-year streak. With Aaron Judge’s injury history and the current roster setbacks, this scenario seems increasingly plausible. The Yankees will need to rely on their young talent and depth to avoid a historic letdown.
The New York Yankees, fresh off their first World Series appearance since 2009, are entering the 2025 season shrouded in uncertainty. Despite having the reigning American League MVP, Aaron Judge, and several intriguing new additions to their roster, optimism is in short supply. The offseason saw the departure of superstar Juan Soto to the New York Mets on a historic $765 million deal, and injuries have plagued the team during spring training.
Injuries Pile Up
The Yankees’ injury woes have been relentless. Ace pitcher Gerrit Cole is out for the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Young pitchers Luis Gil (lat) and Clarke Schmidt (shoulder) are expected to start the season on the injured list, and there’s no clear timeline for Giancarlo Stanton’s return from bilateral elbow injuries. These setbacks have cast a shadow over the team’s prospects for the upcoming season.
Bold Prediction: Missing the Playoffs and a 32-Year Streak
Anthony Castrovince of MLB.com has made a bold prediction that could spell disaster for the Yankees. Not only does he foresee the team missing the playoffs, but he also predicts that they will finish with a losing record for the first time since 1992. This would mark the end of a 32-year streak of never finishing below .500.
Castrovince’s prediction hinges on the possibility that Aaron Judge, who has a history of missing significant games due to injuries, could miss another 25-33% of the team’s games. Given the injuries already sustained, this scenario seems all too plausible.
The Historical Context
The Yankees came close to breaking their winning-record streak in 2023 when Judge missed 55 games due to a toe injury. They managed an 82-80 finish and missed the playoffs. To perform worse than that would be a significant blow to the organization, especially after the high-profile moves made during the offseason.
The Road Ahead
With Opening Day just around the corner, the Yankees need to find a way to overcome their injury crisis and maintain their winning tradition. The American League race is wide open, and the Yankees still have a chance, but the odds are stacked against them. The team will need to rely on their young talent and depth to fill the gaps left by their injured stars.
Bottom Line
The New York Yankees face a daunting challenge as they prepare for the 2025 season. With key players sidelined and a bold prediction of missing the playoffs and finishing with a losing record, the team must rally to avoid a historic letdown. The Yankees’ ability to navigate their injury crisis and maintain their winning streak will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.
