The Yankees figure prominently in Jim Bowden’s first ranking of the top 100 potential MLB free agents for the 2024-25 offseason. Six current Yankees players made the list, including Juan Soto as the top-ranked outfielder (and top-ranked player overall), Gerrit Cole as the No. 1 starting pitcher, Clay Holmes as the second-ranked closer and Gleyber Torres as the No. 3 infielder.
The 2024-25 free-agent class could become one of the deepest and best ever, depending on what happens with a high number of players with different types of options in their contracts. Of course, some of those players will sign extensions, others will have their options exercised by clubs or vested, and others could even decide to retire. Some will choose to opt in, others to opt out, depending on their respective situations. At this point though, all 100 players at least have a pathway to reach free agency after this season.
Here is what Bowden had to say about the Yankees who made the list. Read the full top 100 here.
Top starting pitchers
1 of 35: Gerrit Cole, RHP, Yankees (opt-out clause)
Cole is on the 60-day injured list and not eligible to return until May 28 at the earliest. He can opt out at the end of the year, but missing the first two months of the season — at least — will probably lead to him deciding against that route as his contract will still have four years and $144 million remaining. If Cole, the defending AL Cy Young winner, does exercise the opt-out, the Yankees can void it by adding a 10th year (2029) at $36 million to his current deal. Before this year, Cole had made 30 or more starts and pitched 180-plus innings in each of the past six full seasons.
Top closers
2 of 10: Clay Holmes, RHP, Yankees
Holmes posted ERAs of 2.54 and 2.86 in the past two seasons while registering 44 saves over that span. He has allowed no runs in eight appearances this season and is tied for second in the majors with six saves.
Top infielders
3 of 20: Gleyber Torres, 2B, Yankees
Torres wears the pinstripes with pride and would love to spend the rest of his career as a Yankee. However, the 27-year-old is also in his prime and will be the best second baseman on the free-agent market. He hit 28 doubles each of the past two years to go with 24 home runs in 2022 and 25 in 2023, a statement of his consistency. He’s going to get paid.
10 of 20: Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Yankees (club option)
A leader on the field and in the clubhouse, Rizzo hit 32 home runs with a .338 on-base percentage in 130 games in 2022 but was limited to 99 games last year because of injuries, still managing to hit 12 homers and drive in 41 runs. He has a $17 million club option for 2025 with a $6 million buyout. The Yankees likely won’t exercise their option on Rizzo and instead could open up third base for Oswaldo Cabrera or another younger option by moving DJ LeMahieu to first base for the final two years of his contract.
Top outfielders
1 of 20: Juan Soto, RF, Yankees
Soto is the headliner of the 2024-25 free-agent class and is expected to become the second half-a-billion-dollar player in baseball history, after Shohei Ohtani. Soto was my preseason pick for AL MVP and he’s off to an MVP-caliber start to the season: He’s tied for the league lead in walks with Mookie Betts and Aaron Judge, and he’s hit three home runs with 15 RBIs over his first 18 games as a Yankee. His elite approach at the plate has been contagious as he and his teammates lead the AL in walks, on-base percentage and pitches seen per plate appearance. He’s one of the most disciplined hitters in the sport, with the ridiculous career OBP (.422) to prove it. His charisma and swag match his immense talent.
7 of 20: Alex Verdugo, OF, Yankees
A gamer who plays hard, posts daily and plays hurt. Verdugo is a career .337 OBP hitter with doubles power (averaged 36 per year over the past three seasons) who can give you about 10 to 14 homers a season as well. He has been a plus defensively in left field for the Yankees thanks to his hustle, which has helped him rank in the 70th percentile in outs above average (range), along with an above-average arm. He also leads the Yankees in both tattoos and necklaces.
(Photo of Juan Soto: Jason Miller / Getty Images)
