Looking at the 40-Man Roster (Part 3 of 4)

by James Vlietstra

October 29, 2025

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This is Part 3 of my close look at the Yankees roster:

Trent Grisham 29, CF  He put together a 3.5 WAR, 34 HR free agent walk season.  He will definitely earn a hefty raise from the $5M he earned this year.  The question is, to the Yankees extend the Qualifying Offer to him along with the guaranteed $22M in hopes that he rejects it, signs for 3/$50M elsewhere and they get a fourth round pick for the gamble?

Likelihood of keeping his roster spot: 4/10

Ian Hamilton 30, RHP He posted a 0.2 WAR and then was relegated to AAA.  He has three years of team control, but is out of options.

Likelihood of keeping his roster spot: 5/10

Brent Headrick 28, LHP  Had a 0.3 WAR last season.  He has five more years of team control, but zero options.

Likelihood of keeping his roster spot: 5/10

Tim Hill 36, LHP He produced a 1.1 WAR as a dependable relief arm.  He has a $3M team option which I expect them to exercise.

Likelihood of keeping his roster spot: 9/10

Aaron Judge 33, RF  He has another six years and $240M left on his contract which is becoming a bargain, as he put up another 9.7 WAR season.He is currently tied for 166th in career WAR at 62.3  A repeat season would put him at 72.0 and in the top 100 all time.  From 2022-2025 these are his average per 162 games: 10.1 WAR, 133 Runs, 179 Hits, 31 2Bs, 59 HRs, 131 RBIs, 11 SBs, 128 BBs, 390 TBs, .311/.439/.677/1.117 Every year he is a threat to win the Triple Crown and I believe he does it eventually.

Likelihood of keeping his roster spot: 10/10

Mark Leiter Jr. 35, RHP  He Made $2M last year and is slated to make slightly more in 2026, his final arbitration season before becoming a free agent.His WAR was -0.6 last year.

Likelihood of keeping his roster spot: 5/10

Jonathan Loasiga 31, RHP  The Yankees brought him back on a $5M free agent contract and he pitched ok, however, his last game was August 1before a flexor strain ended his season.  He has a $5M option that the club will decline.

Likelihood of keeping his roster spot: 1/10

Ryan McMahon 31, 2B/3B  The Yankees acquired him at the trade deadline.  He played one third of the season with them and he produced a 1.0 WAR.  He plays a very solid defense and has two years and $32M left on his contract 

Likelihood of keeping his roster spot: 9/10

Ben Rice 27, C/1B  Has some of the best advanced metrics which suggests his 2.2 WAR is just scratching the surface.  He has five more years of team control, including two more at the league minimum.  He had two options remaining.  Versatile which allows both catchers to play at once.

Likelihood of keeping his roster spot:10/10

Carlos Rodon 33, LHP  By far his best season since signing his 6 year/ $162M contract three years ago.  Produced a WAR of 4.6

Likelihood of keeping his roster spot: 10/10

I will comple this in-depth look tomorrow!