Yankees' season: What went right, what went wrong

It was another season of the highest of expectations for the Yankees but yet another season in which the ultimate goal, the franchise’s first World Series title since 2009, was not reached. The season came to a sudden end in a four-game loss to the Blue Jays in their American League Division Series.

A look back at what went right for the Yankees in 2025 and what went wrong:

Three things that went right

1. Another career year for Aaron Judge. The two-time American League MVP and reigning winner of the award had arguably his best season as the age of 33. Judge won his first career batting title, leading the majors with a .331 average, and added 53 homers, 114 RBIs and an MLB-leading 1.144 OPS. He also led the majors with a .457 on-base percentage and .688 slugging percentage. Unlike past seasons, Judge carried that performance into the postseason, hitting .500 (13-for-26) with one homer, seven RBIs and a 1.273 OPS in seven games. He also had his postseason signature moment, blasting a nearly-impossible-to-hit 99.7-mph fastball in on his hands off the leftfield foul pole for a tying three-run homer in ALDS Game 3. Judge, who has hit 210 home runs in the last four regular seasons, seems to get better by the year, and even with him turning 34 next season, he’s showing no signs of slowing down.

2. The emergence of Cam Schlittler. The Yankees were desperate for a serviceable rotation option in early July after Clarke Schmidt was lost to Tommy John surgery. Having experienced enough of  Allan Winans, they turned to Schlittler. The 24-year-old received mixed reviews from scouts during his climb through the minors but saw his repertoire, which includes a fastball that routinely hits triple-digits, instantly come together at the big-league level in a way few predicted. Despite having only 14 regular-season starts under his belt, Schlittler provided a Game 3 performance against the Red Sox in the Wild Card Series that was an all-timer and  suddenly is a threat to occupy the third spot in the 2026 rotation behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodon (with Gerrit Cole also due back at some point). 

3. Cody Bellinger was as good as hoped.  The son of former Yankee Clay Bellinger had long been a target of the Yankees because of a lefty swing that always seemed a perfect fit for Yankee Stadium and his well-above-average ability to play all three outfield positions and first base. After a slow start, he was terrific overall. In addition to playing stellar defense, Bellinger provided protection for Judge, hitting .272 with 29 homers, 98 RBIs and an .814 OPS. He’ll hit the free-agent market after opting out of the final year of his deal, and re-signing him will be among the Yankees’ top offseason priorities.

Three things that went wrong

1. The bullpen never truly came together. It has been among the go-to phrases of long-time general manager Brian Cashman: “Bullpens are volatile.” Their collective performance can dramatically vary by the day, the week or the year. This year’s bullpen was among the game’s best the first 2 ½ months and a roller-coaster ride after that. Devin Williams finally seemed to get his bearings in the season’s second half but wasn’t consistently the lights-out reliever he was for much of his time with the Brewers. Luke Weaver, the club’s best reliever in 2024, had a brilliant first two months but was never the same after a stint on the injured list in early June (hamstring). By the postseason, only trade-deadline acquisition David Bednar could fully be trusted.

2. Judge’s support all but disappeared in October. It has long been considered an article of faith that the Yankees, in order to win a title in the Judge Era, would need a standout postseason from their captain. Judge had his best postseason yet — and the Yankees were ousted in the ALDS. That occurred in large part because four players who had very good regular seasons — Trent Grisham, Giancarlo Stanton, Jazz Chisholm Jr. and Bellinger —  struggled in the playoffs. Grisham went 4-for-29 with 10 strikeouts, Stanton went 5-for-26, Chisholm went 4-for-22 and Bellinger went 6-for-28. Anthony Volpe, who didn't have a very good regular season, went 5-for-26 with 16 strikeouts.

3. Volpe’s stalled development. Volpe regressed on offense and defense in his third season, making shortstop a long-term question mark. Volpe is likely to get surgery in the offseason to repair the slight left labrum tear he suffered in early May, and though he never used it as an excuse, there was plenty of behind-the-scenes speculation about its impact on his performance. No, hard-charging shortstop prospect George Lombard Jr. isn’t taking over the position in spring training, or even early next season, but that doesn’t mean Lombard won’t be in play at some point in 2026.  That depends on his development — and Volpe’s.

By Erik Boland

erik.boland@newsday.comeboland11

Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.