"No one is hanging with them in the division" – Ex-MLB pitcher claims Yankees are set to dominate AL East after strategic offseason upgrades

On Friday, former MLB pitcher Jensen Lewis talked about how he sees the New York Yankees continue to dominate their division in the 2025 season due to the quality and experience of their formidable starting pitching rotation.

Lewis also claimed that, despite failing to retain the services of superstar Juan Soto, the Pinstripers have managed to improve their squad with numerous shrewd signings.

"The rotation consistency will upgrade the rest of the roster. If they get length and health for the majority of the year from Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon, their winning this division by double digits, I'll say it right now. With the way that Baltimore has yet to do anything in the rotation. Who knows what's going to happen this year." Lewis said [0:00]

"The Yankees are a better team without Juan Soto, on paper, already this year, and that is wild to say, [looking at the] production that Soto and Judge gave them, but it's [a] fact. As long as their rotation remains relatively healthy for the majority of the year, no one is hanging with them in the division, no one." Lewis added [0:45].

During his time in the major leagues, Lewis played three seasons for the Cleveland Indians (now Guardians), from 2007-10. For his career as a whole, the right-handed pitcher has a 7-11 win/loss record, a 3.68 ERA and 177 total strikeouts.

MLB analyst claims Yankees could potentially be "better off without Juan Soto"

Just like Jensen Lewis, former Minnesota Twins catcher A.J. Pierzynski also thinks the New York Yankees have made a number of good acquisitions in the offseason, and head into the 2025 season despite losing superstar Juan Soto to rivals, the New York Mets.

"They missed out on Juan Soto. Now are they better? I think they are a better team now with (Max) Fried, Devin Williams and Cody Bellinger than they were with just Juan Soto," Pierzynski said.

"Them missing out, as we said, kind of at the time, some people said it might be a blessing in disguise for the Yankees over the long haul. I think right now, if the Yankees do more, they are winning this offseason." Pierzynski added.

There is a decent chance the Bronx Bombers make a few more acquisitions in the offseason. With so much incoming talent, fans will be hoping their team can potentially go one better in 2025 after making it to the World Series in 2024, only to agonizingly miss out against the Los Angeles Dodgers.