The New York Yankees may not hold the top spot in MLB front office rankings this year, but they continue to earn respect around the league for their sustained excellence and evolving approach. According to a recent poll conducted by The Athletic, which surveyed 40 high-level executives across Major League Baseball, the Yankees ranked fifth among all MLB front offices — a notable jump from 10th last year.
The ranking is based on a point system, with executives naming their top five front offices (excluding their own), using a weighted format: 10 points for first, seven for second, five for third, three for fourth, and one for fifth. The Yankees received 53 points in total, including one first-place vote.
This year’s top honor once again went to the Los Angeles Dodgers, widely viewed as the most well-run organization in the sport. But even as the Dodgers solidify their reputation, the Yankees are climbing back toward the upper tier.
One National League general manager praised Yankees general manager Brian Cashman’s decades-long consistency. “We’re talking about an elite level of success,” he said. “That doesn’t mean winning the World Series every year, but maintaining competitive excellence for three decades — that’s incredibly hard to do.”
An American League GM added that the Yankees’ player development and analytics departments deserve more recognition. “They consistently turn middle-round draft picks into valuable trade pieces,” he noted, referencing recent moves like acquiring Alex Verdugo and Devin Williams. “Their system produces enough usable talent to address major-league needs year after year.”
Critics often point to the Yankees’ spending power as an unfair advantage, but many rival executives say that narrative oversimplifies the work being done behind the scenes. “Brian Cashman takes more criticism than he deserves,” said another NL executive. “He’s still a gold standard in this profession.”
A new direction in the Yankees
The 2025 season has marked a clear shift in the Yankees’ roster-building strategy. After years of owning one of MLB’s most expensive payrolls, New York has prioritized acquiring younger, cost-controlled talent to support cornerstone players like Aaron Judge.
Rather than signing multiple big-name free agents this past offseason, the Yankees invested in rising talent — both within and outside their system — signaling a longer-term vision. Youngsters like Anthony Volpe, Ben Rice, and Jasson Domínguez are being entrusted with significant roles. The front office is betting on player development and internal growth while continuing to remain competitive in the American League.
The early results have been promising. Although many experts still view the Dodgers as the team to beat in 2025, the Yankees remain in the conversation.
Talkin’ baseball power rankings put Yankees at no. 8
While The Athletic’s executive poll evaluates front office strength, Talkin’ Baseball’s early-season power rankings focus on on-field performance — and the Yankees have made a strong impression there, too.
In the podcast’s latest episode, hosts Jake Storyelli, Trevor Plouffe, and BBD placed the Yankees eighth overall in their first team rankings of the season. “There’s big talent on the field,” Storyelli said. “Ben Rice is leading in some Baseball Savant categories, Volpe looks solid, and Austin Wells has had quality at-bats. If these young guys are legit, that changes the season outlook.”
Plouffe echoed that sentiment, pointing out how the Yankees’ youthful core has helped reshape expectations. “They’ve got their established veterans. But now they’ve got young guys who can carry some of the load. That’s how teams take the next step.”
The panel placed the San Diego Padres at No. 1, with the Dodgers at No. 2. The Yankees slotted just behind the Texas Rangers and ahead of the Chicago Cubs in the top ten.
According to the hosts, the Yankees’ combination of elite veteran leadership and high-upside youth makes them one of the most well-rounded teams in the league. “Juan Soto might be gone,” said Plouffe, “but what’s developing in the Bronx feels sustainable.”
Despite the praise, questions remain. The Yankees’ ability to sustain production from their young players over a full season will be a key storyline. Injury concerns, especially in the rotation, also linger.
Still, the team’s ranking among MLB’s top front offices and their early-season power ranking reflect an encouraging trajectory.
One anonymous executive summed it up best: “The Yankees aren’t perfect, but they’re always in the mix. That kind of consistency — both in decision-making and in results — is rare.”
As the 2025 season progresses, the Yankees won’t just be judged on payroll or expectations. They’ll be measured by how well their new strategy pays off — and so far, the early returns suggest they’re moving in the right direction.
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