How the New York Yankees were built

First-round pick supplement big-money players

The New York Yankees are often accused of buying their way to success.

That comes with the territory. The Yankees play in the nation’s largest television market and often have the largest player payroll in MLB.

The Yankees’ $311-million payroll this season is the second highest in the game behind the crosstown Mets’ $332 million. That has helped the Bronx Bombers reach the World Series where they will meet the Los Angeles Dodgers beginning Friday night at Dodger Stadium.

Just six of the 26 players on the Yankee’ roster for their victory over the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Championship Series were home grown. That’s certainly typical for a large-market team.

However, to their credit, the Yankees have hit on some of their first-round draft picks over the last 11 years. Four of them are key members of the team.

Center fielder Aaron Judge, the favorite to win AL MVP, was taken in the first round in 2013. Right-hander Clarke Schmidt (2017), shortstop Anthony Volpe (2019) and catcher Austin Wells (2020) were also first rounders.

Judge had a monster regular season, hitting .322/.458/.701 with 58 home runs and 10 stolen bases in 158 games. He became a free agent after the 2022 season, but the Yankees re-signed him to a nine-year, $360-million contract despite getting a more lucrative offer from the San Diego Padres.

The other three first-rounders are bargains. Schmidt has a $2.04-million salary while Volpe is making $810,100 and Wells’ salary is $750,000.

Schmidt, who is scheduled to start Game 3 of the World Series, is under contractual control through 2027. Volpe doesn’t become eligible for salary arbitration until 2026 and Wells until 2027.

Schmidt was 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 16 starts this season. Volpe batted .243/.293/.364 with 12 homers and 28 steals in 160 games. Wells slashed .229/.322/.395 in 115 games while hitting 13 home runs.

Two bench players, infielder/outfielder Oswaldo Cabrera and outfielder Jasson Dominguez, were signed as international amateur free agents – Cabrera in 2015 from Venezuela and Dominguez in 2019 from the Dominican Republic.

The Yankees acquired 11 players in trades: second baseman Gleyber Torres (2016, Cubs), designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (2017-18 offseason, Marlins), right-hander Luis Gil (2018, Twins), first baseman Anthony Rizzo (2021, Cubs), catcher Jose Trevino (2022, Rangers), right fielder Juan Soto and outfielder Trent Grisham (2023-24 offseason, Padres), left fielder Alex Verdugo (2023-24 offseason, Red Sox), third baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (2024, Marlins), infielder/outfielder Jon Berti (2024, Marlins), reliever Mark Leiter Jr. (2024, Cubs).

The starting pitchers for Games 1 and 2, Gerrit Cole and lefty Carlos Rodon are two of seven players signed as free agents and cost the Yankees nearly a half-billion dollars. Cole got a nine-year, $324-million deal during the 2019-20 offseason and Rodon was signed for six years and $162 million between the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

The other five free agents are reliever Tommy Kahnle (2022-23 offseason), right-hander Marcus Stroman (2023-24 offseason), left-handed relievers Tim Hill (2024) and Tim Mayza (2024) and righty relief pitcher Jake Cousins (2024). The latter three were signed at a low cost after being designated for assignment.

Reliever Luke Weaver was picked off the scrap heap as a waiver claim from the Mariners last year. He has turned out to be a steal, posting a 2.89 ERA in 62 regular-season games in 2024 while four postseason saves match his total from the regular season.