How the AL-winning Yankees were built

The New York Yankees will play in the World Series for the first time since winning their 27th championship in six-game triumph over the Philadelphia Phillies in 2009.

Here's how New York constructed the roster that will clash with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Fall Classic.

The team below is based on the active roster for the American League Championship Series. The date in parentheses denotes the time of acquisition.

Homegrown

Aaron Judge (June 6, 2013): Selected with the 32nd pick, Judge has been everything Yankees fans could have dreamed of and more. The slugger is an overwhelming favorite to win his second AL MVP in three years and set the American League record with 62 home runs in 2022. He was deservedly named the 16th captain in Yankees history that year.

Anthony Volpe (June 3, 2019): Volpe, the 30th pick in 2019, won a Gold Glove in his rookie campaign in 2023. The 23-year-old has struggled at the plate but looks to be entrenched as New York's shortstop for the foreseeable future.

Austin Wells (June 10, 2020): Wells, who was selected 28th in 2020, has struggled in these playoffs after a promising rookie season in which he hit 13 home runs with strong defensive play behind the plate.

Oswaldo Cabrera (Signed as international free agent in 2016): Cabrera has emerged as a versatile piece, appearing at every position aside from catcher during his first three MLB seasons.

Jasson Domínguez (July 2, 2019): The Yankees handed "The Martian" a franchise-record $5.1-million signing bonus as an international free agent. The slugger showed flashes of his impressive power potential at the end of the 2023 campaign. He hasn't made an impact at the MLB level in 2024 but is a big part of the club's future.

Clarke Schmidt (June 12, 2017): Schmidt, a first rounder in 2017, has developed into a dependable back-of-the-rotation starter, posting a 106 ERA+ with 242 strikeouts across 244 1/3 innings (49 appearances) over the past two seasons.

Trade

Juan Soto (Dec. 6, 2023): The Yankees took a big swing, acquiring Soto from the San Diego Padres for five players one year before he was scheduled to reach free agency. Soto rewarded that faith, helping New York reach the World Series with a game-winning home run in Game 5 of the ALCS after an incredible regular season.

Gleyber Torres (July 25, 2016): Torres has had an up-and-down tenure with the Yankees after he was acquired from the Cubs in the Aroldis Chapman trade. Torres, an impending free agent, has been a steady contributor in the leadoff spot this postseason, hitting .297 with a .400 OBP and .832 OPS in 37 at-bats.

Giancarlo Stanton (Dec. 11, 2017): Stanton has dealt with injuries throughout his Yankees tenure but has always elevated his game in the postseason. He stepped up once again against Cleveland, winning ALCS MVP after hitting four home runs in the five-game series.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. (July 27, 2024): Chisholm has made more headlines for some of his comments and dustups on the field than his actual play since he was acquired from the Miami Marlins at the deadline. He's been decent at third base but is hitting .147 with a .481 OPS heading into the World Series.

Anthony Rizzo (July 29, 2021): Rizzo has formed a close relationship with Judge since he joined the Yankees. The veteran is a trusted leader in the clubhouse and has been a huge contributor since returning from injury with six hits in 14 at-bats in the ALCS. He was originally acquired for Kevin Alcántara and Alexander Vizcaíno and then re-signed twice.

Alex Verdugo (Dec. 5, 2023): Verdugo struggled through the worst offensive season of his career in his first year with the Yankees. He hasn't done much at the plate in the postseason either. However, Verdugo's strong defensive play has kept him entrenched in left field. He was acquired from the rival Boston Red Sox for Richard Fitts, Greg Weissert, and Nicholas Judice.

Jose Trevino (April 2, 2022): Trevino, acquired from Texas for Albert Abreu and Robert Ahlstrom, is a trusted presence behind the plate and an ideal backup catcher at this stage of his career.

Jon Berti (March 27, 2024): Berti came over from the Marlins in a deal involving Ben Rortvedt and showcased his defensive versatility in the ALDS against the Kansas City Royals, making his first professional start at first base. His defense and speed are valuable skills at this time of the year.

Trent Grisham (Dec. 6, 2023): Grisham was acquired in the Soto trade but didn't make much of an impact in 191 regular-season at-bats. He's yet to make a postseason appearance.

Luis Gil (March 16, 2018): The Yankees acquired Gil from the Minnesota Twins for Jake Cave. Gil had a breakout 2024 campaign and is locked in as a key piece of the rotation moving forward.

Clay Holmes (July 26, 2021): The Yankees picked up Holmes from the Pittsburgh Pirates and have seen him transform into a two-time All-Star. Holmes has struggled in the postseason, but the good has largely outweighed the bad. The impending free agent is likely to cash in this offseason.

Jake Cousins (March 31, 2024): Cousins was a revelation in 2024, posting a 2.37 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 38 regular-season innings. The 30-year-old stepped up in Game 5 of the ALCS, picking up four crucial outs all via the strikeout.

Mark Leiter Jr. (July 30, 2024): Leiter was added to the ALCS roster after an injury to Ian Hamilton. He posted a 3.86 ERA in a pair of appearances and will likely be on the World Series roster.

Free agents

Gerrit Cole (Dec. 18, 2019): The Yankees shelled out nine years and $324 million for Cole in free agency. The right-hander has largely lived up to expectations and won his first Cy Young in 2023. Cole is lined up to start Game 1 of the World Series.

Carlos Rodón (Dec. 21, 2022): Rodón bounced back in 2024 following a disastrous first season in New York after inking a six-year, $162-million contract. The left-hander has 22 strikeouts in 14 1/3 innings in the postseason and is a good bet to get the nod for Game 2.

Tommy Kahnle (Dec. 21, 2022): Kahnle's leaned on his changeup to keep hitters off-balance in the postseason and hasn't given up an earned run in six appearances.

Tim Hill (June 20, 2024): The Yankees signed Hill after the Chicago White Sox released him in June. He's been a workhorse in October, appearing in all five ALCS games and posting a 1.93 ERA.

Marcus Stroman (Jan. 17, 2024): Stroman had an uneven first season in New York after signing a two-year contract. He was left off the ALDS roster but was included against Cleveland. However, he didn't make an appearance and appears ticketed for mop-up duty, if anything, in the World Series.

Tim Mayza (July 10, 2024): Mayza registered a 4.00 ERA in 15 regular-season appearances with the Yankees after signing a minor-league contract. He's taken the mound twice during New York's postseason run.

Waivers

Luke Weaver (Sept. 12, 2023): Much like Holmes, Weaver found another level after joining from Seattle. Weaver took over the closer's job after Holmes was moved out during the regular season. He struck out 103 batters in 84 regular-season innings and has been excellent during the playoffs with a 2.61 ERA and 0.68 WHIP in eight appearances.