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<\/p>\nBeyond some recycled gifts, the Yankees moved into the holidays without delivering any big presents to their eager fan base.<\/p>\n
And outside of wanting to reunite with free agent Cody Bellinger, who is a fit for several contenders, the Yankees\u2019 winter plan has been to marginally upgrade areas of need without spending a great deal.<\/p>\n
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That syncs with owner Hal Steinbrenner\u2019s \u201cideal\u2019\u2019 of a payroll below the final luxury tax threshold, and GM Brian Cashman\u2019s thoughts about the current club.<\/p>\n
\u201cDon\u2019t misinterpret that as saying I don\u2019t recognize that there\u2019s areas of weakness on this roster that we have to improve upon,” Cashman said earlier this month. \u201cIt\u2019s just not as prevalent as last year where we really had to do a lot of different things on the run.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe needs aren\u2019t so glaring.”<\/p>\n
Yankees’ offseason reunions so far<\/p>\n
Oct 2, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Amed Rosario (14) hits an RBI single in the fourth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game three of the Wildcard round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/p>\n
Trent Grisham, CF:<\/strong> Accepted the one-year, $22.025 million free agent qualifying offer extended by the Yankees.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Tim Hill, LHP<\/strong>: Setup reliever had his $3 million option for 2026 triggered by the team.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Amed Rosario, IF<\/strong>: Signed to a guaranteed, one-year, $2.5 million free agent contract.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Paul Blackburn, RHP<\/strong>: Agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract that could earn him another $500,000 in performance bonuses, as first reported by the New York Post.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Ryan Yarbrough, LHP<\/strong>: Returned on a one-year, $2.5 million free agent contract in mid-November.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n An expensive runback with Grisham at least provides cover in center field if Bellinger signs elsewhere.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n That leaves Jasson Dominguez as the leading left field candidate and puts lefty-slugging prospect Spencer Jones in play for a potentially significant role in 2026.<\/p>\n Rosario provides a righty-hitting platoon for third baseman Ryan McMahon, but the Yanks still seek a right-handed hitting outfield presence.<\/p>\n Yarbrough and Blackburn bolster a staff that needs flexible, veteran starting options that can collapse into relief roles once the rehabbing Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt return.<\/p>\n Yankees’ other notable offseason moves<\/p>\n Cade Winquest, RHP<\/strong>: Hard-throwing reliever became the Yankees’ first Rule 5 selection in 14 years, drafted off the St. Louis Cardinals’ Class AA roster.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Zack Short, IF<\/strong>: Journeyman big-league infielder (Tigers, Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Astros) signed a minor league deal. Appeared in 22 games last year with Houston.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Ali Sanchez, C<\/strong>: Part-time, right-handed hitting MLB catcher since 2020 appeared in a combined12 games last season with the Blue Jays and Red Sox.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Yerry Rodriguez, RHP:<\/strong> Reliever is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in early 2025. Has 30 games of MLB experience (2022-24) with the Rangers and Blue Jays.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Winquest is an intriguing addition, giving a window to the Yanks’ current financial restraint, too. Meanwhile, it’s a seller’s market for right-handed hitters.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n This week, the Yanks watched lefty-mashing outfielder Rob Refsnyder – who could have fit a pinstriped need – agree on a one-year, $6.25 million free agent contact with the Seattle Mariners<\/a>.<\/p>\n Not returning to the Yankees in 2026 Then-New York Yankees relief pitcher Luke Weaver during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Progressive Field.<\/p>\n Devin Williams, RHP<\/strong>: Right-handed reliever signed a three-year, $51 million free agent deal to now replace Edwin Diaz (free agent, signed with Dodgers) as the Mets’ closer.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Luke Weaver, RHP:<\/strong> Setup reliever followed Williams to the Mets on a two-year, $22 million free agent deal.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Allan Winans, RHP<\/strong>: Obtained release waivers in order to sign with Japan’s Seibu Lions.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Ian Hamilton, Mark Leiter Jr., Scott Effross, Jake Cousins, RHPs:<\/strong> All four relievers were non-tendered, making them free agents. Hamilton (Braves) and Leiter Jr. (Athletics) have since signed with other clubs.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Acquiring relievers with team control at last summer’s trade deadline (David Bednar, Camilo Doval, Jake Bird) made the Yanks less desperate but still in search of another veteran setup arm.<\/p>\n On the trade front, they’ve been among the teams linked to interest in St. Louis Cardinals lefty reliever JoJo Romero, who is entering his free agent walk year.<\/p>\n 2025 Yankees still in free agency New York Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger (35) makes a catch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays during Game 4 of the ALDS for the 2025 MLB playoffs on Oct. 8, 2025, at Yankee Stadium.<\/p>\n Cody Bellinger, OF<\/strong>: In addition to the Yankees, he’s linked to interest by the Mets, Blue Jays, Dodgers, Giants and Angels.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Paul Goldschmidt, 1B<\/strong>: Compiled a .981 OPS versus left-handed pitching in 2025 and expressed a desire to play in 2026 at age 38.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Austin Slater, OF<\/strong>: Played a very limited bench role and was injured (hamstring) after being acquired at last summer’s MLB trade deadline.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Jonathan Loaisiga, RHP:<\/strong> Yankees rejected a $5 million club option on the talented, injury prone setup reliever.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Should we be surprised if Bellinger\u2019s free agency lingers well into January?<\/p>\n Kyle Tucker\u2019s free agent market hasn\u2019t been defined, which impacts Bellinger (an obvious target for contenders still seeking an impact, lefty-hitting outfielder).<\/p>\n At the Winter Meetings, Cashman said that Bellinger\u2019s slow pace won\u2019t prevent them from making other moves as needed, though the Yanks\u2019 transactions have since been relatively minor.<\/p>\n Notable offseason moves in the AL East New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso (20) hits a home run against the Milwaukee Brewers in the second inning on Aug. 9, 2025, at American Family Field.<\/p>\n Toronto Blue Jays<\/a>:<\/strong> Signed RH free agent starters Dylan Cease (7 years, $210 million) and Cody Ponce (3 years, $30 million) and RH reliever Tyler Rogers (3 years, $37 million).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n
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