It was just over a year ago that the New York Yankees were the talk of the Major League Baseball offseason.
The battle for Juan Soto, the quick pivot to Max Fried and a trade for Cody Bellinger were all top storylines in December 2025.
A year later, it feels like the Bronx Bombers are on the outside looking in towards a key offseason. After a first-round exit in the postseason, New York watched their division rival Toronto Blue Jays finish one inning short of a World Series title.
The club was great once again this past season. However, they need to do more in order to compete with Toronto and stay ahead of the hungry Boston Red Sox.
Will the New York Yankees make a splash this offseason?
Back in the Bronx?
When the qualifying offer deadline expired, many people were shocked to see that outfielder Trent Grisham had accepted the Yankees’ offer.
Many had anticipated Grisham to decline the offer and reach free agency. Coming off a career season, it appeared that the veteran would cash in on a multi-year contract.
Instead, the outfielder will rejoin the Yankees in 2026.
With Grisham returning, it might spell the end for Cody Bellinger in a Yankees uniform. The veteran spent the past season with New York as a replacement for Soto. Bellinger flourished, and it would make a lot of sense to see a reunion between the two.
However, Bellinger is one of the top free agents on the open market. Behind Kyle Tucker, he is the best outfielder. Bellinger will have a larger market than Tucker due to his asking price.
It would not be a shock to see Bellinger price himself out of a range where New York feels comfortable. At some point, the club has to find out what they have in former top prospect Jasson Dominguez. This could be the season where the Yankees finally go all-in on Dominguez, leaving their outfield without a place for Bellinger to play.
The Yankees will sign…
The Yankees will sign… nobody?
While of course the organization will make additions this winter, I do not expect them to make a splash. If Bellinger does not return to the team, I do not foresee a scenario in which New York enters another big-name player’s market.
The feeling around the club is that they are content with the roster that they have already constructed. Allowing young players like Dominguez, Anthony Volpe, Ben Rice and more to develop in 2026 might be their best play. Attacking the trade deadline strong could be their mid-season pivot if need be.
2025 was the year for New York to go big. 2026 seems like a stand-pat caliber of offseason. Time may prove me wrong, but at this stage of the game, it is a wait-and-see for the Yankees.
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