2026 NY Yankees Preview
The Yankees are running it back. Have you heard that before from Hal Steinbrenner and Brian Cashman and Aaron Boone? No, no, they are really running it back.
24 of the 26 roster players from last year’s ALDS are back. That’s how confident the Yankees are in this group. Beyond Aaron Judge, who is going for his 4th MVP Award (only Barry Bonds and Shohei Ohtani would have more), that confidence should be severely called into question if the end goal truly is to win a World Series, thanks to proven terrible fielding, an exhausted bullpen, playoff chokers, Judge included, and more. Let’s preview the pinstripe season with five key storylines.
1. Pitching reinforcements.
The Yankees will get back, sometime between June 1 and Labor Day, three important arms for the starting rotation. Ace Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt. Cole got an early start with some Spring work, which wasn’t expected. Maybe the idea is to play well enough and pitch well enough, led by Max Fried, until July 4 and then take off from there with these guys back.
2. Potentially great infield?
The Yanks await the return of shortstop (he shouldn’t be a shortstop by the way) Anthony Volpe from injury, but they shouldn’t miss him that much. Around the horn presents ages 24-31 including Volpe with the main players right in their prime. You have balance and versatility and depth and Jose Caballero starting at short. Jazz Chisholm provides power and speed and glove work as long as he concentrates and keeps his mouth shut. The sample size of Ben Rice at first base so far tells us a potential pop-off season is in the cards. Catcher is taken care of with Austin Wells who should get even better with more reps. Ryan McMahon/Oswaldo Cabrera is a shaky combo at third base and that’s where New York could have really upgraded (Alex Bregman?). But overall, this is a decent group.
3. Bullpen boom or bust.
This group has the potential to thrive or fall on its face. Out is Luke Weaver. David Bednar is closing. Camilo Doval is the X-factor long man and Jake Bird could be the new Weaver. Also, can you trust Fernando Cruz for more than an inning?
4. World Series drought.
It’s the talking point gift that keeps on giving in New York City and beyond. The Yankees are closing in on 20 years since their last title, which is at this point ridiculous. You cannot win it every year, and every roster move cannot be perfect, but the Yankees continue to build the roster more for May-September instead of October. Win 95 games. Make the playoffs. Win a division here and there. Hit home runs. Look good to great most of the time. YES ratings are always high (thanks, Aaron Judge). Get exposed in the postseason. Every. Single. Year. Everyone has injuries, so that isn’t an excuse. Hal-Cash-Boone-same roster. Run it back in the Bronx! Print the t-shirts already.
5. Giancarlo’s last ride?
He’s 36. He’s limited. He couldn’t open a bag of chips to start Spring Training. He is arguably the biggest boom or bust superstar to ever play the game. When he gets on a roll, it’s beautiful and he can carry a team for a couple games with balls ripped in the gap and hit to the moon. But, when he is unhealthy and/or struggling, it is beyond ugly. This writer called for his release years ago or a trade to eat the money so he doesn’t block the roster and you can move on and be more of a fast, athletic team and find someone who can actually play the field AND DH. What a concept. The best hope here is that Stanton is healthy at the start of the playoffs and has a little more production in the bat before the end. Amazingly enough, he has one more year on this deal in 2027 and a club option for 2028. What a waste of a roster spot and money. Thanks, Derek Jeter (we love you for everything else, though).
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