The New York Yankees are rolling into 2026 with a familiar look-and not everyone in the Bronx is thrilled about it.
Despite a winter full of high-profile moves across the league, the Yankees opted for continuity, bringing back key veterans rather than reshaping the roster. Cody Bellinger returns on a five-year, $162.5 million deal.
Trent Grisham is back for another season at $22.025 million. And former MVP Paul Goldschmidt joins the fold on a one-year, $4 million contract.
Solid names, sure-but the lack of fresh firepower has raised some eyebrows, including from the face of the franchise himself.
Aaron Judge, reigning back-to-back AL MVP and the heartbeat of this Yankees team, didn’t sugarcoat his feelings when asked about the team’s quiet offseason.
"It was brutal," Judge said. "I see a lot of free agents out there.
I see a lot of guys like the Bellingers, the Grishams, the Goldschmidts. Let’s sign these guys right now and then start adding more pieces."
That’s the kind of candid honesty you rarely hear from a superstar of Judge’s stature. And it speaks volumes.
While he acknowledged the importance of re-signing Bellinger and the value Grisham brings as a leadoff man and center fielder, Judge made it clear he expected more. He’s watching other contenders load up, making blockbuster trades and big-money signings, while the Yankees largely stood pat.
"You add a guy like Goldy, some of the back-end bullpen pieces that we’ve been doing, I think we’ll be in a good spot," he added. "But early on, it was pretty tough to watch.
I’m like, ‘Man, we’re the New York Yankees. Let’s go out there and get the right people, get the right pieces to go out there and finish this thing off.’"
That’s not just frustration talking-that’s urgency. Judge knows the window isn’t open forever.
He turns 34 in April, and while he’s still playing at an elite level, the clock is ticking on his prime. Four years into a nine-year, $360 million contract, he’s got individual accolades, but not the ring that matters most.
And after falling short in 2024 against Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers, the hunger for a championship is as strong as ever.
The Yankees did make one notable addition, acquiring left-hander Ryan Weathers from the Marlins. He’s a high-upside arm who could develop into a top-of-the-rotation piece. But that move alone likely won’t be enough to shift the balance of power in the American League.
That’s where general manager Brian Cashman comes into focus. With the free-agent window largely closed, the pressure now shifts to the trade deadline. And if the Yankees want to make a serious run, they may have to part with top-tier prospects-potentially even outfielder George Lombard Jr., currently ranked as the No. 32 prospect in MLB.
That’s a tough pill to swallow for a franchise trying to balance winning now with building for the future. But Judge’s comments make it clear: the time to win is now.
The Yankees are putting a lot of faith in their veteran core to carry them through the grind of another 162-game season and into October. But with age comes risk-especially when it comes to injuries. And without a deeper bench or a fresh injection of young talent, this roster could be walking a tightrope.
There’s no denying the talent in the Bronx. Judge, Bellinger, Grisham, Goldschmidt-they’ve all been All-Stars.
The bullpen has been quietly reinforced. And Weathers brings intrigue to the rotation.
But in a league that’s getting younger, faster, and more aggressive with each passing offseason, standing still can be just as dangerous as moving in the wrong direction.
The Yankees believe in their core. Judge believes in his teammates.
But belief alone doesn’t win championships. At some point, the front office will need to match that belief with bold action-because the rest of the league isn’t waiting around.