The Yankees might say there’s no hard cap on spending heading into 2026, but their offseason so far tells a different story - one that suggests they’re bumping up against a financial ceiling, whether they’ll admit it or not.
Now, that could change. Things can always change.
But right now, it feels like the Bronx Bombers are playing things unusually safe. And for longtime fans who remember when the Yankees were the team setting the market - not sitting back and watching others do it - this version of the front office feels unfamiliar.
Unsettling, even.
Once upon a time, the Yankees were synonymous with spending power. They didn’t just chase stars - they got them.
But that era feels more distant by the day. The latest reminder?
The Atlanta Braves, of all teams, have leapfrogged the Yankees in payroll and pushed them out of the top five in MLB. And it’s not just about the dollars - it’s about how the Braves are using them.
Atlanta didn’t just add big names for the sake of headlines. They added players who would’ve fit the Yankees perfectly - and they did it at positions where New York has clear needs.
Let’s start with Ha-Seong Kim. The Braves brought him back on a one-year, $20 million deal - a move that hits particularly hard for New York, given the state of the Yankees’ infield.
Kim’s 2025 season wasn’t his best. He struggled in Tampa Bay, dealing with injuries, but found some rhythm late in the year after a trade to Atlanta.
He’s not a superstar, but he’s a steady, versatile right-handed bat who can handle shortstop, second, or third. In other words, exactly the kind of player who could’ve pushed Anthony Volpe or at least provided insurance and flexibility.
The Yankees could’ve used that. Even if Volpe takes a step forward in 2026, Kim would’ve given them depth and options - something they sorely lacked during their 2023 collapse.
Yes, $20 million is steep for a one-year deal, but that’s the going rate for reliable infield defense and a league-average bat in today’s market. The Braves saw the value.
The Yankees didn’t bite.
Then there’s Robert Suarez. The right-hander led the National League with 40 saves in 2025 and was expected to command a long-term deal north of $60 million. Instead, Atlanta locked him up for three years at $45 million - a price that feels like a win for a team looking to bolster the back end of its bullpen.
And the Yankees? They’ve barely touched their relief corps, which finished 23rd in ERA last season (4.37).
Outside of re-signing Tim Hill and selecting Cade Winquest in the Rule 5 Draft, they’ve stood pat. Letting Devin Williams walk might technically improve the group on paper, but it’s hardly a needle-mover.
Suarez wasn’t even guaranteed the closer role in Atlanta - he’s expected to set up for Raisel Iglesias. That should’ve opened the door for New York to make a stronger pitch.
If the Yankees didn’t see Suarez as a better ninth-inning option than David Bednar, fine. But if they weren’t in on him at all?
That’s a tougher pill to swallow.
All of this raises a bigger question: what exactly is the plan?
Is the front office holding out for a big swing - someone like Kyle Tucker - and willing to risk ignoring other roster holes in the process? That’s a dangerous game.
We’ve seen what happens when the Yankees go top-heavy and neglect depth. The 2023 season was a cautionary tale in that department.
Or are they just missing opportunities? Because right now, it feels like other teams are building smart, balanced rosters while the Yankees are stuck in neutral.
There’s still time. The offseason is far from over.
But if the Yankees don’t start making moves soon, they risk entering 2026 with a roster that looks more like a patchwork than a contender. And for a franchise that measures success in championships, that’s not going to cut it.
It’s not about leading the league in spending. It’s about spending wisely. And so far, the Yankees haven’t done nearly enough of either.