The Yankees' bullpen was a problem in 2025 - no getting around it. A 4.37 ERA from the relief corps ranked 23rd in the majors, and things didn’t exactly improve after the trade deadline.
Despite bringing in David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Jake Bird in an effort to stabilize the group, the post-August 1 ERA ballooned to 4.74, dropping them to 26th. Come October, the struggles only intensified.
The bullpen posted a 6.15 ERA in the playoffs - second-worst in the league, ahead of only the Reds.
Now, as the offseason unfolds, the Yankees are watching the relief market shrink, and the reinforcements so far? Let’s just say they’re not exactly headline-grabbers.
Devin Williams and Luke Weaver are out. In their place?
A Rule 5 pick in Cade Winquest and a few minor-league signings. That’s not exactly a confidence-inspiring overhaul, especially for a team with postseason ambitions.
Let’s talk about the exits first. Williams never seemed interested in pitching in New York, so his departure isn’t shocking.
Weaver, on the other hand, might’ve been a retention candidate - but the Yankees didn’t even extend an offer. That’s a bit harder to justify, especially considering how thin the options are now.
And it’s not like the market was barren. Edwin Díaz, Robert Suarez, Kyle Finnegan, Kenley Jansen, Tyler Rogers, Brad Keller, Ryan Helsley, Emilio Pagán, Phil Maton, Gregory Soto - all off the board.
Plenty of experienced, high-leverage arms found new homes. In some cases, the Yankees' silence is tough to explain.
Take Suarez, for example. He led the National League in saves and was projected to command a hefty deal - something in the $80 million range.
Instead, he signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Braves to be a setup man. That’s a price tag the Yankees could’ve matched if they were serious about shoring up the back end.
Now, with the top-tier names gone, the options are dwindling. Pete Fairbanks is still available and could make sense - he’s got late-inning experience and knows the AL East well.
But beyond that? It’s slim pickings.
Are we talking about a reunion with 41-year-old David Robertson? Is Kirby Yates - who didn’t even make the Dodgers’ playoff roster - really the answer?
Seranthony Domínguez is out there too, but his 5.17 walks per nine last season doesn’t exactly scream “reliable.”
It’s hard to tell what the plan is. Maybe it’s hope.
Hope that Bednar continues to be the steady presence he was in Pittsburgh. Hope that Doval finds consistency to match his electric stuff.
Hope that Fernando Cruz builds on a mostly solid showing. Hope that Tim Hill continues to be the lefty weapon he’s been in spurts.
And yes, hope that Jake Bird - despite a rough 2025 - somehow becomes a dependable piece.
There’s no denying the volatility of relievers. One year, they’re lights out.
The next, they’re searching for answers. That’s part of the deal when you build a bullpen.
But relying too heavily on bounce-backs without adding at least one or two proven arms? That’s a dangerous game.
Especially for a team that can’t afford another season of bullpen meltdowns.
The Yankees don’t need to build the best bullpen in baseball overnight. But they do need to show urgency.
Right now, the approach feels passive. And unless they make a move soon, 2026 could start to feel a lot like 2025 - and that’s not a feeling anyone in the Bronx wants to revisit.