The Yankees’ offseason has been quieter than fans in the Bronx are used to - and yes, the anxiety is starting to creep in. But here’s the reality: most of New York’s top free agent targets are still on the board. So while the silence might be deafening right now, the chessboard is far from settled.
So far, GM Brian Cashman’s moves have been more about depth than splash. The Yankees brought back lefty Ryan Yarbrough and utility infielder Amed Rosario, added reliever Cade Winquest via the Rule 5 Draft, and saw outfielder Trent Grisham accept the qualifying offer. All solid, but none of those moves answer the biggest question looming over the Bronx:
Who’s playing left field in 2026?
That answer is still pending, and it might be a while. The Yankees are keeping a close eye on two of the biggest names still out there - Cody Bellinger and Kyle Tucker.
Both would be impact additions, both bring left-handed pop, and both would slot in nicely alongside Aaron Judge and Juan Soto. But until a decision is made, New York is stuck in a holding pattern.
And if they miss out on both? That’s when things get a little murkier.
**The internal options aren’t exactly plug-and-play. ** Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones are the two names that keep surfacing, but neither comes without questions.
Dominguez, still just 22, has the tools but is coming off Tommy John surgery and posted a rough defensive grade last season - his -10 Outs Above Average ranked in the second percentile among outfielders. That’s not what you want from someone patrolling Yankee Stadium’s spacious left field.
Jones, meanwhile, is a tantalizing prospect with serious raw power and athleticism. But the swing-and-miss concerns are real.
His strikeout rate in the minors would be the highest in the majors if he were promoted today - and that’s not an exaggeration. He’s still developing, and while the upside is there, the floor is low if he’s rushed into a starting role.
According to GM Brian Cashman, both players have earned a shot if the opportunity presents itself. But relying on unproven youth in a win-now season - especially with the Yankees’ rotation already dealing with injuries - is a gamble.
Speaking of that rotation, it’s another area of concern. Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Clarke Schmidt are all expected to miss the start of the season.
That’s three-fifths of the starting staff down before Opening Day. Which brings us back to Dominguez and Jones - not just as potential starters, but as potential trade chips.
If the Yankees want to add a frontline starter, one of those two could be the cost.
If New York doesn’t land Bellinger or Tucker and doesn’t swing a trade, the fallback options are more modest. Free agents like Austin Hays or Rob Refsnyder - yes, the former Yankee - could be brought in to form a platoon with Dominguez or Jones. Not ideal, but serviceable if the lineup around them stays healthy and productive.
Bottom line: the Yankees still have time, and the offseason isn’t over. But the clock is ticking. The big names are still out there, and Cashman’s next move - or lack thereof - is going to shape not just the outfield, but the entire 2026 campaign.