Yankees Enter 2026 Spring Training Under Fire - But Are the Criticisms Really Justified?
TAMPA, Fla. - Spring training is usually a time for fresh starts and boundless optimism. The standings are clean, the sun is shining, and every fan base can dream big - unless, of course, you’re in the Bronx.
For Yankees fans, hope isn’t exactly in the air. Instead, there’s a growing cloud of frustration hanging over the start of 2026.
The roster? Still loaded.
The expectations? Always sky-high.
But the vibe? Let’s just say it’s a little more “show me” than “let’s go.”
Despite a 2025 season where the Yankees led the majors in home runs (274) and runs scored (849), and tied for the American League lead in wins, a vocal portion of the fan base is already bracing for another October letdown. And that’s what this all comes down to - the postseason.
Because in New York, regular-season success doesn’t cut it. Not when you’ve got just one championship in the last 25 years. Not when you’re staring down a 16-year World Series drought - the franchise’s third-longest dry spell ever, trailing only the 1903-1920 and 1978-1995 stretches.
So where’s all this angst coming from? A handful of persistent myths - narratives that have taken root in the fan discourse and refuse to let go. Let’s take a closer look at five of the biggest ones.
MYTH 1: It’s All Brian Cashman’s Fault
Let’s start at the top. Brian Cashman has been a lightning rod for criticism, especially in recent years. But the idea that he’s the root of all the Yankees’ problems doesn’t hold up under scrutiny.
We’re talking about a general manager who’s delivered 33 straight winning seasons - the longest such streak in the four major North American men’s pro sports. That’s not a fluke. That’s sustained excellence.
Cashman’s critics often point to the Yankees’ financial muscle as a crutch, but just look across town. Steve Cohen came in with deep pockets and big promises for the Mets. And yet, they didn’t even make the playoffs last year.
What Cashman has done - maintaining a contender year in and year out without hitting the reset button - takes more than money. It takes vision, discipline, and a steady hand. Billy Beane, one of the most respected minds in baseball, put it bluntly: “Who do Yankees fans think would improve on Brian’s accomplishments?”
That’s a fair question - and one without an obvious answer.
MYTH 2: Aaron Boone Is in Over His Head
Aaron Boone has never been the darling of Yankees fans, and the postseason scars haven’t helped. But let’s not pretend the guy hasn’t delivered results.
Since taking over in 2018, Boone has racked up 200 wins and owns a .584 winning percentage - second only to Dave Roberts (.621) among active managers. Not bad for someone who walked into the job with zero managerial experience.
Yes, Boone made a costly decision in the 2024 World Series - asking Nestor Cortes, fresh off the IL, to face Freddie Freeman in extra innings. That move still stings.
But Boone didn’t drop a routine fly ball in Game 5 (that was Aaron Judge), and he didn’t miss first base on a Mookie Betts grounder (that was Gerrit Cole). Those are player mistakes, not managerial ones.
And here’s the thing: Boone still has the clubhouse. The players show up.
They’re engaged. They play hard.
That’s not what you see when a team has tuned out its manager. Boone’s not perfect, but he’s not the problem.
MYTH 3: Don’t Expect Much from Gerrit Cole in 2026
Gerrit Cole is coming off Tommy John surgery, and the standard recovery timeline suggests he won’t be fully back to form until 2027. But Cole isn’t your standard case.
He’s been throwing since November and is already scheduled to face live hitters soon. A Grapefruit League appearance in March isn’t out of the question. That’s ahead of schedule.
And even if he doesn’t hit 98 mph right away, Cole has the kind of arsenal and command to succeed in the 93-95 mph range. He’s also been working on a two-seam fastball - a pitch that could help him transition into the next phase of his career with finesse.
There’s also a potential wild card: the split-finger fastball. Cole’s been tinkering with it for two years.
If his elbow can handle the grip, it could give him a whole new look. Yankees legend David Cone believes Cole could “hit the ground running” by June.
Bottom line: Don’t count him out.
MYTH 4: The Blue Jays Are Still the Team to Beat
Toronto had the Yankees’ number in 2025, no doubt about it. But the Jays are heading into 2026 with some major question marks.
Anthony Santander is out for 5-6 months after shoulder surgery. Bo Bichette is gone, now wearing a Mets uniform.
Chris Bassitt? Signed with the Orioles.
That’s a lot of production and leadership out the door.
And then there’s Don Mattingly. The former Yankees captain was a key voice in the Jays’ dugout, serving as bench coach and advisor to manager John Schneider. He’s now with the Phillies, and his absence could be felt both strategically and emotionally.
Toronto is still talented, but they’re not the same juggernaut they were last year.
MYTH 5: Aaron Judge Is on the Decline
Sure, Father Time is undefeated. But Aaron Judge isn’t showing any signs of slowing down just yet.
At 34, Judge is still built like a superhero and swinging like one, too. His bat speed, power, and athleticism remain elite. He’s told more than a few people he wants to be baseball’s version of Tom Brady - and he’s serious about it.
The real issue isn’t Judge’s performance - it’s what the Yankees have (or haven’t) done with it. Three MVPs and no rings to show for it?
That’s not on him. That’s on the organization.
And that’s not a myth. That’s just a hard truth.
Final Word
The Yankees are entering 2026 with a roster that’s built to win - again. The offense is elite.
The pitching staff has upside. The manager and GM have track records that most teams would kill for.
But in the Bronx, none of that matters if October ends in heartbreak. Until the Yankees break through and hoist another trophy, the noise won’t stop.
Still, if you look past the myths and focus on the facts, there’s plenty of reason to believe this team is closer to glory than the doubters want to admit.