Yankees Rumors: The Good, the Bad, and the Downright Baffling
Things have been unusually quiet in the Bronx. For a team with clear needs and a fan base that expects movement-especially after a disappointing finish to 2025-this kind of silence is unsettling.
The Winter Meetings have come and gone, and while a few teams made noise, the Yankees have mostly been spectators. But when it comes to the Yankees, the rumor mill never sleeps.
And right now, it’s churning out everything from head-scratchers to dream scenarios.
Let’s break down the latest buzz-starting with a couple of rumors that could make Yankees fans lose sleep, and then shifting to a few that might just restore some hope in the offseason blueprint.
Nightmare Fuel: Two Rumors Yankees Fans Shouldn’t Want to See Come True
Brenton Doyle? That’s a Hard Pass
There’s something about the Yankees and the Colorado Rockies. Whether it’s DJ LeMahieu, Mike Tauchman, Adam Ottavino, or even Jake Bird, the Yankees have dipped into the Rockies’ talent pool more than a few times in recent years.
Sometimes it works out (LeMahieu). Other times, not so much.
Now comes word that the Yankees have expressed interest in outfielder Brenton Doyle. And look, the Yankees do need a right-handed hitting outfielder. But the key word there is hitting-something Doyle hasn’t consistently done at the big-league level.
His rookie year? A rough 44 wRC+.
Year two was better-he climbed to 97, just below league average-but 2025 saw him slide back to a 65 wRC+, which is replacement-level territory. That’s not the kind of bat you want patrolling the outfield in Yankee Stadium.
And like many hitters who call Coors Field home, Doyle’s road splits are brutal. He owns a career .200/.250/.319 line away from Denver.
That’s not just a red flag-it’s a stop sign. The Yankees need impact, not another reclamation project.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Trade Buzz Raises More Questions Than Answers
The chatter surrounding Jazz Chisholm Jr. has been simmering for a while, but it picked up steam during the Winter Meetings. According to reports, the Marlins are listening to offers for the dynamic second baseman-and naturally, the Yankees’ name has surfaced in the mix.
Now, Chisholm is a talent. He’s an All-Star with speed, power, and defensive versatility.
But here’s the issue: dealing for him might plug one hole while opening another. And the idea that the Marlins have to trade him because they haven’t extended him yet?
That’s not how the Yankees typically operate-and it’s not a great reason to make a move.
There is one scenario where this could make sense: if Chisholm were part of a larger deal that brought Ketel Marte to New York. That would be a rare case where the Yankees could actually come out ahead.
But short of that? Trading for Chisholm feels like a lateral move at best-and a risky one at worst.
With limited elite infield options on the market, moving an All-Star without a clear upgrade in return could backfire fast.
Now for the Good News: Three Rumors That Could Be Game-Changers
Freddy Peralta Checks All the Boxes
This is the kind of rumor that gets Yankees fans excited-and for good reason. The team is reportedly in on Brewers right-hander Freddy Peralta, and he’s exactly the kind of pitcher who could stabilize the rotation.
Peralta brings swing-and-miss stuff, postseason experience, and a team-friendly contract-he’s set to make just $8 million in 2026. That’s a bargain for a pitcher of his caliber, and it gives the Yankees financial flexibility to keep adding.
But the real kicker? The Red Sox and Orioles are also in the mix.
So if the Yankees land Peralta, they’re not just improving their own rotation-they’re keeping a key arm away from two division rivals. Baltimore’s lineup is dangerous, but their rotation still needs help.
Boston added Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, but they’re still hunting for a legitimate No. 2.
Blocking both teams while boosting your own staff? That’s the kind of move that shifts the balance of power in the AL East.
Hunter Greene Brings High Upside-And High Risk
Another name linked to the Yankees is Reds flamethrower Hunter Greene. And on paper, the fit is intriguing. Greene is just 26, under team control through at least 2028, and his $21 million option for 2029 could be a steal if he stays healthy.
Performance-wise, he’s been lights out. A 2.75 ERA in 2024, followed by a 2.76 mark in 2025-that’s elite consistency.
But the red flags are hard to ignore. Greene was limited to just 107 2/3 innings in 2025, and his career high is only 150 1/3.
Injuries have been part of his story since the beginning, and durability remains a major concern.
There’s no question Greene has ace-level stuff. But if the Yankees are going to part with top-tier prospects, they need to be sure they’re getting a reliable arm.
As exciting as Greene is, this one’s not the slam dunk that a Freddy Peralta deal would be. It’s more of a high-ceiling, high-risk play-and the Yankees have to decide if the upside is worth the gamble.
Cody Bellinger Reunion Could Be a Win-Win
According to reports, the Yankees are interested in bringing back Cody Bellinger. And if that happens, it’s a move that could check multiple boxes.
Bellinger’s reverse splits help balance out a lefty-heavy outfield, and he proved last season that he can still be a difference-maker when healthy. He’s not going to come cheap-but he won’t command the kind of mega-deal that, say, Kyle Tucker might land either.
The Yankees haven’t exactly been throwing money around recklessly in recent years, but this is one of those cases where spending smart could pay off. Bellinger brings positional versatility, postseason experience, and a left-handed bat with power that plays in Yankee Stadium. If they can get this done at the right price, it’s a move that makes a lot of sense.
Bottom Line
The Yankees are at a crossroads. The AL East is as competitive as it’s been in years, and standing pat isn’t an option.
Some of the names linked to the team this offseason-Peralta, Greene, Bellinger-would move the needle in a big way. Others, like Doyle or the Chisholm speculation, raise more concerns than excitement.
There’s still time for Brian Cashman and company to make their move. But the clock is ticking, and the fan base is watching. The next few weeks could shape not just the 2026 season-but the next chapter of Yankees baseball.