If you were hoping for fireworks in the Bronx this offseason, you might want to lower your expectations. The Yankees didn’t go big-game hunting. While the Dodgers were out building a superteam-adding Kyle Tucker to a lineup that already reads like an All-Star ballot-the Yankees opted for something much more familiar: continuity.
That’s not to say General Manager Brian Cashman has been idle. But his approach has leaned more toward “run it back” than “rebuild it bigger.”
The headline move was re-signing Cody Bellinger, a necessary step to keep the offense from losing its shape. Pair that with Trent Grisham accepting the qualifying offer to return in center field, and you’ve got a defensive core that looks a lot like the one that took the field last October.
It’s a safe play. Maybe too safe for a franchise that hasn’t hoisted a World Series trophy in over a decade.
Cashman’s Calculated Conservatism
While the Dodgers are out here flexing financial muscle and chasing rings with reckless abandon, the Yankees are playing the long game. Cashman’s additions-Amed Rosario and Paul Blackburn-are solid, serviceable pieces.
They’ll help. But let’s be honest: they’re not the kind of moves that keep the AL East up at night.
The most intriguing piece of the puzzle is Ryan Weathers. The left-hander comes with more red flags than a rain delay at Yankee Stadium, but the talent is undeniable.
When he’s right, his stuff is electric. The problem?
He hasn’t been right often enough. Still, this is a classic Cashman move-low risk, high reward.
If Weathers stays healthy and finds his rhythm, he could be one of the steals of the offseason. If not, well, the Yankees didn’t exactly break the bank to find out.
Manager Aaron Boone, ever the steady hand, isn’t sounding any alarms. He likes what he has. And in fairness, there’s reason for optimism.
“You’re always trying to improve your club and improve your team,” Boone said, via MLB.com. “But you also pause and say, ‘Hey, we’re pretty good here.’ And we’ve got a lot of really good players, and a lot of really good, young core players that emerged on different levels last year.”
That’s not just coach-speak. The Yankees do have a young core that showed flashes in 2025.
But flashes don’t win divisions. Sustained production does.
The Budget Reality
There’s a bigger picture here, and it’s financial. With the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire soon, ownership is keeping a close eye on the books.
Rumblings of a potential salary cap and floor have made long-term spending a delicate dance. The Yankees aren’t looking to hand out contracts that could age poorly in a new economic landscape.
That’s why you’re seeing a shift toward internal development. The front office is high on prospects like Ben Rice and Cam Schlittler.
These aren’t just depth pieces-they’re viewed as future contributors. But banking on rookies to fill meaningful roles in a rotation or bullpen is a gamble.
It looks smart in January. It can look shaky come August.
Still Work to Be Done
Even with the current roster, the Yankees know they’re a few pieces short. The bullpen took some hits in free agency, and the rotation-while solid on paper-is one injury away from leaning on untested arms.
Cashman isn’t done. He’s working the phones, likely targeting arms that can help stabilize the staff before Opening Day.
And don’t be surprised if the reinforcements come via trade. Free agency has thinned out, and the Yankees have assets they’re willing to move.
A deal with a team like the Reds-something that’s already being floated in mock-trade circles-could make sense for both sides. It wouldn’t be flashy, but it could be effective.
The Yankees are good. No question.
But in a league where the Dodgers are building dynasties and other contenders are pushing chips to the center of the table, “good” might not be enough. Cashman has time to change that.
The question is whether he’s willing to take the kind of risks that win championships-or if he’s content playing it safe.