The Yankees matched their 94-68 record from 2024, where they suffered a 4-1 World Series loss to the Dodgers. Their luck ran out much earlier this time around, bowing out of the ALDS 3-1 against Toronto. NY battled significant injuries to their rotation, completely revamped their bullpen at the deadline, and was awarded with another MVP-caliber season from Aaron Judge.

A Bright Spot
Gerrit Cole’s offseason surgery put a damper on the start of the year, but Max Fried & Carlos Rodon combined to pick up that slack with outstanding 2025 campaigns. Rodon will begin 2026 on the IL, but with Cam Schlittler also in the mix now, the Yankees rotation turned a corner this past season.

A Big Concern
Outfield. Cody Bellinger & Trent Grisham are pending free agents, and Jasson Domínguez, a once highly-touted prospect, couldn’t find his sea legs in 2025. For now, the Yankees project to send out Dominguez, Judge (who’s elbow concerns are a whole other story), and top prospect Spencer Jones in 2026.

Related Links
2026 Yankees Financials
MLB Offseason Guides

Pending Free Agents

Bellinger opted-out of a $25M salary for both a raise, and a multi-year guarantee this winter. Grisham is hitting free agency for the first time coming off of a career-year at the plate. The Yankees aggressive trade deadline has already accounted for the losses of Weaver and Williams this winter.

PLAYER MARKET VALUE
Cody Bellinger (OF, 30) $30M
Trent Grisham (OF, 28) $12M
Luke Weaver (RP, 32) $10M
Paul Goldschmidt (1B, 38) $7M
Devin Williams (RP, 31) $5.8M
Amed Rosario (UTIL, 29) $3.1M
Austin Slater (OF, 32) $2.6M
Ryan Yarbrough (RP, 33) $2M

Option Decisions

Loaisiga battled an injury-filled 2025 and will likely have his $5M salary declined, though a re-sign isn’t out of the question. Hill will stick on his $3M salary after 70 solid appearances.

PLAYER OPTION SALARY
Jonathan Loaisiga (RP, 30) $5M club option
Tim Hill (RP, 35) $3M club option ($350k buyout)

Arbitration-Eligibility

Chisholm is entering a walk-year in 2026 and has already expressed interest in locking in a multi-year extension to remain in NY. Bednar, also heading into a contract year, is another name to watch. The 31-year-old should secure the 9th inning duties for the Yankees in 2026. Volpe ($3.25M) and Caballero ($2.5M) could be vying for the starting SS role next season. 

PLAYER PROJ. ARB SALARY
Jazz Chisholm (2B, 28) $11.7M
David Bednar (RP, 31) $9M
Camilo Doval (RP, 28) $5.5M
Clarke Schmidt (SP, 30) $5M
Mark Leiter Jr. (RP, 35) $3.75M
Luis Gil (SP, 28) $3.4M
Anthony Volpe (SS, 25) $3.25M
José Caballero (SS, 29) $2.5M
Fernando Cruz (RP, 36) $1.25M
Jake Bird (RP, 30) $1M
Oswaldo Cabrera (3B, 27) $1M
Jake Cousins (RP, 31) $900k
Scott Effross (RP, 32) $900k
Ian Hamilton (RP, 31) $850k

Guaranteed Salary

Judge’s deal has 6 years, $240M remaining on it through 2031. While Cole returns from Tommy John on a 3 year, $108M contract through 2028. McMahon, who projects as the Opening Day 3B, is under contract through 2027 at $16M per year.

PLAYER CBT SALARY
Aaron Judge (RF, 34) $40M
Gerrit Cole (SP, 35) $36M
Max Fried (SP, 32) $27.25M
Carlos Rodon (SP, 33) $27M
Giancarlo Stanton (DH, 36) $22M
Ryan McMahon (3B, 31) $11.6M

Team Tax Projections

The Yankees exceeded the CBT threshold by an estimated $77M last season according to our numbers. They enter 2026 with a $254M payroll projection, $10M north of the new line with just 33 players currently allocated to their 40-man roster.

Spotrac's 2026 MLB Offseason Previews