There are two days left in 2025, a year that won’t exactly stand out for New York Yankees fans. After a disappointing early playoff exit, the Yankees have spent the opening months of the offseason playing it cautious and conservative, even as their American League East rivals have moved with purpose.
With 86 days until they open the 2026 season against the Giants in San Francisco, here’s where the Yankees stand.
The Yankees finished the 2025 regular season second in the AL East. They advanced past the Boston Red Sox in the Wild Card Series before running into the Toronto Blue Jays, who eliminated them in four games in the Division Series.
It was an ending that should have raised red flags for Brian Cashman and the front office.
Instead, so far this winter, New York’s moves have leaned toward stabilization rather than transformation.
The Yankees re-signed left-hander Ryan Yarbrough and right-hander Paul Blackburn on one-year deals, additions aimed at protecting rotation depth and innings after a year defined by attrition. They also brought back Amed Rosario on a one-year agreement, maintaining infield flexibility while keeping longer-term options open.
Those are useful pieces. They are not answers.
The biggest unresolved question remains Cody Bellinger.
After a productive season in the Bronx, Bellinger declined his option and entered free agency, leaving behind a lineup hole that is difficult to paper over. His versatility, left-handed power, and defensive value masked several roster flaws over six months. Replacing that impact is still the clearest need on the board.
Pitching remains the other pressure point.
While some have signaled they are not involved, the Yankees have been linked to Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai, though manager Aaron Boone has said the club has not yet met with him and is unsure whether that will change. Whether it is Imai or another arm, the Yankees are still operating in a pitching market where reliable starters are scarce, expensive, or both.
While New York has moved deliberately, the rest of the division has not.
Toronto set an aggressive tone early, adding Dylan Cease and reinforcing its bullpen with Tyler Rogers. Baltimore has acted like a club intent on winning now, landing Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley, and Shane Baz. The Red Sox have addressed rotation depth by acquiring Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, while also adding Willson Contreras.
They have raised the baseline in a division that already punishes hesitation.
The Yankees still have time. They still have resources. But as the calendar flips to 2026 and Opening Day inches closer, the margin for waiting is shrinking.
