There are two days left in 2025, and it’s been a forgettable year for Yankees fans. After another early playoff exit, New York’s spent the offseason moving cautiously while their AL East rivals have been busy upgrading.
With 86 days until they open against the Giants in San Francisco, here’s where things stand in the Bronx.
The Yankees finished second in the AL East and beat Boston in the Wild Card Series before Toronto knocked them out in four games during the Division Series. That’s the kind of ending that should’ve had Brian Cashman and the front office scrambling to make changes.
Instead, they’ve focused on stabilization rather than transformation.
New York re-signed lefty Ryan Yarbrough and righty Paul Blackburn on one-year deals, moves aimed at protecting rotation depth after a season where injuries piled up. They also brought back Amed Rosario on a one-year deal to maintain infield flexibility.
Those are useful pieces, but they’re not answers to the bigger problems.
The Bellinger Problem
After a solid season in pinstripes, Cody Bellinger declined his option and hit free agency, leaving behind a lineup hole that’s tough to fill. His versatility, left-handed power, and defensive value covered up several roster flaws over six months.
Replacing that impact remains the clearest need on the board.
Pitching’s the other pressure point. While some reports suggest they’re not involved, the Yankees have been linked to Japanese right-hander Tatsuya Imai. Manager Aaron Boone said the club hasn’t met with him yet and isn’t sure if that’ll change.
Whether it’s Imai or another arm, they’re operating in a pitching market where reliable starters are expensive, scarce, or both.
Division Rivals Making Moves
While New York’s moved deliberately, the rest of the division hasn’t waited around.
Toronto set an aggressive tone early, adding Dylan Cease and reinforcing its bullpen with Tyler Rogers. Baltimore’s acted like a club intent on winning now, landing Pete Alonso, Ryan Helsley, and Shane Baz.
The Red Sox addressed rotation depth by acquiring Sonny Gray and Johan Oviedo, while also adding Willson Contreras.
They’ve raised the baseline in a division that already punishes hesitation.
The Yankees still have time and resources, but as 2026 approaches and Opening Day gets closer, the margin for waiting keeps shrinking. At some point, cautious becomes costly in the AL East.
