MLB · AL East · Est. 1901 · Yankee Stadium
Updated March 16, 2026
While the rest of the AL East spent aggressively, the Yankees' most notable move was re-signing Cody Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million deal. Fans are bewildered by the lack of urgency, especially after watching the Orioles, Blue Jays, and Red Sox all make significant additions.
Gerrit Cole is working his way back from Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2025, targeting a May or June return. Carlos Rodon is ahead of schedule after left elbow surgery, eyeing late April. The Yankees' first-half success depends entirely on their stopgap arms holding the fort.
Aaron Judge remains the most feared hitter in the American League, but the supporting cast around him feels thinner than it should be. Jazz Chisholm Jr. brings energy and versatility at second base, but the Yankees need Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, and Giancarlo Stanton to all produce consistently to keep pace in the AL East.