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It’s crazy how time flies. I can remember pitchers and catchers reporting to spring training like it was yesterday, and now we’re on the eve of Opening Day! Furthermore, it feels like just last week that we asked the fanbase to evaluate general manager Brian Cashman
and the offseason moves that he oversaw, when it fact it’s been a month-and-a-half since we ran our offseason grading poll.
Sitting on the doorstep of the 2026 season, we felt it was the perfect opportunity to take the fanbase’s temperature one last time before meaningful games get underway.
This was one of the busiest spring training periods in recent memory between the World Baseball Classic and normal Grapefruit League schedule. The tournament was a resounding success, with Venezuela narrowly defeating Team USA to secure their first ever WBC crown. Attendance and broadcast records were smashed, with several Yankees representing their nations, including Aaron Judge as captain of Team USA.
There were plenty of developments at the spring training complex as well. Much of the noise coming out of Tampa centered on a trio of exciting prospects. Spencer Jones continued his habit of demolishing spring training pitching, slashing .333/.429/.917 with four home runs, eight RBIs, three stolen bases, a 14.3-percent walk rate and encouraging 28.6-percent strikeout rate, and 227 wRC+ in 28 plate appearances spanning 11 games. Top pitching prospect Elmer Rodríguez affirmed that he is the most polished of the Yankees’ farm arms, making a pair of starts and allowing two runs in six innings without giving up a home run and showcasing his command of a deep arsenal.
However, it was electric pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange who stole headlines, emerging as one of if not the most exciting pitching prospects in all of baseball. He largely dominated opposing major league hitters with his high octane fastball that touched as high as 103 mph, displaying the improvements in command he’s made over the last year. Shelling at the hand of the Cubs notwithstanding, Lagrange’s performances caught the eye of the major league coaching staff, and it’s not out of the question that he could impact the big league club this year. All three prospects were optioned to minor league camp, but their strong springs have positioned each for a potential call-up should reinforcements be needed.
The last week has seen the team finalize the active roster. Jasson Domínguez and Oswaldo Cabrera were optioned to Triple-A while non-roster invitee Randal Grichuk was tendered a major league contract and Rule 5 draftee Cade Winquest still has a chance to break camp with the team. The Yankees acquired Angel Chivilli and Max Schuemann to provide depth in the bullpen and infield, respectively, but promptly optioned the pair to the minors as they give reps at shortstop to Ryan McMahon and are pondering the selection of Brent Headrick’s contract.
The biggest story in terms of roster construction in recent days, however, concerns the starting rotation. Aaron Boone hinted at the possibility of a four-man rotation for the first two turns with the Yankees having four offdays in the first two weeks, including reaffirming their commitment to offseason trade acquisition Ryan Weathers as a member of the rotation despite his rocky spring. This opens the door to the Yankees optioning Luis Gil to Triple-A to open the year, the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year hitting the lowest of lows and highest of highs in his final two spring starts.
Speaking of the rotation, there is plenty of reason to be encouraged. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón are on time if not ahead of schedule with their throwing programs, the former even making a spring start and reaching as high as 99 mph with his fastball. Will Warren looks to have taken a massive step over the offseason following an up-and-down rookie campaign and was the Yankees’ most consistent starter in spring. Cam Schlittler emerged from an early spring injury scare to look like the pitcher who dominated after his second half call-up.
As for the offense, it’s the exact same group that finished last season. The Yankees kept their starting outfield intact in retaining Trent Grisham on the qualifying offer and bringing Cody Bellinger back into the fold for five years and $162.5 million. It’s fair to criticize the Yankees’ lack of ambition in running it back with the same starting nine, but this was the best offense in baseball last year by runs per game and wRC+ and projects to place in the top-five in terms of runs scored and offensive wins.
It is therefore no surprise that a pair of projection systems have the Yankees as one of the two or three best teams in the AL. FanGraphs projects that they will win the division with the second-most wins (87) in the AL behind the Mariners and the third best playoff odds (70.2-percent) behind the Mariners and Tigers. PECOTA predicts that they will finish second behind the Blue Jays, but still with the third-most wins (88) and third-best playoff odds (67.3-percent) behind Toronto and Seattle.
So now I would like to turn it over to you. How far do you think the Yankees will go in 2026? Can they make it back to the World Series after their early postseason exit last year? Will they miss out on the playoffs entirely? Additionally, we ask that you let us know whether you approve of the job Yankees GM Brian Cashman has done this spring in finalizing the roster. Vote in our polls below:
