The Athletic | Chris Kirschner ($): Kirschner takes a look ahead at the 2026 projected payroll taking into account money coming off of the books and looming arbitration and option decisions. He calculates
that $69.5 million is coming off the books including Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Aaron Hicks (!), Devin Williams, Trent Grisham, and others. They currently have a $168.25 million luxury tax number in 2026 for guaranteed contracts held by Aaron Judge, Gerrit Cole, Max Fried, Giancarlo Stanton, Carlos Rodón, and Ryan McMahon. They owe $15 million in dead money to DJ LeMahieu after he was released last year, but that is the lone year remaining on his deal. They can save money elsewhere by non-tendering arbitration-eligible players, the bullpen quartet of Mark Leiter Jr., Jake Cousins, Ian Hamilton, and Scott Effross standing out as likely candidates. Finally, they are expected to decline the $5 million option on Jonathan Loáisiga, pick up the $3 million option on Tim Hill, and could extend the qualifying offer to Grisham valued at $22.025 million in 2026.
New York Post | Greg Joyce: Carlos Rodón underwent successful surgery to remove bone chips in his throwing elbow. Brian Cashman expects him to return in “April or early May,” which leaves the starting rotation perilously thin given Gerrit Cole’s projected return from Tommy John rehab well after Opening Day and Clarke Schmidt facing his own long TJS rehab that for all we know could last all season. That leaves a starting four of Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Luis Gil to start the year, the former trio all having thrown career highs in innings in 2025. In addition to needs in the outfield and bullpen, this makes a starting pitcher a possible priority over the winter, which features a deep class of No. 2 starters including Dylan Cease, Framber Valdez, Ranger Suárez, and Freddy Peralta should Milwaukee decline his option — though he (an others) could be available on the trade market as well.
MLB.com | Bryan Hoch: Given Cashman’s comments regarding balancing the payroll with prospect promotions, Hoch looks at several young players in the organization who could carve out important roles at the major league level. Cam Schlittler appears entrenched in the rotation after his AL Wild Card Series Game 3 gem and the injuries to Cole, Rodón, and Schmidt. There’s another pair of pitchers knocking on the door, however.
Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz earned Baseball America’s Yankees Minor League Player of the Year award after going 11-8 in 26 starts with a 2.58 ERA and the second-most strikeouts in the minors (176) across 150 innings. And Carlos Lagrange made huge strides honing command of his triple-digits fastball and earned comparisons to Dellin Betances after going 11-8 with a 3.53 ERA in 23 starts, striking out 168 over 120 innings to jump to the second-ranked prospect in the org. On the position player side, 2026 is a huge year for Spencer Jones with Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham hitting free agency, the longtime top prospect still exhibiting massive swing and miss issues but finishing with the second-most home runs (35) in the minor leagues.
MLB Trade Rumors | Nick Deeds: Devin Williams had one of the most up-and-down walk years of any player in recent memory, but could parlay a strong postseason into a decent payday. He has expressed interest in returning to the Yankees, but they are not rumored as his strongest suitors. That label belongs to the Marlins, who have placed a high-leverage reliever at the top of their winter wishlist. NJ.com’s Randy Miller also speculated that Williams could draw interest from the rebuilding Cardinals, a destination that could appeal to the St. Louis native.
