The Athletic | Chris Kirschner ($): Upgrading the rotation has been the B-plot of this offseason with the endless cycle of Cody Bellinger rumors, but it remains a goal nonetheless, and the Yankees might be in position to give themselves a major boost there. Milwaukee is shopping their ace Freddy Peralta, and their desire for a MLB-ready pitching prospect lines up nicely with the Yankees’ depth in the rotation having Will Warren or Luis Gil on standby. The two youngsters offer a lot more team control
than Peralta given he’s entering his walk year, meaning both sides could walk away with what they desire — a front of the rotation boost for New York, and controllable pitching for the future in Milwaukee.
MLB Trade Rumors | Darragh McDonald: The trade market might hold multiple answers for the Yankees’ needs this offseason, as they’ve also shown interest in the Cubs’ Nico Hoerner, another player entering his walk year but one with talent that could feasibly move as the Cubs have added to their infield with the addition of Alex Bregman. Hoerner would prove an upgrade over Anthony Volpe, who went through a much maligned 2025 and has yet to figure things out throughout his career with the bat. The Cubs aren’t actively shopping him like Milwaukee is with Peralta, but if the right package could be put together the Yankees would suddenly be much improved for next season.
NY Daily News | Gary Phillips ($): Speaking of next season, the Yankees have announced the dates that players will report for spring training. Pitchers and catchers will arrive in Tampa by February 11th and hold their first workouts the next day, while position players will be expected by the 15th and full-squad workouts will start the 16th. That gives them a few days to prepare for their first spring training game on the 20th against the Orioles, and then we’ll be off to the races with anticipation for the new season. The World Baseball Classic will be played during March and will pull a few Yankees away during that time, but they’ll be back to full strength with plenty of time before the end of exhibition games on March 24th.
CBS Sports | Dayn Perry: The Yankees’ plan B for the outfield is reportedly Kyle Tucker, but if they want to get in the mix there they’re going to have to hurry. The Dodgers, Blue Jays, and Mets have all held meetings with the biggest star of the offseason recently, and if he opts to go for a short-term deal to hit the market again in a year or two they’re far better situated to win him over. If there’s a player to blow away with a long-term deal this offseason it’s Tucker, so perhaps they can flip the script on his free agency and get their foot in the door before it’s too late.
