Up next in our 2026 American League East preview series: the New York Yankees — baseball’s enduring “Evil Empire.”
For years, the Yankees’ identity has been tied to aggressive spending and an unwavering pursuit of championships. Under managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner, that approach has moderated compared to previous eras, but the commitment to contention remains unchanged.
This winter, rather than making headline-grabbing splashes, New York prioritized continuity, electing to retain much of its 2025 core.
KEY ADDITIONS:
- LHP Ryan Weathers (trade)
- OF/1B Cody Bellinger (re-signed)
- OF Trent Grisham (qualifying offer)
- IF/OF Amed Rosario (re-signed)
- 1B Paul Goldschmidt (re-signed)
KEY SUBTRACTIONS:
- RHP Devin Williams (free agency)
- RHP Luke Weaver (free agency)
Much of the offseason budget went toward keeping the roster intact, and that does not preclude improvement. The Yankees have reached the postseason in eight of the last nine years, and they enter 2026 positioned to extend that run.
OFFENSIVE OUTLOOK:
2025 MLB Ranks:
AVG — 10th
OBP — 3rd
OPS — 1st
HR — 1st
wRC+ — 119 (1st)
THE CONSTANT: AARON JUDGE
It is never a disadvantage to employ the best hitter in baseball. Aaron Judge has reclaimed that mantle over the past two seasons, pairing durability with historic production:
2024: .322/.458/.701, 58 HR, 11.3 fWAR, 220 wRC+
2025: .331/.457/.688, 53 HR, 10.1 fWAR, 204 wRC+
Sustaining a .320-plus average with 50-plus home run power is exceedingly rare. Judge, a three-time MVP, also owns the American League single-season home run record after surpassing 61 with 62 in 2022.
Since 2020:
With Judge: 347–250 (.581; 94-win pace)
Without Judge: 57–64 (.471; 76-win pace)
With him in the lineup , New York performs like a perennial contender. Without him, the margin for error evaporates.
STARTING ROTATION – DEPTH AND UPSIDE:
2025 MLB Ranks:
ERA — 4th
WHIP — 8th
K/9 — 10th
FIP — 7th
The rotation may ultimately define the Yankees’ ceiling. Even with early-season health questions, the upside is considerable.
THE ACE: MAX FRIED
Criticism followed his eight-year deal, but Max Fried has delivered early. Entering 2025 with the lowest ERA (2.81) of any qualified starter in the 2020s, he went on to win 19 games with a 2.86 ERA over 195.1 innings and a career-high 189 strikeouts last season, his first in The Bronx.
EMERGING FORCE: CAM SCHLITTLER
Cam Schlittler posted a 2.96 ERA across 14 starts (27.6% K rate) after debuting last July. His eight shutout innings with 12 strikeouts in an elimination game against Boston cemented his arrival. With a 98 mph fastball and clear edge, expectations are significant.
THE REINFORCEMENTS:
An under-the-radar trade acquisition, Ryan Weathers brings a 97 mph fastball and a 28.8% whiff rate to the Yankees’ rotation, even if his 3.99 ERA in 2025 suggests volatility.
Mid-season returns from Gerrit Cole (career 3.18 ERA) and Carlos Rodón (3.09 ERA in 33 starts in 2025) could elevate this group into the league’s upper tier. Until then, Luis Gil and Will Warren provide capable depth.
AREAS OF CONCERN:
THE BULLPEN:
2025 MLB Ranks:
ERA — 23rd
WHIP — 19th
K/9 — 5th
FIP — 18th
Relief pitching was a weakness last season and appears thinner after the departures of Williams and Weaver. David Bednar should stabilize the ninth inning, and Fernando Cruz offers swing-and-miss upside, but Camilo Doval struggled post-trade, and the remaining depth lacks certainty.
SHORTSTOP UNCERTAINTY:
Since the retirement of Derek Jeter, stability at shortstop has been elusive for New York.
Anthony Volpe has yet to post a wRC+ above 90 and owns a career .222/.283/.379 slash line. His defense, once a strength, also regressed in 2025 to the tune of 19 errors and a career-low .963 fielding percentage.
José Caballero offers steadier production (97 wRC+ in 2025) and strong defense. Manager Aaron Boone must decide between Volpe’s upside and Caballero’s reliability. Until resolved, the position remains a question mark.
FINAL PROJECTIONS:
Projected Record: 94–68
Division Finish: 2nd Place
No roster is without flaws — unless you reside in Los Angeles — but the Yankees’ foundation is strong. An elite rotation, anchored by Fried and reinforced by Cole and Rodón, paired with Judge’s singular impact, positions New York for another 90-plus-win campaign.
What are your expectations for the New York Yankees this season? Let us know in the comments below! Make sure to follow The Baltimore Battery on Facebook, X, Bluesky and TikTok, and use the hashtag #baltimorebattery when sharing our content!
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