MLB Season Preview - New York Yankees

Published on March 3, 2026 at 7:40 AM

As the 2026 season approaches, the New York Yankees find themselves in a familiar position: balancing “World Series or bust” expectations with a roster that looks formidable on paper but is currently held together by optimism more so than reality.

After a 2025 campaign that ended in a disappointing ALDS exit to the Blue Jays, GM Brian Cashman has opted to run it back with several re-signings and high upside gambles while waiting for key arms to return to the mound.  The big re-signing was outfielder Cody Bellinger (5 years, $162.5million) who provides gold glove defense and left-handed pop in the lineup.

 

Lineup:

The Yankees lineup should be the high-octane engine it typically is each season. Aaron Judge, the reigning AL MVP, remains the sun of the Yankees orbit and should be expected to hit another 40+ home runs this season. He will be protected in the lineup by Bellinger who is coming off a 29 homerun, 98 RBI season. 

Giancarlo Stanton returns as the primary cleanup threat after a resurgent albeit shortened 2025 season.  Jazz Chisholm Jr. also returns hoping to follow up on his 30/30 season from 2025.  The Yankees also will get a full season of Ryan McMahon at third base after he was acquired at the trade deadline last season.

Rotation

The biggest storyline heading into opening day is the health of the pitching staff. The Yankees will start the year without 3/5 of their projected ideal rotation.  Max Fried enters his second season in pinstripes as the undisputed ace after a 4.8 WAR season in 2025.  Gerrit Cole (Tommy John recovery) and Carlos Rodon (elbow) are both expected back by May or June.  To fill the gaps the Yankees are leaning on breakout youngster Kim Schlittler and trade acquisition Ryan Weathers.  Luis Gill and Will Warren round out a group that will be trying to keep the team steady until Cole and Rodon return.

 

Bullpen:

After a shaky 2025 in which the bullpen posted a 4.37 ERA (ranking 23rd in MLB), this year’s unit is anchored by two massive mid-2025 trade acquisitions. David Bednar enters the season as the undisputed closer after posting a 219 ERA in his 25 in instant with the Yankees late last season.  Camilo Doval, who tops out around 100 mph, is working towards consistency and should be the everyday set up man for the 8th  Fernando Cruz remains a vital piece of the puzzle and his split finger remains one of the most un-hittable pitches in the league when he’s “on”.  Tim Hill is back as the primary lefty specialist with his side arm delivery and high ground ball rate.

Projected Lineup

  1. Trent Grisham – CF
  2. Aaron Judge – RF
  3. Cody Bellinger – LF
  4. Giancarlo Stanton – DH
  5. Jazz Chisholm Jr – 2B
  6. Ben Rice – 1B
  7. Ryan McMahon – 3B
  8. Austin Wells – C
  9. Jose Caballero – SS

Projected Rotation

  1. Max Fried
  2. Cam Schlittler
  3. Ryan Weathers
  4. Luis Gill
  5. Will Warren
  6. Gerrit Cole*
  7. Carlos Rodon*

Projected Bullpen

David Bednar – Closer

Camilo Doval – Setup

Fernando Cruz

Tim Hill

Ryan Yarbrough

Jake Bird

Manager: Aaron Boone (9th season)

 

Projection: 90-72 (2nd in the AL East)

 

Written By: Brian Finnigan

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