The New York Yankees say they feel good about their plan. Inside the organization, there is optimism. But that confidence is not really about dominance. It is about control.
At the Winter Meetings, Aaron Boone said he believes the 2025 roster is the most talented group the Yankees have had. The message was clear. Stick together. Trust what is already in house. Keep Aaron Judge as the centerpiece. Let younger players fill the gaps left behind.
Brian Cashman is sending a similar message. He has asked fans to be patient. He described the free agent market as slow and frozen. He said the team will look for opportunities instead of chasing expensive names. The Yankees do not want bidding wars anymore.
Hal Steinbrenner added another layer. Payroll matters now more than ever. The team spent $319M recently and paid $18.7M in luxury tax penalties. That stung. With future labor talks coming and the possibility of new salary rules, the Yankees are choosing caution.
So the optimism feels carefully managed. It is less about how strong the roster truly is. It is more about setting expectations while keeping spending under control. The team is betting that internal development can make up for not spending big. That is risky in a division where rivals are not holding back.
Shortstop has become a serious concern.
Anthony Volpe was supposed to be the answer. Instead, he regressed. His offense slipped again in 2025 after already struggling as a rookie. His OPS dropped below .604. That raised alarms.
Now things are worse. Volpe needs surgery on his left shoulder labrum. He is expected to miss time until at least May 2026. That leaves the Yankees without a clear everyday shortstop.
Boone still believes in Volpe. He points to his age and effort. He says the talent is there. But even Boone admitted Volpe must improve his on base ability.
Around the league, the doubt is stronger. There is no clear backup plan. Bo Bichette is the only real free agent option. Ha Seong Kim is another name. Cashman has looked around. Nothing has happened.
This issue traces back to the 2025 ALDS. Defensive mistakes at shortstop hurt badly. If the Yankees do nothing, they may open 2026 with untested prospects like Jorbit Vivas or temporary fill ins. That is not a winning solution.
Juan Soto leaving changed everything fast.
Soto spent just one season in New York. Then he left for the Mets. His massive $765M deal showed how far the market has shifted. It also showed how luxury tax pressure affects roster depth.
His exit created an immediate hole in left field. Now the Yankees are leaning heavily on Jasson Domínguez. He hit .240 in 2025. His power was limited. His defense raised questions.
The team believes in him. Boone trusts the youth movement. Analysts are less convinced. Domínguez needs to take a big leap on both sides of the ball.
Cody Bellinger is the biggest free agent name connected to New York. But Cashman’s cautious approach has slowed everything down. The deeper issue is structural. Losing Soto exposed how financial decisions can leave competitive gaps. In the AL East, those gaps get punished.
The pitching situation is just as worrying.
Gerrit Cole will not be ready for Opening Day in 2026. He is still recovering from Tommy John surgery done in March 2025. Carlos Rodón is also dealing with elbow issues that could delay his season.
Injuries have piled up. JT Brubaker is hurt. Scott Effross is hurt. The rotation looks thin again, much like it did during the struggles of 2025.
Boone is trying to stay upbeat. He mentioned Rodón’s possible return. He pointed to Luis Gil coming back. But relying on health alone is a gamble.
Cashman says he still believes in the core of the rotation. He admitted staying healthy is the key. The problem is depth. Dylan Cease is no longer an option. No major trades have happened.
That leaves Nestor Cortes and Marcus Stroman as key pieces. In an AL East where other teams have improved, that is shaky ground.
