Cashman Gets Candid: The Yankees’ Winter Plans, The Bellinger Chase, and The “Rice” Era
It’s that time of year again, folks. The MLB Winter Meetings are in full swing down in Orlando, and the air is thick with the smell of overpriced coffee, desperation, and Scott Boras holding court in a hotel lobby. For Yankees fans, this is usually a season of high anxiety. We sit around refreshing Twitter (or X, whatever), waiting for a crumb of news while dreaming of a super-team that destroys the luxury tax threshold.
Well, we finally got more than a crumb. Cashman sat down with the YES Network, and for a guy who usually keeps his cards so close to his vest they’re practically stapled to his chest, he was surprisingly chatty. If you were worried the Bombers were going to sit on their hands after a wild 2025, you might want to read on. From the Cody Bellinger saga to the surprising faith in the kids, here is the breakdown of where the GM’s head is at.
Cashman and the Bellinger “Will They, Won’t They?”
Let’s start with the big fish—or at least, the fish that got away and might swim back. Cody Bellinger opted out of his Yankees contract to test the icy waters of free agency, a move that surprised exactly zero people who understand how Scott Boras operates. But is the door closed? Not even close.
“He’s still in play,” Cashman admitted, confirming he was chatting up Boras just this past Saturday.
Here is the reality check: Bellinger’s 2025 season was solid. He mashed 29 homers and drove in 98 runs, hitting .272. Was it MVP caliber? Maybe not quite 2019 levels, but it was exactly what the Yankees needed. Cashman knows this. He knows the lineup needs that pop. But he also knows Boras has a “deep roster” of clients and loves to drag these negotiations out until spring training starts. The GM’s strategy? “Stay fluid.” It sounds like corporate speak for “we are waiting to see if his price drops,” but at least they are still at the table.
The Tatsuya Imai Sweepstakes
If you thought the Yankees were done looking overseas, think again. The name on everyone’s lips is Tatsuya Imai, the Japanese right-hander who is looking like one of the offseason’s shiny prizes.
Cashman didn’t shy away from the rumors, confirming that the Yankees have taken “big swings” at bringing him into the fold. Of course, Imai is also represented by Boras (because who isn’t?), so don’t expect a quick resolution. But hearing the GM openly discuss pursuing international talent is a good sign. The rotation needs depth, and frankly, the Yankees need the kind of electric stuff Imai brings if they want to survive the AL East gauntlet.
Trent Grisham: The Unsung Hero of the Budget?
Okay, nobody is buying a Trent Grisham jersey for Christmas. I get it. But Cashman seemed genuinely relieved that Grisham accepted the qualifying offer. Why? Because it stops the bleeding.
Imagine entering the winter needing two outfielders. That is a nightmare scenario where leverage goes out the window. With Grisham locked in, the Yankees have a center fielder. It’s not the sexiest move, but as Cashman put it, it provides “reassurance.” It allows the front office to hunt for big game (like Bellinger) without looking desperate. It gives them the flexibility to “go with the kids” or wait out the market. It’s a boring move, but usually, the boring moves are the ones that save your season in August.
The Era of Ben Rice
Here is where things get interesting—and maybe a little controversial for the “spend money on everything” crowd. If you were hoping for a massive first base acquisition, you might want to sit down. Cashman is all in on Ben Rice.
“Rice at first is fine,” the GM stated bluntly. He pointed out that Rice learned the position on the fly and improved as the year went on. The plan for 2026? Ben Rice at first, Austin Wells behind the dish.
There is a certain charm to this. It’s rare to see the Yankees trust the kids this much, especially at corner infield spots historically reserved for expensive sluggers. But Cashman is right about one thing: the lineup is way too left-handed. Reliance on Rice and Wells is great, but they need to balance the scales.
The Lefty Problem and Bullpen Scramble
Speaking of being left-handed, Cashman acknowledged the elephant in the room. The lineup is tilting heavily to one side. The trade deadline brought some relief with righty bats, but the offseason needs to address this permanently.
And then there is the bullpen. Losing Devin Williams and Luke Weaver? That hurts. Bringing in Camilo Doval and David Bednar helps, but bullpens are volatile beasts. Cashman knows the work isn’t done there. “We need to add to it,” he confessed.
The Verdict
So, what’s the takeaway? Cashman is active. He’s talking to Boras, he’s hunting pitching in Japan, and he’s trusting the farm system to plug the holes at first base. It’s a mix of aggressive pursuit and cautious budgeting—a classic Yankee offseason. Now, we just wait to see if “staying fluid” turns into signing contracts.
