Decisions Upcoming For New York Yankees In 2026

Decisions the Yankees should make for 2026. Indeed, the 2025 season has yet to play out, but it is never too early to start thinking about decisions the Yankees should make in 2026. It is fun to think about what decisions the Yankees should make in 2026.

They will have strong pitching, with Max Fried, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren, and Gerrit Cole, who is expected to be back from injury by June or July. The Yankees need some help in the bullpen and need to make some proactive decisions to put a strong team behind the starters. What decisions do you think the Yankees should make in 2026?

Decisions In Position Order

Pitching

The Yankees will be all set at starting pitcher in 2026, though they should consider moving to a six-man starting pitching rotation when Cole comes back from injury. This would serve to protect Cole, and who knows, maybe the starters could throw 120 pitches. In addition, several prospects pitched well in the minor leagues. Relief pitching is a different story. The Yankees need to sign three new pitchers in the bullpen, and they need to let Devin Williams go. The bullpen has been terrible for the Yankees all year, so decisions here are of utmost importance.

Catcher

Ben Rice has been fantastic this year. He has also been very good behind the plate. The Yankees love the way Austin Wells frames pitches. This should be a good platoon, though the Yankees should try to get Rice as many at-bats as possible.

First Base

The Yankees should make two decisions here. First, they should let Paul Goldschmidt go. He is clearly in decline and will turn 38 next season. Second, the Yankees should move Aaron Judge to first base. Doing so would protect his balky throwing arm and would decrease wear and tear on him. Judge has worked out at first base in spring training.

Middle Infield

Jazz Chisholm Jr. whines too much, but he is an excellent second baseman. He needs to stay there in 2026. At shortstop, the Yankees seem to have a problem. People have been calling for the head of Anthony Volpe. He has been among the worst hitters in Major League Baseball and has played poor defense. Fans want a replacement. The Yankees may have found their replacement in the electrifying Jose Caballero. Those two should compete in 2026 Spring Training. The loser provides bench depth.

Third Base

Ryan McMahon strikes out too much, but he plays very well defensively. From your third baseman, the team would like some pop, of course, but will take strong defense. One of the decisions the Yankees should make for 2026 is to retain the services of McMahon and hope he hits better. Ahmed Rosario is a capable backup.

Outfield

One of the biggest decisions the Yankees have to make for 2026 is whether to re-sign Cody Bellinger and/or Trent Grisham. Grisham has had a superb season, but the Yankees need to let him walk and re-sign Bellinger instead. He, too, has had a great season, and it is more likely that the season he has had will be repeated, plus he provides great defense at a number of positions. However, in 2026, he should primarily play center field for the Yankees.

Another big decision the Yankees have to make for 2026 is to call up heavy-hitting prospect Spencer Jones. He can take the vacated right field spot of Aaron Judge. Finally, the Yankees should give Jasson Dominguez an opportunity in left field. Austin Slater provides good outfield depth.

Designated Hitter

Giancarlo Stanton has been a beast this year, when healthy, and should continue (in the final year of his contract) in that position. Designated Hitter can also be used to give select players a half-day off.

Conclusion

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman will be tempted to land a big free agent, but he should not. The Yankees have enough players returning in 2026 to make a deep playoff run. Instead, he should stick with what he and the Yankees are good at, namely, finding bullpen arms (a team can never have enough pitching). There is a lot of discussion about both Cashman and Yankee Manager Aaron Boone losing their jobs. They should be given one more chance. 2026 is really World Series or bust.