The calendar is turning to 2026, but there are still about six weeks until pitchers and catchers report to Tampa for spring training.
The Yankees seem to be in decent shape to make a turnaround, but there’s still ample time in the offseason for them to make moves, even if they manage to re-sign Cody Bellinger.
Whether or not they keep Bellinger—who is a significant target but also a free agent—the Yankees need to resolve some internal questions to gauge their potential for next season.
Here are five key areas to watch.
Can Grisham perform as a $22 million player?
The Yankees made a substantial move by extending a qualifying offer to Trent Grisham, which he accepted. If Bellinger departs, Grisham might take center field, but he needs to replicate or closely approximate his successful 2025 season. That year, he hit 34 home runs and achieved an OPS of .811, becoming a regular in the leadoff spot.
The team is optimistic that the improvements the 29-year-old has made physically and mentally can be maintained, especially given that this is now his seventh year in the majors.
While his defensive metrics dipped, Manager Aaron Boone expressed confidence that Grisham could regain his Gold Glove caliber if he returns to full health.
“You still watch him and think, ‘This guy can play center field,’” Boone commented during the winter meetings. “I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect him to have a good offseason, get healthy, and get back to being a Gold Glove player.”
Who might be absent by summer?
Anthony Volpe is unlikely to play in April due to shoulder surgery but could find his rhythm by May. The Yankees want to give him the chance to show his potential, even though he has struggled for consistency in his early major league career.
But what if Jose Caballero excels as the starting shortstop while Volpe recovers? Last year, Grisham became an unexpected asset, so there’s a chance Caballero could make the Yankees think twice if Volpe comes back.
Can Rice hit lefties well enough to be the everyday first baseman?
Boone anticipates that Ben Rice will play “a lot” against left-handed pitchers next season since the Yankees had mostly protected him from such matchups last year. Without Paul Goldschmidt, Rice is on track to start regularly at first base, assuming he isn’t needed as a catcher. Last season, in 119 at-bats against lefties, he batted .208 with a .752 OPS and seven home runs.
Can Wells regain his offensive prowess?
Austin Wells has answered many questions about his viability as a long-term major league catcher, receiving positive reviews for his handling of pitchers. However, the pressing question now is whether he can improve his offensive performance after a difficult season.
“I think he’s among the best catchers in the game on both sides,” General Manager Brian Cashman remarked recently. “We have a much stronger offense than last year, and I’m excited to see how it plays out.”
Was Schlitter’s early success genuine?
The Yankees initially had high hopes for rookie Cam Schlitter when he was called up in July, especially after Clark Schmidt’s Tommy John surgery. He exceeded expectations with a standout performance against the Red Sox in the AL Wild Card Series. However, with heightened expectations now, the question remains: what can he do next? His promising potential may explain why the Yankees haven’t aggressively pursued a free-agent starter, but they now need him to sustain his performance over an entire season.
