Yankees GM Brian Cashman Addresses Offseason Plans

ORLANDO — Brian Cashman attended the Winter Meetings Sunday night and stated he entered without any firm spending limits set by Hal Steinbrenner for this offseason.

The Yankees’ general manager, aiming to possibly bring back Cody Bellinger and enhance the bullpen, noted his desire to add a starter and create a more balanced lineup.

Trying to keep salaries under $300 million might be tricky, given the team is already projected to be around $283 million, which Steinbrenner recently termed “ideal.” Cashman acknowledged the challenge ahead.

“Last time we chatted, Hal mentioned he hadn’t given me a strict budget, and that still stands,” Cashman remarked from his hotel room. “Hal’s exact words were, ‘I’ll take whatever you have in there.’ And I’m going to keep that in mind.”

Cashman asserted that Steinbrenner had not directed him to cut back from the previous season’s $319 million salary, following the Yankees’ ALDS exit against the Blue Jays last year.

When asked if spending more was essential to bolster the roster compared to last year, Cashman replied, “There are many ways to approach this.”

“I think that’s true for every owner. In an ideal world, you want to win it all while spending less,” he noted.

Cashman implied that his discussions with Steinbrenner have remained consistent this offseason, recalling that the Yankees had raised his budget during last year’s trade deadline, even when they went over the luxury tax threshold.

The next season’s maximum tax bill is pegged at $304 million, and picking up Bellinger would almost certainly push the Yankees beyond that limit.

Cashman reiterated that he spoke with Bellinger’s agent, Scott Boras, over the weekend, expressing, “If he fits well with us, we’d love to have him back.”

If the Yankees can’t secure Bellinger, they might consider bringing up Yason Dominguez or Spencer Jones from within, though that would mean relying on another left-handed hitter. After all, Bellinger also swings from the left side but had a strong performance against left-handed pitchers in 2025.

This could allow for some financial flexibility in the rotation, especially with Carlos Rodon expected back from injured reserve around April or May and Gerrit Cole in May or June. The bullpen is already in need, having lost Devin Williams to the Mets.

It remains uncertain whether these gaps will be filled by the time Cashman wraps up the Winter Meetings.

“Last year, we made significant progress during the winter meetings,” he reflected. “So, I don’t think there’s as much urgency this time around. Yet, there are clearly objectives we’re aiming to achieve.”