Spring training is in the air, and the New York Yankees have been one of the busiest teams this offseason, making major moves to reshape their roster. The Yankees are always expected to be in the mix for a championship run, and after losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series their front office felt there were holes they needed to fill. They shook-up the roster and made significant changes some of which were expected and some that caught fans off guard.
Losing Juan Soto to the Mets was a tough pill to swallow for Yankees fans. He was supposed to be a cornerstone of the franchise, a generational talent who could have solidified their lineup for years to come. Seeing him go to their crosstown rivals only added insult to injury. The Yankees made an effort to keep him, but ultimately, the Mets’ offer was too strong. It left a glaring hole in their outfield and forced the front office to pivot quickly.
One of the biggest storylines this entire offseason was their interest or lack there, according to Sports Illustrated, of in Pete Alonso. The idea of prying Alonso away from the cross-town Mets intrigued many Yankees fans. He’s one of the premier power hitters in the league and would have fit perfectly into the Yankees’ lineup, especially given that Anthony Rizzo had opted for free agency.
Rizzo’s decision to hit the free-agent market left a noticeable hole in the Yankees’ infield. He had been a steady presence at first base, but the Yankees knew they needed a bigger impact bat. That led them to Paul Goldschmidt. The veteran first baseman, who had been with the Cardinals, became available, and the Yankees pounced. Goldschmidt may not be in his prime anymore, but he’s still a consistent offensive force and a strong defender. His leadership and experience should be valuable to a Yankees team that’s looking to make a deep playoff run.
The Yankees weren’t just focused on offense. They made one of the most surprising trades of the offseason when they sent Nestor Cortes Jr. and infield prospect Caleb Durbin to the Milwaukee Brewers for closer Devin Williams. Losing Cortes stung—he had been a fan favorite, and when healthy, he was a very effective starter. But the Yankees clearly felt that bolstering their bullpen with an elite closer like Williams was worth the price. Williams, known for his devastating changeup, gives the Yankees one of the best ninth-inning options in the league. His ability to shut down opposing lineups in high-leverage situations will be a major asset.
Another move that caught some people by surprise was their trade with the Chicago Cubs. The Yankees acquired center fielder Cody Bellinger, along with cash considerations, in exchange for right-handed pitcher Cody Poteet. Bellinger had been a hot name on the trade market, with several teams interested in him. The Yankees, always in search of left-handed power, saw an opportunity and made the deal. The question with Bellinger has always been consistency. He’s had stretches of brilliance, but he’s also struggled at times. If he can find his groove in New York, he could be a huge addition to their lineup, providing both power and defense in center field.
The Yankees also addressed their starting rotation in a big way. They landed left-handed ace Max Fried on an eight-year, $218 million deal. Fried had been a key part of the Braves’ success in recent years, and his addition gives the Yankees another frontline starter alongside Gerrit Cole. Starting pitching depth was a major issue for them last season, and adding someone of Fried’s caliber immediately improves their chances of making a deep postseason run. A rotation featuring Cole, Fried, and Carlos Rodón has the potential to be one of the best in baseball—if everyone stays healthy.
They weren’t done shoring up their pitching staff. The Yankees brought back reliever Jonathan Loáisiga on a one-year deal with a team option for 2026. Loáisiga has been a reliable bullpen piece for them, and keeping him in the mix helps solidify their relief corps. His ability to handle multiple roles—whether as a setup man, a middle reliever, or even an occasional closer—makes him a valuable piece.
Another smaller but interesting move was their acquisition of Taylor Trammell from the Houston Astros. Trammell had been a highly regarded prospect but hasn’t fully put things together at the major league level. The Yankees see potential in him, and with the right coaching and opportunity, he could turn into a solid contributor. Depth in the outfield is always valuable, and Trammell gives them another option if injuries arise or if they need a left-handed bat off the bench.
All of these moves paint a clear picture that, as normal, the Yankees are all-in. They recognized their shortcomings from last season and took aggressive steps to address them. The rotation looks stronger with the addition of Fried. The bullpen now features one of the game’s best closers in Devin Williams. The lineup has more power and experience with Goldschmidt and Bellinger. These are win-now moves, and that’s exactly what Yankees fans expect from their front office.
Of course, there are always risks. Can Bellinger find consistency? Will Goldschmidt continue to produce at a high level as he ages? Can Fried stay healthy and be the dominant force they need him to be? And perhaps the biggest question of all—will all these changes be enough to get the Yankees past the Astros, Rangers, and Orioles in the American League?
Here’s the thing folks: Spring training will give fans the first look at how these pieces fit together. Chemistry is a big part of any team’s success, and integrating so many new faces can take time. But on paper, this Yankees team looks much better than last year’s version. The front office has done its part in assembling a roster built to contend. Now, it’s up to the players to deliver.
With that… As the Yankees head into the new season, expectations will be sky-high. The fans demand excellence, and with the moves they’ve made, anything less than a deep postseason run will be seen as a failure. The pressure is on, but that’s the reality of playing in New York. With the talent they’ve brought in, they have every reason to believe that this could be the year they make it back to the World Series.
If you cannot play with them, then root for them!