Expert warns Yankees fans of cautious winter plan under Cashman
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Follow UsNEW YORK — The champagne dreams of Yankees fans may need to stay on ice this winter. After another frustrating postseason exit, this time against the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS, many in the Bronx were expecting general manager Brian Cashman to shake up the roster with big offseason moves. But one leading MLB analyst is warning that fans should keep their hopes in check.
ESPN’s David Schoenfield has a sobering message for Yankees supporters anticipating a busy winter. He cautioned that this offseason might be one of the quietest under Cashman’s tenure.
“With most of the roster set, it shapes up as one of the least active Yankees offseasons in years,” Schoenfield wrote in his review.
The prediction stands in contrast to recent winters in the Bronx, when the Yankees dominated headlines with splashy trades and signings. Just last year, Cashman pulled off a string of aggressive moves, bringing in Max Fried, Devin Williams, Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt to offset the loss of Juan Soto to the Mets.
Why Yankees’ quiet approach expected
The Yankees enter the 2026 offseason in a stable position. Most major questions about their roster have already been resolved, and their pitching staff appears strong heading into spring.
The rotation is expected to be among the best in the American League. Gerrit Cole is projected to return from Tommy John surgery after missing all of 2025. His comeback alone represents a major boost for a team that stayed competitive despite losing its ace.
Max Fried and Carlos Rodon combined for 37 wins in 2025 and form the front-end strength of the Yankees rotation. Luis Gil, the 2024 Rookie of the Year, didn’t make his first start until August but showed impressive form when healthy. Cam Schlittler, who started 2025 in Double-A, established himself as a dependable option, finishing the year with a 2.96 ERA over 14 major league starts.
Will Warren adds valuable depth, while Clarke Schmidt is expected to miss time after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Even with that setback, the Yankees’ rotation ranks among the deepest in baseball.
The bullpen was one of the team’s biggest weaknesses last season, finishing 23rd in MLB with a 4.37 ERA. Cashman attempted to fix that at the trade deadline, adding David Bednar, Camilo Doval, and Jake Bird. Having those arms for a full season in 2026 should help stabilize the relief corps.
Financial flexibility without major holes
Finances won’t be the problem for the Yankees this winter. This financial flexibility gives the Yankees options without forcing major spending. Utility man Jose Caballero provides defensive versatility, while catchers Ben Rice and Austin Wells strengthen depth behind the plate. The infield appears set with Jazz Chisholm Jr. at second base and Anthony Volpe at shortstop, though both have room to improve.
Schoenfield believes the Yankees will prioritize re-signing Cody Bellinger while giving top prospect Spencer Jones a chance to earn a role in the lineup. Jones had an outstanding minor league season, slashing .274/.362/.571 with 35 home runs and 80 RBIs in 116 games.
Cashman discussed Jones’ progress on MLB Network Radio in September, saying the outfielder “earned his way to be up here, but there’s no spot to put him right now.”
“So let’s get through our winter, see what that looks like and get him into Spring Training,” Cashman said. “But he should take a bow. He has made his adjustments, he’s learned and grown and showed he’s capable of fighting through things.”
The elephant in the room
The Yankees’ conservative plan hinges on their belief that they can win without massive roster changes. That confidence comes from Cole’s expected return and the pitching depth developed over the past year.
But the strategy carries risk. The Yankees haven’t won a World Series since 2009, and another offseason without major moves could frustrate a fan base used to bold statements every winter.
The Blue Jays’ ALDS win exposed the Yankees’ weaknesses. The bullpen still lacks consistency, and Volpe’s defensive regression in 2025 remains a concern. At the plate, he has yet to find consistent production.
The outfield is another uncertainty. With Trent Grisham and potentially Bellinger entering free agency, Aaron Judge is the only sure piece. If the Yankees fail to retain Bellinger or add another proven bat, the lineup could lack the depth to compete through a full season.
Relievers Luke Weaver and Devin Williams could also depart. Williams, acquired from Milwaukee, struggled to find his rhythm and lost the closer’s job multiple times in 2025.
What fans should expect
Schoenfield’s “quiet offseason” forecast doesn’t mean the Yankees will stand pat. Re-signing Bellinger would still qualify as a major move, even if it doesn’t carry the splash of a marquee signing.
Cashman will likely explore bullpen reinforcements, potentially revisiting familiar faces from recent seasons. But those expecting a dramatic winter overhaul may be disappointed.
The Yankees believe they already have a roster capable of contending for a championship in 2026. Cole’s return, combined with full seasons from midseason trade additions and the growth of Spencer Jones, gives the front office confidence to stay the course.
Whether that faith is rewarded will unfold over the next year. For now, Yankees fans should temper expectations. The team appears focused on stability rather than spectacle, internal growth over external spending.
As things stand, the Yankees are projected to remain one of the American League’s top contenders. Yet the group entering 2026 looks much like the one that fell short this October, placing the burden on health, development, and chemistry to achieve what splashy signings could not.
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