Major bullpen shake-up looming as Yankees plan offseason reset
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Follow UsNEW YORK — The New York Yankees are bracing for sweeping bullpen changes this winter. With the November 22 non-tender deadline approaching, the front office faces key decisions on several arbitration-eligible relievers as part of a larger effort to reset the roster and create financial flexibility.
According to The Athletic’s Chris Kirschner, multiple pitchers who contributed during the 2024 season — including Mark Leiter Jr., Jake Cousins, Ian Hamilton, and Scott Effross — are unlikely to return. The Yankees appear ready to part ways with familiar names as they shift their approach to building a relief corps built around depth, health, and efficiency.
Financial considerations drive roster decisions
The Yankees’ choices are driven by both performance and payroll strategy. MLB Trade Rumors projects arbitration salaries that could tighten New York’s budget for bullpen spending.
Leiter leads the group with an estimated $3 million salary. Hamilton is projected around $941,000, Cousins at $841,000, and Effross close to $800,000. Together, these pitchers account for nearly $6 million in potential payroll commitments. That’s money the Yankees could redirect to younger arms or higher-impact free agents.
The front office believes taking chances on lower-cost options outweighs keeping expensive relievers whose recent results have been inconsistent or limited by injuries.
Leiter’s mixed results complicate his case
Mark Leiter Jr. arrived from the Chicago Cubs last summer with expectations of providing stability to the middle innings. His performance, however, was uneven.
After missing time with a leg injury, Leiter posted 38 earned runs over 70 innings, struggling to regain consistency. Yet some underlying numbers suggest he wasn’t as bad as the surface stats indicate. His 87.2 mph average exit velocity and 33.3 percent hard-hit rate ranked among the better marks for relievers. His 5.6 percent barrel rate also reflected strong contact management.
Even with those promising analytics, the Yankees appear unwilling to gamble $3 million on a bounce-back year.
Cousins faces uncertain timeline
Jake Cousins delivered one of the most memorable postseason performances in recent Yankees history. His 1.1 innings in Game 5 of the ALCS against Cleveland helped New York close out the series.
He also pitched effectively during the regular season, posting a 2.37 ERA in his appearances. But his health clouds his future. Cousins underwent elbow surgery and could miss a significant part of the 2026 campaign.
That uncertainty makes his arbitration figure difficult to justify. With other healthy relievers available, the Yankees may choose to move on.
Hamilton’s regression seals his fate
Ian Hamilton was a key breakout story in 2023, delivering a 2.64 ERA and 2.82 FIP that cemented his spot in the bullpen. But 2024 told a different story.
Hamilton appeared in 36 games and threw 40 innings with a 4.28 ERA. Persistent control problems hurt his effectiveness. The Yankees eventually sent him to Triple-A, where his struggles continued.
While his projected arbitration cost sits below $1 million, the team seems ready to part ways with a pitcher whose command issues show no signs of improving.
Effross remains a medical mystery
Scott Effross’s situation is the most uncertain. Acquired from the Cubs alongside Leiter, Effross has barely pitched since arriving in New York due to a series of injuries.
He missed most of the 2024 season and remains a question mark for 2026. Despite his affordable $800,000 projection, the Yankees seem unlikely to keep him on the roster without a clear path to contribution.
His case underscores a broader shift in the Yankees’ philosophy — one that prioritizes availability and value over sentiment.
Williams situation adds another layer of complexity
Devin Williams, who came over from Milwaukee in December 2024, is now entering free agency after a turbulent first season in the Bronx.
Williams posted a 4.79 ERA with 18 saves in 22 opportunities across 67 games. Early struggles led to his demotion from the closer role in April, but he finished strong, tossing nine straight scoreless outings in September.
“At first it was a challenge, but I’ve grown to love being here,” Williams said. “I love this city. I love taking the [subway] train to the field every day. I really enjoyed my experience here.”
The two-time National League Reliever of the Year could attract heavy interest, with the Miami Marlins among the teams reportedly pursuing him. His desire to remain a full-time closer may affect his decision — something the Yankees may not be able to promise.
Weaver’s future remains key to Yankees’ plans
Luke Weaver emerged as the Yankees’ late-season savior. After Williams’ struggles, he took over the closer role and excelled, posting a 0.40 ERA with seven saves and 23 strikeouts.
A hamstring injury sidelined him briefly in June, but he returned to form, reestablishing himself as one of the bullpen’s most reliable arms.
Industry insiders believe the Yankees could offer Weaver a three-year, $39 million extension — similar to Jeff Hoffman’s deal with the Blue Jays — to secure the closer spot through 2028. Weaver becomes a free agent after the 2025 season, putting pressure on the Yankees to act quickly or risk losing him.
External options emerge as potential solutions
If the Yankees part ways with Williams or delay extending Weaver, several intriguing relievers could be available on the open market.
Brad Keller, 30, has reinvented himself as a high-velocity setup man after shifting from the rotation. His 98 mph fastball and ability to thrive in high-pressure situations make him an appealing, cost-effective option.
Robert Suarez of the Padres could also enter free agency if he opts out of his deal. Suarez led the National League with 40 saves and a 2.97 ERA in 2025, likely seeking a richer contract than his current $46 million pact.
Another possible target is Ryan Helsley. The former Cardinals closer struggled with the Mets after a midseason trade, posting a 7.20 ERA in 20 innings. Before that, he was dominant in St. Louis, carrying a 3.00 ERA and a 99.3 mph fastball — velocity the Yankees badly need.
“I didn’t think it was going to be as hard a transition as it was,” Helsley told The Athletic. “I think it’s only human nature to want to show your value, probably press a little too hard.”
Helsley ended the year strong, throwing seven straight scoreless innings and limiting hard contact.
“Hopefully they see me as a backend guy,” he said. “I feel like I’ve shown I can do that in my career over the last four seasons.”
Strategic implications for 2026
The Yankees’ non-tender plans represent more than payroll cuts. They signal a shift toward developing and trusting younger, cost-controlled relievers. The team aims to follow models used by the Tampa Bay Rays and Cleveland Guardians — systems that build bullpens through scouting and analytics rather than expensive contracts.
Relying on pre-arbitration pitchers saves millions while maintaining depth. Those savings could be redirected toward starting pitching or reinforcing weak spots in the lineup.
The Yankees’ player development pipeline remains strong, and several young arms could be ready to step up. This approach allows flexibility while keeping the payroll under control.
What comes next
The November 22 deadline will mark the first big checkpoint of the offseason. Once non-tendered, pitchers like Leiter, Hamilton, Cousins, and Effross will become free agents available to other clubs.
Leiter could draw attention due to his underlying metrics, while Hamilton may appeal to teams hoping to restore his 2023 form. Cousins and Effross will likely have smaller markets given their medical concerns.
Meanwhile, the Yankees must decide how to handle Weaver’s extension and Williams’ free agency. Losing both would create a serious void at the back end of the bullpen — one that cost-cutting alone can’t fix.
General manager Brian Cashman faces a crucial few weeks. How the Yankees reshape their bullpen — whether through internal promotions, free-agent signings, or trades — will set the tone for their 2026 campaign.
Addressing their lack of velocity will be key. The Yankees’ average fastball speed ranked 24th in MLB last season at 94.1 mph. Adding power arms such as Helsley or Suarez could help them compete more effectively in October.
This offseason, the Yankees’ bullpen won’t just be adjusted — it will be redefined.
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