Win-win situation as Yankees make clean sweep of full arbitration class

NEW YORK — The deadline arrived Thursday night. Eight players remained unsigned. The clock ticked toward the final hour.

When the dust settled, the Yankees had avoided arbitration with every eligible player on their roster. No hearings scheduled. No hard feelings. No contentious arguments about value.

The last time general manager Brian Cashman took a player to arbitration was Mark Leiter Jr. in 2025. That was only the second hearing in eight years. The Yankees prefer doing business quietly. Thursday proved that approach still works.

Jazz Chisholm Jr. leads the group with a significant raise

The headline number belonged to the second baseman. Jazz Chisholm Jr. will earn $10.2 million in 2026, according to Jack Curry of the YES Network. That makes him the highest-paid arbitration-eligible Yankee this season.

Chisholm delivered a 30-30 season in 2025. He hit 31 home runs and stole 31 bases. He became just the third player in Yankees history to accomplish that feat. His 4.2 WAR ranked second on the team behind Aaron Judge.

The 27-year-old is entering his final year of arbitration. He will become a free agent after the 2026 season. Trade rumors have swirled around Chisholm this winter, but locking in his salary suggests the Yankees plan to keep him for now.

The bullpen gets its closer and setup men locked in

David Bednar agreed to $9 million. The right-hander was acquired at the trade deadline last season and quickly took over the closer role. In 24.2 innings with the Yankees, Bednar posted a 2.19 ERA and recorded 10 saves.

Camilo Doval settled at $6.1 million. The former Giants closer struggled after arriving at the deadline, posting a 4.82 ERA in 22 appearances. But his track record and talent suggest better days ahead under pitching coach Matt Blake.

Fernando Cruz agreed to $1.45 million. Jake Bird also reached a deal, though his salary was not immediately disclosed.

Anthony Volpe and Luis Gil come at a bargain

Shortstop Anthony Volpe agreed to $3.475 million. The 24-year-old is entering his first year of arbitration eligibility. His 2025 numbers disappointed. He hit .212 with 19 home runs and a 1.6 WAR. But the Yankees believe in his long-term potential.

Luis Gil will earn $2,162,500. The right-hander won the 2024 AL Rookie of the Year Award but battled inconsistency in 2025. He remains a key part of the rotation picture, especially with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon recovering from injuries.

Jose Caballero rounded out the group at $2 million. The utility player provides versatility off the bench.

Complete salary breakdown for the Yankees’ arbitration class

The following table compares the projected salaries from MLB Trade Rumors with the actual agreed figures:

The Yankees avoided the awkward alternative

Arbitration hearings can damage relationships. Teams must argue why a player is worth less than he believes. The process often leaves hard feelings that linger.

The last time a Yankees hearing generated controversy was 2017. Reliever Dellin Betances said he felt “trashed” after the team argued against his requested salary. He left New York two years later.

“I thought that was unfair,” Betances said at the time. The Yankees won that case but may have lost the player’s trust.

The total payroll picture continues to take shape

The Yankees had already settled with Clarke Schmidt ($4.5 million) and Oswaldo Cabrera ($1.2 million) earlier this offseason. Combined with Thursday’s deals, the arbitration class will cost roughly $40 million.

New York’s current payroll commitments sit around $230 million for 2026. That figure does not include pending free agent targets like Cody Bellinger. It also does not account for potential trades to add rotation depth.

The arbitration deadline is behind them. Now the Yankees can focus entirely on finishing their roster before spring training begins in five weeks.

What do you think? Leave your comment below.