NEW YORK — The Yankees have settled their arbitration cases. All of them. But not every deal sits well with the fan base. The agreement with Camilo Doval has raised more eyebrows than confidence.
The right-hander will earn $6.1 million in 2026. That figure came in below the $6.6 million MLB Trade Rumors projected back in October. Yet many feel the Yankees are still overpaying for a reliever who failed to deliver after arriving at the trade deadline.
The bullpen remains a question mark heading into spring training. And Doval’s contract only adds to the uncertainty.
The trade deadline acquisition never found his footing in the Bronx
The Yankees acquired Doval from the San Francisco Giants on July 31, 2025. General manager Brian Cashman viewed him as a high-leverage arm who could stabilize a shaky bullpen. The former All-Star had 100 career saves to his name.
Instead, Doval struggled from the start. He posted a 4.82 ERA and 1.61 WHIP across 18 2/3 innings with the Yankees. He walked 11 batters while striking out 22. That walk rate of 5.3 per nine innings exceeded his already troubling 4.4 career average.
He appeared in 22 games but could rarely be trusted in high-leverage situations. Manager Aaron Boone often relegated him to low-pressure innings.
Doval’s past success drives his arbitration figure
The arbitration system rewards prior performance. Doval’s 2023 All-Star campaign remains the foundation for his salary. That season he led the National League with 39 saves. He posted a 2.93 ERA and earned the win in the All-Star Game.
But 2023 feels like a long time ago. His 2024 season with San Francisco was a disaster. He finished with a 4.88 ERA and was demoted to Triple-A Sacramento in August. The Giants lost confidence in him as their closer.
He bounced back somewhat in the first half of 2025. Before the trade, he had a 3.09 ERA with the Giants. That rebound made him an attractive target. It has not translated to success in pinstripes.
Yankees settled all arbitration cases on Thursday
ESPN’s Jorge Castillo reported the Doval agreement on January 8. The deal was the first of several arbitration settlements the Yankees announced that day.
YES Network analyst Jack Curry confirmed the full slate of agreements. Jazz Chisholm Jr. received $10.2 million. David Bednar got $9 million. Anthony Volpe settled at $3.475 million. Luis Gil agreed to $2.1625 million. Jose Caballero earned $2 million. Fernando Cruz signed for $1.45 million.
“Yankees have settled all of their arbitration cases. Bednar $9M. Jazz $10.2M. Caballero $2M. Cruz $1.45M. Doval $6.1M. Volpe 3.475M. Gil $2.1625M,” Curry posted on X.
Free agent relievers were available at similar price points
The $6.1 million commitment to Doval stings when compared to the open market. Several proven relievers signed for comparable money this winter without costing prospects.
Kenley Jansen signed for $9 million. Kyle Finnegan agreed to $9 million per year. Shawn Armstrong landed at $5.5 million. Emilio Pagan received $10 million annually. Hoby Milner signed for $3.75 million.
None of those options required giving up minor league talent. None carry the uncertainty of a reclamation project. The Yankees chose a different path.
Bullpen lost two key arms to the Mets this offseason
Devin Williams signed a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets in December. Luke Weaver followed shortly after with a two-year, $22 million contract. Both had been fixtures in the Yankees bullpen.
Williams and Weaver combined for 126.2 innings with the Yankees in 2025. Replacing that production will not be easy. Bednar projects as the closer. Doval slots in as the primary setup man.
The rest of the bullpen includes Fernando Cruz, Jake Bird, Tim Hill, Ryan Yarbrough, Brent Headrick, and Paul Blackburn. It is a thin group compared to last year.
Control issues remain primary concern with Doval
Doval ranks in the third percentile for walk rate. He issued free passes to 12.6 percent of the batters he faced in 2025. That number is troubling for any reliever, let alone one earning more than $6 million.
His stuff remains electric. His fastball averages 99 mph and ranks in the top one percent of the league for velocity. The problem is locating it consistently.
Pitching coach Matt Blake will need to work with Doval on his command. A full offseason with the organization could help. But there are no guarantees.
Yankees hope Doval can rediscover All-Star form
At his best, Doval is a dominant late-inning arm. His 2023 season proved that. He finished with 39 saves and an 87 strikeout rate over 67.2 innings. His fastball velocity placed him in the 99th percentile.
The hope is that a full spring training in pinstripes will help. Working with Blake and the Yankees pitching development staff could unlock something that was missing in San Francisco.
For now, the $6.1 million deal represents a gamble. The Yankees are betting on past production. Fans are left hoping Doval can deliver.
Spring training is less than five weeks away
The Yankees still have work to do before pitchers and catchers report. Re-signing Cody Bellinger remains the top priority. Adding another starting pitcher is on the agenda with Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt all expected to miss time.
The bullpen could also use reinforcement. Right now, it looks top-heavy with Bednar and Doval. The depth behind them is questionable.
Arbitration is behind them. The bigger moves still await. And for $6.1 million, the Yankees will find out whether Doval can be part of the solution.
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