Sports News of the Day

Here's Gemini's take on why as the worthwhile MLB assets all disappear the New York Yankees haven't made any moves this off season. 

t might feel like the Yankees have been hibernating this winter, especially compared to the high-spending offseasons fans have come to expect. As of mid-January 2026, the team has been notably quiet regarding "blockbuster" additions.1

Here is a breakdown of why the Yankees appear stuck in neutral and what they actually have done behind the scenes.

1. The "Bellinger Logjam"

The primary reason for the lack of movement is the ongoing pursuit of Cody Bellinger. After a 5-WAR season with the Yankees in 2025, he is the team's top priority.

• The Problem: Because Bellinger is a Scott Boras client, negotiations are dragging late into the winter.

• The Ripple Effect: The Yankees are hesitant to trade top prospects like Jasson Domínguez or Spencer Jones for a pitcher until they know if they have Bellinger back.2 If he signs elsewhere, they cannot afford to trade away their young outfield depth.

2. "Shopping" Done in July

General Manager Brian Cashman has pointed out that the team addressed many 2026 needs during a massive 2025 Trade Deadline spree. By trading for controllable players mid-season, they effectively "pre-bought" their offseason:

• David Bednar (RHP): Acquired from the Pirates to be the 2026 closer.

• José Caballero (UTIL): Brought in to provide speed and infield versatility.3

• Jazz Chisholm Jr.: Remains under team control, though recent rumors suggest the Yankees are gauging trade interest in him to potentially clear space for a run at Bo Bichette.4

3. Focus on Internal Retention

While they haven't signed a "new" star from another team, they have spent significant time and money keeping their own:

• Trent Grisham: Accepted a $22 million qualifying offer to stay in the Bronx.5

• Amed Rosario & Ryan Yarbrough: Both were re-signed to one-year deals in late December to maintain bench and pitching depth.6

• Arbitration: The team just finalized 2026 salaries for core players like Anthony Volpe and Clarke Schmidt, which usually consumes the front office's attention in early January.

4. A Slow Market Overall

The 2025-26 free-agent market has been slow for everyone, not just the Yankees. Several "Tier 1" free agents—including Bo Bichette, Kyle Tucker, and Framber Valdez—remain unsigned as teams wait for prices to drop.7 The Yankees are reportedly "checking in" on Bichette and Tucker, but haven't made a formal splash yet.8

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