The New York Yankees don’t spend like they used to. We all know this. Yes, they are top five in payroll every year, but Hal Steinbrenner is not like his father. He has a budget, and he sticks to it.
But after falling to the Toronto Blue Jays in the ALDS and watching the Blue Jays (who won the AL East, by the way) come within two outs of beating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the World Series, you would have figured Steinbrenner would be itching to add some more pieces this winter.
That doesn’t appear to be the case.
Jack Curry of YES Network — arguably the most connected Yankees insider there is — has revealed some very discouraging news as far as any potential conquests for the Bronx Bombers this offseason during a recent episode of Yankees Hot Stove.
In his synopsis of what Curry expects from New York this offseason, he not only said that he does not expect the Yanks to pursue any big-name starters or infielders, but that Trent Grisham accepting his $22 million qualifying offer may have sapped the Yankees’ chances of retaining Cody Bellinger, who everyone has assumed was the team’s top priority.
“What is the Yankees appetite to pursue Bellinger knowing [Scott] Boras is his agent and they have [Jasson] Dominguez and [Spencer] Jones?” Curry said.
This is absolutely not what any Yankees fan wants to hear. At the very least, Bellinger was expected to return in 2026, but apparently, his price has increased, which shouldn’t come as a major surprise given that fellow outfielder Kyle Tucker is expected to land a contract in the neighborhood of $400 million.
Rolling with some combination of Dominguez and Jones in left field would definitely be a disappointing path for New York to pursue given that the club is in win-now mode with veterans like Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton and Gerrit Cole all aging.
And as for not wanting to pursue any starting pitchers? Curry notes that Ryan Yarbrough will probably serve as the fifth starter while Cole and Carlos Rodon are sidelined to begin next season, with the rest of the rotation featuring Max Fried, Cam Schlittler, Will Warren and Luis Gil.
Now, it’s obviously still very early in the offseason, and the Yankees could always make trades. They don’t have to go out and sign expensive free agents. But even then, if they are trading for star players, they will either already come with fat contracts or will be expecting them in the near future.
New York has become known for skimping in free agency in recent years. For example, the Yanks entered 2025 with no clear answer at third base. So perhaps this winter will be another part of what has become a rather alarming trend in the Bronx.
It’s probably too soon to hit the panic button, but if there is anyone who knows the inner workings of the Yankees, it’s Curry, which makes this report particularly concerning.
