Everything Has To Go Right For The Yankees This Spring

It’s only been a few days, but Spring Training 2026 is already looking much more promising for the New York Yankees than last year’s mess. Not everybody is healthy, but at least this season the Yankees didn’t wait until the opening press conference to deliver the news. Players including Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Anthony Volpe all remain “on schedule” to return, though each has a different timetable. The roster (particularly position players) remains very similar to last season’s, with Luke Weaver and Devin Williams as the notable exceptions. Still, despite failing to improve the bullpen, the Yankees should remain competitive in 2026; that is, as long as Aaron Judge can stay healthy.

Barring injuries, the Yankees have a lot of positives going into the spring: Giancarlo Stanton, whose “story is still being written“, is healthy and hungrier than ever for a championship. Cole, who hasn’t pitched since the 2024 postseason, is on pace to return sometime around May or June. On top of that, they have a lot of talented young players who should only get better this season, which could result in a run for the AL East (and World Series) title.

Top Offense

Now, a lot has to happen for the Yankees to win their division, especially with the improvements that the Red Sox, Orioles, and Blue Jays made over the offseason. Still, they won the American League Silver Slugger Offensive Team of the Year, so as long as no. 99 is on the field, the lineup should remain one of the league’s best. In fact, it has a chance to get even better if a few key players either repeat/improve upon their 2025 performances. In particular, it’s Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham who need to have similar levels of production, while younger players like Ben Rice and Volpe have to take the next step forward at the plate.

Bellinger and Grisham, who both resigned with New York during the winter, had career years in 2025; as a result, their salaries this season amount to $65 million. The Yankees are especially banking on these two giving the team enough bang for their buck, since about a third of New York’s payroll is going toward the outfield.

As for Rice and Volpe, both will receive significant playing time, in spite of Paul Goldschmidt and Jose Caballero right behind them for playing time. Rice, who Statcast reveals was one of the best (and unluckiest) hitters in the league last season, could put his name on the map with a season of normal luck. As for Volpe, time is starting to run out for him to prove that he is not a bust and that his defensive skills are back to normal.

Healthy Staff

The more uncertain part of the roster is the pitching staff, particularly the bullpen. However, what’s arguably more important is for New York’s rotation to stay, at least relatively, healthy. Assuming Cole, Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt all return on time, then the Yankees will be without the strength of their full staff for at least half the season. This puts the weight of carrying the staff on the shoulders of not only Max Fried, but also youngsters Will Warren, Cam Schlittler, and Luis Gil.

It was less than two years ago that Gil won the AL Rookie of the Year, and less than 5 months ago that Schlittler tossed 8 shutout innings against Boston in the AL Wild Card, but New York’s young pitchers will have to find that kind of success more consistently this season. Warren and Schlittler are only going into their second full campaigns, so both will have to utilize the spring to win in the fall. These three right-handers will anchor the bottom of the Yankees’ rotation until Cole returns, so the Yankees will certainly be relying on them for a lot of outs early in the season.

So Far, So Good

So far, there’s been nothing but good news in Tampa. Both Judge and Stanton are feeling confident in their elbows; the reigning and former MVPs both dealt with elbow issues last year. Schlittler (back) and Cole (elbow) both threw bullpen sessions with no issues. Injuries are bound to happen at some point, and those tend to be New York’s Achilles heel most years, but right now, the Yankees are looking pretty formidable in the AL East.