Yankees setting themselves up to get left behind in AL East

The New York Yankees are in danger of being left behind in the AL East.

While the rest of the division has improved, the Yankees have stayed the course. The Yankees have spent just over $29 million in free agency thus far, less than teams such as the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox. That money has gone to bringing their own players back, as outfielder Trent Grisham (qualifying offer), infielder Amed Rosario and pitchers Paul Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough were retained.

The Yankees quiet offseason could change. Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported that the Yankees are one of the teams interested in shortstop Bo Bichette. He also noted that the Yankees are interested in outfielder Austin Hays, but that interest may be contingent on whether or not outfielder Cody Bellinger returns to New York.

Yankees cannot keep waiting for Cody Bellinger decision

Bellinger may be the key to the Yankees offseason. Heyman reported that the Yankees have an offer on the table for the outfielder to return, but the details are currently unknown. However, the Yankees are hardly Bellinger's only suitor as ESPN's Jeff Passan reported that the outfielder has a healthy market and is "biding his time."

While Bellinger can afford to wait, the Yankees cannot. The bullpen, rotation depth and corner infield spots are concerns at this point. The Yankees need more than outfielder Aaron Judge in the lineup, and even if Bellinger returns, that may not be enough.

The New York Yankees have had a quiet offseason thus far. Their lack of activity could cause them to be left behind as the rest of the division improved.