We are a month away from Opening Night in San Fransisco where the Yankees will take on the Giants on Netflix. So far, Yankees spring training has been a dream. No big-time injuries, guys playing well, prospects showing their worth and not much negative yet.
There is a lot to be excited about going into 2026, namely the team running it back and the return of Gerrit Cole.
‘Running it Back’
The Yankees opening day roster is going to have 24 players they had on their 2025 ALDS roster. The team has been killed all offseason for ‘running it back’. Them running it back is a good method, because adding Cole back is as big an addition as there is (more on him later).
The Yankees also added Ryan Weathers. They were not the only team that were hard after his services on the trade market. If Weathers can stay healthy, it’s easy to see how Weathers is better than the likes of Marcus Stroman or Carlos ‘Cookie’ Carrasco.
“The end of last season was arguably the hardest one I’ve had, because I felt so strongly about our group, like I was telling people that privately and publicly, like we are healthy, I felt like the moves we made at the deadline kind of finished off our team.” Manager Aaron Boone told WFAN earlier this month. “We’re in a really good position, maybe more so than any other season that I’ve been manager, like, we’ve had a couple of great teams, but maybe we’ve been broke at the end of the year, or beat up, like last year it was, it was happening, and so that’s what made it difficult at the end for me, it was like, man, now you’re now you get beat, and you go home, and it’s to a division rival, rival that kind of beat you up throughout the course of the year.
“So, so I’m personally excited that we have, you know, the players we do, going back at it, because I think there’s a hunger there, because we didn’t finish the job right. And I think we’re really good.”
The Yankees will also have David Bednar and Camilo Doval in the bullpen for a full season, Ryan McMahon, Amed Rosario and José Caballero on the infield as well. Those are big assets to have for a full 162 games. Having an actual third baseman, a lefty masher and a good backup shortstop is huge for the Yankees.
Bednar is the most essential piece here. Bednar only blew one ninth-inning save for the Yankees. They still one that game in extras. Bednar was about as lock down a closer as you can find. Prior to him coming over, the Yankees really struggled to close out games. His addition made that an asset.
Gerrit Cole’s Return
The Yankees were tied for the AL East in a season they did not have Cole. Getting him back for a majority of the 2026 season is huge for the Yankees.