What are the Yankees doing? Reviewing Bronx Bombers' mild winter

Beyond some recycled gifts, the Yankees moved into the holidays without delivering any big presents to their eager fan base.

And outside of wanting to reunite with free agent Cody Bellinger, who is a fit for several contenders, the Yankees’ winter plan has been to marginally upgrade areas of need without spending a great deal.

That syncs with owner Hal Steinbrenner’s “ideal’’ of a payroll below the final luxury tax threshold, and GM Brian Cashman’s thoughts about the current club.

“Don’t misinterpret that as saying I don’t recognize that there’s areas of weakness on this roster that we have to improve upon,” Cashman said earlier this month. “It’s just not as prevalent as last year where we really had to do a lot of different things on the run.

“The needs aren’t so glaring.”

Yankees’ offseason reunions so far

Trent Grisham, CF: Accepted the one-year, $22.025 million free agent qualifying offer extended by the Yankees.

Tim Hill, LHP: Setup reliever had his $3 million option for 2026 triggered by the team.

Amed Rosario, IF: Signed to a guaranteed, one-year, $2.5 million free agent contract.

Paul Blackburn, RHP: Agreed to a one-year, $2 million contract that could earn him another $500,000 in performance bonuses, as first reported by the New York Post.

Ryan Yarbrough, LHP: Returned on a one-year, $2.5 million free agent contract in mid-November.

An expensive runback with Grisham at least provides cover in center field if Bellinger signs elsewhere.

That leaves Jasson Dominguez as the leading left field candidate and puts lefty-slugging prospect Spencer Jones in play for a potentially significant role in 2026.

Rosario provides a righty-hitting platoon for third baseman Ryan McMahon, but the Yanks still seek a right-handed hitting outfield presence.

Yarbrough and Blackburn bolster a staff that needs flexible, veteran starting options that can collapse into relief roles once the rehabbing Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clarke Schmidt return.

Yankees’ other notable offseason moves

Cade Winquest, RHP: Hard-throwing reliever became the Yankees’ first Rule 5 selection in 14 years, drafted off the St. Louis Cardinals’ Class AA roster.

Zack Short, IF: Journeyman big-league infielder (Tigers, Mets, Red Sox, Braves, Astros) signed a minor league deal. Appeared in 22 games last year with Houston.

Ali Sanchez, C: Part-time, right-handed hitting MLB catcher since 2020 appeared in a combined12 games last season with the Blue Jays and Red Sox.

Yerry Rodriguez, RHP: Reliever is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery in early 2025. Has 30 games of MLB experience (2022-24) with the Rangers and Blue Jays.

Winquest is an intriguing addition, giving a window to the Yanks’ current financial restraint, too. Meanwhile, it’s a seller’s market for right-handed hitters.

This week, the Yanks watched lefty-mashing outfielder Rob Refsnyder – who could have fit a pinstriped need – agree on a one-year, $6.25 million free agent contact with the Seattle Mariners.

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