{"id":503784,"date":"2026-01-03T07:10:09","date_gmt":"2026-01-03T07:10:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/503784\/"},"modified":"2026-01-03T07:10:09","modified_gmt":"2026-01-03T07:10:09","slug":"26-new-york-yankees-predictions-for-2026-bellinger-coming-back","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/503784\/","title":{"rendered":"26 New York Yankees predictions for 2026: Bellinger coming back?"},"content":{"rendered":"

In just six weeks, Yankees pitchers and catchers will report to spring training.<\/p>\n

Up to now, it\u2019s been a ho-hum winter in the Bronx, without a notable trade or free-agent signing (while the rest of the AL East has been active).<\/p>\n

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Will the Yanks make any significant upgrades to a club that bowed out in the 2025 Division Series?<\/p>\n

Does that include a Cody Bellinger reunion?<\/p>\n

Since it\u2019s never too early for bold, reckless prognosticating, let\u2019s take a few big swings \u2013 26 Yankees predictions for 2026:<\/p>\n

1 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

Since 2000, future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols’ 101.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) leads all players, with Alex Rodriguez tied for second ways back at 89.7 WAR. See the rest of the top 25.<\/p>\n

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1 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

Since 2000, future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols’ 101.3 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) leads all players, with Alex Rodriguez tied for second ways back at 89.7 WAR. See the rest of the top 25.<\/p>\n

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2 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

2. Alex Rodriguez – 89.7<\/p>\n

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3 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

3. Adrian Beltre – 89.7<\/p>\n

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4 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

4. Mike Trout – 87.5<\/p>\n

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5 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

5. Justin Verlander – 82.2<\/p>\n

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6 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

6. Clayton Kershaw – 78.1<\/p>\n

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7 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

7. Mookie Betts – 75.2<\/p>\n

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8 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

8. Max Scherzer – 74.7<\/p>\n

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9 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

9. Zack Greinke – 72.4<\/p>\n

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10 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

10. Robinson Cano – 68.7<\/p>\n

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11 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

11. Miguel Cabrera – 67.2<\/p>\n

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12 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

12. Carlos Beltran – 65.1<\/p>\n

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13 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

13. Chase Utley – 64.6<\/p>\n

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14 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

14. Freddie Freeman – 64.2<\/p>\n

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15 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

15. Paul Goldschmidt – 63.8<\/p>\n

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16 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

16. Joey Votto – 63.6<\/p>\n

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17 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

17. Roy Halladay – 62.4<\/p>\n

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18 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

18. Aaron Judge – 62.3<\/p>\n

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19 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

19. CC Sabathia – 61.8<\/p>\n

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20 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

20. Manny Machado – 61.7<\/p>\n

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21 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

21. Ichiro Suzuki – 60<\/p>\n

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22 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

22. Mark Buehrle – 60<\/p>\n

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23 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

23. Barry Bonds – 59.1<\/p>\n

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24 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

24. Evan Longoria – 58.9<\/p>\n

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25 \/ 25<\/p>\n

Top 25 MLB players from 2000-2025 ranked by Wins Above Replacement<\/p>\n

25. Chipper Jones – 58.3<\/p>\n

1. Jazz Chisholm Jr. stays<\/p>\n

All that Jazz about a potential trade is just talk. Chisholm is the Yanks\u2019 Opening Day second baseman, playing his free-agent walk year without an extension.<\/p>\n

2. Cody Bellinger decides<\/p>\n

Three weeks before camps open, Cody Bellinger shuns the New York teams and signs a five-year, $160 million contract with the world champion Dodgers.<\/p>\n

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3. February trade<\/p>\n

GM Brian Cashman sends two mid-level prospects and one lottery ticket prospect to St. Louis in exchange for Cardinals lefty reliever JoJo Romero.<\/p>\n

4. Third-base swap<\/p>\n

On consecutive late January days, Alex Bregman (Blue Jays) and Bo Bichette (Red Sox<\/a>) sign, while the Yanks invite Alex Rodriguez to camp as an instructor.<\/p>\n

5. Martian’s new look\"New<\/p>\n

New York Yankees left fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) gestures after hitting a three run double in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Yankee Stadium. All players wore #42 for Jackie Robinson Day.<\/p>\n

Determined to improve on his .569 OPS vs. lefties, Jasson Dominguez arrives in camp with a new right-handed batting stance eerily similar to Aaron Judge.<\/p>\n

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6. Spring training buzz<\/p>\n

Cam Schlittler\u2019s new changeup has everyone buzzing in camp. \u201cNot fair!\u2019\u2019 says an impressed Aaron Judge, after facing the right-hander during live BP.<\/p>\n

7. Familiar face on the mound<\/p>\n

A month before his 41st birthday, David Robertson \u2013 the last active link to the Yanks\u2019 last world championship \u2013 gets a non-roster invite to camp.<\/p>\n

8. The outfield winner is\u2026<\/p>\n

Capping a solid spring, Jasson Dominguez is named the Opening Day left fielder, and Spencer Jones opens the season at Class AAA Scranton\/Wilkes-Barre.<\/p>\n

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9. Yankees’ Opening Day lineup\"New<\/p>\n

New York Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham (12) runs the bases against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at PNC Park.<\/p>\n

Trent Grisham, CF; 2. Aaron Judge, RF; 3. Ben Rice, 1B; 4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH; 5. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B; 6. Jasson Dominguez, LF; 7. Austin Wells, C; 8. Jose Caballero, SS; 9. Ryan McMahon, 3B.<\/p>\n

10. Opening Day vs. Giants<\/p>\n

At San Francisco, Max Fried tosses a one-hitter across six innings and the Yankees score a 2-1, 10-inning win over the Giants on Opening Day.<\/p>\n

11. Welcome back, Carlos Rodon<\/p>\n

Having rehabbed from an offseason elbow procedure, Carlos Rodon returns to the rotation May 5 at Yankee Stadium, in a no-decision vs. the Texas Rangers<\/a>.<\/p>\n

12. Welcome back, Part 2: Anthony Volpe\"Jul<\/p>\n

Jul 19, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) turns a double play over Atlanta Braves catcher Drake Baldwin (30) in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

On May 15, Anthony Volpe (offseason shoulder surgery) makes his 2026 debut, going 0-for-3 against the Mets at Citi Field.<\/p>\n

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13. The cycle and Subway sweep<\/p>\n

On May 17, Volpe becomes the first Yankee since 2009 (Melky Cabrera) to hit for the cycle as the Yankees sweep the Mets in the initial Subway Series of ’26.<\/p>\n

14. CC Sabathia’s night at Yankee Stadium<\/p>\n

Before the June 3 game against the Cleveland Guardians, Hall of Fame lefty CC Sabathia has his No. 52 officially retired in a ceremony at Yankee Stadium.<\/p>\n

15. Welcome back, Part 3: Gerrit Cole<\/p>\n

On June 16, ace Gerrit Cole goes five innings in his long-awaited return from Tommy John surgery, getting a victory vs. the Chicago White Sox<\/a> at the Stadium.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

16. Yankees hit low point of the season<\/p>\n

Losing six out of seven at Detroit and Boston in late June, the Yankees plunge into fourth place, forcing the front office to initiate a critical midseason strategy.<\/p>\n

17. Big promotions in Spencer Jones and Elmer Rodriguez\"Feb<\/p>\n

Feb 20, 2025; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones (78) bats during work outs at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Promoting two top prospects on June 29, slugger Spencer Jones is installed in left field and righty Elmer Rodriguez is plugged into the rotation.<\/p>\n

18. Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. are All-Stars<\/p>\n

Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. are the Yankees\u2019 only All-Star representatives at Philadelphia, where the National League All-Stars triumph, 7-6.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

19. Cody Bellinger returns with Dodgers<\/p>\n

Making his Bronx return on July 17, Cody Bellinger clubs three home runs, Shohei Ohtani hits two, and the Dodgers go on to take two of three games at Yankee Stadium.<\/p>\n

20. Major trade with Marlins<\/p>\n

Will Warren and pitching prospect Bryce Cunningham are part of a late July trade package to Miami in exchange for Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara.<\/p>\n

21. Major trade, Part 2: Subway swap\"Aug<\/p>\n

Aug 27, 2025; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets third baseman Mark Vientos (27) hits an RBI single during the fifth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

At the MLB trade deadline, the Yankees and Mets make a rare blockbuster deal, swapping Yanks starter Luis Gil for third baseman Mark Vientos.<\/p>\n

Advertisement<\/p>\n

22. Hot August stretch<\/p>\n

Spencer Jones and Cam Schlittler are named player and pitcher of the month, and the Yankees\u2019 19-8 August mark moves them within two games of AL East-leading Toronto.<\/p>\n

23. Unlikely heroes win September awards<\/p>\n

Elmer \u201cE-Rod\u2019\u2019 Rodriguez wins September\u2019s AL Rookie of the Month award, while fill-in closer Cade Winquest earns Reliever of the Month honors for the surging Yanks.<\/p>\n

24. Aaron Judge, Giancarlo Stanton’s home run total\"Sep<\/p>\n

Sep 7, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) celebrates with New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge (99) after the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark Smith-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

On the final day of the regular season, Aaron Judge hits his 51st homer of the year, Giancarlo Stanton hits No. 44, and the Yanks enter postseason as the second wild-card seed.<\/p>\n

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25. Royal flush in playoffs<\/p>\n

At Kansas City, the Royals eliminate the Yankees in a four-game AL Division Series, sending K.C. to the AL Championship Series against the Blue Jays.<\/p>\n

26. Consolation prize for Steinbrenner<\/p>\n

After the Dodgers win a third straight World Series, Yankees owner Hal Steinbrenner is cited by Forbes for his fiscal responsibility in keeping the team’s payroll at $299 million. <\/p>\n

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: New York Yankees predictions for 2026: Free agency news and updates<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"In just six weeks, Yankees pitchers and catchers will report to spring training. Up to now, it\u2019s been…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":503785,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[2376],"tags":[106,72,1691,1205,1217,5,731,88,141,704,20455,160,2004,1333,49,51,1365,13615,147,39,2281,310,3289,16100,1363,8534,1965,2277,228,108,31116,778,4,1690,62,2548,2547,1406,144,89,1494,378,468,5055,673,69,812,282,122,772,5000,142,5204],"class_list":{"0":"post-503784","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-new-york-yankees","8":"tag-aaron-judge","9":"tag-alex-bregman","10":"tag-alex-rodriguez","11":"tag-anthony-volpe","12":"tag-austin-wells","13":"tag-baseball","14":"tag-ben-rice","15":"tag-bo-bichette","16":"tag-boston","17":"tag-bryce-cunningham","18":"tag-cam-schlittler","19":"tag-cardinals","20":"tag-carlos-rodon","21":"tag-cc-sabathia","22":"tag-chicago-white-sox","23":"tag-cleveland-guardians","24":"tag-cody-bellinger","25":"tag-david-robertson","26":"tag-detroit","27":"tag-dodgers","28":"tag-gerrit-cole","29":"tag-giancarlo-stanton","30":"tag-jasson-dominguez","31":"tag-jazz","32":"tag-jazz-chisholm-jr","33":"tag-jojo-romero","34":"tag-jose-caballero","35":"tag-luis-gil","36":"tag-mark-vientos","37":"tag-max-fried","38":"tag-melky-cabrera","39":"tag-miami","40":"tag-mlb","41":"tag-new-york","42":"tag-new-york-yankees","43":"tag-newyork","44":"tag-newyorkyankees","45":"tag-opening-day","46":"tag-philadelphia","47":"tag-red-sox","48":"tag-ryan-mcmahon","49":"tag-san-francisco","50":"tag-shohei-ohtani","51":"tag-spencer-jones","52":"tag-st-louis","53":"tag-texas-rangers","54":"tag-the-mets","55":"tag-toronto","56":"tag-trent-grisham","57":"tag-will-warren","58":"tag-yankee-stadium","59":"tag-yankees","60":"tag-yanks"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/503784","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=503784"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/503784\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/503785"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=503784"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=503784"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=503784"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}