For most teams, the New York Yankees had a successful season. However, with the season not ending in a World Series championship, 2025 was a disappointment.
That the Yankees even made it as far as the ALDS is a bit of a surprise. Staff ace Gerrit Cole was lost for the season during spring training after needing Tommy John surgery. Luis Gil made only 11 starts due to a strained right crossbar. The Yankees’ attempt to strengthen the bullpen at the trade deadline failed as relievers Jake Bird and Camilo Doval struggled.
The Yankees have a lot of work to do if they want to win their first championship since 2009. A battered rotation will be without three starters at the start of the 2026 season. Outfielder Cody Bellinger will opt out of his contract, leaving a gaping hole in the lineup. The Yankees have more questions than answers as the offseason approaches.
Three questions facing the New York Yankees heading into the offseason
1. Can the Yankees bring back Bellinger?
2025 marked the second year in a row that the Yankees hired someone to protect outfielder Aaron Judge in the lineup. Juan Soto eventually became one of the picks and ready for the Yankees, turning them down in free agency to sign with the Crosstown Mets. History could repeat itself as Bellinger wants it to reportedly opt out of his contract to test free agency again.
Although he couldn’t replicate Soto’s performance, Bellinger still had a strong season in New York, posting a .272/.334/.480 batting line with 29 home runs and 25 doubles in 656 plate appearances. His ability to play all three outfield positions and first base provided flexibility for a Yankees roster that desperately needed it. Likewise, Bellinger seems to be too made for Yankee Stadiumwith a batting line of .302/.365/.544 with 19 home runs in 337 home plate appearances. The Yankees can’t afford to lose Bellinger as they continue to search for an answer behind Judge in the lineup.
2. What to do with outfielder Jasson Dominguez?
Dominguez had started the season as one of the favorites for the AL Rookie of the Year award. Instead, he disappointed in his first full Major League season, posting a .257/.331/.388 batting line with 10 home runs and 18 doubles over 429 plate appearances. He lost playing time down the stretch, causing him only 29 starts while he struggled in the second half.
At 22 years old, Dominguez still has plenty of time to develop into the player he should be. However, he needs playing time for that. While the Yankees are aiming for a championship, they must be patient through his growing pains. Otherwise, Dominguez might be better off as a trade chip for the Yankees to land another veteran bat.
3. How long does general manager Brian Cashman have to get?
Cashman is the longest-tenured GM in the majors, having been promoted to the position on February 3, 1998. He has held the position for over 16 years longer than the next longest GM (AJ Preller of the Padres). It’s hard to argue with his success, considering the Yankees have only missed the postseason five times, never had a losing record and have won four World Series titles. That success comes with a caveat, however, as three of those titles came from 1998 through 2000 – one championship in the last 25 years isn’t good enough for the Yankees.
Aside from a brief conflict with George Steinbrenner and a territorial squabble that led Cashman to consider leaving the franchise after the 2005 season, he has been unfailingly loyal to the Yankees. The Yankees have repaid that loyalty over the years. However, the game ultimately passes everyone by. Since the Yankees have only had two stretches where they went longer without a championship, one wonders if the game is starting to leave Cashman behind. The best option may be to promote Cashman higher up the chain, but let someone else take over the composition of the selection.
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