RADIO
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Not Expected Back in the Bronx
ESPN's Jorge Castillo writes that both New York Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. and outfielder Trent Grisham "are as good as gone" for next season, so the Yankees will need to figure out second base and center field. Chisholm was one of the notable names this year not to be given a $23.15 million qualifying offer, so the Yankees will not receive draft-pick compensation when he leaves in free agency. Chisholm was an All-Star for the second time in his career in 2025 in his first full season with the Bombers, clubbing 31 home runs, driving in 80 runs, and stealing 31 bases in only 130 regular-season games, but he could not match that production in his seventh year in the big leagues. The 28-year-old left-handed slugger struggled to a .231 batting average (109-for-471) with 19 home runs, 55 RBI, and a 29.5% strikeout rate in 532 regular-season plate appearances, but he did manage to steal a career-high 41 bases. On the open market this offseason, Chisholm will be one of the most coveted power/speed threats among position players, but a move away from New York's short porch in right field could hurt his overall power ceiling in fantasy baseball.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Yankees Plan to Bring Giancarlo Stanton to Spring Training
There has been speculation as to whether the New York Yankees would cut oft-injured outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton this offseason, but YES Network's Jack Curry said that the Yankees will bring Stanton to spring training next year to see what he has left in the tank. If the 36-year-old five-time All-Star and former MVP struggles in spring training or is still injured, the Yankees could move on then. He is entering the final year of his 13-year, $325 million deal with the Yankees and is owed $15 million in 2027 ($10 million buyout), with a $15 million club option for the 2028 season, which is expected to be declined. General manager Brian Cashman said that Stanton finished the 2026 season healthy, but he managed to play in only 24 games in his 17th year in the league while slashing .256/.302/.422 with a .724 OPS, three home runs, 14 RBI, eight runs scored, and a 29:6 K:BB in 96 plate appearances. In 2025, Stanton played in only 77 games. Stanton has become a major injury liability and could find himself on the free-agent market early next year if he cannot get back on the field and stay there.
Source: YES Network - Jack Curry
Source: YES Network - Jack Curry
Yankees Extend Qualifying Offer to David Bednar
The New York Yankees extended a one-year, $23.15 million qualifying offer to right-handed closer David Bednar on Monday, the team announced. The deadline to accept the one-year offer will come on Nov. 17. The 32-year-old veteran had a strong first full season in the Bronx with the Yankees in 2026, going 7-3 with a 2.47 ERA (2.61 FIP), 1.04 WHIP, 35 saves, 76 strikeouts, and 20 walks in 69 1/3 innings pitched out of the bullpen during the regular season. The two-time All-Star finished third behind Bryan Baker and Cade Smith in the American League for total saves, and he now has at least 23 saves in each of the last four seasons, dating back to when he had a league-high 39 saves in 2023 with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The $23.15 million qualifying offer is a higher average annual value than Bednar is likely to receive on the free-agent market, but with less overall money. In his year and a half with the Yankees, Bednar has proved to be valuable and durable after they acquired him in a trade from Pittsburgh. He did not spend a single day on the injured list and also gave up just one run in his eight playoff appearances. Bringing Bednar back for the 2027 season is important, as the Yankees do not really have any reliable options behind him.
Source: Yankees PR Department
Source: Yankees PR Department
Mitch Garver Hangs Up his Cleats
After 10 seasons in the major leagues, veteran catcher Mitch Garver has decided to call it a career and retire, according to Daniel Kramer of MLB.com. Garver has hinted at interest in both coaching and media opportunities once his playing days were over. The 35-year-old was originally drafted in the ninth round by the Minnesota Twins in 2013 out of the University of New Mexico. He spent the first five years of his MLB career with the Twins before joining the Texas Rangers in 2022 and 2023. Garver spent the last three seasons of his career playing for the Seattle Mariners. In 701 total games played during the regular season, Garver hit .229/.325/.432 with a .756 OPS, 110 home runs, 324 RBI, 301 runs scored, and six stolen bases. Garver played in only 50 games this past season with the M's and hit just .175 (22-for-126) with four homers, 15 RBI, 22 walks, and 49 strikeouts in 149 plate appearances. His best season came in his third year in the league with Minnesota in 2019, when he hit a career-high 31 home runs while batting .273/.365/.630 in 93 games played.
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Source: MLB.com - Daniel Kramer
Luis Garcia Jr. Could Play Second and/or Third Base in 2027
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. could spend time at second base and possibly even third base in 2027, per the Talkin' Yanks podcast. Garcia Jr. appeared exclusively at first base and designated hitter in 2026. He has previous experience at second, but he graded out as one of the worst defenders at the position in the sport in 2025. Still, New York has a potential logjam at first base/DH between Garcia Jr., Ben Rice, and Giancarlo Stanton. The Yankees could also lose incumbent second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. to free agency over the offseason. Garcia Jr. had a breakout year at the plate in 2026, slashing .277/.309/.521 with 30 home runs, 92 RBI, 69 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 543 plate appearances split between the Yankees and the Washington Nationals. If he does regain positional eligibility at second base, his value for fantasy managers would only be improved.
Source: Talkin' Yanks
Source: Talkin' Yanks
Max Fried's Elbow Ligaments "in a Good Place"
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone said that starting pitcher Max Fried (elbow) got his elbow re-imaged and that his ligaments are "in a good place," per Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. Fried dealt with recurring bone bruise issues in his left elbow during the 2026 season, necessitating two separate stints on the injured list. However, the 32-year-old finished the year on the mound and will not require surgery over the offseason. Fried remained effective when healthy in 2026, recording a 5-5 record with a 2.80 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and 104 strikeouts across 112 2/3 innings (20 starts). The veteran left-hander's 94.9 mph average fastball velocity and 24.0% strikeout rate were both right in line with his career norms. As long as Fried makes it through the offseason healthy, he profiles as a high-end starting pitcher option for fantasy managers in 2027.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Aaron Judge Set for Follow-Up Exam For his Rib
New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (rib) has a follow-up exam scheduled with Dr. Gregory Pearl regarding the rib injury that sidelined him for most of the 2026 season, general manager Brian Cashman told Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "We feel like we're in a good place. He can take advantage of the rest of the winter and be ready to go when Spring Training starts," Cashman said. The three-time MVP missed over three months during the regular season due to a stress fracture in his ribs, and then he missed the end of the regular season due to a calf injury that also kept him out of the postseason. It was surely a disappointing season for Judge's fantasy managers, but he should go into spring training in 2027 with a clean bill of health as he looks to bounce back and prove that he is still one of the best power hitters in baseball. The 34-year-old veteran, eight-time All-Star, and five-time Silver Slugger winner only had 237 at-bats in 2026 and hit .241/.360/.511 with an .871 OPS, 18 home runs, 41 RBI, 45 runs scored, and five stolen bases. It was the first time Judge did not have over 30 home runs in a season since the COVID-shortened campaign in 2020.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Brian Cashman Agrees to New Contract With Yankees
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman said that he agreed to a new contract with the team, with a deal pending final language, according to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com. "We're locked and loaded," Cashman said. The 59-year-old will continue in the job that he has held since 1998. The Yankees have won four World Series championships and 15 American League East titles under Cashman, but they have reached the World Series just once (2024) since winning their 27th title in 2009. The 17-year drought is the second-longest in franchise history, and the team's 13 straight playoff appearances without a World Series title is tied for the fourth-longest streak in MLB postseason history. The Yankees went 93-68 in 2026 -- the team's third straight 90-win season -- but they were swept in the American League Division Series by the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays after taking two from the division-rival Boston Red Sox to win the Wild-Card Series. Manager Aaron Boone will also return as the skipper of the Bronx Bombers in 2027.
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Source: MLB.com - Bryan Hoch
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Unlikely to Receive Qualifying Offer?
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. is "less likely to receive the qualifying offer" this upcoming offseason, per Chris Kirschner of The Athletic. Chisholm Jr. had an underwhelming season in 2026 for New York, hitting .231/.312/.399 with 19 home runs, 55 RBI, 69 runs scored, and 41 stolen bases across 532 plate appearances. Still, the 28-year-old profiles as one of the better position players in this winter's free agent class, and his power/speed profile makes him a very appealing option for fantasy managers. If Chisholm Jr. receives the qualifying offer from the Yankees, he could look to accept in hopes of putting together a better platform year in 2027. If he does not, it could signal the end of his time in New York.
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Source: The Athletic - Chris Kirschner
Aaron Boone Will Return as Yankees' Manager
Aaron Boone will return as the New York Yankees' manager for the 2027 season, a source confirmed to ESPN's Jorge Castillo. Boone will be returning to the Bronx for his 10th season as the skipper, with the news coming more than a week after the team was eliminated in the American League Division Series by the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays in a three-game sweep. The Yankees have now been eliminated in the ALDS in two straight seasons. His contract runs through next season to complete a two-year, $10.5 million extension that he signed with the Yankees in February of 2025. Boone's .583 winning percentage is tied for 17th in major-league history, and the Yankees have reached the playoffs in eight of his nine seasons while not finishing worse than two games over .500. It has extended the franchise's MLB-record streak of 34 straight winning seasons. However, they have not won a World Series since Joe Girardi led them to the title in 2009. The 17-year drought is the second-longest in franchise history. The Yankees are tied for the fourth-longest streak in MLB postseason history with 13 straight playoff appearances without a World Series title. In Boone's only World Series appearance with the Yankees in 2024, the Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in five games.
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Source: ESPN.com - Jorge Castillo
Austin Wells' Slow First Half Could Be Due To Persistent Headaches
New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells took several foul tips to the catcher's mask that led to headaches, which slowed down his first-half production offensively, before he was able to have a resurgent second half of the season, according to a report from The Athletic's Brendan Kuty. Kuty says Wells passed concussion protocols after two specific shots to the mask but had "pressure in his head and headaches" as a result of the foul tips. Wells hit .186 this season with 14 homers and 32 RBI. Over the final three months of the season, Wells had 10 homers and 22 RBI, as he was clearly more productive over the second half of the year.
Source: Brendan Kuty, The Athletic
Source: Brendan Kuty, The Athletic
Yankees Could Look to Trade Luis Garcia Jr.?
New York Yankees first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. could be a trade candidate this offseason, speculates Joel Sherman of The New York Post. The Yankees acquired Garcia Jr. from the Washington Nationals at the 2026 trade deadline. The 26-year-old had a breakout season in 2026, hitting .277/.309/.521 with 30 home runs, 92 RBI, 69 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 543 plate appearances split between New York and Washington. However, the Yankees have a potential logjam between first base and designated hitter. Ben Rice is locked into one of the two spots, and New York may look to deploy oft-injured outfielders Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge at DH more frequently in 2027. Sherman reports that the Arizona Diamondbacks were also in on Garcia Jr. at the trade deadline and could be potential trade partners for the Yankees over the winter.
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Source: New York Post - Joel Sherman
Cade Smith Dominant in Extended Save in Game 5
Cleveland Guardians closer Cade Smith was extended for 1 2/3 innings of Game 5 of the American League Division Series against the Chicago White Sox on Saturday night and came through to get the final five outs of the game in dominant fashion. The intimidating presence on the mound made his way through the end of the game by striking out four of the five White Sox hitters he faced in a perfect 1 2/3 innings. It was the first save of the postseason recorded by Smith, who saved 41 games during the regular season. Smith struck out 107 batters in 74 innings pitched during the year and pitched to a 1.95 ERA and 0.96 WHIP. The imposing right-handed pitcher is a huge weapon for the Guardians to have in the back end of their bullpen, especially when he can be extended to pitch more than one inning in a clutch, tight game.
Source: ESPN.com
Source: ESPN.com
Jazz Chisholm Jr. Expresses Desire to Stay with Yankees
New York Yankees second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. expressed a desire to return to New York in free agency, saying that he had "great times as a Yankee." The 28-year-old profiles as one of the top position players in the upcoming free agent market, even after a down year in which he hit .231/.312/.399 with 19 home runs, 55 RBI, 69 runs scored, and 41 stolen bases across 532 plate appearances. Chisholm Jr. carries significant upside, as he logged a 30-30 season with 80 RBI across 531 plate appearances with the Yankees in 2025. However, he made a few notable defensive blunders in Game 2 of the Yankees' three-game sweep at the hands of the Tampa Bay Rays in the American League Division Series and was not in New York's starting lineup for the deciding Game 3. The lefty-swinging Chisholm Jr. has also been a significantly worse hitter against same-handed pitching in his career, posting a .227/.286/.376 slash line with a 29% strikeout rate across 814 plate appearances against lefties. If the Yankees decide to move on from Chisholm Jr., Anthony Volpe could be poised to take over as the team's everyday second baseman in 2027.
Source: SNY Yankees
Source: SNY Yankees
Paul Goldschmidt Wants to Keep Playing in 2027
New York Yankees impending free-agent first baseman/designated hitter Paul Goldschmidt has expressed a desire to keep playing at age 39 in 2027, according to Gary Phillips of the New York Daily News. It is unclear if the Yankees will make an effort to re-sign the former MVP and seven-time All-Star in the offseason. Goldy had a nice bounce-back campaign in 2026 in his 16th year in the big leagues after he hit just 10 homers and drove in 45 runs in 146 games in 2025 in his first year in pinstripes. In 105 regular-season games across 380 plate appearances this year, Goldschmidt hit .252/.313/.452 with a .765 OPS, 18 home runs, 52 RBI, and 44 runs scored for the Yankees. He went hitless in eight plate appearances with two walks and a run scored in four postseason games for New York this year. Goldschmidt is obviously no longer in his prime and is no longer an everyday player, but he should still attract interest across the league for his ability to hit lefties. In 183 plate appearances against southpaws in 2026, he hit .299 (47-for-157) with 11 of his 18 home runs and 24 RBI.
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
Source: New York Daily News - Gary Phillips
