About Spring Training: House of Cards

About Spring Training: House of Cards

By Tim Kabel

March 14, 2026

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My father was a carpenter his whole adult life. His father was a carpenter. His brother was a carpenter. I have absolutely no skills in that area whatsoever. But that is a different story. Sometimes when I would travel with my father, we would drive on a certain street that turned off one of the main roads in town. The street went at a rather steep decline and there were houses below that to me seemed as if they were in a little valley. My father frequently told me that he and the company he worked for built all those houses. I don't live in that town anymore but when I have driven through with my kids, I have pointed out the houses that their grandfather built. I did not do a formal inspection of these houses, but they seem to be completely intact and in excellent condition.

The point is that my father was a master carpenter, and he knew how to build houses. He started with a solid foundation and used good materials. He had excellent craftsmanship and he built things to last. That is why they did last. These were not prefabricated houses that were quickly slapped together. They were well made with solid materials, good plans, and excellent workmanship.

As I look at the way the 2026 Yankees team has been put together, I do not see the same level of craftsmanship. Instead of a solid structure that will endure and last, I see a house of cards. 

In yesterday's game against the Atlanta Braves, the starting pitcher was Ryan Weathers, the biggest off-season acquisition for the Yankees. By that I mean the biggest acquisition who was not already on the team last year. Remember, the Yankee sent four prospects to the Marlins for Mr. Weathers.

Well, to say that there was rough weather yesterday would be an understatement. He pitched 3.2 innings. He allowed 7 hits and 4 runs. He did strike out 4 batters and didn't walk anybody but his ERA for the spring is 8.68 and his WHIP is 1.82. He does not appear to be a shoe-in for the rotation. He might not even make the bullpen. He might start the season in Scranton. (As an aside, every time I write the word Scranton, I'm reminded of the fact that Edith Bunker's relatives lived in Scranton and Archie Bunker loathed the relatives and the city. He never wanted to visit Scranton. I'm sure Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones feel the same way.)

The other two pitchers acquired by the Yankees in the off-season were Angel Chivilli and Cade Winquest, who was a Rule 5 acquisition from the Cardinals. Winquest will most likely be offered back to the Cardinals because it is doubtful that he will make the Yankees team out of Spring Training. There may not be a minor league level low enough for Chivilli.

Trent Grisham was the starting center fielder yesterday. He was 0-3 with 2 strikeouts. He is batting .160 for the spring. He has 0 home runs, 0 triples, and one double. He has a total of three RBIs. He has struck out 8 times in 25 at bats. 

Randall Grichuk was the starting left fielder yesterday and he was 0-2 with one strikeout. For the spring, he is 1-7 with 1 double and 1 RBI. He is batting.143 period to be fair, he has not played much. To be even more fair, he shouldn't play much.

Thus far in the spring, Jasson Dominguez is batting .333 with 3 home runs and 9 RBI. He also has 2 stolen bases. Spencer Jones, who has already been assigned to Scranton, is also batting .333. He has 4 home runs and 8 RBI. He also has 2 stolen bases. The big issue with Jones is his propensity to strike out. He has struck out 8 times in 24 at bats, the exact same as Trent Grisham. However, compare their productivity and you will see a huge advantage for Jones.

Unless something dramatic happens, Grisham and Grichuk will be on the Yankees roster on Opening Day. Dominguez and Jones will not. Chivilli, Weathers, and Winquest will most likely not be on the Opening Day roster. The only one with a possible chance would be Weathers and he would be in the bullpen if he is on the team at all.

The Yankees decided to make a qualifying offer to Trent Grisham and bring him back. They decided to sign Randal Grichuk to a contract. They traded for Chivilli and Weathers. They acquired Winquest through the Rule 5 draft. These are the improvements the Yankees made to the team. Even worse, they are sending Dominguez and Jones to the minor leagues.

Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner are not master carpenters. They have not built a solid structure. They have built a house of cards.