About the Off-Season: Join the Club

About the Off-Season: Join the Club

By Tim Kabel

February 18, 2026

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For many Yankees fans, this was a very frustrating off-season. We watched other teams pounce like lions on various free agents or trade candidates while the Yankees skulked on the periphery like jackals waiting for scraps. One after another, prized targets in the free agent or trade market were taken by other teams, not the Yankees. They seemed satisfied signing people who had been released, designated for assignment, or playing in exile somewhere.

The only moves the Yankees made were to simply bring back players who were on their roster last year. You remember last year, don't you? While the Yankees did tie the Toronto Blue Jays for the best record in the American League, they were beaten in the season series by both the Red Sox and the Blue Jays. They eked out a victory over the Red Sox in the Wild Card round of the playoffs but were beaten handily by the Blue Jays in the ALDS.

The only players the Yankees added to the roster who were not on the team last year were Cade Winquest, Angel Chivilli, and Ryan Weathers. I don't believe they are preparing room at the Hall of Fame for any of those three players. The Yankees did not bring back Devin Williams or Luke Weaver, both of whom stayed in New York but now play for the Mets. So, for those fans who are saying that it is not fair to say that the Yankees are simply running back the team that wasn't good enough to win the World Series last year, you are correct. This team is missing pieces from the team that wasn't good enough to win the World Series last year.

As noted, many fans, me included, were extremely dissatisfied with the Yankees’ off-season accomplishments or lack thereof. Now there is a contingent of fans who believe that everything with the Yankees is not only hunky but dory as well. It is hard for me to fathom that position but, that is why Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors of ice cream. Not everyone likes the same thing. Everyone views things differently.

At the risk of setting off those who are extremely satisfied with the roster of the New York Yankees and the moves that they did or did not make during the off-season, I would like to mention that there is one individual who expressed his disappointment and frustration with the way the Yankees conducted the off-season. He's a rather tall fellow. He wears a pinstriped uniform with the number 99 on the back.

Although Aaron Judge was ultimately satisfied with the composition of the Yankees’ roster and the returns of Cody Bellinger and Paul Goldschmidt, he expressed frustration with the process and the slow-moving nature of the Yankees’ front office. Now, the question is if Judge is expressing relatively mild dissatisfaction and criticism for the way the Yankees conducted their off-season, what does he really think? Remember, he is the captain of the Yankees. He is the leader of the team. He is also an employee of the Yankees and is very well paid by them. He also doesn't want to offend people. So, you have to assume that his true feelings are probably stronger than those he expressed. Judge is a smart man, and he knows how to be tactful so I doubt he would say everything that he is thinking.

The point is that if the Yankees’ best player and team captain and probably one of the best players in their history is frustrated by the lack of movements made by Brian Cashman and Hal Steinbrenner, where does that leave the rest of us? We as fans are not limited by contractual obligation, or a sense of loyalty to either players or the team the way Aaron Judge is. The point is that if Judge is frustrated then it is fair to say the Yankees did not do all they could and should have done in the off-season. Many of us have been saying that all along but now that those sentiments are echoed by someone who has possibly the most important opinion of everyone involved, it lends credibility to our position.

At the end of the day, that doesn't help the Yankees win games. At this point, the roster is what it is, and we will have to see what the Yankees can do.

It's nice to know that the captain is with us in spirit.