Offseason Roster Planning - Assumptions

By Andy Singer

November 10th, 2026

The offseason is really in full swing this week with the GM Meetings on tap beginning today. While the GM Meetings were mostly inconsequential at one time, they have taken on much greater importance in the last decade. These meetings often shape the direction teams take with their offseason roster planning. GM's discuss frameworks for deals (and even occasionally make a deal or two), broad roster decisions are made, and roster goals are finalized. The Yankees are no different in this regard, and I think that the GM Meetings this year will take on even greater importance with the lockout that looms on December 1st.

With all of that in mind, I thought it was time to get myself in gear. I usually put together a general framework for an offseason plan in a single post. This offseason, I am going to create a series that reflects my attempt to create a Yankee team for next season in a manner that is realistic and consistent with the organization's current thinking.

In this first post, I will lay out some of my assumptions regarding the organization's goals and a framework within which I will work. Future articles will look into specific options for each of the priorities outlined within this post. Without any further ado, let's establish a framework:

Priorities

For all of this team's strengths (after all, the Yankees did win 93 games, so it wasn't all bad), the Yankees are heading into the offseason with some real holes on the roster. I do not necessarily believe all of these holes can be addressed in a single offseason, so the Yankees will need to prioritize which gaps get filled most adequately.

My prorities are as follows:

1. Third Base

2. Bullpen

3. Right-Handed Platoon Catcher

4. 4th Outfielder/Centerfielder

5. Second Base

I believe the Yankees need to prioritize third base above all other positions this offseason. Ryan McMahon was awful last season at the plate, as I anticipated, but his defense really fell off a cliff. The Yankees absolutely cannot go into next season with McMahon or Caballero at third base. I chose third base as the infield position to prioritize because there are more realistic options at the hot corner who might provide real right-handed offense while playing good defense.

After third base, the Yankees must re-stock the bullpen. The Yankees have proven that they are capable of finding low-cost relievers and building them into late-inning weapons, but the cupboard is now so barren that fortification is needed. For once, the Yankees might have to allocate some real money to the bullpen.

The Yankees cannot go into next season with Ali Sanchez as the best right-handed option at catcher. The Yankees can fill this easily in either free agency or via trade.

I have noted my concerns about Spencer Jones numerous times, but I also know the Yankees love him and are going to give him every chance to grab a role this year. I accept that as fact in this offseason plan, which means the Yankees need a strong defender as a 4th outfielder who can man centerfield as outfield positions will rotate to some extent.

As there is only so much money to go around, I have second base as the last priority. The Yankees have internal options at the position who will at least provide value defensively.

Assumptions

I have a list of assumptions that I am working with as I generate this plan. They are as follows:

The Yankees Will Not Add Payroll

Hal Steinbrenner has led this offseason's charge by ownership to create a salary cap and limit the growth of payrolls around the league. I do not expect him to spend more on the team next year than he did this season.

Anthony Volpe Will Start Somewhere

The Yankees are going to give Anthony Volpe one more shot to grab a role on this team as a starter. He was fine defensively at third base, but he looked very comfortable defensively at second base. Given the lack of decent, realistic options at second base, I think the odds are that Anthony Volpe is the Yankee second baseman next season.

Spencer Jones Will Roam The Yankee Outfield

As I noted above, the Yankees love Jones, and I don't think they'll be willing to include him in a deal unless they are absolutely blown away by the return. Based on the opinions of front office executives around the league, I don't expect the Yankees to get blown away by an offer, so Spencer Jones will be in the Yankee outfield in 2027.

The Yankees Will Deal Some Pitching

I don't see any way for the Yankees to fill gaps without adding significant payroll unless they deal from their strength, which is their significant starting pitching depth.

The Yankees Are Determined To Have Success In Asia

The Yankees rebuilt their entire Asian scouting department, and we're hearing a ton of chatter about the Yankees meeting with multiple players available from Asia this offseason. I think they will add someone, even if it's not a huge name.