Cashman defends offseason strategy: 'It's not the same roster' as '25

The Yankees officially announced their reunion with outfielder Cody Bellinger on Monday as the two sides finalized a five-year deal that will keep the left-handed slugger in pinstripes following his stellar 2025 season in the Bronx.

It’s the biggest transaction the Yanks have made this offseason and one of many with players who were on last year’s team. New York has also brought back pitchers Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn, utility man Amed Rosario and outfielder Trent Grisham, who accepted the Yankees' qualifying offer. Starting pitcher Ryan Weathers, acquired in a trade with the Marlins and the owner of a 4.93 ERA over 281 career innings, stands as the club’s marquee external addition thus far.

This relative lack of fresh blood has led to criticism that the Yankees, who were eliminated in the ALDS last season by the pennant-winning Blue Jays, are content to simply run it back for 2026.

General manager Brian Cashman begs to differ.

“It's not the same roster,” Cashman said Wednesday. “I disagree it's the same team running it back. ... Not afraid to run with the quality and talented roster of players that we do have. I think we've been consistent with that throughout the entire winter. I've been openly willing to challenge anybody that [says] we don't have a championship-caliber roster and team.”

Cashman was quick to point to the return of ace Gerrit Cole, who missed all of 2025 after undergoing Tommy John surgery and could be back in action sometime in May. The Yanks’ longtime GM also mentioned how having last year’s Trade Deadline acquisitions -- relievers David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird; third baseman Ryan McMahon; and infielder/outfielder José Caballero -- as well as "young pups" like flamethrower Cam Schlittler around for a full year will serve them and the team well.

“They'll now be in a position to join us with their feet on the ground and getting their sea legs under them, and with [manager Aaron Boone] learning how to utilize these guys and where they slot and everything else,” Cashman said.

Cashman is keenly aware of the Yankees’ World Series championship drought, which is now entering its 17th year, but he remains confident that many of the players who helped get the Yanks to the ALDS last year can help them push even further in ‘26.

“One series, make or break, is not going to define what we think our capabilities are,” he said. “We all understand it -- postseason baseball, you’ve got to bring your best baseball every series, and if you don't, you're going home. Doesn't mean that we weren't capable of great things.”

The Yankees’ roster is different. The same holds true for every roster in the gauntlet that is the AL East. Cashman is excited about the group he has assembled try to take back the division and claim a 28th World Series championship. It’ll soon be upon that group to back up that excitement with results.

“I think you've heard me say many times it doesn't matter what we say,” Cashman said. “It matters what we do.”