This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
TAMPA, Fla. -- The Yankees’ spring had its share of oddities: a burst sewage pipe that flooded areas of George M. Steinbrenner Field, a drone show that tripped a fire alarm to force an evacuation and even an unwelcome spider that required a security escort from Cam Schlittler’s locker.
Beyond that, though, the five-plus weeks went about as smoothly as the Yanks could have hoped -- and that’s a reason for optimism heading into Wednesday’s opener against the Giants at San Francisco’s Oracle Park.
For all the strange interruptions, the Yankees emerged with a largely healthy roster and a settled clubhouse.
“Just seeing what we’ve got, I’m excited,” said captain Aaron Judge. “Having the depth we have in pitching, I don’t think we’ve had that in quite a long time. If you count the guys that are injured coming back, we’re 11, 12 starting pitchers deep. That’ll be nice.
“We’ve got a lineup that was tied for the best record in the AL. You add those pitchers, you get [Cody] Bellinger back for another year, I think it’s going to only equal a better season for us.”
What needs to go right: Handle business in the division
When the Yankees and Blue Jays finished tied atop the AL East with 94 victories last season, the tiebreaker went to Toronto based on their head-to-head records. It wasn’t close -- the Jays had New York’s number all season, especially at Rogers Centre, where Toronto won six of their seven meetings.
Manager Aaron Boone calls the AL East a “pack-a-lunch” division. The Yanks must solve their Jays bugaboo, but there are no gimmes with the other teams. Judge mentioned the need to fine-tune details and play cleaner baseball; too often, the club’s fundamentals have wandered.
“We’ve had stretches the past couple of years where we’re sputtering and [the media is] asking tough questions about what’s going on,” Judge said. “If we can figure that out, we’re going to be in a great spot.”
Great Unknown: Can Trent Grisham repeat a career year?
The Yankees seriously considered non-tendering Grisham after he struggled to adjust to part-time duty in 2024, batting .190 in 76 games. With more consistent playing time in 2025, he posted career-bests in several offensive categories, including homers (34) and RBIs (74).
That earned Grisham a qualifying offer, valued at $22.025 million, with the Yanks saying they viewed him as the third-best free-agent outfielder available. General manager Brian Cashman said Grisham’s contract “looks like a bargain” in light of deals Kyle Tucker and Bellinger pulled down in free agency.
Perhaps, but Grisham still has to prove 2025 wasn’t an outlier.
Team MVP will be ... Aaron Judge
Judge has won three of the past four American League MVPs, and there’s no reason to pick against him bringing home another.
In 2025, Judge became the third player in Major League history to hit at least 50 homers and win a batting title (.331) in the same season, joining Mickey Mantle (1956) and Jimmie Foxx (1938). We could continue listing accolades, but just know this: with Judge, you’re witnessing history unfold in real time.
Team Cy Young Will Be ... Gerrit Cole
Cole’s spring workload was limited to 10 pitches in one Grapefruit League inning, and even with a couple of innings on deck for the spring finale against the Cubs on Tuesday, he’s not likely to impact the Major League roster until late May or early June.
Still, can you think of a more impactful first-half addition?
Cole has remarked several times how he feels like he’s pitching with a new elbow. He’s maintaining velocity and the Yankees rave about his sharp command -- this wasn’t at all what they expected coming off Tommy John surgery. Look for Cole to give the Yankees four elite months heading into October.
Bold Prediction: Jazz Chisholm Jr. becomes the Yankees’ first 40/40 player
Why not? He predicts winning AL MVP, a Silver Slugger and a World Series, so Chisholm is built for a category titled ‘bold.’ He made headlines this spring, saying he plans to join Shohei Ohtani in the 50 homers/50 steals club.
While we won’t go quite that far, 40/40 could be in reach. Consider that, as Chisholm points out, he missed a month with a right flank injury and didn’t steal for almost two months due to a leg issue. A potential free agent after the season, he believes better health is all that separates him from the next level.
“I’m always going to speak positively into the atmosphere,” Chisholm said. “I’m never going to tell myself or tell anybody, ‘Oh, I’m just going to have a year where I hit 10 home runs and hit .250.’ Who does that sound like? A loser. I’m going to go shoot for the stars.”