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.
About a month ago, as Cam Schlittler's continued dominance separated him from challengers in the American League Cy Young discussion, some around the Yankees believed he should have even more hardware in his future.
After Schlittler fired six scoreless innings in a Sept. 13 win over the Mets, Yankees manager Aaron Boone said he could see Schlittler becoming part of an even more exclusive awards conversation.
“He might be the MVP, too,” Boone said. “He’s been awesome. Just an awesome season.”
Schlittler downplayed his MVP chances, something no pitcher has done since the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw in 2014, calling it “a great compliment.”
The Astros’ Yordan Alvarez and the Rays’ Junior Caminero are widely viewed as the frontrunners for the MVP. The BBWAA will announce its award finalists on MLB Network on Nov. 2, and the Cy Young Award winner will be revealed Nov. 11.
Schlittler’s 2026 campaign already ranks among the finest in franchise history, as the 25-year-old right-hander finished 14-6 with a 1.95 ERA -- the lowest by a Yankee since Ron Guidry's 1.74 in 1978.
“In hindsight, you look at the whole season and what I’ve been able to accomplish with the guys in this locker room – it’s been special,” Schlittler said. “There’s always more work to be done. You can always get better.”
Since ERA became an official stat in 1913, only Spud Chandler (1.64 in 1943) and Guidry have posted lower ERAs for the franchise than Schlittler, whose 239 strikeouts tied Jack Chesbro (1904) for the fourth-most in franchise history.
The 1.95 ERA was also the AL’s lowest since Justin Verlander’s 1.75 in 2022.
“He just doubled down on what we saw last year,” said pitching coach Matt Blake. “It’s a testament to the work that he put in over the course of 30-plus starts.”
Though the Yankees fell short of their championship goal, several other players have compelling cases for recognition during awards season.
Cody Bellinger, LF
Bellinger is a strong candidate for his second career Rawlings Gold Glove Award, having previously won in 2019 as a member of the Dodgers. The other finalists in left field are the Rangers’ Wyatt Langford and the Rays’ Chandler Simpson.
In his second season with the Yankees, Bellinger led all left fielders with +21 defensive runs saved. He displayed exceptional range (+6 outs above average), and his 93.3 mph average arm strength ranked in the 94th percentile of all Major Leaguers.
Earlier this offseason, Bellinger also received a 2026 Fielding Bible Award, earning 14 of 17 first-place votes. He also won the 2026 Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP.
David Bednar, RHP
Bednar should receive consideration for the AL Reliever of the Year Award, coming off a strong campaign in which he went 7-3 with 35 saves and a 2.47 ERA in 64 appearances.
Commanding the closer’s role during his first full season with the Yankees, Bednar tied for third in the AL in saves, setting career highs in wins and innings pitched (69 1/3).
Paul Blackburn, RHP
Blackburn has a strong case for AL Comeback Player of the Year, having endured numerous health and injury issues over the past two seasons -- a fractured hand, spinal fluid leak surgery, knee inflammation and a shoulder impingement.
Designated for assignment by the Mets in August 2025, Blackburn became a mainstay of the Yankees bullpen, going 7-3 with a career-best 1.59 ERA and 69 strikeouts in a career-high 62 games. Among AL relievers, Blackburn ranked third in ERA and second in innings pitched (85).
Gerrit Cole, RHP
Having missed all of 2025 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, Cole could garner Comeback Player of the Year consideration after posting a 10-9 record and 4.61 ERA in 22 starts. Cole permitted three runs or fewer in 17 of 22 starts, including two runs or fewer in 13 starts.
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
Goldschmidt is the Yankees’ team winner and a nominee for the 2026 Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association Heart and Hustle Award, an honor he previously received in 2022 while with the Cardinals.
The award recognizes a player who best embodies the values, spirit and tradition of the game.
Brent Headrick, LHP
Headrick was a breakout contributor in 2026, leading all Major League relievers with 81 appearances and 65 scoreless relief outings. Headrick logged a 2.18 ERA and should receive votes for the AL Reliever of the Year.
A 2025 waiver claim from the Twins, Headrick’s 81 appearances were the third-most in franchise history, behind only Paul Quantrill (86 in 2004) and Scott Proctor (83 in 2006).
Ben Rice, 1B/DH
Rice set career highs in home runs (41), RBIs (97), hits (151), walks (85), runs (105) and games played (154), and will surely figure into the discussion for several prominent offensive honors.
He has been named a finalist for the Hank Aaron Award, which honors the most outstanding offensive performer in each league, and is also expected to be a finalist for a Silver Slugger Award.
Rice finished the season batting .264, ranked second in the AL with a .534 slugging percentage and recorded an .897 OPS that was third among all AL players.