The Nationals face a dilemma over center fielder Jacob Young as Yankees interest heats up. Young finished 2026 with a .252 average, .708 OPS, 10 homers, 95 wRC+, +11 OAA and 2.3 WAR, thanks to a revamped offensive approach and elite defense. While his breakout power and three years of team control make him a valuable asset, the Nats could trade him for pitching — a young arm like Elmer Rodriguez or Ben Hess, or veterans such as Will Warren or Ryan Weathers. The alternative is to promote Dylan Crews, who offers higher upside but less proven consistency. With a weak free‑agent market at center field, the article argues Young’s defensive ceiling and recent improvements warrant keeping him unless the Yankees present an irresistible offer.
Sandy Alomar Sr., a 1974-76 Yankee second baseman, finally tasted postseason play when New York won the 1976 pennant, pinch‑hitting in Game 4 of the ALCS and watching Chambliss’s legendary homer. Known more for fathering two MLB stars—catcher Sandy Jr. and Hall of Famer Roberto—Alomar’s own career included a 648‑game streak snapped by a broken leg in 1973, a .269 average in his rookie Yankees season, and utility roles before being traded to the Rangers in 1977. He died on Oct. 13, 2025, just shy of his 82nd birthday. This piece celebrates his brief but memorable pinstripe stint and his lasting family legacy.
Austin Wells could continue to be a valuable piece as he shakes off the headaches that derailed his Yankees season.
Hanshin Tigers third baseman Teruaki Sato, who posted a .306 average with 39 homers, 106 RBI and a .609 slugging rate in 143 NPB games, has received club approval to pursue a move to MLB via the posting system. While no deal is in place, the Yankees could use Sato to reassess their third‑base options instead of defaulting to Ryan McMahon, who slumped .213/.279/.357 this season. The article notes Sato’s high strikeout rate (26.7%) and the uncertainty of his power translating to MLB, urging New York to evaluate both his defensive fit and price before committing.
Pinstripe Alley grades Yankees closer David Bednar an A for the 2026 season. Acquired at the 2025 deadline, Bednar logged 69.1 innings with a 2.47 ERA, 35 saves in 39 chances and a 1.9 fWAR. After a rocky start post‑World Baseball Classic, he strung together a 17‑save streak, a 24‑inning scoreless run, and multiple multi‑out saves—including a clutch five‑out effort against the Dodgers. He finished with a 1.04 WHIP (0.786 in his final 43 outings) and tossed three shutout innings in the playoffs. With his contract expiring, the performance positions him for a lucrative free‑agent deal.
Trade rumors are beginning to grip the New York Yankees, threatening Luis Gil's status, while relievers and center field depth seem to be priorities.
The New York Yankees are expected to move on from Ryan McMahon this offseason, and rather than a straight salary dump, they could make one of these bold moves.
The Twins should consider signing Jazz Chisholm Jr. if they move on from Royce Lewis.
The Yankees have reportedly been tracking San Diego reliever Jeremiah Estrada, a right‑hander entering his first arbitration year with a 3.47 ERA and a 34.2% strikeout rate. Despite his solid numbers, injury concerns linger after knee and shoulder woes this season. While it’s unclear when the interest began or if any trade talks have occurred, the pitcher's potential addition highlights New York’s broader offseason overhaul, as the club also evaluates third‑base options and numerous free‑agent and trade targets to address a sub‑par 2026 offense.
Paul Blackburn transformed from a middling A’s starter into the Yankees’ elite reliever in 2026, delivering a league‑best 1.59 ERA over 85 innings and posting 11 holds plus a save. After a modest $2 million deal, he boosted his fastball velocity by 1–2 mph, doubled his changeup usage to 21.4% (holding batters to a .090 average), and induced a 54.9% ground‑ball rate. While advanced metrics like xERA and SIERA suggest some regression, his hard‑hit home‑run suppression and dominant sinker/changeup combo earned him a new major‑league contract for 2027. The piece details his pitch evolution and statistical impact.
The article examines Luis Arraez as a potential free‑agent acquisition for the Yankees, highlighting his .310/.345/.419 line with six homers over 151 games but noting his 28 strikeouts in 655 PA and modest walk rate. While his contact skills could boost New York's offense, the piece warns that his defensive reliability at second base and post‑trade Philadelphia numbers (.278/.309/.369) raise questions. It advises the Yankees to consider a short‑term deal only after assessing his on‑base value, defensive fit, and recent ankle injury, rather than treating him as a cure‑all for their lineup.
Spencer Jones has a list of improvements he wants to make this offseason, but the most important one to the Yankees isn't what you might think.
The Yankees face a pivotal decision on center field after Trent Grisham’s hamstring injury and free‑agent exit, and Spencer Jones’s mixed performance in the ALDS. MLB insider Joel Sherman reports New York is eyeing Nationals center fielder Jacob Young, who posted a .252/.318/.708 line, 18 steals and strong defensive metrics (11 OAA, 92% success, 94.2 mph arm) in 140 games. Young is under club control through 2029, meaning a trade would be required. With Aaron Judge set to return to right, the Bronx may trade for Young to give Jones room to develop.
The Yankees haven’t secured a permanent spot for shortstop Anthony Volpe at second base despite his recent offensive contributions and a brief defensive trial. After posting a .245/.321/.336 line with a .657 OPS in 70 games and appearing at second in 12 games, Volpe still faces competition, especially with Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s uncertain future and shortstop George Lombard Jr. taking over. Aaron Judge’s endorsement highlights Volpe’s value, but the team must decide whether his bat and defense merit an everyday role or if a multi‑position option is wiser before spring training.
The New York Post reports the Yankees have long eyed Padres reliever Jeremiah Estrada as a low‑cost bullpen upgrade. Estrada, 27, posted a 3.48 ERA and 30.2% strikeout rate in 2026 despite injury‑limited innings (elbow tendinitis, knee inflammation, shoulder impingement). His fastball dropped to 95.9 mph and his walk rate rose to 12.7%, but he remains a strikeout‑heavy arm. Heading into arbitration with a projected $1.3 million salary, Estrada could be a valuable trade chip for San Diego or a bargain addition for New York, especially as the Yankees face free‑agency exits for David Bednar, Paul Blackburn, Tim Hill, Ryan Yarbrough and John Schreiber.
Could the Phillies reduce J.T. Realmuto's playing time? Are the Athletics about to tear down their roster? FanSided has you covered with more MLB rumors.
It’s Sunday once more, and you know what that means — it’s time for our weekly social media roundup! With the untimely end of the Yankees season now more than a week and a half behind us, we begin to settle into what looks to be a long, long, loooooong winter. The offseason doesn’t mean that […]
With the Yankees’ season over for 2026, we here at Pinstripe Alley have been looking back at the campaign. With how it ended, a lot of our coverage has come through a lens of frustration, but we’ve looked back at some of the good and bad all the same. However, now it’s time to look […]
The 1950s were an incredible era for the Yankees. They won six championships in the decade, and a few more in the years immediately before and after it. You can probably name the legends from that time: Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Whitey Ford. However, every team needs supporting pieces, and one of that era’s would […]
Paying David Bednar $23.15 million for one season would be expensive. I’d still rather see the Yankees prepare for that […]
The New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox might do battle over Randy Arozarena's services in free agency, but New York would be wise to let him go.
The New York Yankees previously expressed interest in Washington Nationals center fielder Jacob Young, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reported (h/t MLBTradeRumors.com).
I’ll admit that there was a strong urge to tune out of the postseason once the Rays swept the Yankees in the ALDS. With the Dodgers and Brewers on a collision course in the NLCS, LA having swept the Brewers in the same round last year, and two of the stingiest teams in the Rays […]
Detroit Tigers could consider Yankees All-Star Jazz Chisholm Jr. in free agency after a disappointing 2026 season. Is he worth the gamble?
Plus Tyler Tolbert on his better bat, Foster Griffin on NPB's eye-test analytics, a Peter Gammons longest-game anecdote, remembering Ron Rightnowar, facts and stats galore, and more.
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