The Cubs signed 34‑year‑old Tyler Austin in December as a right‑handed backup first baseman for Michael Busch, banking on his .293 average and 85 homers from six NPB seasons. However, a right patellar tendon debridement after a knee setback in spring camp sidelined him for the entire 2026 season, costing Chicago $1.2 million. Austin only appeared in a workout photo and a Feb. 17 uniform photo before being placed on the 60‑day injured list, turning 35 while sidelined. As the team evaluates its 2027 roster, Austin joins the list of 17 Cubs free agents or option players this offseason.
On October 24, 2026 Pinstripe Alley honors Yankees outfielder Hugh High, born 1887, who helped lift the franchise from its early‑century woes. After the Tigers sold High and future star Wally Pipp to New York in 1914, High became a regular in 1915, posting a career‑high 119 games, 27 extra‑base hits and 22 steals. He contributed to the Yankees’ first winning season in 1916 alongside Hall of Famer Frank “Home Run” Baker, but injuries and illness derailed his career. By 1918 the team tried to trade him, he refused, and left baseball for a shipyard job. The piece blends stats, anecdotes and historic context.
The New York Yankees continue to run it back year after year, but their willingness to settle for just being good enough has cost them.
Was the Hellebuyck trade the best anyone could do, and did it cost New Jersey a shot at Quinn Hughes? Plus, a Yankees post-mortem on Bonus Bandwidth.
The Yankees have secured pitching coach Matt Blake on a new three‑year deal (2027‑29) after his contract expired at year‑end, reports Jon Heyman. Blake, with the club since 2020 and a former Guardians scout, helped steer the staff through a rotation plagued by injuries to Gerrit Cole, Clarke Schmidt, Carlos Rodón and Max Fried. Despite the setbacks, rookie ace Cam Schlittler posted a league‑best 1.95 ERA and the bullpen thrived thanks to unheralded arms like Brent Headrick (2.18 ERA) and Paul Blackburn (1.59 ERA). With the rotation set to stay intact and the bullpen in free‑agent flux, the extension signals New York’s confidence in Blake’s development system.
Yankees prospects spark Salt River Rafters’ 9‑7 record in AFL Week 3. Dax Kilby leads the charge, logging a 2‑for‑4 night with a 107 mph, 410‑ft homer and a 109.8 mph RBI double on Oct. 19, then adding a triple and two stolen bases. Core Jackson contributes a 421‑ft, 105 mph blast and a triple, while Kyle West adds a 104.9 mph single. The Rafters win four of five games (5‑0, 7‑1, 10‑11, 7‑5) before a 15‑8 loss. Pitching highlights include JT Etheridge’s 6 IP, 9 K and Antonio Gomez’s scoreless eighth. The team sits a half‑game from a first‑round bye heading into the postseason.
Former Yankee first baseman Anthony Rizzo praised Aaron Boone’s handling of post‑season questions, but warns the New York Yankees can’t hide their offensive woes behind manager diplomacy. Rizzo, who played for Boone from 2021‑2024, says fans deserve a concrete plan to improve a lineup that posted a .130 batting average, 31 strikeouts and only five runs in three ALDS games against Tampa Bay. He urges Boone to identify specific hitting jobs and the front office to supply the right pieces, rather than relying on vague offseason work. The piece argues that while Rizzo’s endorsement reflects Boone’s leadership style, it doesn’t excuse the Yankees’ glaring lack of contact and run production.
The New York Yankees appear to be bringing back one of the driving forces behind the success of the pitching staff.
The New York Yankees are entering an offseason wherein change should be on the menu, but it's likely the last thing we'll see.
The Yankees are on the verge of re‑signing pitching coach Matt Blake, whose leadership helped shape arguably the league’s top rotation in 2026 and turned several low‑profile starters into key bullpen pieces. While the World Series begins and no roster moves have been filed yet, sources say a new contract with Blake is imminent, signaling the club’s intent to retain its coaching core ahead of offseason decisions.
The Yankees enter the 2027 offseason after back‑to‑back 93‑94‑win seasons that ended with ALDS losses, now facing a costly roster rebuild. Core contracts total $661 million, with $205.5 million guaranteed for 2027, including Aaron Judge’s $200 M deal through 2031. Injuries limited Judge to 66 games, and his absence exposed the club’s one‑dimensional offense. The bullpen and several arbitration‑eligible arms (e.g., Clarke Schmidt, Luis García Jr.) are slated for raises, while the team may non‑tender prospects Cruz and Ramos and lose free agents such as David Bednar and Paul Goldschmidt. The outlook hinges on shoring up the bullpen and reviving an offensive identity.
The Yankees confirm Aaron Boone will return for a tenth season as manager, now on an expiring contract after his 2025 two‑year extension. Owner Hal Steinbrenner says a new deal isn’t on the table yet, but GM Brian Cashman is close to securing his own extension, which could keep him in the role for three decades. Pitching coach Matt Blake stays, while hitting coach James Rowson’s future is uncertain after the offense collapsed when Aaron Judge went on the IL in June, leaving the team 24th in scoring. With Judge’s season ending on a calf strain, New York faces off‑season decisions on free agents Trent Grisham, Jazz Chisholm Jr., and possible acquisitions like second‑baseman Michael Massey, who posted a .274/.305/.430 line for Kansas City.
Speaking to the media ahead of the World Series, Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sánchez suggested that a return to the Yankees might be in the cards for him.
The piece explores the Yankees’ potential pursuit of Washington Nationals second baseman C.J. Abrams, who posted a .261/.336/.497 line with 33 homers, 106 RBIs and 34 steals in 2026. While his power‑speed combo and solid defensive start (12 games, no errors) make him an enticing fit, the article warns that acquiring him could cost New York valuable starting pitching and create a pricier second‑base solution. It contrasts Abrams with internal options like Anthony Volpe, José Caballero and a possible Luis Garcia Jr. shift, emphasizing the need for a realistic price ceiling and careful evaluation of lost innings before committing to a trade.
With former Yankee Jake Bauers playing in the World Series, it's worth checking up on the two players the Yankees got in exchange for trading Bauers back in 2023.
The Yankees face a roster dilemma as 39‑year‑old first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, a free‑agent with a strong left‑handed split (11 HR in 157 AB, .299/.393/.573), remains on the payroll. While his defensive work (70 starts, no errors) and specialist value are clear, his right‑handed numbers (.213/.239/.351) suggest limited everyday use. The club must decide whether to keep Goldschmidt as a left‑handed specialist or free up a bench spot for a more versatile player amid other first‑base/DH options like Ben Rice, Luis Garcia Jr., and Giancarlo Stanton. The article weighs his cost, age‑related decline risk, and the need to identify the lowest‑value roster slot before making a move.
The New York Yankees are in active talks to extend pitching coach Matt Blake’s contract, according to New York Post reporter Joel Sherman. Blake, who joined in 2020, has reshaped the team’s pitching strategy with data‑driven analytics, helping Gerrit Cole win the AL Cy Young and turning relievers like Clay Holmes into top‑tier assets. Securing his deal is seen as a key move for manager Aaron Boone as the club prepares for a busy off‑season, which also includes decisions on Jazz Chisholm Jr. and potential trades for Ryan McMahon.
In this Pinstripe Alley mailbag, the author tackles two hot off‑season topics for the Yankees. First, they debate whether New York will extend a qualifying offer to Jazz Chisholm Jr., noting recent reports that the team may let him walk despite his market value, while also weighing the $45 million budget hit of pairing a QO with a deal for reliever Lucas Bednar. Second, they assess third‑base woes, focusing on Ryan McMahon’s disappointing 2026 season and $16 million 2027 salary, and argue that a DFA or a trade with prospects attached is more likely than a straight sale, especially as the club also eyes Giancarlo Stanton’s looming contract. The piece offers insight into the Yankees’ financial constraints and roster priorities heading into free agency.
Marlins starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara and Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham are among those worth targeting for the Houston Astros this offseason.
The New York Yankees are close to re‑signing veteran pitching coach Matt Blake, according to New York Post reporter Joel Sherman. While no contract details have been disclosed, negotiations are reportedly progressing. Blake’s continued presence is highlighted as key to maintaining the success of the staff that posted a 1.95 ERA from ace Cam Schlittler (33 starts, 239 K’s) and strong bullpen numbers from Brent Headrick (2.18 ERA, 98 K’s) and Paul Blackburn (1.59 ERA, 69 K’s). The article argues that retaining Blake offers continuity and strategic input for future personnel decisions rather than a quick overhaul.
Cody Bellinger (35) earns the 2026 Fielding Bible Award for left field, capturing 14 of 17 first‑place votes. He led MLB left fielders with 21 Defensive Runs Saved, tied for the most Outfield Arm Runs Saved (5), and recorded a league‑best eight assists without a cutoff man. This marks Bellinger’s third Fielding Bible honor, following a 2019 multi‑position win, and makes him the second Yankee left‑fielder after Brett Gardner to claim the award. Bellinger posted a .264/.338/.429 line with 17 homers and 73 RBIs in 132 games, but his defensive impact stood out during the 2026 season.
New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone recently spoke with reporters in an end-of-season press conference. Boone faced a number of challenging questions given the fact that the Yankees have not won the World Series since 2009. The Yankees’ decision to bring Boone back for 2027 has led to strong reactions from a fanbase that is […]
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Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sánchez, who posted a solid 2026 season, tells Joez McFly he hasn't ruled out a future return to the New York Yankees. As a free agent, Sánchez reflects on his seven‑year, 138‑home‑run stint with the Bronx club—highlighted by a 20‑HR burst in 53 games as a rookie and a 33‑HR, Silver Slugger year in 2017—while the Brewers eye their first World Series in 44 years. With the Yankees expected to reshape their roster, a reunion could add depth for next season.
Hideki Matsui is returning to manage the Yomiuri Giants. Yankees, get inspired!
An MLB insider proposes five non‑cap penalties to curb the Dodgers, Mets and Yankees’ massive payrolls ahead of a possible December lockout. The plan would bar teams over a spending threshold from trading for higher‑salary players without equal returns, shrink their rosters to 38 from 40, limit designations and option moves, and impose draft sanctions while rewarding small‑market playoff teams with extra picks. By mirroring NBA parity tools, the suggestions aim to force wealthy clubs to trim spending without a hard salary cap, potentially sidestepping a 2027 season‑threatening lockout.