The New York Yankees will open the 2026 MLB campaign against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday night featuring a very similar roster to last season.
The lineup is basically identical, and the starting rotation features mostly familiar faces (other than Ryan Weathers).
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But there is one area in which the Yankees have had some turnover, and it’s perhaps the biggest problem on their roster: the bullpen.
New York lost key relievers Devin Williams and Luke Weaver to free agency (to the Mets, because, well, Steve Cohen) and didn’t really replace them.
Yes, the Yankees still have a good back end of the pen headlined by David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz, but questions remain otherwise.
Rule 5 draft pick Cade Winquest made the team in spite of posting a 7.20 ERA in Spring Training, which was interesting. Jake Bird will also be a relief option after having been sent down following just three appearances in the Bronx last season.
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Can Tim Hill continue producing at the age of 36? Will Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn replicate their success from 2025? Is Brent Headrick for real?
New York Yankees pitcher Cade Winquest. Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images.
Last year, the Yankees went into the campaign with a pretty loaded bullpen. Of course, Brian Cashman had to make some midseason adjustments, but at least New York had some level of certainty in that area.
This season? It’s definitely different.
I’m not sure how much the Yanks can rely on Winquest, who has never pitched above Double-A. Bird has a lifetime 4.76 ERA with a 2.16 K/BB ratio.
Plus, while Doval certainly performed well down the stretch last season, he also struggled throughout much of his time with the Yankees in 2025.
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The good news is that — assuming Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon return healthy — New York should have a dynamite starting rotation. The Yankees have a ton of depth on their staff, and that should carry them through much of the year.
But at some point, New York will have to turn to its bullpen, and I genuinely question just how safe the Yanks are in that department.
Obviously, the Yankees can always add some pieces, much like they did last summer. But you would prefer it not have to come to that.
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