LAS VEGAS, NV — Yankees general manager and senior vice president Brian Cashman addressed the media during the annual “general manager meetings”. Cashman, who spoke via zoom due to a personal, non-baseball related issue, spoke about a ton of roster and baseball notes heading into 2026.
The first thing Cashman addressed was the payroll going into 2026. Reports earlier this week from the New York Post was that owner Hal Steinbrenner wished to get the payroll below the $300M mark prior to 2025. Cashman did not have an answer to that. "I know that we're always fluid with our payroll situation.” Cashman said. “Out of all the things we have here at the organization, payroll is usually not an issue"
Cashman then addressed was the outfield situation. Cody Bellinger, now a free agent, is seen as the Yankees top priority going into 2026. "We'd be better served if we could retain him" Cashman said about Bellinger. Cashman also spoke about giving Trent Grisham the qualifying offer, “it was something we were comfortable with” said Cashman. The GM also added that if Grisham picks up his qualifying offer, the team will continue their efforts to retain Bellinger’s services. Jasson Dominguez is expected to have a starting roll with the team next season. Dominguez is set to play Winter Ball for LIDOM beginning next week. Spencer Jones was at Yankee Stadium working out and will head to Tampa after a break for more reps. Jones could be an option to join the club out of camp.
An additional source indicated Wednesday that neither Dominguez or Jones are expected to be traded, though anything can happen.
Cashman said that "I view Ben Rice as having an everyday role in the big leagues for us next year." It’s interesting that Cashman did not specify a specific position for Rice, given he plays both catcher and first base. Rice showed a lot of promise in 2025, and should break out even further in 2026. Rice is viewed as a middle of the order bat for many years from the organization.
Cashman briefly addressed the bullpen in his media availability. He noted that the team is looking for external options, but has had conversations with both Devin Williams and Luke Weaver about a return. Williams is expected to be one of the more coveted relievers on the market, and the Marlins, Dodgers, Reds, and Red Sox are all expected to make a play for the closers services.
The GM also talked about the conception that the Yankees are too home run reliant. The Yankees lead baseball in home runs and overall offense, winning the team silver slugger for the second season in a row. "I can't speak to the public narrative stuff... I do know that the team that outhomers the other team in the postseason series always goes on to typically win 90% of the time." The Yankees hit six home runs in seven postseason games in 2025. Cashman is correct with his statistic that the majority of the time, the team that outhomers the other wins.
Cashman addressed the notion that Aaron Boone started last week that the Yankees are the least analytical team in the AL East. “We’ve been clearly accused of being too analytical” Cashman said. "He's trying to bring the fans into the dugout with the commentary constantly about the front office pulling the strings - none of that's true." The Yankees should have used the use of analytics to alibi for some of Boone’s in-game decisions, but they instead deny the notion.
The next time Brian Cashman is set to speak during the winter meetings from December 7-10th in Orlando.