Another early Yankees exit…now what?

Another New York Yankees season, another early postseason exit. This time, the Bronx Bombers capped 2026 being swept in the ALDS by their AL East rival Tampa Bay Rays, a devastating 4-3 loss in which Max Fried’s two-run mistake to Victor Mesa Jr. proved the difference-maker.

And, of course, cue the usual offseason questions.

Why did the Yankees underachieve again? How can Aaron Boone still have a job after so much disappointment? What’s Hal Steinbrenner’s problem? Where’s George? Is Aaron Judge ever going to win a World Series ring? Do we just need to blow up the whole damn team?

To which I say:

First and foremost? Be disappointed because we’re all thinking it. The 2026 Yankees’ year almost played like a bad rerun, maybe a money-balled version of past failed seasons. Aaron Judge Derrick Rose’d himself, missing three months and providing unclear updates on a broken rib before coming back in September and re-injuring himself not even two weeks later. Ben Rice established himself as a strong middle-of-the-order bat with 41 home runs despite batting sub-.200 in June and August, two months in which his team needed him the most.

Cody Bellinger and the rest took turns being streaky. Giancarlo Stanton barely played at all before Such is the New York Yankees’ lineup life. Top-heavy with no clear firecracker in the middle or lower thirds.

The season is over, so now what are the beleaguered Yankees—a strong-on-paper-yet-underachieving roster, strong front office, and a payroll north of $300 million—to do? Where do they even begin with a lineup that falls apart the moment Aaron Judge slumps, gets injured, or both?

Fans won’t like this answer, but there is no quick fix. And even if there was, would it matter? These Yankees still won 93 games, one less than each of the previous two years. That’s 93 wins without Judge for three-plus months, Rice slumping for two, and Bellinger being out for one. AND Gerrit Cole didn’t come back from Tommy John surgery until June, AND both Max Fried and Carlos Rodon also had elbow woes. And, of course, the midsummer slump that has come to define the Yankees.

That means the Yankees’ best strategy is roster and staff cleanup but, again, that’s complicated. Boone played three-dimensional chess in his ninth year at the helm, is under contract for next year, and has the players’ support. Judge, who sat out the playoffs with a calf strain, threw his support being his skipper after the Game 3 heartbreaker.

“He puts us in the right position to succeed,” Judge said, “Especially in a season like this where I am banged up missing 100 games.”

Additionally, Chris Kirschner at The Athletic pointed out the impending lockout could play a role. The current collective bargaining agreement expires on December 1. Teams can’t contact players from that point. Now, consider a lengthy lockout’s effects. The last one in 2022 basically cut spring training in half. That’s not a ton of time for a new manager to get to know his new team, not unless Brian Cashman and the front office have a successor in mind already.

Oh, important to mention that Cashman’s contract is also expiring. The veteran GM has been on the job since 1998. He has not had a single losing season. Ian O’Connor reported back in August that Cashman would probably sign a new deal, but he hasn’t commented.

None of this is to say the Yankees will simply go “Eh, run it back” and have a quiet winter. The lineup is too top-heavy. Judge and Rice need more consistent support behind them. The pitching staff, led by likely Cy Young-winner Cam Schlittler, borders on excellent.

It’s going to be a long, cold, frustrating offseason. Whatever the Yankees’ plan is, we won’t know for months. This lockout will be even more contentious than five years ago. And if, gods forbid, the owners get their way baseball enacts a salary cap? That could upend Cashman’s plan entirely.

Sorry, Yankees fans. An early playoff exit sucks more each time. Now, we hurry up and wait.