The New York Yankees’ restrained approach to free agency this winter has sparked unease among fans and analysts alike, with USA Today baseball writer Gabe Lacques warning that the team’s reliance on last year’s roster could lead to regression despite re-signing star outfielder Cody Bellinger.
In a recent appearance on the Sportsnaut Interview podcast, Lacques, a respected MLB insider, expressed measured concern about the Yankees’ strategy. After a 94-win season that fell short in the playoffs, the team focused on retaining Bellinger following a contentious negotiation, but made few other splashy additions. Lacques suggested the Yankees might have peaked with unexpected contributions from key players, leaving room for decline.
“Yeah, a little bit, just because you’re running it back with a team that I don’t want to say they absolutely maxed out with regard to production from guys, but certainly a lot of things that maybe they weren’t counting on,” Lacques told host Evan Groat. “They weren’t counting on Trent Grisham hitting the 34 home runs, probably weren’t totally counting on Cody Bellinger being healthy and productive for 152 games,” Lacques said on the podcast. “That was a big step forward for him after just a couple of really debilitating years back in LA. He’s kind of been building himself back up.”
Lacques highlighted the uncertainty surrounding those breakout performances. Grisham, acquired in a trade, provided surprising power, while Bellinger’s durability marked a rebound from injury-plagued stints with the Dodgers. But without major reinforcements, Lacques questioned whether the Yankees improved or merely maintained a roster that overachieved.
“Did they get better or did they just maintain with a team that had some guys close to their APEX?” Lacques added. “I don’t love the offseason with regard to how some of the other superpowers are doing things.”
The Yankees will regain ace Gerrit Cole from injury at some point this season, a boost to a rotation that includes Carlos Rodon, who is recovering from his own injury. Lacques pointed to Rodon as a potential wild card.
“Carlos Rodon, how is he gonna look? I think he’s coming back end of May somewhere in there, but is he gonna hit the ground running from his procedure over the off-season, or will he need three or four five starts to really round into form cause he’s been quietly very big for them the last couple of years,” Lacques noted.
He also praised the Yankees for avoiding long-term commitments that could hamstring future flexibility, such as limiting Bellinger’s deal to five years.
Still, in a competitive AL East where the Toronto Blue Jays bolstered their pitching with Dylan Cease and Cody Ponce, and Baltimore added Pete Alonso, Lacques sees vulnerability in New York’s “decided non-aggressive stance.” He acknowledged the team could repeat its 94 wins on paper, but cautioned Yankees fans.
“Slippage definitely seems possible,” Lacques said.
As spring training approaches, Yankees fans hope internal growth — from prospects like Ryan Weathers and Will Warren — fills the gaps. But Lacques’ insights underscore a broader debate: In an era of aggressive spending by rivals like the Dodgers, who landed Kyle Tucker on a $240 million pact, can standing pat sustain contention? For now, the Bronx Bombers are betting on continuity, but insiders like Lacques wonder if that’s enough to avoid a step back.
