The New York Yankees sure as hell aren’t beating the “running it back” allegations.
And honestly? Yankee fans have every right to side-eye the idea.
After a 94-win season in 2025 that ended with the Yankees losing both the AL East (on a tiebreaker) and the ALDS to the Toronto Blue Jays, the last thing the fanbase wanted to hear this winter was that the same core would largely return. That frustration boiled over on January 28th, when general manager Brian Cashman addressed the media following Cody Bellinger’s official return to the Bronx.
When asked directly about whether the Yankees were simply bringing back the same roster that came up short, Cashman pushed back.
“It’s not the same roster. … I disagree it’s the same team running it back. … Not afraid to run with the quality and talented roster of players that we do have. I think we’ve been consistent with that throughout the entire winter.”
Fans weren’t buying it.
As Randy Miller wrote for NJ.com, this winter has absolutely felt like a reunion tour:
“This signing is yet another move to run back the Yankees’ 2025 squad, which tied for an AL high 94 wins before losing a division series to the pennant-winning (Toronto) Blue Jays, who also beat them out for the AL East crown on a tiebreaker.”
Counting Paul Goldschmidt, the Yankees re-signed six of their own free agents while retaining Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, Amed Rosario, and bullpen arms Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn. The message was clear — familiarity won.
That’s where the criticism comes in. But it’s also where the potential upside begins.
Why “Running It Back” Isn’t Automatically a Death Sentence
Let’s be real: the 2025 Yankees didn’t fail because they lacked talent. They failed because they didn’t finish.
This roster won 94 games. It led the American League in wins. It scored runs in bunches. And yet, when October arrived, it wasn’t enough.
Bringing the same group back isn’t pretending that failure didn’t happen — it’s forcing the players to live with it together.
That matters.
Continuity builds accountability. These guys know who was in the room when the season ended. They know who went cold. They know who didn’t deliver when the margin for error vanished. There’s no hiding behind “new faces” or “chemistry issues” this time around.
If the Yankees fail again, it’ll be on this core — collectively.
The Positives of Familiarity and Chemistry
Baseball isn’t just about numbers; it’s about rhythm, trust, and comfort. A roster that’s already played a full season together doesn’t need six months to figure out roles.
They already know:
- Who sets the tone in the clubhouse
- Who thrives under pressure
- Who can be leaned on late in games
- Who needs protection in the lineup
That familiarity shortens the learning curve — especially early in the season. It also eliminates excuses.
This is a group that understands expectations in New York. They’ve already felt the boos, the headlines, and the sting of falling short. That shared experience can either fracture a team or harden it.
The Yankees are betting on the latter.
What the Core Actually Gave You in 2025
For all the criticism, several returning players were legitimate pillars of last year’s success.
Paul Goldschmidt, brought in as a veteran stabilizer at first base, played 146 games and quietly delivered consistent production. His .274/.328/.403 slash line doesn’t scream star, but his contact quality, leadership, and elite production against left-handed pitching gave the lineup balance it desperately needed.
Cody Bellinger was one of the Yankees’ best all-around players. In 152 games, he slashed .272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs and 98 RBI, earning MVP votes and anchoring the outfield defensively. He wasn’t just productive — he was dependable.
Then there was Trent Grisham’s offensive breakout. His 34 home runs and elite on-base ability transformed the top of the lineup. While his center-field defense wasn’t flawless, his overall impact was undeniable.
Even the depth pieces mattered. Amed Rosario gave the Yankees a versatile bench option. Ryan Yarbrough provided flexible bullpen innings. Paul Blackburn, while inconsistent, absorbed innings when needed.
This wasn’t a bad roster. It was a good one that didn’t get the ending it wanted.
Failure as Fuel
There’s something powerful about failing together — and then choosing to come back anyway.
No one on this roster gets to pretend 2025 didn’t happen. They lost the division. They lost the ALDS. They watched the Blue Jays celebrate while they packed their bags.
That memory sticks.
If the Yankees are going to win in 2026, it won’t be because they forgot last October. It’ll be because they remember every second of it.
Running it back isn’t about comfort. It’s about unfinished business.
Whether that bet pays off is still unknown — but at the very least, this group won’t be able to say they didn’t get another chance.
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