Yankees Bring Back Cody Bellinger — But Is Running It Back Enough?

The Yankees made it official: Cody Bellinger is back in the Bronx.

After a strong debut season in pinstripes, New York chose continuity over chaos, re-signing Bellinger and betting that what worked last year can still be good enough in 2026. On its own, it’s a move that makes sense. Zoom out, though, and it also highlights a growing concern among fans — myself included.

The Yankees are essentially running back the same team that was eliminated in the ALDS last October.

And that’s hard to get excited about.

Cody Bellinger’s First Year in the Bronx: A Clear Win

Let’s start with the positive, because it matters.

Bellinger was exactly what the Yankees needed when they brought him in:

• A left-handed bat with pop

• Defensive versatility across the outfield and first base

• Athleticism the roster desperately lacked

• A calm, professional presence in big moments

He didn’t just survive New York — he looked comfortable in it. Bellinger gave the Yankees reliable production, solid defense, and flexibility in lineup construction. Bringing him back was the right move.

No complaints there.

The Bigger Issue: A Very Quiet Offseason

Here’s where the optimism starts to fade.

Outside of retaining Bellinger, the Yankees’ offseason has been… quiet. Almost uncomfortably so.

As of now:

• No major offensive additions

• No splash trades

• No significant rotation upgrades

• No bullpen game-changer

Instead, the Yankees appear content bringing back largely the same roster that:

• Struggled with consistency

• Went cold offensively in October

• Failed to adjust against elite pitching

• Fell short when it mattered most

That’s not a rebuild.But it doesn’t feel like a serious push either.

The ALDS Exit Still Looms Large

Last October wasn’t just another playoff loss.

It was familiar.

The offense stalled.The lineup leaned too heavily on a few bats.The margin for error was razor thin — and the Yankees missed.

Running it back without addressing those flaws feels like asking for a different result without changing the variables.

And Yankees fans have seen this movie before.

What This Team Is Still Missing

If the Yankees want to seriously contend — not just win 90 games and hope — there are two areas that still need attention.

1️⃣ A Right-Handed Bat on the Left Side of the Infield

This feels like the most obvious hole.

The Yankees desperately need:

• A right-handed hitter

• Someone who can play third base or shortstop

• A bat that doesn’t disappear against elite left-handed pitching

• A presence that lengthens the lineup instead of balancing it on Judge alone

October baseball exposes platoon weaknesses. It exposes predictability. A right-handed infielder with real offensive impact would change the entire shape of this lineup.

This is the move I want to see most.

2️⃣ Rotation or Bullpen Reinforcements

Pitching depth is never a luxury — it’s survival.

The Yankees’ staff has talent, but also:

• Injury questions

• Workload concerns

• Thin margins if one arm goes down

Whether it’s:

• A mid-rotation starter with postseason experience

• Or a lockdown bullpen arm who shortens games in October

The Yankees need one more dependable arm they can trust when the lights are brightest.

Championship teams don’t rely on “hopefully.”

Why Standing Still Feels Risky

The American League isn’t waiting.

Other teams are:

• Getting younger

• Getting more athletic

• Getting more aggressive

Standing pat while rivals improve is its own kind of gamble. And for a franchise that measures success in championships, not playoff appearances, the current approach feels… cautious.

Too cautious.

Re-signing Cody Bellinger was smart. Necessary, even.

But it can’t be the headline move of the offseason.

If the Yankees truly believe this core is good enough, then they owe it to the fans — and to themselves — to push the chips in a little further. A big trade. A meaningful addition. Something that signals urgency.

Because running it back after another October disappointment isn’t a plan.

It’s a hope.

And hope alone hasn’t worked in a long time.