The New York Yankees spent the winter trying to close the gap that ended their 2025 season in the division, anchoring the effort with a five-year, $162.5 million contract to bring back outfielder Cody Bellinger. Then, weeks into the 2026 season, the team lost its centerpiece: captain Aaron Judge was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side, an injury that could keep the reigning American League MVP out until August.

The Bellinger deal

Bellinger and the Yankees finalized the $162.5 million, five-year contract in late January 2026, ending a standoff that had stretched across the entire offseason. Both sides had wanted a reunion all winter; the sticking point was length. Bellinger, coming off a strong 2025, sought a seven-year deal, while the Yankees would not move off five.

The structure reflects that compromise. Bellinger receives a $20 million signing bonus — half payable April 1 and the rest Aug. 1 — plus a full no-trade provision. His salary is set at $32.5 million in each of the first two seasons, $25.8 million in the next two and $25.9 million in 2030, and he holds opt-out rights after both 2027 and 2028 to test free agency again.

The signing kept one of the Yankees’ most versatile bats in the Bronx. Bellinger can play center field, a corner outfield spot or first base, giving manager Aaron Boone roster flexibility — flexibility that would prove valuable far sooner than anyone wanted.

A busy, B-minus offseason

Bellinger was the headliner, but not the only move. The Yankees re-signed center fielder Trent Grisham, who accepted the $22 million qualifying offer to stay, and added rotation depth by trading for left-hander Ryan Weathers from the Miami Marlins in exchange for four prospects. They also shed depth pieces, dealing infielders Jorbit Vivas and Zack Short to the Washington Nationals.

One notable subtraction came from the bullpen. Reliever Devin Williams, who struggled to a career-worst 4.79 ERA over 67 appearances for the Yankees in 2025, left in free agency for the crosstown Mets on a three-year, $51 million deal. Evaluators graded the Yankees’ winter at roughly a B-minus heading into spring training — solid, but with the trade deadline still months away to address remaining needs.

The biggest reinforcement came from within: ace Gerrit Cole returned after missing the entire 2025 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. New York tied for the best record in the AL East without him, raising hopes that a healthy Cole could separate the team from the pack.

The Judge injury changes everything

That math assumed a healthy Judge. Instead, ESPN reported that the three-time MVP had suffered a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side and would be reimaged in four to six weeks, with the best-case scenario placing his return somewhere in August.

For a lineup built around Judge’s production, the loss is profound. His 50th-percentile projection for the season was a 7.3 fWAR campaign — a level only four players reached in all of the prior year. Bellinger’s defensive versatility suddenly became central, allowing the Yankees to reconfigure the outfield while leaning harder on Cole and the rotation to keep pace.

The AL East fight

The injury landed in a division with no margin for error. In 2025 the Yankees finished 94-68, tied with the Toronto Blue Jays for the best record in the American League, but a 5-8 head-to-head record against Toronto cost them the tiebreaker and forced them into the Wild Card round. They edged the Boston Red Sox in three games — rookie Cam Schlittler striking out 12 in the decisive win-or-go-home start — before the Blue Jays outscored them 34-19 in the ALDS.

Entering 2026 with Judge sidelined, the Yankees found themselves in a tight scrum near the top of the division, holding a strong run differential but trailing within the standings. The Bellinger contract bought stability and the Cole return bought ceiling. Whether either is enough to hold the line until Judge returns will define New York’s summer in the Bronx.

Verification

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Cody Bellinger sign for?
Five years and $162.5 million, finalized in late January 2026, with a $20 million signing bonus, a full no-trade clause and opt-outs after 2027 and 2028.
What is wrong with Aaron Judge?
Judge was diagnosed with a stress fracture of the first rib on his right side early in the 2026 season. He is to be reimaged in four to six weeks, with a best-case return around August.
How did the Yankees finish 2025?
They went 94-68, tied with Toronto for the AL East's best record but lost the tiebreaker, beat Boston in the Wild Card round and were eliminated by the Blue Jays in the ALDS.
Did the Yankees make other moves?
Yes. They acquired left-hander Ryan Weathers from the Marlins for four prospects, re-signed center fielder Trent Grisham, and Gerrit Cole returned from Tommy John surgery.