Why the Yankees Bullpen Will Surprise Many in 2026

For once, the Yankees’ vaunted bullpen, the usual showcase of Brian Cashman’s craftiness, was the weak link in their 2025 campaign. Known for his uncanny knack of raiding baseball’s thrift shop and unearthing hidden gems, Cashman’s collection of bargain-bin relievers failed to deliver, leaving fans and analysts stunned. However, just when it seemed the bullpen experiment had backfired, Cashman pulled off a deadline coup, landing three top-tier relievers for next to nothing. Now, with that trio returning and ready to anchor the pen, the Yankees might finally have the late-inning firepower they lacked last year. The big question is, will this revamped relief corps be enough to turn Cashman’s area of past failure into this season’s greatest strength?

The Yankees are banking on their bullpen being a major strength this season, thanks in large part to a full year with the big three relievers they landed at last year’s trade deadline. David Bednar quickly established himself as the team’s closer, posting a 2.17 ERA with 14 saves and 62 strikeouts in just 50 appearances after joining the Yankees. His poise and reliability at the back end made the departures of Luke Weaver and Devin Williams much easier to accept. David and his bulldog tenacity will once again be showcased as the Yankees’ primary closer.

Camilo Doval, who had some early struggles, finished strong over the final two months. As a former Giants closer, Doval’s electric fastball and unpredictable arm angles make him a nightmare for hitters, especially in high-leverage spots. He did not allow a run in his last eight appearances, and in the postseason was one of the few Yankee hurlers to hang with the Toronto Blue Jays, conceding only a run in 3.1 innings. Rounding out the trio is the thirty-year-old fireballer they acquired from the Colorado Rockies, a favorite trade partner of Brian Cashman.

The third member of the Yankees’ bullpen trio, Jake Bird, arrived with an impressive reputation but initially struggled to find his footing. In Colorado, Bird was valued for his high-90s power sinker. His 2024 numbers included a 3.65 ERA and a 57% groundball rate over 74 appearances, with opponents hitting just .236 against him. However, after leaning heavily on a changeup and sweeper that didn’t complement his arsenal, his effectiveness waned down the stretch for New York.

This spring, Bird has made significant adjustments, returning to his signature sinker and reintroducing his hard slider, while using off-speed pitches more selectively. Early camp reports indicate an uptick in his velocity and movement, with hitters pounding the ball into the ground rather than squaring it up. Bird’s renewed confidence and commitment to his strengths suggest he’s poised to become the dominant reliever the Yankees envisioned, one New York fans have yet to truly see. Adding further depth and matchup flexibility, the Yankees also have reliable lefty specialists in Tim Hill and Ryan Yarbrough. Both bring proven track records against left-handed hitters and can provide valuable innings. With Bird’s resurgence and the consistency of Hill and Yarbrough, the Yankees’ bullpen could be deeper and more flexible than it’s been in years, giving them the late-inning options needed to close out tight games.

The Rule Five Draft has often been a source of frustration for the Yankees, who have repeatedly lost valuable prospects to rival teams after failing to protect them in that draft. This year, however, the Yankees turned the tables by nabbing Cade Winquest from the St. Louis Cardinals, a move that signals they’ve learned from past mistakes. Winquest is drawing early comparisons to Luke Weaver: an under-the-radar arm with intriguing potential, ripe for the Yankees’ coaching staff to tinker with and possibly mold into a bullpen weapon. By pairing Winquest with established veteran Fernando Cruz and versatile reliever Paul Blackburn, the Yankees have set themselves up with the depth and flexibility to lean heavily on their bullpen. The mix of youth and experience ensures they can provide different looks and fresh arms on a daily basis, giving the team a strategic edge in late-game situations and offering the potential for a few unexpected surprises along the way.

The trade market and an influx of minor league prospects are giving the Yankees’ Spring Training a jolt of excitement and turning plenty of heads. In a series of savvy moves, they pried another right-handed fireballing prospect, Angel Chivilli, from Colorado and brought in Ryan Weathers from the Marlins to bolster the starting staff. With the impending return of Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon, the Yankees plan to utilize Weathers as a versatile, workhorse power arm in the bullpen, thanks to his multiple-pitch arsenal. Chivilli is another young power arm they hope to harness raw talent into something effective out of the pen. 

Meanwhile, the Yankees have showcased two of their most talked-about power arms, Carlos Lagrange and Elmer Rodriguez, and both have impressed early on. Lagrange, in particular, drew attention during a much-publicized duel with team captain Aaron Judge, surrendering a home run but then roaring back to strike out the defending AL MVP with a 100-plus mph heater. The Yankees view Lagrange as a potential dream addition to the bullpen, with his combination of elite velocity and emerging control looking MLB-ready. Elmer will represent Puerto Rico in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. With a deep pool of pitching prospects, the Yankees are well-positioned to reinforce and reshape their bullpen from within by potentially turning their young arms into a major organizational strength.

By trading for young power arms and blending in versatile flamethrowers from their deep prospect pool, the Yankees have created a third and potentially most dynamic option for reinforcing their bullpen. Rather than relying solely on free agency or established veterans, they’re embracing internal development and fresh talent, giving their relief corps a new edge. This infusion of velocity, versatility, and upside could transform the Yankees’ bullpen into a decisive weapon in 2026, turning what was once a weakness into a game-changing strength. If these young arms, Rule Five, and trade acquisitions rise to the occasion, the Yankees could have the kind of late-inning dominance that swings close games and the pennant race back in their favor. These are three reasons why the New York Yankees believe their bullpen will be the difference-maker.