Why the Yankees Feel Stuck Heading into 2026 (12/13/25) - CF28117

The offseason officially rolls on for the Chase for 28 crew, but optimism is in short supply. In Episode 117, Chris, the Podcast Padre, and the Podcast Paisan return to break down a Yankees winter that feels frozen in time. From the shocking qualifying offer acceptance by Trent Grisham to the continued reliance on analytics over fundamentals, the guys question whether Brian Cashman and the front office truly understand what this team needs to win in October.

The conversation spans roster construction, positional logjams, and the growing frustration of running back essentially the same team. They debate Volpe’s future, Ben Rice’s role, the impossibility of moving Giancarlo Stanton’s contract, and whether the Yankees are leaning too heavily on pitching to mask offensive flaws. Add in lockout speculation, ownership spending concerns, Asian market rumors, and a lively trivia debate, and this episode captures exactly how uneasy Yankees fans feel heading into 2026.

Key Topics Discussed

• Why the Yankees made (and lost) the Trent Grisham qualifying offer gamble
• How MLB qualifying offers work—and why this one backfired
• Has baseball passed Brian Cashman by?
• Analytics vs. “using your eyes” in roster decisions
• The Yankees’ youth movement paradox: Domínguez, Jones, Volpe, Wells
• Ben Rice as catcher or first baseman—and the ripple effects
• Lefty-heavy lineups, balance, and Yankee Stadium roster philosophy
• Frustrations with bottom-of-the-lineup production
• Debating contact hitters vs. power-first approaches
• Asian market targets: Murakami, Okamoto, Imai, and posting-system realities
• Giancarlo Stanton’s contract and the need to free the DH spot
• Pitching reliance: Cole’s age, Rodón’s value, and rotation trust
• Lockout speculation and the Dodgers changing the financial landscape
• Are the Yankees still true AL East favorites?

Yankees Trivia 🤔

Who is the only AL team the Yankees have never faced in the playoffs?

Answer: Up until 2025 it was the Toronto Blue Jays

This episode: Name the 3 Yankees who have hit for the cycle more than once.

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