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Our Yankees grades are in for every player after 2026 season

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NEW YORK - When you've got the Yankees' payroll, talent and expectations - and you're home this early in October - there's not a lot of gold stars to go around.

In review of a 93-win team that weathered key injuries, boasted an enviable starting rotation, yet lost in the Division Series for a second straight year as the top AL Wild Card, our final report card is in.

For the purposes of this exercise, only players who ended the season on the 40-man roster with a minimum of 100 plate appearances or 50 innings pitched were considered.

Cam Schlittler, starter

Grade: A+

Emerged as a true ace, with a 7.0 WAR (baseball-reference.com) and 1.95 ERA over 33 starts. Should coast to his first AL Cy Young Award.

Ben Rice, DH/1B

Grade: A

Oct 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Ben Rice (22) hits a RBI single during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Will receive down-ballot MVP votes for his 41-homer season, .897 OPS (3rd in AL) and went 8-for-19 with four homers in a postseason where Yanks totaled five runs vs. Rays pitching (ALDS).

David Bednar, closer

Grade: A

Aug 11, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher David Bednar (53) follows through on a pitch against the Seattle Mariners during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After a late May hiccup, posted a 1.30 ERA over his last 43 games and was flawless in three postseason appearances. Free agent who should be Yanks' top in-house priority.

Paul Blackburn, reliever

Grade: A

Apr 18, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Paul Blackburn (58) follows through on a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Emergence of a changeup turned the veteran righty from a role-less long reliever into a key setup weapon in his free agent walk year.

Carlos Rodon, starter

Grade: A-

Oct 3, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon (55) looks on during batting practice prior to game one of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Posted a 1.42 ERA in his final four regular season starts, including eight scoreless innings vs. Rays, and did not throw one postseason inning.

Max Fried, starter

Grade: B+

New York Yankees starting pitcher Max Fried (54) is introduced before Game 1 of the 2026 Wild Card Series against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium.

Overcame two bouts of a left elbow bone bruise, posting a 2.80 ERA in 20 starts. Took the loss in ALDS Game 3 at home vs. Tampa Bay.

Brent Headrick, reliever

Grade: B+

Aug 25, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Brent Headrick (47) delivers a pitch during the eighth inning against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

For a long stretch, the lefty was one of the game's top setup relievers, with a 1.30 ERA through July 30, but posted a 4.30 ERA from there, possibly due to heavy first-half use.

Cody Bellinger, LF

Grade: B

Sep 30, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger (35) hits a three run home run in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Final numbers were impacted by a late July hamstring strain. Still played an outstanding left field. Stark home (.919 OPS) vs. road (.628) splits.

Will Warren, starter

Sep 25, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Will Warren (29) follows through on a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Grade: B

Deserves much credit for, once again, posting every fifth or sixth day, then making a seamless late-season transition to relief for the postseason cause.

Luis Garcia Jr., 1B

Grade: B

Sep 30, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Luis Garcia Jr. (26) reacts in the sixth inning against the Boston Red Sox during game two of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Had a lot of big offensive moments, with power, following MLB trade deadline acquisition from Washington. Batted .170 over his final 12 games. Went 1-for-10 vs. Rays.

Fernando Cruz, reliever

Grade: B

Aug 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Fernando Cruz (63) follows through on a pitch against the Atlanta Braves during the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Didn't pitch after Aug. 25 due to partial UCL tear, explaining drop-off in his final 16 games (5.93 ERA) after being firmly in the Circle of Trust (2.20 ERA) through mid-July.

Paul Goldschmidt, 1B

Grade: B

Aug 28, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (48) celebrates with third baseman Amed Rosario (14) after hitting a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tom Horak-Imagn Images

Posted a .967 OPS against right-handed pitching in 183 plate appearances, and wants to play on next year, in his age-39 season.

Ryan Yarbrough, reliever

Grade: B

Jul 19, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees starting pitcher Ryan Yarbrough (33) pitches against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Veteran lefty made both 2026 playoff rosters, serving all season as a valuable innings eater and arms saver at the bullpen's back end.

Spencer Jones, outfielder

Grade: B-

Oct 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a RBI double during the fourth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Improved with each call-up, flashed power-speed combo and hit lefties (1.107 OPS), but outfield defense needs improvement, especially if he's a center field consideration.

Ryan Weathers, starter

Grade: B-

Aug 22, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Ryan Weathers (40) pitches against the Toronto Blue Jays during the first inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images

Was finally hitting his stride (2.56 ERA, 11 starts) when a flexor strain ended his regular season by late August. Ramped up to become a bullpen option by October.

George Lombard Jr., SS

Grade: C+

Oct 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop George Lombard Jr. (96) singles during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Will enter 2027 as the incumbent shortstop, after a valuable two-plus month rookie experience, including a taste of postseason, and periods of defensive inconsistency.

Gerrit Cole, starter

Grade: C+

Oct 3, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Gerrit Cole (45) delivers in the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game one of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Returned from Tommy John surgery rehab and posted a 3.61 ERA in 22 starts. Troubled by the long ball at times. Made one postseason start (5 IP, one run) vs. Rays.

Jose Caballero, IF

Grade: C

Oct 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Jose Caballero (72) throws to first during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Would have liked to see him more utilized as a starter during postseason, where his energy and baserunning could have been a bigger factor.

Aaron Judge, RF

Grade: C

Oct 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge before game three of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs against the Tampa Bay Rays at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

A week after returning from a first right rib fracture, the captain's right calf strain ultimately ended a lost and highly disappointing 2026 coming off two straight MVP years.

Anthony Volpe, IF

Grade: C-

Oct 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe (11) hits a double after fan interference during the sixth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Lost the shortstop job, but credit for re-emerging from minor league demotion as a more versatile defender - with a quick transition to second base - and an improved hitter.

Austin Wells, C

Grade: D+

Oct 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees catcher Austin Wells (28) tags out Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Taylor Walls (6) in a rundown during the third inning in game three of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Took a beating behind the plate, saved a rough offensive year with a solid last two months, but 2026 snapshot is that baserunning miscue in ALDS Game 2.

Amed Rosario, IF

Grade: D

Sep 29, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Amed Rosario (14) throws to first for an out during the second inning against the Boston Red Sox during game one of the Wildcard round for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Employed to menace lefties and actually hit better vs. righty pitching. Plus leadership. Defensively unreliable, did not make the ALDS roster.

Heliot Ramos, OF

Grade: D

Aug 30, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Heliot Ramos (34) hits a home run during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Trade deadline acquisition rallied late after big-time initial struggles in pinstripes. Had just three hitless at-bats in postseason, none in the Division Series.

Jasson Dominguez, OF

Grade: D-

Jul 17, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees right fielder Jasson Dominguez (24) follows through on a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the fourth inning at Yankee Stadium. An error by Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages (not pictured) allowed him to advance to third base on the play. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Improved as a right-handed hitter, further regressed as an outfielder and was a non-factor by early September. On a club stocked with DHs, you wonder about his pinstriped future.

Ryan McMahon, 3B

Grade: D-

Aug 12, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees third baseman Ryan McMahon (19) follows through on an RBI double against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Plus defense and 20-homer power were his calling cards and he dropped in both departments, so much so that he's uncertain to return in '27, despite a year left on his contract.

Trent Grisham, CF

Grade: D-

Oct 7, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees outfielder Trent Grisham (12) reacts after striking out during the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays in game three of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Suffered another hamstring strain, which might have contributed to plunging defensive metrics. Won't be recalled fondly in the Bronx for how it ended this October.

Tim Hill, reliever

Grade: D-

Apr 8, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees relief pitcher Tim Hill (41) pitches in the sixth inning against the Athletics at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-Imagn Images

Resurrected his career with the Yanks in 2024, and maybe he can do it again elsewhere. Fall-off in 2026 was such that he did not make either postseason series roster.

Incomplete grades

Sep 26, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (27) hits a two run home run against the Baltimore Orioles during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images

DH: Giancarlo Stanton; pitchers: Elmer Rodriguez, Yerry de los Santos, Angel Chivilli, Brendan Beck, John Schreiber, Michael Fulmer, Bradley Hanner, Kervin Castro; catchers: J.C. Escarra, Ali Sanchez; infielder: Max Schuemann.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Our Yankees grades are in for every player after 2026 season

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