TODAY: Blake and the Yankees sealed a new deal through 2029, Jon Heyman reported. Can you imagine the impact of keeping him on board?
OCTOBER 23: Reports say the Yankees will finalize Blake’s extension after his contract expired at year‑end.
New York wrestled with a slew of rotation injuries this year. Gerrit Cole started on the IL after elbow surgery, as did Clarke Schmidt and Carlos Rodon. Max Fried battled elbow woes repeatedly. The club acquired Ryan Weathers from the Marlins, and his left‑handed arm steadied the back end until Cole and Rodon returned, only to miss the stretch with a flexor strain in late August.
With veterans cycling through the IL, the ace slot opened. Cam Schlittler stepped in and delivered a Cy Young‑caliber season, posting a league‑best 1.95 ERA. He limited opponents to two earned runs or fewer in 27 of his 33 starts. Schlittler shone in the Wild Card win over Boston, yet his defense faltered in the ALDS loss to the Rays.
The Yankees shunned big trades or marquee free‑agent deals for the bullpen, instead trusting Blake’s staff to develop hidden gems. Left‑hander Brent Headrick logged a 2.18 ERA over 81 outings, second only to Mason Fluharty of Toronto in usage. Veteran Paul Blackburn returned to the bullpen after a brief 2025 cameo, boosting velocity and adding a sharper changeup, quickly becoming a trusted arm with a 1.59 ERA among pitchers with 80+ innings. Fernando Cruz and Tim Hill also delivered solid work behind closer David Bednar. For my money, Blake’s continuity gives the club an edge.
The rotation should mirror 2027’s lineup if health holds, with Weathers battling Will Warren for the fifth‑starter role. The bullpen remains fluid; free agents include Bednar, Blackburn, Hill, and Ryan Yarbrough. Cruz’s partially torn UCL clouds his 2028 outlook. Expect the Yankees to be active players in the relief market this winter. Will they emerge as top relievers in the upcoming free‑agent market?