Cody Bellinger’s decision to opt out of his $25 million player option has hit the New York Yankees fans like a gut punch. He, after all, had a career year, slashing. 272/.334/.480 with 29 home runs, 98 RBI, 13 stolen bases, and 160 hits. But his choice to test free agency leaves a hole not only on the field but also in the hearts of fans, who had grown to rely on him. Sadly, for Bellinger, loyalty seems to have been nothing in front of the money.

But here is the real kicker—Bellinger’s leaving may be just the first wave of heartbreak for the New York Yankees. Fans need to look at what they are to face next—the reality that two more players may not return in 2026. The roster is already turbulent, and now the future seems more uncertain.

Honestly, after the Toronto Blue Jays eliminated New York in the ALDS, the question is not who will step up next season; it’s who will stick around even to try. For now, the two other players who seem not to be in the picture are Trent Grisham and Paul Goldschmidt, as per Pinstripe Territory.

Pinstripe Territory put it bluntly: “Another one that genuinely makes me feel sad because this guy was everything that we could have asked for when they signed him, and that is Paul Goldschmidt, first baseman. He’s getting a little bit long in the tooth…but he’s at the age where he’s just not going to get a lot better.” Paul Goldschmidt, at 37 years old, was honestly a wreck at first base this season. He hit .274 with 10 home runs, 31 doubles, 45 RBI, and a triple. But age and roster reality do catch up to everyone. Plus, with Ben Rice showing so much promise, and if Bellinger stays, then his flexibility across positions leaves Goldschmidt’s future time in pinstripes in doubt.

Another name that Pinstripe Territory gave is, “I think Trent Gisham is the guy that the Yankees will not bring back. He is a free agent, but the Yankees could offer him a qualifying offer. So don’t be surprised if he accepts. But I don’t expect that they will give him a big contract. I also don’t expect that he would accept a qualifying offer. He had a career year.” Trent Grisham arrived from San Diego in the Juan Soto trade, and truly, this has been his career year with 34 home runs, a .235/.348/.464 slash line, 129 wRC+, and 3.2 fWAR. But yet again, the playoff struggles, the overlap with Bellinger, and the Yankees’ emerging talents Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones performing stellar make his return complicated. Plus, talks about Grisham’s future in the Bronx were already in the rounds, even before the brutal loss to the Jays.

For now, the emotional toll is real—the Yankees may be saying goodbye to three of their fan favorites in just one off-season. And maybe, just maybe, the Yankees can save one player from leaving—and he may not be a fan favorite.

Luke Weaver’s after-disaster postseason outing can be back in the Yankees!

The New York Yankees’ 2025 playoff dreams came crashing down in just four games; there was not even a Game 5 to decide. If you thought last year’s World Series was a disaster, this was 2x the disaster. This has left the fans frustrated and the team staring at an overhaul in the roster. One other key player that’s heading to free agency is relief pitcher Luke Weaver. And if you thought that after his disastrous postseason performance, he would be on the outs—well, his story might not be over yet.

The reason might be that Weaver has not been all bad, and his journey with the team has been remarkable. During the team’s 2024 WS run, he was deemed a bullpen revelation. He eventually closed out games with a 1.76 ERA, 16 strikeouts, and four saves in 12 postseason appearances. He became a key piece in the Yankees’ pitching puzzle, but fast-forward to 2025, and it’s honestly been a roller coaster.

Weaver had a solid regular season, but his hamstring strain derailed him later. Then in the playoffs, he had three appearances, one total out, five earned runs, and a staggering ERA—yes, that’s right. It was tough to watch someone who was a reliable arm just unravel. Boone couldn’t help but simply bench him, leaving Weaver’s postseason plans in shambles. But even then, Randy Miller of NJ.com said, “Weaver wasn’t right in the second half, and he was tipping pitches in the playoffs, but he’s proved over a long enough sample size that he can pitch in New York. Prediction: Re-signs with Yankees for three years.” It remains to be seen if the story is over or if he gets another shot at redemption by the New York Yankees.