NEW YORK — In the end, the bullpen wasn’t what doomed the New York Yankees in October.
For much of the season, it could have been. Once a pillar of consistency, the relief corps was unusually volatile through July, too often melting down late and forcing general manager Brian Cashman to reconstruct it on the fly.
By the trade deadline, Cashman had patched together what looked on paper like a super bullpen — yet it never quite materialized that way. Injuries, inconsistency, and a pitch-tipping issue for Luke Weaver limited how dominant the group could be.
Still, in the postseason, Aaron Boone’s circle of trust — David Bednar, Devin Williams, Fernando Cruz, Tim Hill, and Camilo Doval — delivered far better than the Yankees’ rotation. Together, they allowed just three earned runs across 20 playoff innings (1.35 ERA) during the Yankees’ ALDS loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
“It’s a really talented group,” Bednar said during the wild-card series against Boston. “I think we just find a way.”
Now, as several of those arms prepare to hit free agency, the Yankees will have to find a way again.
Key pieces could depart
Weaver, after two strong seasons, is set to enter the open market. At 31, he could position himself as a swingman or even starter — the way Clay Holmes successfully did years earlier — and should command far more than the $2.5 million he earned under his 2025 club option.
Williams is also due for free agency after a roller-coaster season that began disastrously but ended on steadier footing. The 30-year-old posted a 4.79 ERA but struck out 82 across 62 innings, including 3⅔ scoreless frames in October.
His lone blemish came in Game 4 of the ALDS, when Nathan Lukes’ two-run single followed a costly Jazz Chisholm Jr. error.
“I think overall my season was pretty good,” Williams said. “Outside of a few blowups, I feel like I contributed.”
Williams added that he was open to a return to the Bronx, though the market could dictate otherwise.
Beyond those two, Ryan Yarbrough and Paul Blackburn are set to hit free agency, while Jonathan Loáisiga could join them if the Yankees decline his $5 million option. Hill, meanwhile, has a $3 million team option that could keep him alongside incumbents Bednar, Cruz, and Doval.
Depth — but limited upside
Arbitration decisions will also shape the bullpen’s look. Mark Leiter Jr. (projected ~$3 million), Jake Bird, Jake Cousins, Ian Hamilton, and Scott Effross are all candidates. Younger options such as Yerry De los Santos and Brent Headrick provide depth but little high-leverage experience.
The biggest X-factor may be Camilo Doval, whose electric stuff makes him the most high-octane bridge to Bednar. The 28-year-old endured a rocky start in New York — posting a 6.59 ERA across his first six weeks — but finished strong, with six straight scoreless outings to end the regular season and just one earned run in 3⅓ postseason innings.
“He’s getting to a good place of being confident in his role,” pitching coach Matt Blake said. “He’s confident and aggressive — that’s a good version of Camilo.”
Whether that version is consistent enough to anchor the bullpen behind Bednar remains to be seen.
Offseason outlook
Cashman’s task is now clear: rebuild a bullpen that proved sturdy in October but faces turnover and uncertainty heading into 2026.
The Yankees’ relief corps ultimately wasn’t the problem this postseason. The question now is whether it will still be a strength next year.
