The New York Yankees are barreling towards a playoff spot, but they’re still dealing with some roster issues. As it pertains to 2026, it gets even hairier with guys like Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, Paul Goldschmidt, Luke Weaver, Ryan Yarbrough, and others slated for free agency.

Depending on what the Yankees decide to do, all of those players may have a place on the roster next year, so we can’t rule out that they’ll be as good as gone. For a few others, though? That’s not the case. Fans are either ready to say goodbye come November or they’d be willing to hand over their walking papers right now.

Honorable mentions: Kenta Maeda and Jeimer Candelario. Both have been stashed at Triple-A and won’t make any impact at the MLB level, but they’re here and will undoubtedly be gone once the season ends.

Paul Blackburn

Blackburn was signed to burn innings as the last guy in the Yankees’ bullpen. Outside of his one hellacious outing against the Boston Red Sox, which featured seven earned runs in 3 1/3 innings in what was already a losing effort, the right-hander actually hasn’t been bad. He’s allowed just one earned run over his last seven innings of work.

That said … this bullpen needs an overhaul, and any continuity regarding underwhelming/questionable pieces will only set the team back. We really do not think a few more appearances from Blackburn will do much to convince the front office to keep him.

Austin Slater

Slater was acquired at the trade deadline because the Yankees needed more right-handed depth options that could hit lefties. Unfortunately, Slater’s barely been used. He hit the injured list after just three appearances and missed over a month of action. He’s seen some time on the field since being activated, but he’s hitting just .111 with a .222 OPS. Perhaps there’s a chance he returns for cheap to help round out the bench, but with Spencer Jones entering the fold it seems there might just be too many cooks in the outfield kitchen come 2026.

Bummer that we had to trade a top prospect to the White Sox for Slater.

Amed Rosario

Much like above, Rosario was acquired as right-handed depth to hit lefties. He’s doing much better than Slater, hitting .391 with a 1.000 OPS in his 23 at-bats, but we’re sure he’ll be looking for more playing time come next year. That’s not something the Yankees can offer, especially if they want to do the Anthony Volpe dance all over again in 2026.

With Jose Caballero and Ryan McMahon in the fold for 2026 and beyond, there’s just no room for Rosario … unless he wants to be the good vibes cheerleader — a role he has admirably taken on ever since the trade deadline.

Jonathan Loaisiga

Loaisiga, after giving the Yankees just 20 total games across 2023 and 2024 due to a myriad of injuries, returned to the team on a contract that concerned just about everybody. And everyone’s fears were validated after the right-hander gave New York 30 subpar games before going down with another elbow injury. His season ended after his last appearance on Aug. 1.

The veteran has a $5 million team option for 2026. The Yankees better learn their lesson this time. They cannot keep paying Loaisiga given how unreliable he’s been on almost every front.

Devin Williams

Although Devin Williams might be in the midst of rewriting his story with the Yankees after a disastrous start following the offseason trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, there is just no conceivable way the two parties decide to reunite. Williams doesn’t entirely feel comfortable in New York (which would make a one-year prove-it deal almost pointless) and Brian Cashman won’t be paying top-dollar to a spiraling reliever after how he was rewarded for his offseason gamble (which felt more like a responsible investment).

All the best to Williams, who will be a crucial part of this hopeful playoff run. But don’t expect him back on this team in 2026 unless he does an about-face and goes scorched earth against every opponent en route to a World Series victory.