The Yankees’ season ended short of a World Series title again.

Teams change after every season. But for the New York Yankees, it seems like modifications are being thrust on them — especially with another season ending without a parade down the Canyon of Heroes.

The Yankees will look different in 2026, which is where the organization and fans are forced to turn their attentions after New York’s season ended with a 5-2 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays in Game 4 of the American League Division Series.

The Blue Jays advanced to the ALCS for the first time since 2015. They will face either the Detroit Tigers or Seattle Mariners, who will meet in a Game 5 of the ALDS on Friday.

Changes To Yankees’ Offense Are Inevitable

The Yankees led the majors in home runs (274) and runs scored (849) yet averaged only four runs per game in the postseason — due to the usual lack of contact (66 strikeouts).

Those who watched the Blue Jays couldn’t help but admire their ability to avoid strikeouts at all costs. They put pressure on the Yankees pitching staff — especially in Toronto, where their continued ability to foul off pitches fed fan excitement and built momentum.

It will be incumbent for the Yankees to keep targeting elite talent to surround with perennial MVP candidate and captain Aaron Judge. Judge is likely to win his third MVP in four seasons and second in a row after hitting 53 home runs and winning the AL batting title before posting an otherworldly 1.273 OPS in October.

Yet, aside from targeting contact, there will changes forced on the team. Paul Goldschmidt won’t be back, since the Yankees will make space full time for Ben Rice.

Plus, Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham, who combined for 63 home runs during the regular season, both seem likely to leave in free agency. Jasson Dominguez is deserving of a bigger role in left field next year.

Bellinger’s versatility, exceptional defense and left-handedness would be great for the Yankees to keep, even though it likely will come at nine-figure cost.

The most intriguing player to watch this off-season will be shortstop Anthony Volpe. The organization defended him at all costs publicly, but he went just 5 for 26 with 16 strikeouts in the postseason and was 1 for 15 with 11 Ks against the Blue Jays — manager Aaron Boone even pinch hit for Volpe with Dominguez down by four runs in the ninth inning of Game 4.

Gerrit Cole’s Return Should Stabilize The Rotation

It may seem like a cop out, but the Yankees’ season died when Gerrit Cole went under the knife for Tommy John surgery.

Sure co-aces Max Fried and Carlos Rodon did all they could. Fried led the AL in wins (19), and Rodon finished with 18. Cam Schlittler was a great story by surrendering just two earned runs in 14 1/3 innings — he picked up a tough-luck loss in Game 4, allowing four runs, and two earned in 6 1/3 innings and finished with a 1.26 ERA in the postseason.

But Fried and Rodon clearly buckled in the ALDS under the weight of carrying the pitching staff all year, especially since budding No. 3 starter Clarke Schmidt also had Tommy John surgery. Fried and Rodon combined to allow 13 earned runs and 14 hits in 5 2/3 innings against the Blue Jays.

So Cole’s return will right the Yankees rotation, even if it comes in the second half. Add him to  Fried, Rodon, Schlittler, plus Schmidt who expects to return mid-year — along with Will Warren and Luis Gil, assuming neither is traded — and the Yankees rotation again will be a major strength.

The Yankees’ Bullpen Will Look Different

Bullpens are where teams change the most year to year, and Yankees fans may have to have to say goodbye to another fan favorite in Luke Weaver.

Weaver will be a free agent after he had another solid regular season (4-4, 3.62 ERA, 8 saves 72 strikeouts in 64 2/3 innings), and he may explore the opportunity to close — or even start — elsewhere.

But Weaver also was horrible in October, allowing five earned runs in 1/3 innings over three appearances — he finished with a postseason ERA of 135.00.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman made trade-deadline deals aimed at controllable relievers — like David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Jake Bird, the latter of whom finished the season off the active roster.

Presumably, Cashman realized the Yankees could not realistically go all-in without having Cole available in October.

Yet, off-season-acquisition-turned-setup man Devin Williams also seems likely to depart in free agency. He lost his closer role — first to Weaver then to Bednar after the Yankees acquired him from the Pittsburgh Pirates — but pitched very well in September and October and could sign with a team in need of relief help.

Pat Pickens is an experienced sports writer and media personality who has written for outlets like NHL.com, the Associated Press, the New York Times and USA Today. He covers the NFL, NBA, NHL and NBA as a breaking news contributor at Heavy. More about Pat Pickens