3 NY Yankees Who Won't Be Back Next Season

It was another postseason flop for the New York Yankees. They head home after being dispatched by the Tampa Bay Rays in a sweep in the ALDS—three straight games. 

Certainly, injuries played a role in the Yankees' failings this season, as Aaron Judge wasn't even available in their two playoff series due to a strained right calf. 

Without their (and the AL's) MVP, they simply didn't have enough offense, scoring only five runs in the three games. 

As we can usually expect when they come up short of expectations, there will be calls for major changes, and we can count on a number of Yankees players not returning in 2027, for various reasons. Here are 3 notable names that almost certainly won't be in Pinstripes next season. 

Trent Grisham

Not many people around the sport are surprised that Grisham didn't replicate his stunning career year of 2025. His 34 HR that year were double what he'd ever hit before in a season, and his .811 OPS was 100 points higher than his career mark. After an injury-riddled 2026 that saw him hit .211 this year, with a steep drop-off to 18 home runs and a .703 OPS, the Yankees won't make the same mistake of extending him the qualifying offer again this year. He'll head to the open market and find somewhere else to ply his trade. And the Bronx Zoo will be rejoicing. 

Paul Blackburn

On a cheap $2M deal, Blackburn was this year's version of the 2025 Grisham, but on the pitching side of things. A career year for a veteran, who very likely won't be able to repeat it. Blackburn far outpitched his salary, and shockingly became a mainstay in high-leverage situations for the Yankees. He posted a career best (by FAR) 1.69 ERA and 1.09 WHIP, while holding batters to a .199 average. High-end relievers can command a pretty penny on the free agent market, so the 32-year-old Blackburn will look to cash in with a big deal. It just won't come from the Yankees. Someone else will pay the reliever with the 4.46 ERA and 1.37 WHIP a crazy salary. 

Jazz Chisholm Jr. 

Heading into free agency, Chisholm likely cost himself millions and millions on the market with his disastrous 2026 campaign. He batted just .231 with a .711 OPS, both the lowest of his career. Sure, he swiped 41 bags, but between his injury troubles over the years, and up and down production from one season to the next, it's unlikely he gets the kind of massive payday he's looking for. It's considered highly unlikely the Yankees will extend him the $23M qualifying offer, and even if they do, it's even more unlikely he'd accept it.