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Brian Cashman Defends Yankees’ Offensive Philosophy After ALDS Loss: ‘You Need It All’
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- Brian Cashman Defends Yankees’ Offensive Philosophy After ALDS Loss: ‘You Need It All’
New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman pushed back on the idea that the team is too reliant on home runs following their ALDS loss to the Toronto Blue Jays .
In an interview with The Athletic, Cashman acknowledged the oft-heard argument that the Yankees have traded fundamental hitting for a lineup dependent on power. Although the Yankees' 274 home runs led baseball, they ranked third in strikeouts (1,463) and managed just a .693 OPS in seven playoff games.
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"One thing we always fight is that we rely too much on the home run," Cashman said. "But the team that out-homers the other team always moves on in the postseason, and that's a fact. You also need contact. You need it all."
Seven Yankees recorded at least 20 home runs, with captain Aaron Judge (53), center fielder Trent Grisham (34), and second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (31) all clearing the 30-homer mark.
New York Yankees designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton (L) and right fielder Aaron Judge combined for 77 home runs in 2025Mark Smith-Imagn Images
Despite regularly fielding one of the sport's top payrolls, the Yankees have only won a single pennant since their 2009 World Series victory. Longtime Yankees third baseman Álex Rodríguez , a key component of that 2009 team, recently criticized Cashman for "one of the worst constructions of a roster I've ever seen."
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"I knew we had a championship-caliber contender, but it's a prizefight," Cashman told The Athletic . "Your champion is going up against another champion, and you're in a cage fight. It's kill or be killed, survival of the fittest."
What Will the New York Yankees Do This Offseason?
Veteran outfielder and former NL MVP Cody Bellinger headlines the eight Yankees who have either entered free agency or could do so within the coming weeks. Bellinger hit .272 with 29 home runs, 98 RBIs, and an .813 OPS while primarily playing left field, and his 5.0 bWAR trailed only Judge's league-leading 9.7 among Yankees players.
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First baseman Paul Goldschmidt , another one-time NL MVP who turned 38 in September, is unlikely to return following a second-half slump. Ben Rice is the early frontrunner to start at first base, especially if the oft-injured Giancarlo Stanton stays healthy. There have been no indications or credible reports about the Yankees potentially moving Judge, who turns 34 next spring and had an elbow injury this summer, to first base.
The Yankees must decide if they'll extend a one-year, $22 million qualifying offer to center fielder Grisham, who posted a career-best .811 OPS in nearly 600 plate appearances. The 29-year-old Grisham is a two-time Gold Glove winner, and the Yankees will receive a draft pick if he declines the qualifying offer and signs elsewhere.
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Relievers Luke Weaver , Devin Williams , Paul Blackburn , and Jonathan Loaisiga are all pending free agents, and lefty Tim Hill has a $3 million club option. Infielder Amed Rosario , pitcher Ryan Yarbrough , and outfielder Austin Slater can also hit unrestricted free agency.
Related: Former Royals Pitcher Speaks Out After Lou Whitaker Hall of Fame Snub
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Nov 4, 2025, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
