Yankees pay massive price just to bring back same roster Blue Jays destroyed in 2025

There were a lot of New York Yankees fans who complained about receiving a wild card spot after tying the Toronto Blue Jays atop the American League with a 94-68 record in 2025, but both teams had a chance to prove their worth when they met in the ALDS.

Of course, the Blue Jays hammered the Bronx Bombers in the series, winning 3-1 while outscoring the Yankees by a final margin of 34-19. The disparity in talent between both clubs was on full display for the world to see, and there was no doubting which team was the clear cream of the crop in the AL East.

Given the way this offseason has gone, that gap has only widened. The Blue Jays, despite losing Bo Bichette to the Yankees' crosstown rivals, have improved by adding Dylan Cease, Cody Ponce, Tyler Rogers, and Kazuma Okamoto to their roster. The 27-time champions, meanwhile, have traded for Ryan Weathers and... picked Cade Winquest in the Rule 5 Draft. It's safe to say that it's been a very slow winter in the city that never sleeps.

The Yankees did finally emerge from their hibernation to re-sign Cody Bellinger, marking yet another Blue Jays target that has been taken by another team. However, in this instance, perhaps it's for the best — the Yankees are basically just running it back with the same roster that Toronto thoroughly outclassed in the playoffs.

Yankees fully commit to 2025 redux by re-signing Cody Bellinger, which should be music to Blue Jays' fans ears

Admittedly, losing out on Bellinger shortly after failing to win the Bo Bichette or Kyle Tucker sweepstakes is a painful way to close the marquee free-agent hunt this offseason. Thanks to Cease and Okamoto, it's impossible to call this offseason a failure for GM Ross Atkins and the front office, but a hot start fizzling out isn't going to instill anyone with a bunch of confidence.

That being said, the Yankees went way over the top to keep Bellinger in tow, giving him $162 million, multiple opt-outs, and a full no-trade clause. The 2019 NL MVP is a great player, but that's a steep price to pay for someone whose best years are well behind him.

Plus, that price tag effectively ensures that New York won't be making any more significant upgrades this offseason. They've already had to factor in raises for Bellinger and Trent Grisham, and Hal Steinbrenner's sob story about how the team doesn't rake in huge profits likely precludes them from getting involved with the few big names who are still available in free agency.

Considering how last season ended, it's hard to see how Ryan Weathers (and Gerrit Cole returning from Tommy John surgery) will be enough to bridge the talent rift between the Yankees and Blue Jays. And yet, that's a bet that they are apparently willing to make.

Good luck with that.