Yankees mailbag: Can they catch the Rays?
Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler delivers against the Boston Red Sox during the second inning of an MLB baseball game at Yankee Stadium on Aug. 28, 2026. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
The Yankees, looking to get three-time AL MVP Aaron Judge back by mid-September for a stretch run they hope results in their first World Series title since 2009, are almost guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. From there, nothing would surprise – whether it’s finally capturing that elusive championship or the kind of early round October exit characteristic of Aaron Boone’s managerial tenure.
With that in mind, let’s dig into the Yankees mailbag, courtesy of Newsday’s readers.
Do you suppose the Rays are feeling the Yankees right on their heels? Who has the more favorable schedule of the remaining regular season games?
Ed Helinski, Auburn New York
The Rays in mid-August seemed poised to run away with the division, taking a 6 ½-game lead on the Yankees on Aug. 15. But the Rays, at one point among the hottest teams in the sport, cooled a bit and the Yankees are within striking distance. Nothing, however, pleases the Rays organization more – and this trickles down into the clubhouse – than being the annual thorn in the side it typically is to the far-better financed Yankees. Neither team has what would be considered an obvious schedule advantage, and all indications are the East will come down to the four-game series between the clubs at the Stadium Sept. 22-24 (Sept. 22 is a doubleheader)
Do you think the 2027 Yankees are better off with or without Stanton?
Gino Estevez, Ronkonkoma (now living in Florida)
It is difficult to argue the Yankees would be “better off” without Stanton given what he provides when healthy. But that’s the rub, right? Stanton has had at least one IL stint in each of the last eight seasons and the recent setback from the calf strain that’s kept him out since late April casts doubt on the DH playing again this season. Stanton is owed $25 million for 2027, the final year of his contract, and the Marlins are on the hook for a portion of that (part of the agreement from the trade between the clubs before the 2018 season). Managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner doesn’t like to pay players to “go away” if they have time and money left on their contracts, though there have been past instances where he has (Alex Rodriguez, Aaron Hicks and DJ LeMahieu are three examples). It’s highly unlikely the Yankees cut Stanton loose after this season but once 2027 starts, depending on his physical condition, that can’t be ruled out.
What’s the plan for Jasson Dominguez this winter? Have we seen the last of him on the Yankees?
Noah Kessler, Teaneck, New Jersey
Dominguez, as hyped a prospect as the franchise has had in recent memory, officially became an afterthought this season. The outfielder generally has played well in Triple-A but, in sporadic playing time in the big leagues, that hasn’t translated. Dominguez isn’t valued in the industry the way he was during his development, but there remain plenty of teams who believe Dominguez, with everyday reps, could still develop into a front-line player. There will be a lot of trade speculation relating to Dominguez in the offseason, but it is important to recognize he is still just 23 years old. The definitive chapter on his Yankees career likely has yet to be written.
Do Spencer Jones, George Lombard Jr. and Cam Schlittler have the makings of a new “Core Four?”
Michael J. Genzale, Shoreham (now living in North Carolina)
All three of players have provided hope for the future with their 2026 performances. Schlittler looks like a rotation stud for years to come; Lombard at no point has looked overmatched in the month since making his big-league debut on Aug. 4; and Jones, after a pair of mostly disappointing stints earlier in the season, has, in this third stint, shown much of the skillset that made him a touted prospect. But, as encouraging as that trio has been so far, the Core Four of Derek Jeter, Jorge Posada, Mariano Rivera and Andy Pettitte is next level in terms of achievement – first and foremost when it comes World Series titles. It’s simply far too early to compare any group of current players to that exulted quartet.
What do you feel the Yankees' future looks like? Things need to change within the organization starting at the top. Do you feel any changes will happen?
Adam Gillespie, Tampa, Florida
The short answer to any question regarding the jobs of manager Aaron Boone and general manager Brian Cashman is, no, neither is going anywhere anytime soon. Steinbrenner, though sharing some of the attributes of his famous (and far louder) father, doesn’t like change for the sake of change. As long as the Yankees continue to stack 90-plus seasons to qualify for October baseball, fans continue to fill the Stadium and YES Network ratings continue to hold steady, dramatic changes in the organizational seats occupied by Boone and Cashman aren’t coming. And, with Aaron Judge still in his prime (albeit with Father Time starting to tick a bit as Judge is now 34) and a solid farm system that has produced the likes of Lombard, Schlittler and Jones, a significant dropoff in wins doesn’t seem imminent.
Erik Boland started in Newsday's sports department in 2002. He covered high school and college sports, then shifted to the Jets beat. He has covered the Yankees since 2009.
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