The Major League Baseball winter meetings have concluded, and the New York Yankees have still not done much in the market. The team needs more pitching upgrades, and two veteran names could help: Chris Bassitt and Pete Fairbanks.
The Yankees are very behind in improving their roster for 2026. The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Toronto Blue Jays have both been on a spree, shopping in the market to fill holes after both reaching the World Series.
All the Yankees have really done is re-sign Amed Rosario, which is not a splash by any means, and retain Trent Grisham on the qualifying offer (perhaps not even their intention). There were various names that Brian Cashman could have played with to maximize his club’s potential, but he failed to add in the end.
Tyler Rogers was a solid pitching option, and the Yankees could have gotten him on the cheaper end. Instead, the Blue Jays pounced on the opportunity. The club needs an established closer, but unfortunately, two of them were taken off the market.
Edwin Díaz took a stunningly hefty payday with the Dodgers, while Kenley Jansen reportedly signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Tigers.
Luckily, Bassitt and Fairbanks remain on the market and could be beneficial to the Yankees’ pitching staff.
Chris Bassitt Is a Solid Pitching Option for the Yankees This Offseason
Bassitt spent a short time on the opposite side of the Bronx before his stint in Toronto. The right-hander spent 2022 with the crosstown New York Mets before spending three seasons with the Blue Jays, primarily as a starting pitcher. He’s gained a lot of experience and exposure to the American League East. Bassitt has also pitched at Yankee Stadium quite a bit, looking comfortable and confident.
Most importantly, Bassitt is a very calculated arm on the mound, making him a solidified free agent option for the Yankees.
The right-hander’s first season in Toronto was a solid one, picking up a league-leading 16 wins, and a league-leading 33 games started. In his first two seasons up north, he recorded 26 wins and 22 losses.
Through his entire three-year contract, Bassitt finished with 37 wins and 31 losses. He’s a winner and is not afraid to fail. Bassitt was not rich with run support, which explains the higher amounts of losses.
The free agent contends counts, forcing strikeouts and weak roll-over contact. Bassitt is a strikeout machine, recording a minimum of 150 strikeouts per year. His dominance is pushed by an eight-pitch repertoire.
Bassitt will also provide depth and durability in a rotation. The right-hander has averaged around 150-plus innings of work per season since 2021. What else is impressive? His versatility.
Bassitt was added later to the postseason roster but was not in the rotation. He was asked to come in as a relief, and did it with pleasure. The Yankees could have huge usage for the right-handed pitching option in all capacities.
Pete Fairbanks Still on the Closer Market
Brian Cashman mentioned that the Yankees are happy with David Bednar as the closer. Although this was mentioned, it’s not an easy sentiment to believe in the Bronx. The team has gone through several closers in recent years, from phenomenal to extremely questionable.
Devin Williams is now a New York Met, and now so is Luke Weaver. These were two often unsuccessful options that the Yankees ultimately let walk. Bednar came in to take over the role and did a solid job.
“Fairbanks to me, is far and away the best reliever left on the market…”@Feinsand mentions the Phillies, Cubs, Mets and Yankees among plenty of teams showing interest in free agent reliever Pete Fairbanks. pic.twitter.com/NM9eL2YQEV
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 17, 2025
But the team could still benefit from an established closer. Fairbanks has been on the market for some time, after saving 27 games for the Tampa Bay Rays in 2025. He has saved 20-plus games in the last three seasons.
The right-hander has a three-pitch repertoire, with a fastball above 97 mph. He has shut down stuff and has the experience of pitching in the American League East. With a scarce closer market, this could be a good closer option for the Yankees.
Main Photo Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
