A Luis Gil trade and more bold predictions for the 2026 Yankees' season

You know what would’ve qualified as a bold prediction?

Anticipating the Yankees would enjoy one of their most stress-free, undramatic, healthy and humdrum camps in recent history, to say the least.

Spring training sites are the forever headquarters of baseball optimism, but the happenings around Steinbrenner Field – to date – mostly raised expectations for 2026.

So, let’s take a few wild swings about the pinstriped season ahead.

Spencer Jones gets the call Mar 10, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a solo home run in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Mar 10, 2026; Clearwater, Florida, USA; New York Yankees center fielder Spencer Jones (78) hits a solo home run in the second inning against the Philadelphia Phillies during spring training at BayCare Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Young outfielders Jasson Dominguez and Spencer Jones will begin the season at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

But the lefty-slugger Jones gets the first call-up, and winds up with more MLB plate appearances than the switch-hitting Dominguez, despite his big-league experience.

If there’s an injury situation or a performance drop-off by Trent Grisham, you can see the fleet, 6-foot-7 Jones making his major league debut and getting starts in center field.

Dominguez is still just 23, two years younger than Jones, but the Yankees no longer view him as a center field option.

Should Jones start hot at Triple-A, with an outfield need in the Bronx, maybe the Yanks keep Dominguez at Scranton to work on his left field defense and right-handed swing.

Luis Gil is traded by the deadline Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil (81) throws a pitch during live batting practice during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Feb 12, 2026; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Luis Gil (81) throws a pitch during live batting practice during spring training workouts at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Already, it’s starting to look as if Gil will be one of the first starters bounced from the rotation once the injury-rehabbing veterans return.

That could be as early as late April, when lefty Carlos Rodon (elbow surgery) is due back.

Or it could be around June 1, when ace Gerrit Cole (Tommy John surgery) is expected to return, or if one of those electric young prospects forces his way to the majors.

Yankees GM Brian Cashman casts a wide trade net and he’s willing to deal with rivals or contenders if the matchup is suitable.

Would the Mets need a starter by the deadline? Would there be a big-league need, or a few prospects, that sways the Yanks to deal from a strength?

If Cole, Rodon and Max Fried are on their game, fronting a productive rotation (with the chance of getting Clarke Schmidt back by late summer), Gil could be moved.

Carlos Lagrange wins Rookie of the Year Feb 27, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Lagrange (84) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning during spring training at Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Feb 27, 2026; Fort Myers, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Lagrange (84) throws a pitch against the Minnesota Twins in the fourth inning during spring training at Lee Health Sports Complex/Hammond Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

In some way, at some time, Carlos LaGrange will impact the 2026 Yankees.

It might be as a starter, or it might be as a reliever. But the Yankees saw into the immediate future when they witnessed LaGrange’s impressive spring training work.

Lagrange’s 100-plus mph fastballs during live BP sessions were “silly, never seen anything like it,’’ said Cole, who also witnessed Lagrange’s improved control and command of the slider and changeup.

Completing the Florida-version of camp on an 11-inning exhibition-game scoreless streak, Lagrange left little doubt about his readiness to help the Yankees this year.

As either a rotation piece or a multi-inning bullpen weapon, Lagrange makes enough of a difference over about a four-month period to capture Rookie of the Year honors.

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