The New York Yankees’ offseason has started with a quiet roster move that could hint at bigger changes ahead. Veteran outfielder Bryan De La Cruz elected free agency after spending most of 2025 with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, according to MLB.com.
The 28-year-old right-hander joined the Yankees in May after the Atlanta Braves waived him. He impressed at the plate in Triple-A, batting .271 with a .340 on-base percentage and .456 slugging over 91 games. Despite those numbers, the Yankees never promoted him to the majors. With Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Trent Grisham, and Jasson Domínguez healthy and productive, De La Cruz didn’t get a look in the Bronx.
His departure doesn’t shock anyone inside the organization, but it does highlight how crowded the Yankees’ outfield became and how much turnover could follow this winter.
A Veteran Without a Spotlight
De La Cruz’s time in pinstripes ended before it truly began. He arrived with five years of major-league experience, hoping to prove he still belonged at the highest level. Instead, he spent four months anchoring the RailRiders’ lineup in Triple-A.
The Dominican-born slugger launched 15 home runs, drove in 48 runs, and swiped eight bases for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. He showed flashes of the same power that once made him a promising regular for the Miami Marlins.
Since his 2021 debut with Miami, De La Cruz has bounced between three organizations. The Marlins traded him to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2024, where he struggled before signing with Atlanta. He appeared in 16 games for the Braves this season and hit .191 before the Yankees claimed him off waivers. Now, he’ll test free agency again, searching for a team willing to give him a real chance.
What Comes Next for the Yankees’ Outfield?
De La Cruz’s exit won’t make headlines like Bellinger’s or Grisham’s looming free agencies, but it signals the beginning of roster reshuffling in the Bronx. Both Bellinger and Grisham will hit the open market this offseason, leaving New York’s outfield depth thin behind Judge and Domínguez.
Bellinger’s strong season guarantees he’ll attract significant offers from multiple contenders. Grisham could also draw interest from teams that value elite defense in center field. The Yankees must now decide whether to retain one of them or pursue a new name entirely.
Internally, the Yankees might promote Spencer Jones, a 6-foot-6 prospect who mashed 35 homers and stole 29 bases across Double-A and Triple-A this season. He fits the team’s push for more athletic, left-handed power.
Meanwhile, reports continue to link the Yankees to Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs, who could become the most sought-after outfielder on the market if available.
If general manager Brian Cashman plans to reload, not rebuild, the front office must act fast. New York faces several major roster questions beyond the outfield, including whether to retain veteran pitcher and former closer Devin Williams and how to strengthen a bullpen that ran out of gas in the ALDS. Every small move—even De La Cruz’s—helps shape how the Yankees will look by spring training.
For now, De La Cruz’s quiet departure offers a small reminder of how fluid the Yankees’ roster can be. One veteran moving on might seem minor—but in a winter full of uncertainty, even small exits matter.
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