Yankees’ Former All-Star Makes Contract Decision With Demotion Looming

March 19, 2026 · Yahoo Sports

ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 14: The New York logo is displayed on a hat during the MLB game between the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves on August 14, 2023 at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

The New York Yankees are set for Opening Day with a group of players that looks pretty similar to the one that disappointed fans last year.

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After reaching the World Series in 2024, the Yankees were eliminated by the Toronto Blue Jays in an American League Division Series last season, but the front office seems confident that virtually the same group has a chance to end their championship drought next season.

“I just think we have a good, strong, deep roster of players that are capable of great things,” general manager Brian Cashman said after the team brought back Cody Bellinger and Trent Grisham, according to MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch. “And so we’re going to look forward to testing that theory.”

New York Yankees’ Former All-Star Paul DeJong Headed For Harsh Roster Cut

However, the team has made some changes at the fringes of the roster. Perhaps the biggest difference is the addition of young starter Ryan Weathers, who was acquired in a trade with the Miami Marlins. But there are also some notable names competing for one of the final Opening Day bench spots.

With Aaron Judge, Bellinger and Grisham locked into everyday outfield roles, young slugger Jasson Dominguez is vying to make the team. And in the infield, a mix of Amed Rosario, Max Scheumann, Paul Goldschmidt and Oswaldo Cabrera are competing to serve as the primary backups to Ben Rice, Jazz Chisholm, Jose Caballero and Ryan McMahon. Meanwhile, the team is earmarking three spots for catchers in Austin Wells and JC Escarra alongside Rice.

That competition would seemingly leave out former All-Star Paul DeJong, who joined the Yankees on a minor-league contract with his sights set on a big-league opportunity.

Recently, he seems to have fallen out of contention for a big-league role by Opening Day.

“We had added DeJong to the roster last week, due to his veteran status, infield versatility and the speculation of an extra roster spot becoming available,” Pete Caldera wrote in his latest Opening Day roster projection for NorthJersey.com. “But McMahon’s ability to slide over to shortstop and Escarara’s seemingly secured roster spot has altered the equation.”

New York Yankees’ Veteran Paul DeJong Has Made His Contract Opt Out Decision

Now that he appears set for a demotion to the minor leagues, a veteran with significant credentials like DeJong could prefer to opt out of his Yankees deal and pursue a big-league opportunity elsewhere. But he has reportedly already made the decision to stick with the organization, at least for the foreseeable future.

“Paul DeJong does not plan to opt out of his minor league deal with the Yankees tomorrow (Thursday) as is his right as XX(b) free agent,” the New York Post’s Joel Sherman reported on X, formerly Twitter. “His plan is to try to make the team and, if not, at least begin the season at AAA.”

That update should come as good news for the Yankees, who would surely like to have a versatile veteran like DeJong stashed away in the minors. In a nine-year major-league career that included an All-Star nod in 2019, DeJong has a .710 OPS and he logged 44 hits in 57 games for the Washington Nationals last year. He has made starts at shortstop, second base and third base throughout his career.

If the Yankees’ depth equation changes in the opening weeks of the season, DeJong could be in line for a call up.

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