Ian Hamilton and Mark Leiter Jr. are among the Yankees' non-tender five players

The Yankees must either tender or not tender 14 players, including some well-known players as well as bench and bullpen pieces. Who will be a free agent and who will remain for 2026 will depend on what GM Brian Cashman and the organisation decide on Friday. In order to decide their wage for the next season, individuals who are tendered may also go to arbitration.

Of course, if the Yankees and the player reach an agreement, the arbitration procedure might be eliminated.

All of the Yankees' arbitration and tender news is right here.

November 21, 5:55 p.m.

Five players, mostly from the bullpen were not tendered by the Yankees. Contracts for the 2026 season were not awarded to Mark Leiter Jr., Ian Hamilton, Scott Effross or Jake Cousins. All four of the relievers are now unrestricted free agents but the organisation might still bargain with them to get them back.

Michael Arias is another name.

In January, Arias was dealt from the Cubs to the Yankees in exchange for cash. He pitched to a 2.57 ERA in his 17 games with Double-A Somerset.

Other eligible players, such as Jazz Chisholm Jr. Jose Caballero, Anthony Volpe, Luis Gil, Jake Bird, David Bednar, Camilo Doval and Fernando Cruz have also received contracts from the Yankees.

5:00 p.m. on November 21.

According to several sources the Yankees and starting pitcher Clarke Schmidt have reached an agreement on a one year contract worth $4.5 million. The Yankees and Schmidt steer clear of arbitration.

Schmidt pitched to a 3.32 ERA in 14 starts during his strong 2025 season with the Yanks. However, the right hander's season ended in July following his second Tommy John surgery which came after he began the season on the injured list.

November 21, 4:45 p.m.

According to several sources the Yankees and utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera have reached an agreement on a $1.2 million contract, avoiding arbitration.

Cabrera played just 34 games this past season after missing the most of 2025 due to a season-ending foot injury sustained while sliding into home plate. He slashed.243/.322..308 with an OPS of.631 throughout that period. Although he could play infield and outfield he was the team's regular third baseman.

The decision makes sense because it will provide manager Aaron Boone with a flexible bench option for the upcoming season.