There is a growing sense of unease surrounding the New York Yankees this offseason, as multiple high-stakes scenarios threaten to unfold in ways that could fundamentally reshape their 2026 outlook.

One increasingly plausible outcome involves the Yankees missing out on Cody Bellinger, while simultaneously watching frontline starter Freddy Peralta get dealt elsewhere, leaving significant gaps across the roster.

That scenario no longer feels hypothetical, particularly if New York remains firm on its current offer to Bellinger, a versatile client represented by super-agent Scott Boras, who is well known for stretching negotiations to the brink.

If those two dominoes fall the wrong way, the Yankees would be forced into improvisation mode, searching for short-term answers in a free-agent market that is notably thin on impact talent.

Outside of the elite tier, the available options are defined more by name recognition than by realistic expectations of sustained performance, complicating the Yankees’ traditional approach to roster construction.

Under those circumstances, one name inevitably rises to the surface, not because of upside, but because of legacy, experience, and a lack of better alternatives.

That name is Justin Verlander, a future Hall of Famer whose career arc has intersected with the Yankees in frustration more than fulfillment.

In many ways, Verlander represents a what-if that has lingered in the Bronx since 2017, when New York passed on acquiring him, only to watch the Houston Astros swoop in and reap the rewards.

That decision haunted the Yankees for years, as Verlander became a cornerstone of Houston’s dominance, helping block New York’s path to the World Series multiple times.

Now, nearly a decade later, the idea of signing Verlander feels less like a masterstroke and more like a reluctant concession to circumstance.

Yet with Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón both expected to miss the start of the season, Verlander suddenly becomes relevant by default.

The Yankees’ immediate need is simple but urgent: innings, stability, and someone capable of taking the ball every fifth day without collapsing the bullpen structure.

Viewed through that lens, Verlander, even at this stage of his career, checks enough boxes to warrant serious consideration.

However, New York is not currently the team most closely linked to the veteran right-hander.

According to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, one American League East rival has emerged as a particularly intriguing suitor.

“Free-agent right-hander Justin Verlander is receiving interest from several clubs, according to people briefed on his market,” Rosenthal reported, outlining the slow-developing nature of negotiations.

“One team, in particular, is intriguing: the Baltimore Orioles,” Rosenthal added, a detail that immediately raised eyebrows across the division.

While Rosenthal cautioned that a deal is not imminent, the mere connection underscores Baltimore’s aggressive push to capitalize on its competitive window.

“For now, the Orioles almost certainly are aiming higher,” Rosenthal continued, suggesting that Verlander remains more of a fallback than a primary target.

That distinction matters, because it leaves open the possibility that the Yankees could re-enter the picture if Baltimore pivots elsewhere.

Ironically, if the Yankees were to land Verlander now, they could finally say they took him from another organization, reversing a narrative that has long frustrated their fan base.

Granted, prying Verlander away from the Orioles at this stage would hardly qualify as poetic justice, but symbolism has a way of influencing decision-making in the Bronx.

The move would also mirror a strategy the Yankees employed not long ago, when they signed Corey Kluber in hopes of stabilizing the rotation with veteran experience.

That offseason offers a cautionary parallel worth revisiting.

In that winter, New York endured a drawn-out and somewhat contentious free-agency process before re-signing DJ LeMahieu, betting on continuity and clubhouse leadership.

They then followed it up by bringing in Kluber, a former Cy Young winner whose best years were already behind him.

On paper, the approach seemed logical, blending familiarity with experience to mitigate risk.

In reality, it backfired almost immediately.

LeMahieu was never able to recapture his previous form, while Kluber’s brief high point came in the form of a no-hitter before injuries derailed his season entirely.

By the time Kluber returned, he was largely ineffective, leaving the Yankees once again scrambling for answers.

That history looms large when considering Verlander, whose résumé is unquestionably stronger, but whose age and mileage invite similar concerns.

Still, Verlander’s most recent season suggests there may be something left in the tank.

Pitching for the San Francisco Giants, Verlander logged 152 innings with a 3.85 ERA, production that would be considered more than acceptable given the Yankees’ current situation.

While those numbers no longer reflect ace-level dominance, they do indicate reliability, particularly for a rotation desperate for innings coverage.

If Verlander could approximate that level of performance in New York, the Yankees would likely accept it without hesitation.

That does not mean the signing would generate excitement.

Few moves are less inspiring than adding a 40-plus-year-old pitcher as a stopgap, especially for a fan base conditioned to expect splashy acquisitions.

Even so, there may be one person in the organization who would genuinely welcome Verlander’s arrival.

That person is Gerrit Cole.

Cole and Verlander shared the mound in Houston, forming one of the most formidable rotations in recent memory.

Despite their success, they never won a World Series together, a fact that lingers as unfinished business.

Reuniting them in New York, even briefly, would carry a sense of closure, if not redemption.

From a leadership standpoint, Verlander’s presence could also benefit a pitching staff navigating injuries and inexperience.

His preparation habits, competitive edge, and playoff pedigree remain valuable, even if his velocity and durability are no longer elite.

For younger pitchers, that influence could prove meaningful over the course of a long season.

Still, the broader context cannot be ignored.

If the Yankees reach the point where Verlander becomes their most realistic solution, it would signal an offseason defined more by missed opportunities than decisive wins.

Failing to land Bellinger while watching Peralta depart would leave New York reacting rather than dictating terms.

That dynamic has plagued the organization in recent years, as patience has occasionally crossed into passivity.

The front office now faces a delicate balancing act between fiscal restraint, competitive urgency, and long-term planning.

Signing Verlander would not solve all of the Yankees’ problems, but it could prevent them from spiraling into a deeper rotation crisis early in the season.

It would also buy time, allowing Cole and Rodón to recover without rushing them back into high-leverage roles.

Ultimately, the decision may come down to optics as much as performance.

Adding Verlander would feel like a concession, but not adding anyone could feel worse.

As the Orioles hover on the periphery and the free-agent market remains stagnant, the Yankees’ margin for error continues to shrink.

Whether New York chooses to act or stand firm, the next few weeks will reveal how flexible the organization is willing to be when its original plans begin to unravel.

For now, Justin Verlander remains an imperfect answer to an uncomfortable question.

And in an offseason defined by uncertainty, that may be enough to keep his name firmly in the Yankees’ orbit.