The Yankees are in a difficult position in the American League East, where 92 wins is a middling result. Next season should be equally difficult to win the division, if not more so, with the Toronto Blue Jays quite likely to improve.
Logically, the Yankees will have to to get better to avoid the Wild Card Game, and teams that get better accomplish this goal by either promoting good young players from their farm system or by signing or trading for better players. Furthermore, if Keith Law’s farm system rankings (subscription required) are correct, the Yankees might need to drop their aversion to spending big in free agency if they want to keep up with the Rays, Red Sox, and Blue Jays.