1988 New York Yankees season

The 1988 New York Yankees season was the 86th season for the Yankees. The team finished with a record of 85–76, finishing in fifth place, 3.5 games behind the Boston Red Sox. New York was managed by Lou Piniella and Billy Martin, with the latter managing the team for the fifth and final time. The Yankees played at Yankee Stadium.

Offseason

 * November 2, 1987: Lenn Sakata was released by the New York Yankees.
 * December 11, 1987: Darren Reed, Phil Lombardi, and Steve Frey were traded by the Yankees to the New York Mets for Rafael Santana and Victor Garcia (minors).
 * December 18, 1987: Rich Bordi was released by the New York Yankees.
 * December 22, 1987: Steve Trout and Henry Cotto were traded by the Yankees to the Seattle Mariners for Lee Guetterman, Clay Parker, and Wade Taylor.
 * January 15, 1988: John Candelaria was signed as a free agent by the Yankees.

Notable transactions

 * March 30, 1988: Orestes Destrade was traded by the Yankees to the Pittsburgh Pirates for Hipólito Peña.
 * April 4, 1988: Rick Cerone was released by the Yankees.
 * April 4, 1988: Jerry Royster was released by the New York Yankees.
 * May 7, 1988: Chris Chambliss was signed as a free agent by the Yankees.
 * May 10, 1988: Chris Chambliss was released by the Yankees.
 * June 1, 1988: 1988 Major League Baseball Draft
 * Andy Cook was drafted by the Yankees in the 11th round.
 * Frank Seminara was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 12th round.
 * Deion Sanders was drafted by the Yankees in the 30th round. Player signed June 22, 1988.
 * July 15, 1988: Luis Aguayo was traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the New York Yankees for Amalio Carreno.
 * July 21, 1988: Jay Buhner, Rich Balabon (minors), and a player to be named later were traded by the Yankees to the Seattle Mariners for Ken Phelps. The Yankees completed the deal by sending Troy Evers (minors) to the Mariners on October 12.
 * August 30, 1988: Cecilio Guante was traded by the Yankees to the Texas Rangers for Dale Mohorcic.

Regular season

 * - style="text-align:center;"
 * Legend:      = Win       = Loss       = Postponement Bold = Yankees team member

Starters by position
''Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Other batters
''Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in''

Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Awards and records

 * Rickey Henderson, Yankees Single Season Record, Stolen Bases in a Season (93 in 1988)

Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Albany-Colonie, Oneonta, GCL Yankees