With just a few weeks until opening day, Yankees There are a lot of decisions to be made regarding their roster.
In addition to the positional battle in left field and shortstop, the team has suffered injuries to several key players. Carlos Rodan And harrison bader Will miss Opening Day, and while he is likely to return soon, his spots will need to be filled by players who may have a different role or may not make it out of camp.
The depth of the Yankees’ organization will be tested soon, but if they can withstand this string of injuries they should be on their way to a deep postseason run. and as long as GM Brian Cashman Makes a move, which I don’t see happening, they have to start April with the players they have in their organization.
position player
Anthony Rizzo, 1B
gleiber torres/DJ LeMahieu, 2B
Oswald Peraza, S.S.
Josh Donaldson, 3B
Osvaldo Cabrera, RF
Aaron Hicks, LF
aaron judgeCF
Jose Trevino, c
Giancarlo StantonDH
The Yankees went into the spring with a hole in left, and with Bader going down they had to fill center field as well.
Manager Aaron Boone Already looking inward to try to find the answer. Judge and Stanton have taken reps at the corners, and Boone has tried Cabrera at various positions in the outfield as well. But Judge seems like a better option at center unless Bader can return. The reigning AL MVP played 78 games in center last season, and he could do it again.
That also gives Boone the flexibility to play Stanton instead of Cabrera in right field on some days.
Boone is also going to try to find outfield options. Isiah Kiner-Falefa in the center, While IKF is highly unlikely to be in center, it is indicative of how the Yankees feel about their shortstop position.
IKF lost his job at the end of last season, and while he may still win it back this spring, his productivity at the plate hasn’t helped his cause. Peraza seems like the more sure bet to be the Opening Day shortstop as he has some major league experience and has been solid this spring.
but where does that leave Anthony Volpe, Oh, we’ll get to that.
starting rotation
gerrit coleRHP
Nestor Cortes, LHP
louis severinoRHP
Domingo German, RHP
Clark Schmidt, RHP
German and Schmidt battle for fifth starter spot this spring frankie montas out for a while. But now that Rodan will be on the IL to start the season, there are two spots open and both pitchers deserve to be on the roster.
Hopefully, the depth of the rotation will be there until the Yankees’ biggest off-season acquisition comes back in mid-April.
bullpen
Jonathan Loisiga, RHP
Clay Holmes, RHP
Wendy Peralta, LHP
Ron Marinacio, RHP
Matt Kruk, LHP
Greg Weisert, RHP
Michael King, RHP
Trivino (elbow strain) and Kahnle (biceps tendinitis) will also start the regular season on the IL, which leaves more holes in the Yankees’ roster. Matt Crook Has been solid this spring, giving up just three earned runs in nearly eight innings of work. He is also a lefty, which could give Peralta relief in the bullpen against other lefties. It would also be nice to have another lefty until Rawdon comes back.
I had eight relievers in my last two predictions, but with the uncertainty in the outfield, I think an extra bench player would be better until reinforcements arrive.
bench
Kyle HigashiokaC
Isiah Kinner-Falefa, INF
Gleyber Torres/DJ LeMahieu, INF
Anthony Volpe, INF
Willie Calhoun, OF
And this is where things get spicy. As you can see, I believe Volpe makes the roster. Yes, he won’t be the Opening Day shortstop, but he could make the roster on the bench.
The 21-year-old has proved he can handle himself this spring — slashing .321/.424/1.103 with two home runs and three stolen bases on March 14 — and deserves a spot. He can learn from the big leaguers. And if Peraza falters a bit, Volpe could see some batters. He also has the speed to be a late-game, pinch-runner, and impact game.
Willie CalhounThe 28-year-old outfielder has played very well this spring, and the Yankees can use his veteran presence. Calhoun has power potential and having the lefty off the bench could benefit the team.
Whereas jason dominguez Has opened a lot of eyes this spring, he still needs some time in the minors before making the leap.
