If the Yankees stay healthy, they shouldn’t have too many roster spots for the taking this spring. Of course, good health has been hard to come by in recent years.
Before potential injuries start piling up, here’s a roster prediction before report day.
5 Starting Pitchers: Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes, Clarke Schmidt
As mentioned above, this group comes with injury concerns. Last year, the Yankees’ Opening Day rotation looked a lot different than the projected group they entered camp with. However, the team does appear to have better depth this time around.
The names are listed in the predicted order of the rotation. In this order, the righties and lefties are broken up. Stroman, whose knack for groundballs stands out, offers a different look in the middle.
8 Relievers: Clay Holmes, Jonathan Loáisiga, Ian Hamilton, Tommy Kahnle, Caleb Ferguson, Victor González, Luke Weaver, Ron Marinaccio
Scott Effross’ timeline is unclear after he missed all of 2023 with Tommy John surgery. For the purpose of this prediction, let’s assume that he will take things slow this spring until the Yankees say otherwise.
With that, Marinaccio will be looking to reclaim a spot in the bullpen. The righty had a strong rookie season in 2022, but he struggled between the majors and minors last year.
Other candidates for the back of the bullpen include Yerry De Los Santos, Nick Ramirez, prospects Will Warren and Clayton Beeter, and a few other depth starters.
2 Catchers: Jose Trevino, Austin Wells
The expectation is that the Yankees will roll with Trevino, a Platinum Glove winner, and Wells, a rookie with pop from the left side. Both were limited to small samples last season, but they could give the Yankees a well-balanced tandem behind the plate.
There’s also Ben Rortvedt, who is out of options. For now, he’s insurance in case there’s an injury. However, he could be moved once rosters start to crunch.
5 Infielders: Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, DJ LeMahieu, Anthony Volpe, Oswald Peraza
If Rizzo is indeed past his concussion issues, the Yankees will likely start the season with these infielders. Peraza still has an option and could benefit from consistent playing time at Triple-A, but he can flash the leather as well as anyone at short, second and third. There should be chances for him to play in the majors; it would behoove the Yankees to have him start when the sinker-balling Stroman does.
LeMahieu can play first, second and third. The Yankees have said that he’s their third baseman, but that can always change.
5 Outfielders: Aaron Judge, Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo, Giancarlo Stanton, Trent Grisham
For now, expect Judge to see a lot of time in center field while Verdugo and Soto switch between the corner spots, depending on the stadium. Grisham, meanwhile, offers a strong glove off the bench — if the Yankees don’t try to trade him in an effort to save some money.
They could do that this spring or later in the season once Jasson Domínguez returns from UCL surgery.
Boone has also said that Stanton is determined to be a consistent and quality option in the outfield, though that hasn’t happened in recent years. Perhaps his skinnier frame will help make that happen.
1 Utilityman: Oswaldo Cabrera
Cabrera looked lost at the plate last year and didn’t seem too comfortable in left field, but his versatility alone adds lots of value. With Isiah Kiner-Falefa gone, the Yankees’ super utility job should be Cabrera’s to lose.
