As we move on through ST the Yankees position battles are in full swing. Lets take a look at them and where they stand. Keep in mind these will change every few days.
The lineup is locked like in. No battles and looks like this:
- 2B D.J. LeMahieu
- RF Aaron Judge
- CF Aaron Hicks
- DH Giancarlo Stanton
- SS Gleyber Torres
- 1B Luke Voit
- 3B Gio Urshela
- LF Clint Frazier
- C Gary Sanchez
As for the Bench there are spots up for Grabs.
Bench Catcher:
There’s several guys after this spot. Here’s where it stands right now baring in mind this will change multiple times throughout ST:
- Rob Brantly
- Kyle Higashioka (no options left)
- Austin Wells
- Anthony Zeigler
- Josh Brouex
- Robinson Chirinos
I would be very surprised if its not Higashioka when all said and done.
Bench OFer:
As it stand Brett Gardner has criminally stolen th9s spot. He should not be on this roster or near this team period. Now Mike Tauchman is raking and proving he should have this spot. What will give in the end?
Bench 1B/utility Player:
INF/OF Jay Bruce has a strangle hold on this spot as of right now. All he has to do is play well the rest of ST and the spot is his. Mike FOrd made a very loud statement today but is still way behind here.
Bench Utility Player:
Derek Dietrich has the stranglehold on this spot as of right now over Tyler Wade (No options remaining). Its Dietrich’s to lose as of right now but we’ll see what happens as ST rolls on. INF/OF Miguel Andujar has a chance for this spot but its not likely at all. Almost guaranteed trade bait.
Projected Yankees opening day bench:
- INF/OF Jay Bruce
- INF/OF Derek Dietrich
- C Kyle Higashioka
- OF Brett Gardner (GET THIS CANCER AWAY FORM THIS TEAM ASAP!)
A ok bench that would be elite with Tauchman over Gardner!
The Starting Rotation:
The top 4 spots are known. They are:
- RHP Garrit Cole
- RHP Corey Kluber
- RHP Jamison Tallion
- LHP Jordan Montgomery
- RHP Deivi Garcia ???
So who is getting the 5th spot?
As it stands right now RHP Deivi Garcia is the EASY fav for the 5th rotation spot. RHP Domingo German remains in play as long as he is with the Yankees. RHP Clarke Schmidt as well as long as he proves himself healthy. RHP Mike King, and RHP Jhoulys Chacin also have a chance here. Its RHP Deivi Garcia’s spot to lose for now though.
The Bullpen:
Again there are known locks here. With 13 pitches MAX allowed per baseball rules. tat leaves 8 bullpen spots. Here’s the locks:
- CP: LHP Aroldis Chapman
- SU1: RHP Chad Green
- SU2: LHP Zack Britton
- MR1: RHP Darron O’Day
- MR2: LHP Justin Wilson
- MR3: ???
- LR1: ???
- LR2: ???
“Who fills the 3 open spots?” is the question.
Young RHP Nick Nelson may have sized a spot with an amazing performance today. RHP Jonathan Loaisiga, and LHP Nestor Cortes seemed to control the long man spots. RHP Adam Warren, RHP Albert Abreu (No options left), RHP Luis Cessa (No options Left), RHP Nick Goody, LHP Lucas Luetge, Mike King, and LHP Tyler Lyons all remain option as well.
The Yankees have to clear 40 man spots so more DFA’s and/or trades are coming.
Yankees Projected Opening Day Bullpen:
- CP: LHP Aroldis Chapman
- SU1: RHP Chad Green
- SU2: LHP Zack Britton
- MR1: RHP Darren O’Day
- MR2: LHP Justin Wilson
- MR2: RHP Luis Cessa
- LR1: Johnathan Loaisiga
- LR2: LHP Nestor Cortes
The Yankees battles will be fun to watch all ST. Sit back, watch them and have fun guys! Again keep in mind where things stand right now is not where they will a week from now and such.
BY: ADAM KING
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