by James Vlietstra
March 5, 2021
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Opening Day Roster
This final post in the series isn’t going to follow the template from earlier where I try to guess the rosters of all the affiliates. There’s just way too many moving parts especially when it comes to pitchers. But I have come this far, so I figured I would at least take a look at a potential Yankees opening day roster.
Let’s start with the players I feel are locks:
C – Gary Sanchez
C – Kyle Higashioka
1B – Luke Voit
2B – DJ LeMahieu
SS – Gleyber Torres
3B – Gio Urshela
LF – Clint Frazier
CF – Aaron Hicks
RF – Aaron Judge
OF – Brett Gardner
DH – Giancarlo Stanton
SP – Geritt Cole
SP – Corey Kluber
SP – Jordan Montgomery
SP – Jameson Taillon
RP – Luis Cessa
RP – Chad Green
RP – Jonathan Loaisiga
RP – Darren O’Day
RP – Zack Britton
RP – Aroldis Chapman
RP – Justin Wilson
That’s 22 locks out of 26 roster positions.
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Let’s now look at the candidates to fill it out:
Mike Ford is the back up first baseman that struggled to hit last year. He has options remaining. He goes to Scranton.
Tyler Wade is the jack of all trade that can play any position infield or out. He offers speed and good defense. He is in. He also hits from the left side. This is the 23rd man.
Thairo Estrada is similar to Wade without the outfield experience and is a righty batter. This puts him on the bubble.
Mike Tauchman is a glove only outfielder. Gardner’s arrival means Tauchman’s days are numbered. He’s out.
Miguel Andujar Is aided by Wade’s versatility and Urshelas injury. He could make the team, but I think they’ll carry a bunch of pitchers.
Currently I have 11 pitchers on the squad. I believe they will break camp carrying 14. Assuming Domingo German makes it through the process unscathed, he would be the 12th pitcher (and the 24th player on my roster).
Albert Abreu is out of options. Is he a better option than say Tyler Lyons, Michael King, Adam Warren, Nick Nelson, or Kyle Barraclough? I think so. He’s been with the Yankees for a while. I think they give him a shot. He is my 25th player.
With leaves one open roster spot for a pitcher. I have to believe this will be Deivi Garcia.
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Of course, injuries and trades are possible. That is what will ultimately determine how the roster is constructed, but I think this is a great representative sample of what the Yankees will break camp with.
In the end, the Yankees are constructed in such a way where a deep run into October is very likely.
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Thanks for taking this long journey with me!
