By Derek McAdam
October 22, 2021
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With more than five months remaining before the 2022 regular season begins and the free agency period beginning in just a few weeks, it is now a talking point on who will be on the Yankee roster at the beginning of the season.
Not only will I give my prediction on the Opening Day roster, but I will also give a brief explanation on why I chose those particular players as well as a prediction on the Opening Day starting lineups.
Pitchers (13)
Aroldis Chapman
Gerrit Cole
Nestor Cortes Jr.
Luis Gil
Chad Green
Clay Holmes
Corey Kluber
Jonathan Loaisiga
Lucas Luetge
Jordan Montgomery
Darren O’Day
Wandy Peralta
Luis Severino
Selecting a pitching staff was tough, but here are a few predictions I made. I believe Kluber will re-sign with the Yankees on another similar one-year deal since Jameson Taillon will most likely not be ready to go on Opening Day.
Severino is also a candidate that can slide back into a starting role to give a starting rotation of Cole, Kluber, Cortes, Montgomery and Severino. The Yankees can also start Gil if needed as a sixth rotation man.
Outfielders (5)
Joey Gallo
Brett Gardner
Aaron Hicks
Aaron Judge
Giancarlo Stanton
Yes, Gardner will probably be back for another season and Hicks will be healthy to start the season. Gallo will ultimately not be traded and while Stanton is listed as an outfielder, he will most likely be the DH.
Infielders (6)
DJ LeMahieu
Rougned Odor
Corey Seager
Gio Urshela
Luke Voit
Tyler Wade
Going with six infielders was a tough decision, because how much sense does that make? But, I see Wade being more of a utility player that can play in the outfield from time to time while also providing speed on the bases.
Seager may be the newest Yankee shortstop, replacing the former Yankee Gleyber Torres who was traded for a handful of prospects.
Catchers (2)
Kyle Higashioka
Gary Sanchez
This was a tough decision to make, due to Sanchez’s weak defense behind the plate and Higashioka’s struggles on offense.
Ultimately, it came down to the catcher market in free agency. The Yankees are not going after Mike Zunino, Buster Posey or several other catchers in free agency since they spent money acquiring Seager. They will give Sanchez one last chance to figure it out.
2022 Opening Day Lineup Prediction
DJ LeMahieu (2B)
Aaron Judge (RF)
Aaron Hicks (CF)
Giancarlo Stanton (DH)
Corey Seager (SS)
Joey Gallo (LF)
Luke Voit (1B)
Gary Sanchez (C)
Gio Urshela (3B)
SP: Gerrit Cole
The Yankees will start their season off in Texas, playing the Rangers and Astros before heading to Yankee Stadium. They will throw their best lineup out there on Opening Day, even though Cole usually throws to Higashioka.
This is just a prediction on what the lineup may look like next season. Who do you think makes the cut and who doesn’t? Let us know in the comments below!
