This week we presented the following to our writers:
The first roster cuts will take place this week. Who will get cut?
Here are their responses:
James Vlietstra – No catchers or outfielders are currently at risk.
My guess is with a healthy LeMahieu, Thairo Estrada is at risk. The other spot will be a rotation of option-having youngsters including King, Kriske, Nelson, and Loaisiga. Whoever was used most recently in long relief might be a casualty of the roster cut.
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Derek McAdam – It is a tough decision, but I believe Thairo Estrada will be the first player cut. He has yet to see much playing time, even though he was solid at the plate during the Summer Training games. It is going to be an upsetting loss for some, given his talent that has not been on full display yet.
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Patrick Gunn – As far as cuts go (if there are cuts after two weeks and MLB doesn’t extend the deadline), I think that Michael King will be sent down. He has not looked great in two appearances, while Nick Nelson and David Hale have looked stronger in long relief. The other player going down will most likely be Thairo Estrada, mainly because he has not played much this season and Tyler Wade provides the Yankees with more speed and more versatility.
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Paul Semendinger – Of the pitchers, the “bubble guy” who has struggled the most (though I surmise because he was asked to pitch too many innings in his appearances) has been Michael King. He could be the guy. Of the position players, it seems clear that Thairo Estrada would be the guy. All of the other players have had significant playing time and are more integral to the club.
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Ethan Semendinger – I think Aaron Boone specifically used Brooks Kriske in the game yesterday so that he could get a final evaluation of his performance and squeeze as much out of his roster before cuts. He has promise, but this is not the reason to wait around for that promise to mature. With that, I think Boone will want to have more bullpen arms given the state of the rotation, so the next step would be looking at which hitter isn’t getting into many games, which would move Thairo Estrada off the team. (Also: When Chapman comes back they’ll likely drop Avlian, and when Cessa comes back they’ll most likely drop Nick Nelson. Journeyman David Hale could be swapped for either of those guys as well.)
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Matthew Cohen – Brooks Kriske. Mediocre control at AA. Things did not improve in the Bronx.
