This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it commonly in your inbox.
NEW YORK — We’ve made it to February! There are two weeks left earlier than the primary Spring Coaching exercise for pitchers and catchers takes place below the Florida sunshine, and exactly eight weeks till the Yankees stand on the third-base line on the Astros’ Minute Maid Park, primed to start the 2024 common season.
These dates are shut sufficient that we are able to start to forecast how the Opening Day roster will look, although as common supervisor Brian Cashman ceaselessly remarks, there’s nonetheless loads of time earlier than it will likely be “pencils down” to finalize the roster forward of the July 31 Commerce Deadline.
“We like what we now have; we’re enthusiastic about what we now have,” Cashman mentioned. “However nobody is handing us a trophy. We’ve received to go earn it. The one option to greatest earn that’s to have essentially the most expertise and essentially the most insurance coverage insurance policies you possibly can probably have, inside purpose. That’s how we’re going to go about it.”
Let’s take a swing at constructing the Bombers’ greatest 26-man squad, utilizing gamers at present within the group and a few help from the 2024 Steamer projections.
Beginning pitchers (5): Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Nestor Cortes, Clarke Schmidt
The January addition of the sinkerballer Stroman seems to have accomplished the beginning 5 because the membership is now not engaged with free agent Blake Snell. Cole will stand tall because the defending American League Cy Younger Award winner, with Steamer’s projections forecasting a 3.73 ERA over 200 innings for the dependable ace. The Yanks are pinning their hopes upon bounce-back seasons from Rodón and Cortes. The metrics favor Rodón’s probabilities, suggesting a 3.79 ERA over 163 1/3 innings.
Bullpen (8): Clay Holmes (CL), Scott Effross, Victor González, Ian Hamilton, Tommy Kahnle, Jonathan Loáisiga, Ron Marinaccio, Luke Weaver
That is an space the place the Yankees nonetheless hope to make upgrades earlier than Opening Day, although free-agent choices Josh Hader, Hector Neris and Wandy Peralta have signed elsewhere in latest weeks. Loáisiga and Kahnle stand to be the first setup males for Holmes, who’s projected to log 32 saves with a 3.25 ERA. The December commerce for the lefty González might be a sneaky under-the-radar pickup, whereas Effross’ return from surgical procedure would bolster the employees.
Catchers (2): Jose Trevino, Austin Wells
With Kyle Higashioka dealt to the Padres as a part of the Juan Soto commerce, Wells has a transparent path to make the Opening Day roster after popping 4 homers with 13 RBIs throughout 19 video games on the finish of the season. A lot of the enjoying time nonetheless ought to belong to Trevino; Boone mentioned that Trevino “is doing nice” together with his restoration after present process wrist surgical procedure in July.
Infielders (5): DJ LeMahieu, Oswald Peraza, Anthony Rizzo, Gleyber Torres, Anthony Volpe
Although there have been scattered reviews about curiosity in Matt Chapman, Cashman has mentioned he considers the infield set, envisioning LeMahieu at third base, Volpe at shortstop, Torres at second base and Rizzo at first base. Cashman mentioned that Rizzo “feels nice” and “is 100% cleared” from the concussion concern that ruined his 2023 season.
Outfielders (5): Oswaldo Cabrera, Trent Grisham, Aaron Choose, Juan Soto, Alex Verdugo
Soto’s transfer to the Bronx might ship a monster season, as Steamer sees the lefty slugger posting a strong .984 OPS and 6.7 fWAR. Choose is getting ready for obligation because the beginning heart fielder, an project he favors; the metrics eye Choose to belt 46 homers with a .949 OPS and 6.2 fWAR. Verdugo will patrol Yankee Stadium’s bigger expanse in left discipline. Grisham figures to see time as a defensive substitute however will even get beginning nods when Choose serves as a delegated hitter. Cabrera might fill a super-utility position, whereas Jasson Dominguez is predicted to return someday in the summertime.
Designated hitter (1): Giancarlo Stanton
Stanton is seeking to rebound after a irritating 2023 through which he batted a career-low .191. As he prioritizes conditioning and eating regimen, Stanton seems noticeably trimmer; Cashman remarked that he had seen one such snapshot and famous, “That image clearly confirmed so much.” Steamer’s formulation see enchancment forward for Stanton, who’s marked for 26 homers and 67 RBIs in 105 video games.
