Yankees roster projections 2024: Here's how they might look on Opening Day
TAMPA, Fla. – This is a Yankees spring training devoid of any regular position or rotation battles.
Barring an injury situation, the roster questions in camp reside on the fringes; the final one or two bullpen openings and maybe the last spot on the bench.
Opening Day is just over three weeks away, but it’s never too early to guess how the Yankees’ 26-man roster will look on March 28, at Houston:
Yankees rotation (5)
Gerrit Cole, RHP
Carlos Rodon, LHP
Marcus Stroman, RHP
Nestor Cortes, LHP
Clarke Schmidt, RHP
Summary: This could be one of the league’s finer rotations, especially if Rodon and Cortes return to their 2022 All-Star versions.
But you’re more realist than pessimist to take a worrisome view of the Yankees’ starting pitching depth. A lot must go right, performance and health-wise, to max out their potential.
They’ll likely need additional arms – either within or outside the organization – to carry though October, with in-house options such as Cody Poteet, Cody Morris, Luke Weaver and Luis Gil to fill a void.
Clayton Beeter, Will Warren or Chase Hampton might be in consideration as starters later in the year. Being summoned earlier likely means the injury list is jammed with veterans.
Yankees bullpen (8)
Clay Holmes, RHP
Jonathan Loaisiga, RHP
Ian Hamilton, RHP
Victor Gonzalez, LHP
Caleb Ferguson, LHP
Tommy Kahnle, RHP
Ron Marinaccio, RHP
Dennis Santana, RHP
Summary: Entering his free agent walk year, Holmes should get the bulk of save situations again, but other relievers can be trusted to finish games when necessary.
Loaisiga could be groomed for a closer’s role, but health questions have dogged his career.
Gonzalez might be asked to essentially replace Wandy Peralta, not an easy task, but Ferguson – a fellow ex-Dodger lefty – could provide some key assistance.
Marinaccio’s good health, and the increased use of his slider, suggests a bounce back from a forgettable 2023 season.
The hard-throwing Nick Burdi, with a lengthy injury history, has opened eyes here. But fellow non-roster invitee Santana has 143 games of MLB experience and has looked good in camp.
Yankees catchers (2)
Summary: Depth-wise, this is the best catching group the Yankees have featured in some time.
A left calf strain has limited Trevino in camp, but he’s expected to be ready for Opening Day, having rehabbed from last summer’s right wrist surgery.
The lefty-hitting Wells, still with rookie status, has a big offensive upside and he’s worked hard to earn the pitching staff’s trust this spring.
Assuming Trevino is ready by March 28, Ben Rortvedt – who became Cole’s personal catcher late last season – is likely back at Class AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
Yankees infielders (6)
Summary: Having bounced around infield spots in recent years, LeMahieu is the regular third baseman, with a healthy Rizzo back at first base.
The lack of a true backup first baseman (with LeMahieu entrenched at third) could help Cabrera’s case over Oswald Peraza, despite Peraza’s status as a better backup shortstop option.
In his short big-league career, the switch-hitting Cabrera has played every infield position, plus the outfield, and the Yanks might want Peraza to rebuild some prospect stock by playing daily in the minors.
Jones, 26, primarily a second baseman, was recently plucked off waivers from the Milwaukee Brewers and he’s out of minor league options.
A former second-round draft pick, Jones has some offensive potential. Though lefty-hitting second baseman Jorbit Vivas has impressed at camp, he might benefit initially from regular starts at Scranton.
Yankees outfielders (5)
Summary: Manager Aaron Boone plans a left-to-right alignment of Verdugo, Judge and Soto, with Grisham expected to get plenty of at-bats as a fourth outfielder.
The lefty-hitting Grisham, acquired from San Diego in the Soto trade, is a center fielder with two Gold Glove Awards.
Judge’s status as the regular center fielder – probably until Jasson Dominguez completes elbow-surgery rehab around July – requires additional built-in starts at designated hitter.
Stanton is expected to draw occasional starts in right field at Yankee Stadium, with Verdugo handling the vast left field real estate.
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: NY Yankees roster projections 2024: Opening Day lineup and rotation
