One of the things I find myself doing when I am frustrated is that I
start writing lists. Any kind of list. Following the Yankees first three games
at home with the Red Sox, I may have
outdone myself. As the Yankees
limp to the finish line with Wild Card hopes still intact, but advancement
beyond that very much in question, here are four lists of players currently on
the roster. From these lists we can gain a little insight into the upcoming off
season and the possibilities for the 2016 opening day roster.
List #1 We're Stuck With
These Guy Through (Year)
DH Alex Rodriguez (2017) DH flexibility once he
is gone
1B Mark Teixeira (2016) Greg
Bird, are you ready?
SP CC Sabathia (2016) Maybe 2017 if shoulder holds
up. What about his knee?
SP Masahiro Tanaka (2020) Unless he opts out after 2017
CF Jacoby Ellsbury (2020) The worst contract going
forward?
C Brian McCann (2018) In the DH mix after
ARod?
RF Carlos Beltran (2016) Will Aaron Judge be
ready in 2017
List #2 We Could Trade Any
of These Guys
3B Chase Headley Contract through 2018, but defense is
suspect.
LF Brett Gardner Also signed through 2018. Manageable
contract. Could he be gone?
RP Andrew Miller Highly unlikely to be traded. But
Betances awaits his chance.
SP Nathan Eovaldi Could be dealt in rotation makeover.
SP Ivan Nova Never found the
consistency and he was mentioned in July 31 rumors.
2B Dustin Ackley Utility player, second base answer
or trade bait?
SP Michael Pineda Maybe there were no winners of
Montero-Pineda trade?
RP Chasen Shreve Late season slump makes him expendable?
2B Rob Refsnyder Yanks don't seem to treat him like a top
ten prospect.
P Bryan Mitchell Big league starter, long
reliever or AAA starter all possible.
Note: Not to suggest all these players will be traded, but all could be dangled this
off season. Gardner is the most intriguing. His contract is manageable for
prospective suitors and there is an old baseball adage that it is better
to trade a player a year too early than a year too late. Gardner at 31 seems
to fit that perfectly. The Yankees could use a right handed bat for
the outfield and with free agents like Cespedes and Upton, the Yankees
could be interested in making some moves to boost their offense.
List #3 We Like These Guys
SP Adam Warren Not an ace, but a solid starter that
was sent to the bullpen before called back to the rotation.
RP Justin Wilson Much needed left handed reliever.
Solid 7th inning performer.
RP Dellin Betances Could be the closer of the future.
He isn't going anywhere.
SS Didi Gregorius All Star shortstop in 2016? He is that
good.
C John Ryan Murphy Solid number two behind McCann. Could be
a backup at first base as well.
1B Greg Bird If A-Rod and Teixeira are healthy
does he get enough ABs?
SP Luis Severino See what player development and
sticking to your guns by not trading him can do?
OF Slade Heathcott If healthy, a very good option for
4th outfielder. Another reason Gardner could be dealt.
List #4 GONE, Please
P Chris Capuano Do I really need to say anything?
2B Steven Drew Poster child for "Yankees
Love the Home Run Much to Their Own Peril"
IF Brendan Ryan Option for 2016 return, but should
we care?
OF Chris Young Did a nice job in Pinstripes. Hate
to see him go, but a likely victim of a roster crunch.
The big change would be dealing Brett
Gardner. Certainly, he would draw some interest from teams looking for a center
fielder and leadoff hitter. With guys like Heathcott and Mason Williams on the
roster, the depth chart behind Ellsbury would have legitimate options. Then
bring in an outfield free agent or make a surprise trade. Brian Cashman
makes those kind of trades that no one sees coming, so the return in such a
trade could also bolster the rotation or fix second base. A trade coupled with
at least one big free agent signing, and the roster could be much stronger come
Opening Day 2016. Judging from the recent struggles, really since the All Star
Break, Cashman needs to make at least a move or two this winter.
Now I feel a little better.
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