Battles for these 3 Yankees jobs not over yet

Battles for these 3 Yankees jobs not over yet

March 18th, 2021

We've reached the point of Spring Training when cardboard boxes begin to arrive in the clubhouse and sign-up sheets circulate for transporting vehicles to New York. In other words, for manager Aaron Boone and his coaching staff, it is crunch time to finalize the 26-man roster that will be in the Yankee Stadium dugout on Opening Day.

Boone has said that he anticipates carrying a 13-man pitching staff to begin the season, giving him 13 position players to mix and match. With the starting lineup set, three areas remain in competition: the fifth starter, two spots in the bullpen and two spots off the bench. Let’s take a closer look at each of those ongoing battles:

FIFTH STARTER

The candidates
RHP (spring stats: 0.00 ERA in 9 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 13 K)
RHP (2.25 ERA in 8 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, 10 K)
RHP (4.00 ERA in 9 IP, 6 H, 5 BB, 6 K)
RHP (5.40 ERA in 6 2/3 IP, 8 H, 3 BB, 7 K)

The skinny: With the first four spots in the rotation assured to Gerrit Cole, Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon and Jordan Montgomery, Germán has emerged as the frontrunner for the No. 5 slot. Boone said that he expected the 28-year-old right-hander to have more rust coming off a lengthy suspension, but Germán has appeared fit and sharp through nine innings. García, King and Chacín could begin the season at the alternate site; the Yankees seem to want to keep them on starting schedules -- especially García, their No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline.

Quote to note: “When you work so hard and you have the coaches around, they’re seeing certain differences and things are working out well for you … you just feel excited about that. The changes you execute and are putting into play, it’s just a matter of continuing those in a consistent way. I’m feeling excited about the results.” -- Germán

BULLPEN

The candidates
LHP Lucas Luetge (spring stats: 0.00 ERA in 6 1/3 IP, 4 H, 1 BB, 13 K)
RHP (0.00 ERA in 6 1/3 IP, 4 H, 0 BB, 6 K)
RHP (1.80 ERA in 5 IP, 2 H, 7 BB, 7 K)
RHP (1.93 ERA in 4 2/3 IP, 2 H, 3 BB, 3 K)
LHP (2.08 ERA in 4 1/3 IP, 5 H, 1 BB, 7 K)

The skinny: Zack Britton’s injury opened another vacancy in a bullpen that projects to be anchored by closer Aroldis Chapman, plus Luis Cessa, Chad Green, Jonathan Loaisiga, Darren O’Day and Justin Wilson. Selecting two arms from the above group will be a challenge. Luetge is a high spin-rate pitcher who has exceeded even his own expectations; he hasn’t pitched in the Majors since 2015. Nelson is among the club’s most touted arms; coaches have been raving about his stuff for months. Lyons was on the Yanks’ playoff roster in 2019.

Quote to note: “Most of the games, I’ve been able to throw all my pitches for a strike. My ball is moving a lot right now and when they’re moving in the zone, I generally have success. I didn’t think it would be two strikeouts an inning, but when things are working and I’m in the zone, I tend to have a couple every game.” -- Luetge

BENCH

The candidates
1B (spring stats: 3-for-8, 1 HR, 5 RBIs)
1B/OF (6-for-23, 1 2B, 2 HR, 3 RBIs)
OF (5-for-21, 2 HR, 3 RBIs)
IF/OF (2-for-18, 1 HR, 3 RBIs)
1B (3-for-19, 1 2B, 2 RBIs)
IF (3-for-18, 1 RBI)
IF/OF (3-for-21, 2 2B, 1 RBI)

The skinny: Catcher Kyle Higashioka and outfielder Brett Gardner seem assured of roster spots, which leaves two openings for this group. A three-time All-Star, Bruce is bashing the ball with authority and appears to be healthy. He has a March 25 opt-out. Tauchman is out of Minor League options, and the Yanks like his ability to play all three outfield spots.

Wade boasts the best speed on the roster and can play shortstop, something that Dietrich hasn’t done, though Boone said Dietrich’s track record will matter more than his spring performance. The Yanks recently gave third baseman Gio Urshela a start at shortstop, an indication that they are considering all roster permutations.

Quote to note: “I obviously had some struggles the last three years. I do kind of give that to injuries. I feel like when I’m on the field and I’m healthy, I’m pretty much in line with my career numbers. I feel normal, I feel like myself. I know that I can be part of a winning team and help a team win a championship. I’ve been a pretty consistent contributor for a long time and that’s what I’m here to do.” -- Bruce