Biggest Spring Training Questions for the New York Yankees
After a long winter hiatus, we have finally made it to the start of spring training! (Most importantly, Yankees spring training) Pitchers and catchers report today – the first step on the long road to October. Games will begin in about ten days, and we will get our first glimpses at elite prospects, free agent signees (those who actually have a team), and more.
Few teams come into the 2018 season with loftier goals than the New York Yankees. After an unexpectedly strong 2017 season, the Bronx Bombers added NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton to an already potent lineup. Expectations are sky high for a group that should contend for the AL Pennant. Before we can get to that, however, the Yankees, like everyone else, have to properly prepare for the season with a productive Spring Training. Even with all the talent expected to be on the Opening Day roster, there are a multitude of questions that the Yankees need answered. How well the Yankees can address their flaws in Florida will dictate how well the season actually turns out.
Question One: Who starts at second and third?
Both positions are considered wide open, though fans and the front office would love nothing more than to see a pair of rookies grab the starting spots. Superstar prospect Gleyber Torres is a shortstop by trade, but projects as a stud second baseman at the MLB level. Because he is coming back from Tommy John surgery last summer, Torres may be eased back into the game and not called up until May, even if he has a good spring. Miguel Andújar is also a top-100 prospect with an MLB-ready bat. He had a 3-hit, 4-RBI game in his MLB debut last summer. However, there have been questions about his glove work throughout his entire minor league career.
If neither of those men take command out of Spring Training, there are a host of other options. Non-roster invitee Danny Espinosa is a longtime MLB player, but has only 1.4 WAR over the past five years. He could be a candidate at second. Jace Peterson, a career utility man, could also compete for a spot. In-house options at both positions include Ronald Torreyes and Tyler Wade. Prospect Thairo Estrada has been rated highly by GM Brian Cashman, but has not played above Double-A and should be considered a long shot. If Torres and Andújar can’t grab the bull by the horns in camp, this question will persist into the regular season, and uncertainty will hurt the Yankees.
Question Two: What does the starting pitching depth look like?
We know the team has a stellar bullpen and the top of the rotation will be amongst the best in the MLB. Luis Severino is one of the best pitchers in the game. Sonny Gray looked good in his half-season as a Yankee, but often lacked run support when he took the mound. That should average out and be less of a problem over a full season. After those two, there is some uncertainty in the rest of the rotation. Masahiro Tanaka decided not to opt-out of his contract and will be a Yankee for the next three years. He’s a great pitcher, but past UCL issues bring a level of uncertainty to his future.
The fourth spot should be CC Sabathia, but he will turn 38 this July and isn’t getting any lighter on his oft-injured right knee. As of now, the fifth spot belongs to Jordan Montgomery, who had a decent rookie year but may not be a long-term piece. There isn’t a lot of depth behind those guys at the Major League level: Luis Cessa is probably the first backup starter. There needs to be more reliable starting pitching at the back of the rotation.
Fortunately, there are ways to address this. As Yankees spring training commences, the team could sign one of the many remaining starters, with Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn seen as a possible options. They could also trade for another starter, like Jake Odorizzi. Either of these choices would make Montgomery the top depth option, and he would be a good one. In-house options include reliever dynamo Chad Green, who will report to spring training with the intent of becoming a starter. Top prospects Chance Adams and Justus Sheffield will likely make their MLB debuts this season, but it is extremely unlikely either of them impress to the point of being in the picture out of spring training. To be safe, the Yankees should look to acquire another MLB-caliber starter so that the rotation doesn’t slide into mayhem at the first sign of adversity.
Question Three: In what order should the power bats hit?
This seems to be a good problem to have, but it’s an issue nonetheless. It’s no secret that New York has the most powerful lineup in the American League. However, their top power bats are all right-handed in Judge, Sanchez, and Stanton. Batting them 2-3-4 behind Brett Gardner overloads the top of the order with right-handers. This is why it is so crucial for Greg Bird to establish himself as the top left-handed power threat. In that case, Judge can hit second, and Bird can hit fourth between Stanton and Sanchez. If Bird can’t step into those shoes, then Gregorius, who hit fourth in the 2017 playoffs, may find himself back in that spot for the long term. Whatever the final order looks like, the three big right-handers should not hit in a row, and it’s likely first year manager Aaron Boone feels the same way.
Question Four: What do you do with Jacoby Ellsbury?
For the 2018 season, Jacoby Ellsbury will make over $21 million. That’s the most expensive fourth outfielder and pinch runner in MLB history. To be fair to Ellsbury, he’s been nominally productive the past couple years when not injured, posting a 2.1 oWAR and stealing 22 bases in 112 games last season. However, that charts out more to a player worth about $12.8 million a season, not $21 million, per FanGraphs.
A player of that value should be tradable, provided the Yankees eat about half of Ellsbury’s salary for each of the next three seasons, the remaining duration of his contract (there’s a Team Option for 2021, but who’s going to pick that up for $20 million?). However, Ellsbury’s No-Trade Clause makes moving him impossible, as the former All-Star is committed to remaining in New York and winning back his centerfield position from upstart switch-hitter Aaron Hicks. Ellsbury is also in contention with Clint Frazier for a spot as the bench outfielder, though his salary likely means he blocks the energetic redhead and stays on the MLB roster. The logjam created by Stanton’s acquisition means DH and corner outfield chances will also be limited for Ellsbury.
There needs to be a defined role for Ellsbury coming out of Spring Training. Whether that’s with the Yankees or a different team, it has to happen. New York should give Ellsbury a chance to compete for a starting spot. Hicks is more versatile, though also struggled for years to hit MLB pitching before his 2017 breakout. If any chinks appear in his armor, Ellsbury is an established veteran and would be a luxury off the bench, albeit one with a large price tag.
This has the potential to be a magical year for fans of the Yankees. The roster is young, hungry, and pretty darn talented. However, it is also unstable, unproven, and unfilled. Spring Training will be an absolutely crucial period for the Bombers: They have to answer these questions to the best of their ability before the first pitch is thrown on March 29th in Toronto. Brian Cashman has done wonders in his 20 years as New York GM, but this roster is not yet complete. The bright Florida sun will give him ample chance to ensure the team is best positioned to compete for a World Series title over the ensuing seven months.
