WHICH YANKEES ARE THE ODD MEN OUT?

The Yankees have a plethora of talent in camp as they attempt to find the right combination, or combinations, of players to fill weak points in their rotation and on the field.

Major League teams are allowed to carry 25 players, and by a process of elimination we can get a pretty good idea of which positions are up for grabs and who the candidates are for each.

The first thing we do is list what we know.

On the pitching side, we know that the first four spots of the rotation (regardless of what Ivan Nova might think) are going to be occupied by CC Sabathia, Hiroki Kuroda, Masahiro Tanaka and Nova.  In the bullpen we know David Robertson will close, and some combination of Shawn Kelley, Preston Claiborne, Dellin Betances and Matt Thornton – along with the losing candidates for the fifth starting spot – will round out the pitching staff.

Up for grabs is that fifth spot, and given who is currently on the 40-man roster, one can assume that Michael Pineda, David Phelps, Adam Warren, Vidal Nuno, and Manny Banuelos are the logical choices to compete for it.  In all likelihood the team will break camp with 12 pitchers; meaning that only three of the aforementioned five will head to the Bronx.

Of those five, reports have been most glowing about Pineda.  The former Mariner phenom that has missed the last two seasons following surgery to repair a labrum tear in his right shoulder has impressed the Yankees coaching staff; in particular manager Joe Girardi.  If the 25-year-old can show any semblance of what he was in his first year with the Mariners, look for him to be a shoo-in for that fifth spot.

Don’t think for a second that the others will easily yield a rotation spot to Pineda.  Phelps is 27 and entering the prime years of his career.  Last season he had mixed results while battling injuries, but he has proven to be a Major League caliber starter and will certainly be given a long look.

Warren was very effective as a long reliever out of the bullpen and will likely resume that role in 2014, but he did have two effective starts (including five shutout innings at the end of September) where he showed enough to warrant consideration as a starter.

Nuno may be the wild card of the bunch.  The left hander had a short stay in “the show” last season, but it was an impressive one nonetheless.  Over three May starts in 2013 he threw 17 innings and allowed just four runs (a 2.12 ERA).  In addition, he allowed just 11 hits and six walks; good for a 1.000 WHIP (walks+hits per inning pitched).  If he shows the coaching staff that he can continue performing at that level, look for Nuno to insert himself into the starting five.

Banuelos is probably the long shot to win a starter’s role.  He is nearly two years removed from Tommy John surgery and has yet to pitch in a game since his injury.  Still young (23) and a left-hander, Manny threw three simulated games in September and reached 94 mph.  As reported in NJ.COM, he hit 97 prior to his injury and is hoping to return to form this season.  He won’t mind whether he throws from the bullpen or as a starter as long as he can play with the team.

The money here is on Michael Pineda finally getting his shot in the Bronx with Phelps and Warren being used in long relief.  Look for Nuno and Banuelos to start the year in Scranton, but I fully expect to see at least Nuno pitching for the Yankees some time during the season.

So what about position players?

We know that Brian McCann, Brian Roberts, Mark Teixeira, Derek Jeter, Kelly Johnson, Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Carlos Beltran are the likely starters with Alfonso Soriano mainly being DH in the lineup (occasionally giving the corner outfielders rest).  We also know that we have Ichiro Suzuki who will spend time in the outfield as well.

Brendan Ryan will be our backup shortstop, and in all likelihood, Francisco Cervelli will be the backup catcher.  Though, Cervelli could be challenged by Austin Romine or JR Murphy for that role.  Cervelli’s bat and his experience will give him the edge.

The list of probable Yankees I’ve just mentioned accounts for 12 of the 13 spots remaining to make the team.  So who is the last man standing?

Where the Yankees are most vulnerable is at first, second and third base.  As it stands, Johnson is the starting third baseman and backup for second and first bases.  Fighting for that valuable infield backup role are Eduardo Nunez, Dean Anna, and Scott Sizemore.

Nunez would figure to have the inside track for a couple of reasons.  Namely, he’s been there before and shown he can hit at the big league level.  Where he is most weak is in the field where he’ll never be a threat for a Gold Glove, but he has the flexibility to play second, third and shortstop.

Anna has been waiting for his shot.  Mired in the Padres minor league system, the 27-year-old had a remarkable season at the plate for Tucson of the Pacific Coast League.  In 2013 he hit .331 with 90 runs scored at the Triple A level.  Like Nunez, Anna has flexibility in the field.  Last season he had significant time at both short and second, and played seven games at third.  The question with Anna is whether he can translate his success from the PCL to the major league level.

Sizemore’s natural position is second base, but converted to third base with the Oakland A’s.  He’s never played in more than 110 games in any season and has had two ACL tears in his left knee in the past two seasons.  He’s a decent glove but holds a career .238 average.  The Yankees signed him to a minor league deal and are giving him the opportunity to make the club this spring.  At 29-years-old it may be one of his last opportunities to “stick” with a team.

Given that Nunez is out of minor league options, it is the guess here that he will be the last position player to make the squad heading into opening day.  Much will depend on his, Anna’s and Sizemore’s performance over the next month in Florida, but either the Yankees will release Nunez, or he’ll once again be their backup utility man.  Don’t be surprised if you see both Anna and Sizemore in New York at some point this season.  Anna in particular has a tremendous upside, and should he be able to show that last season wasn’t just the result of playing in the Pacific Coast League, he could be a Yankee for more than just one season.

There you have it; my take on who will be on the Yankees roster when they step onto the field opening day 2014.  What do you think?   Let us know!


    

--Steve Skinner, BYB Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1

 

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