CASHMAN IS "COMFORTABLE" WITH YANKS ROSTER, BUT IS HE DONE?

Christmas is six days away, and Brian Cashman already gave us a great Christmas gift. We have roughly two months before Spring Training starts and our team looks good. I am excited for the 2020 season. Our pitching looks much better but, what's next?

If you believe Cashman's poker face he says "Nothing in particular" is on his Winter checklist now that Gerrit Cole is officially a Yankee, read more HERE. I don't know that I buy this. Pitching was our biggest need but there are still other areas we need to improve.

Getting Brett Gardner re-signed helped set the outfield and maybe even the everyday lineup but what about the bench? Now that Gleyber Torres will transition to shortstop and DJ LeMahieu will play second base what about a versatile utility guy? We needed LeMahieu in that role last season even though he played everyday.

And what about the backup catcher? I revisit this one again. The Yankees were interested in Martin Maldonado but rumor is the Yankees interests have cooled, and would be okay with Kyle Higashioka as the backup now after all. "If the season started today, we’re very comfortable with Higashioka being our backup catcher," Cashman said. "Does that mean it’s going to be the case? I can’t say. But we’re very comfortable with where we’re at." So maybe Cole doesn't get his personal catcher after all? Who knows.

I think the biggest area to address at this point is another bullpen arm. I am skeptical about the Josh Hader trade idea. The Yankees really could use another arm though to reinforce the bridge to Aroldis Chapman. If it is Hader, so be it. Or if it is Dellin Betances even better but the bullpen could really use one more piece.

Cashman had an interesting point about not stressing about the lack of left handed hitters. I'm not too concerned either. If  we can get a lefty that makes the lineup better, great. If not, no big deal. The short right porch is just fine for right handed hitters and with the new pitching changes for 2020, managers won't be able to use a lefty specialist for a one batter scenario. Now, rule changes require pitchers to either face a minimum of three batters in an appearance or pitch to the end of a half-inning, with exceptions for injuries and illnesses.

Overall, I think we are comfortable but not necessarily done. The big moves may be done for now, but there are still smaller moves that can be made to make us better. I guess we will just have to wait and see what happens next....because I do believe there is a next.

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @NYPrincessj