The 2021 Yankees

Now that the Brett Gardner and Justin Wilson signings are official, the Yankees' 2021 roster has begun to take shape.  There are some morons online who think that the Gardner signing complicates things from a position-player standpoint, but it really doesn't.  Because Gardner's spot was never really up for grabs.  In fact, barring any surprises or injuries, the only decisions they need to make regard the fifth starter and the one remaining place in the bullpen.

Most of the discussion about Gardner I think was more confusion than anything else.  People were wondering how he would fit in with a three-man bench, one of which obviously has to be the backup catcher.  Except there was a rule change last year designed to fix that problem.  Rosters have been expanded from 25 to 26 players, and the number of pitchers is limited to 13.  Since most teams carried 13 pitchers already, that means the extra guy is a bench player...so everyone has four, not three (NL teams have five)! 

Someone mentioned an Aaron Boone comment where he said they'd go with 14 pitchers "on occasion," but that's not allowed under the new rules.  That wasn't even my favorite one, though.  That was the person who said they "definitely" wouldn't carry five outfielders...which was already guaranteed since Giancarlo Stanton, while he'll primarily serve as the DH, is still technically an outfielder.

At first, I thought re-signing Gardner would require a decision.  Not regarding Gardner, but regarding the other outfielder.  They made a trade for Greg Allen in the offseason, and I figured that meant the plan was for Allen to be on the roster.  And it made sense, since he's a switch hitter who can steal bases and is solid defensively.  Which had me thinking Mike Tauchman's roster spot was in jeopardy.  But Allen was designated for assignment in one of the corresponding moves to get Gardner and Wilson on the 40-man roster, so that answers that question.  Gardner and Tauchman will be the backup outfielders.

Barring anything crazy, Tyler Wade will also make the team as the backup infielder.  That was his role last season, and I don't really see anyone usurping him as the utility guy.  Especially since Wade is solid defensively at second, third and short (and LeMahieu can play first when Voit needs a day off).  He's also their primary pinch runner. 

Kyle Higashioka's place as the backup catcher won't be challenged, either.  The fact that he catches Gerrit Cole certainly helps, but that has very little bearing on his roster security.  Robinson Chirinos and the other veterans in camp were brought in because they need a veteran third catcher just in case, and Erik Kratz retired at the end of last season, so he's not an option anymore.

If there was room on the roster for a left-handed first baseman, I'd gladly take one.  That's the biggest weakness the lineup has.  However, there simply isn't room for one.  Even if he proves he can still hit during Spring Training, I don't want Jay Bruce going anywhere near first base.  He's essentially a DH, and they already have that in Stanton, so I don't think they'd have much use for Bruce.

Of course, things can always change, and there will almost certainly be somebody who lands on the IL before Opening Day.  But that's the only way I see Mike Ford or Miguel Andujar starting the season in New York instead of Scranton.  Rather, these are the 13 position players I see making the opening day roster:

Catchers - Gary Sanchez, Kyle Higashioka
Infielders - Luke Voit, DJ LeMahieu, Gleyber Torres, Gio Urshela, Tyler Wade
Outfielders - Aaron Judge, Aaron Hicks, Clint Frazier, Giancarlo Stanton, Brett Gardner, Mike Tauchman

The pitching staff is where there's been significant turnover.  Sixty percent of last season's rotation has moved on, with the oft-injured Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon serving as high-risk, potentially high-reward replacements.  Assuming Jordan Montgomery is the No. 4 starter, that leaves the No. 5 spot up for grabs (until Luis Severino returns from his Tommy John surgery in July, that is).

Deivi Garcia and Domingo German are probably the two leading contenders to be the fifth starter.  Garcia passed his trial by fire last year, excelling in his abbreviated rookie season after never having pitched above Double-A before.  He even "started" that infamous Game 2 of the Division Series.  German, meanwhile, has been met with a lukewarm reception from his teammates after returning from a domestic violence suspension.

Personally, I think Garcia and Michael King should both start the season getting regular turns in the rotation at Scranton.  Garcia was great last season, but he could definitely use a little more seasoning in the Minors.  That wasn't an option in 2020 since there was no Minor League season, but he won't make it through six months in the Majors without getting sent down, and that could be a huge confidence hit. 

Which I guess means German is my choice for the fifth starter.  Although, I can also see a situation where Garcia earns the No.5 spot in the rotation out of Spring Training and German goes to the bullpen as the second long man.  That eighth bullpen spot is really the only one legitimately up for grabs in Spring Training.

First, let's get the rest of the bullpen out of the way.  Adam Ottavino is Boston's problem now.  They turned his salary from one overpriced, inconsistent reliever into two relievers: Darren O'Day and the aforementioned Justin Wilson.  With Jonathan Holder also gone, O'Day essentially just replaces Holder as the mid-innings guy (he even took Holder's number).  Wilson provides something that was sorely missing last season: a left-handed arm out of the bullpen.  With the three-batter rule, there's less of a need for a LOOGY as there used to be, but having a lefty middle reliever is still valuable.

Chad Green and Zack Britton are still the setup men for closer Aroldis Chapman, and Luis Cessa is still there as the long man/mop-up guy.  Jonathan Loaisiga, meanwhile, fills the swing role that was previously occupied by Ottavino and Tommy Kahnle (who signed with the Dodgers, but will missed this season regardless after Tommy John surgery).

There are some veteran non-roster invitees in camp who could make for an intriguing battle to claim that last bullpen spot.  However, I think the internal candidates probably have the edge.  Especially considering how many of them ended up pitching for the Yankees last season and had success.  For some reason, I give the edge to Nick Nelson.  He made the postseason roster and actually pitched in two playoff games last year, and I think he's best-equipped to handle the infrequency with which he'll work as the last guy in the bullpen.

Nelson, of course, comes with an asterisk.  As a reliever with Minor League options, he'll probably make several trips back-and-forth.  But making the Opening Day roster is special regardless, and I think he'll do that.  So, with Nelson filling out the squad, here are my pitchers...

Starters - Gerrit Cole, Corey Kluber, Jameson Taillon, Jordan Montgomery, Domingo German
Relievers - Aroldis Chapman, Zack Britton, Chad Green, Darren O'Day, Justin Wilson, Jonathan Loaisiga, Luis Cessa, Nick Nelson