Yankees 2.0 26-man roster prediction for 2023 MLB season

Now that the Yankees’ spring training is in full swing, it’s time to take a look at what the 2023 roster might look like.

Last time we saw a team that was largely unchanged from the end of the 2022 season. Now the roster will likely be different – ​​but not by much – thanks to a major injury and potential GM moves Brian Cashman leans on.

There is also still a chance that Cashman will do one of his “stealth” moves like when he traded for Josh Donaldson last offseason, but the 2023 Yankees roster likely won’t see a move there.

As spring training approaches, there are question marks in left field, the starting rotation and at shortstop. But I believe these holes will be filled from within at least to begin with. We’ll see what happens when the trade deadline arrives.

Position the players

Anthony Rizo1B

Gleyber Torres/DJ LeMahieu, 2B

Oswald Peraza, SS

Josh Donaldson, 3B

Oswaldo Cabrera/Aaron HicksLF

Harrison Baderheart rate

Judge AaronRF

Jose TrevinoVS

Giancarlo StantonDH

There is no change from my last prediction on everyday position players. However, I’m more confident that barring a horrible spring, Peraza will win the shortstop job out of camp. Looking closer, it’s clear the Yankees see the value in Peraza as an everyday player, otherwise they wouldn’t have called him up at the end of last season and wouldn’t have added him to the list of playoffs.

Antoine Volpe still has time to grow into Triple-A to start the season, but if he has a good spring, he could get some looks when the rosters expand later in the year. It will also benefit the Yankees to manipulate his time to start the season in the minors. Isiah Kiner-Falefa will be the fallback option if Peraza has a rough start to the season and will benefit from being out of the limelight. He can be the utility infielder who can play third, short and second when needed.

Torres is an interesting name to watch this spring. With the number of Yankees infielders, it’s possible New York will want to move him, especially if they plan to upgrade in the outfield. SNY’s Andy Martino reports that the Yankees are still looking for left-field options outside the organization. A trade is possible, this player will most likely have to come to the free agent market.

The story continues

This leaves Jurickson Profar with whom the Yankees had talks. The issue is salary-related, and the Yankees should offload money to sign Profar so the team doesn’t hit the “Steve Cohen tax” threshold.

While that all sounds good, I just don’t think the Yankees will be able to swing the trade AND sign Profar to a deal he would like.

It also gives the manager Aaron Boon some flexibility with his starting formation. As we saw last season, Torres and LeMahieu were in and out of the lineup and I think he’ll appreciate that, especially with the former coming off an injury.

That leaves Oswaldo Cabrera and Aaron Hicks battling it out for left field. Fans don’t want to hear it, but my gut says Hicks starts the season as a left fielder. The organization has a fascination with him, and while I like the Cabrera moxie, they’ll want someone with more experience to fill the job.

Start rotation

Gerrit ColeHPR

Carlos RodonHPL

Nestor Cortes, HPL

Luis Severino, HPR

Clark Schmidt, HPR

The biggest change for the Yankees comes in rotation. Frankie Montas will require shoulder surgery and is likely done for the year. This leaves the rotation shallower than it once was. Cole, Rodon, Cortes — who is recovering from a hamstring injury but the Yankees expect him to be ready for Opening Day — and Severino are poised to be the top four starters this season. The question is who will take the mound every five days?

Andy Martino reported that the Yankees will not be looking for a trade to fill that role, but will be looking within the organization. This leaves only two options: german domingo or Clarke Schmidt.

German has had time as a starter with the team for the past few years, but I think Schmidt’s advantage is much higher and he will win this position eventually. All that except their performance this spring.

bullpen

Jonathan LoaisigaHPR

Clay Holmes, HPR

Wandy Peralta, HPL

Ron MarinaccioHPR

Lou Trivino, HPR

Greg WeissertHPR

Tommy KahnleHPR

Michael KingHPR

The Yankees bullpen remains unchanged from my last prediction. The team has received good news on King’s elbow and it looks like he will be ready for the start of the season. Otherwise, the team will rely on the usual suspects to start with.

Other enclosure options include Albert Abreu And Deivi Garcia. And with Domingo German not making the top five, he’ll be used to make spot starts or replace an injured pitcher.

Bench

Kyle HigashiokaVS

Oswaldo Cabrera/Aaron HicksOF

Isiah Kiner-FalefaINF

Gleyber Torres/DJ LeMahieuINF

Higashioka will support Trevino with IKF being the utility man who can play third, short and second. Hicks or Cabrera will be the bench outfielders. It will be the same for Gleyber and LeMahieu. Whoever does not leave will be a bench option.

It looks like a short bench, but the flexibility Boone has with outfielders and outfielders will work.