More that half way to start of the season.
guess the OD roster:
13 hitters
C Sanchez, Romine
1b Bird
2b Walker
SS Didi
3b Drury
OF Gardner
OF Judge
OF Stanton
OF Hicks
Bn Ellsbury, Torresyes, Andjular
Wade and Austin sent down
SP Sevy
SP Tanaka
SP Gray
SP CC
SP Monty
RP Chapman
RP Betances
RP Robertson
RP Kahnle
RP Green
RP Shreve
RP Warren
Cessa is left out in the cold in the pen. Warren will be the long man on the staff. If they want to keep Andjular under control for a year longer than Cessa will make the team as the 13 pitcher
No real brain busters.
That's my take as well... Wade replaces Torreyes. And, if not, Wade stays and someone else goes.
As an aside, if this team just get average/mediocre pitching from its starters, there's clearly enough bullpen, hitting and fielding to take this team at least into the playoffs.
I think Torreyes remaining is a much better possibility than you guys allow.
I will go further on my own in complete speculation. I think the spring Andujar, Frazier and Ellsbury had ( injuries for two and defense and not hitting breaking stuff for Andujar) limits some of Cashman's optionality of getting one more SP before the season starts.
I did not see enough of the games but I think that no minor league pitching prospect I am aware of rose up or down in short term "tradeability" evaluations.
Good spring so far for the starters and their health
Tyler Austin lost his chance at a roster spot when we signed Walker. And Andujar will be playing everyday in Scranton to start the season, not riding the pine in Bronx. It's not like we have any DH at bats for him either.
The bit about Walker being able to backup first base is about if/when Torres takes over the starting 2b job in the second half.
The Yankees like Wade, but they've made it pretty clear that they like him as a utility player, not a future starter.
I am sure Cash will find someone on the cheap, or make a trade, but until then.
Wade played the entire season in triple A, until he was called here to fill in, he was never given a shot because we were in the middle of a pennant race, and Torreyes was playing well, they Yanks understood this and that is why they are not judging him by that reserve role he was forced to play. But by his triple A numbers. Watch the kid, he is in great shape and made two sensational plays yesterday. His defense is a huge reason why he will get the start at the beginning of the season.
I think the bench will be Romine, Austin and Wade- with Ellsbury when healthy- and probably McKinney if Ellsbury needs to start the year on the DL.
Torreyes offers absolutely nothing beyond being a middle INF body. He can't PR or PH.
Wade and Walker cover that in spades- with Wade adding the ability to be a PR and possible PH from the left side. Walker would be an excellent PH on days he doesn't start. Austin can PH, play the corner OF, DH and backup 1B.
While Torreyes COULD be optioned to AAA, the better choice for both sides may be to simply let him go. The Yanks have a crowd at AAA with Torres and Andujar going down, along with Pederson and maybe Avelino already there.
Shouldn't take away ABs from the prospects at this point- especially since Torres and Andujar can easily be called up for any injury and likely outperform anything Torreyes can offer.
I think you misunderstand the Yanks plan going into the season. I think that Boone has been clear that he is going to play matchups and adjust the lineup- and positions- on a daily basis.
This is going to be a VERY different team than the one Girardi ran. I think it is highly unlikely that one INF (outside of Bird, who has limited defensive flexibility) is going to stay at one spot day after day.
I believe the more likely scenario will be that the players move around based on matchups, stadium, situations, etc. For example, one day, Walker will be at 2B, Didi at SS and Drury at 3B. Another day, we could see Walker at 1B, Wade at 2B. Another might have Drury at DH, Stanton in LF, Gardner gets an off-day, Walker goes to 3B, Wade to 2B.
The idea will be to put the best players in the spots needed that day, or what the numbers say will optimize their chances. Wade is going to get a lot of ABs all over the place. Walker is too. Eventually, Torres and Andujar will complicate things when they come up- but that if for another day.
He's been sidelined with the concussion. Slow recovery, hasn't been able to resume workouts yet.
But as I said, Tyler Wade will be the starting second baseman to start the season, that much I understand too.
I think we are really saying the same shit at this point. I think we both understand, the Wade starting thing is really the only difference in opinion, and that really can change fast, but Walker is starting out about 2-3 weeks behind too. Walker also is at that age where players do get injured more often.
Kahnle, Warren, Shreeve, Green, Robertson, Betances, Chapman
Sanchez, Romine
Bird, Walker, Didi, Drury, Wade, Toe
Judge, Stanton, Gardy, Hicks, Ellsbury
----
Cessa, German, Andujar, Torres, Frazier all getting first dibs in call ups or Cessa, german and Frazier riding the shuttle a bit
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The New York Yankees have acquired minor league RHP Luis Gil from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for OF Jake Cave.
Tyler Wade puts on show with glove in Yankees' win - ( New Window )
Book it. Wade is going to be the Yankees' starter at second when they open March 29 in Toronto even though he's a .155 hitter with 58 career at-bats as a big leaguer in 30 games last season.
From reading the coaches-speak tealeaves, second base might be Wade's to lose until Yankees' No. 1 prospect Gleyber Torres becomes Major League ready, as a matter of fact.
"Another one of those days where he just opens your eyes with the dynamic he brings," manager Aaron Boone said. "The range that he showed on the ball in the hole to his left, that's elite. The ball that's smoked up the middle from Harrison. That's not an easy play. He had to go to the ground to kind of create and he handled an in-between hop.
"Then you go out there against one of the elite relievers in the game from the left side and (Rivero) throws one up at your face and (Wade) digs right back in there, sticks his nose in there and works a walk. That's a big-time at-bat. That's not easy to do.
"He's a better player than I thought. I came in with some expectations and our organization thinks very highly of him. But getting to see him on a daily basis, what he does with his athleticism and his instincts has been impressive."
Walker probably will get some starts at second, he'll play a little first when Greg Bird sits against tough lefties and he'll maybe play a little third for Brandon Drury against righties.
"We'll try and get him in some games at second and third, which is what he did over on the minor league side (on Wednesday)," manager Aaron Boone said. "I think he played half at third, half at second. This is just another part of the puzzle where we slot the at-bats on a given day. (Friday) being at first, more a coincidence."
It's also a billboard screaming, "WADE IS THE STARTER!"
It wouldn't be surprising if Walker becomes the starter at second in time, but probably only if it's obvious that he should be there over Wade.
"I weigh it all," Boone said. "I look at it as we have two really good players there that can impact our club in different ways. I think the versatility of both guys in different ways adds to our dynamic, hopefully."
Why Neil Walker is debuting for Yankees at 1st base instead of 2nd base - ( New Window )
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The New York Yankees have acquired minor league RHP Luis Gil from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for OF Jake Cave.
Outstanding! They get another lottery ticket young P who doesn't have to even think of being protected in Rule 5 for at least 3 years.
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New York Yankees
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The New York Yankees have acquired minor league RHP Luis Gil from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for OF Jake Cave.
Outstanding! They get another lottery ticket young P who doesn't have to even think of being protected in Rule 5 for at least 3 years.
Good for Cave too. Hope he makes the big team.
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The way Aaron Boone was speaking today, Tyler Wade has made this team. The only question is, will he be the Opening Day 2B?
Hes basically like a high school hitter because hes never seen a good curveball, the scout said. Hes seen fastballs and changeups. And youre asking a high school hitter to jump to the major leagues?
The verdict is in on Shohei Ohtani's bat and it's not good - ( New Window )
Tricky. Maybe if his pitching continues to suck they get him a year in the minors, but is that sufficient?
He may be the Aaron Judge of pitchers.
He either strikes you out or gives up a hit which may well be a homer.