As the Yankees gear up for their upcoming showdown in the American League Division Series, the front office faces a crucial set of decisions. On Wednesday evening, the leadership team convened for a detailed meeting to finalize their roster for the postseason. General manager Brian Cashman likened this process to an “appetizer” before the main event.
In this article, we’ll delve into the remaining questions regarding the Yankees roster as they embark on their quest for the organization’s 28th World Series Championship and 21st playoff appearance in 25 years.
Who will the Yankees start at first?
The Yankees infield defense has been met with many challenges this year as they have navigated corner infield injuries and the defensive struggles of second baseman Gleyber Torres. While the Yankees were able to plug Jazz Chisholm into the starting third base role after acquiring him from the Marlins at the trade deadline, the question still looms around who will get the start at first base in light of Anthony Rizzo’s second IL stint of the year.
First Base Options:
- Ben Rice
Promoted from the minors in June after Anthony Rizzo suffered a right forearm fracture in a collision at first base, Rice had some memorable moments with the Yankees, including a standout three-homer game against the Red Sox on July 6.
As rookies do, Rice cooled off as he finished the season with a .171 batting average (26-for-152), seven home runs, and 23 RBIs in 50 big league games. He did close out the season strong with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, hitting .269 (18-for-67) with a double, nine home runs, and 23 RBIs over his final 19 games.
- Oswaldo Cabrera
The Yankees should give serious consideration to Oswaldo Cabrera as a playoff option. The 25-year-old utility player has appeared in 109 games this season, posting a batting line of .247/.296/.365 with eight home runs and 36 RBIs, resulting in an 88 wRC+. This performance positions him as roughly 15% better than Rice statistically.
Notably, Cabrera has been on a hot streak in September, where he recorded a .280 average and a 110 wRC+ over 29 plate appearances, demonstrating his ability to contribute offensively when needed. Given his greater MLB experience and recent form, Cabrera could be the more dependable choice for first base in the playoffs.
Aaron Boone calls him the Yankees’ safety net—and for good reason. This season, Cabrera has covered every position except center field and catcher, even taking the mound for a third of an inning without allowing a run against the Angels on June 8.
Originally expected to be a bench player during Spring Training, Cabrera was called upon to start at third base on Opening Day after DJ LeMahieu was placed on the injured list with a fractured right foot. And, remarkably, he found himself slotting in for Rizzo on August 31, despite not playing first base yet.
In addition, Cabrera is no stranger to the postseason, having had some clutch moments in the 2022 postseason, and the vibrancy in which he plays with might be the spark plug the Yankees need.
Who will the Yankees start in left?
Left Field Options:
In a perfect world, you would combine the offensive prowess of the 21-year old rookie Jasson Dominguez and the veteran defense of Alex Verdugo, but that’s not an option.
- Jasson Dominguez
Unfortunately for Dominguez, his sample size is small with just 18 big league games under his belt this season, and he hasn’t been able to produce an argument big enough to remove himself from these talks. In fact, what likely stands out the most about his big league performance this year are a few costly defensive errors. While he undoubtedly adds power to an already power-filled lineup, he is only slashing a .179/.313/.304 up to this point.
- Alex Vergudo
Verdugo’s performance at the plate remains a pain point with his power significantly declining in the second half of the season, managing just 12 extra-base hits (nine doubles and three home runs) compared to 30 before the All-Star break. For the entire season, he finished with a batting line of .233/.291/.356 (83 OPS+) and recorded 13 home runs and 61 RBIs over 149 games.
However, Verdugo brings valuable postseason experience, which Boone may consider. He played in 11 playoff games with the Red Sox in 2021, including a standout performance with three RBIs in Boston’s AL Wild Card Game victory over the Yankees.
The Yankees should prioritize Alex Verdugo’s veteran above-average defense and postseason experience as a key asset.
- Utilizing Both
I could envision a formula where the Yankees platoon the two in the same game, utilizing the Martian’s bat through the 7th inning and Verdugo’s defense late in the game, provided the Yankees have a lead to protect, or on the flip, Verdugo’s defense until power at the plate is needed late in the game.
Yankees, Royals Mound Matchups
Game 1:
Gerrit Cole RHP | 8-5, 3.41 ERA, 99 SO
Michael Wacha RHP | 13-8, 3.35 ERA, 145 SO
Game 2:
Carlos Rodón LHP | 16-9, 3.96 ERA, 195 SO
Cole Ragans LHP | 11-9, 3.14 ERA, 223 SO
Game 3:
Luis Gil RHP | 15-7, 3.50 ERA, 214 SO
TBD
Game times
Game 1: Royals at Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 5, 6:38 p.m. ET, TBS/Max
Game 2: Royals at Yankees, Monday, Oct. 7, 7:38 p.m. ET, TBS/truTV/Max
Game 3: Yankees at Royals, Wednesday, Oct. 9, Time TBD, TBS/truTV/Max
Game 4: Yankees at Royals, Thursday, Oct. 10, Time TBD, TBS/truTV/Max (if necessary)
Game 5: Royals at Yankees, Saturday, Oct. 12, Time TBD, TBS/Max (if necessary)
Who will be Royal in the end?
You can always find great barbecue in the City of Fountains and the reigning NFL Champion Chiefs, but this year, you’ll find Kauffman stadium lit up in October as the Royals make a postseason run. Despite the Yankees winning the season series 5-2, they can’t overlook the Royals’ current hot streak or the contentious history between the two teams. This marks the pair’s first postseason matchup since 1980, following their inaugural meeting in 1976. After Chris Chambliss hit a pennant-clinching home run, the rivalry was born, leading to four ALCS meetings in five years, with the Royals finally emerging victorious in 1980.
“We really despised each other,” Royals Hall of Famer George Brett said. “The teams did, the organizations did, and I think the cities did. We’d come to New York and they were just booing, loud and obnoxious and nasty. And then they would come to Kansas City, and I’m sure our fans did the same thing. But it was a rivalry where both teams really got up to play those games, and I think the fan base behind them got up to watch them play.”
The Royals will rely heavily on its trio of AL MVP candidate Bobby Witt Jr., Salvador Pérez, and Vinnie Pasquantino to break through the top-finishing American League Yankees.
The Yankees will need to navigate these roster decisions carefully as they face the Royals, a team with its own rich playoff history and a roster brimming with talent. With a storied rivalry reignited and both teams aiming for glory, this series promises to be a thrilling chapter in postseason baseball.
