Now that the Yankees' 2015 season is officially over we can start speculating about what their roster will look like next year. Brian Cashman is sure to be busy as usual this winter in an effort to improve the roster, but as it stands now this is what Joe Girardi could have at his disposal come April.
Position Players
Position | Name | Bats/Throws |
C | Brian McCann | L/R |
C | John Ryan Murphy | R/R |
1B | Mark Teixeira | B/R |
2B | Rob Refsnyder | R/R |
3B | Chase Headley | B/R |
SS | Didi Gregorius | L/R |
2B | Dustin Ackley | L/R |
INF | Jose Pirela | R/R |
DH | Alex Rodriguez | R/R |
LF | Brett Gardner | L/L |
CF | Jacoby Ellsbury | L/L |
RF | Carlos Beltran | B/R |
OF | Chris Young | R/R |
Infielders
At backstop the Yankees are all set with McCann and Murphy who were a solid tandem in 2015. The rest of the infield will not change much with the exception of second base where Refsnyder and Ackley are likely to platoon, meaning the Stephen Drew experiment may finally be over. Jose Pirela's ability to play the outfield could land him a roster spot in a super utility role backing up nearly all positions, if they decide to cut ties with Brendan Ryan. It certainly seems that Girardi is serious about not playing A-Rod in the field anymore but he could be pressed into emergency duty at the corner infield spots. One topic sure to be hot all offseason will be whether or not Greg Bird breaks camp with the Yankees. He didn't make this version of the roster but when the inevitable injury to Mark Teixeira occurs he will be plugged right in.
Outfielders
No surprises here. Chris Young was well worth the modest investment the Yankees made in him this year and it would only make sense that they bring him back for another round in 2016. Due to his performance, it will just take a few more dollars to do so.
Pitchers
Position | Name | Throws |
SP | Masahiro Tanaka | R |
SP | Michael Pineda | R |
SP | Nathan Eovaldi | R |
SP | Ivan Nova | R |
SP | CC Sabathia | L |
RP | Andrew Miller | L |
RP | Dellin Betances | R |
RP | Chasen Shreve | L |
RP | Justin WIlson | L |
RP | Adam Warren | R |
RP | Chris Martin | R |
RP | Bryan Mitchell | R |
Starting Rotation
Health is a concern for each of these guys as they all missed time due to injury in 2015. With so many question marks you can bet that upgrading the rotation will be a priority for Cashman as he goes to work this winter. Luis Severino is a glaring omission here but there's simply no room for him in this rotation with the news that the Yankees will bring back Ivan Nova. It would be no surprise at all if the team found a way to fit him into the roster from day one though.
Bullpen
The only locks here are Miller, Betances, and Warren. Even then Warren could find himself in the rotation to start the year. Shreve and Wilson showed flashes of brilliance this year but as Shreve's late season struggles proved, relief arms can go sour quickly. They will likely have a short leash in 2016. Incumbents Martin and Mitchell were rather ineffective this season but these spots are likely theirs to lose next spring. Of course, these two spots could also be filled by names that aren't even on the radar currently. Such is the life of relievers.