2024 New York Yankees projected lineup, rotation, bullpen and bench players
Yankees projected starting rotation
Due to the elbow injury reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole suffered early in spring training, Nestor Cortes will make the opening day start for the Yankees opposite Houston's Framber Valdes. Cortes, a veteran left-hander, endured a disappointing 2023 season, as injuries limited him to just 12 starts and a record of 5-2 with a 4.97 ERA, a season after going 12-4 with a 2.44 ERA in 28 starts.
After Cortes, the Yankees will try to get by on the mound until Cole's possible return at the end of May with lefty Carlos Rodon, who had a disastrous first season in the Bronx in 2023, veteran right-hander Marcus Stroman, who has ace stuff when on his game, but is better suited in the middle of the rotation, and 28-year-old righty Clarke Schmidt, who went 9-9 with a 4.64 ERA in 33 appearances, including 32 starts, last season.
The Yankees' temporary fifth starter appears to be Luis Gil, a 25-year-old righty who has limited MLB experience, but was dazzling in spring training, thanks in great part to his near-100 mph fastball.
If Gil falters, they could turn to Will Warren, a 24-year-old right-hander who the club believes will eventually be in the rotation full-time.
Yankees projected bullpen
Clay Holmes will resume his role as closer. In addition, the Yankees will likely utilize right-handers Jonathan Loaisiga, Ian Hamilton, Clayton Beeter, Luke Weaver, and Nick Burdi, plus lefties Caleb Ferguson and Victor Gonzalez, in various roles.
The relievers will be a work in progress because three key pieces are currently sidelined with injuries -- right-handers Tommy Kahnle, Lou Trivino and Scott Effross.
Yankees projected starting lineup and bench players
In the field, the Yankees made some big changes they hope will lead to a vast improvement over the 82-80 record from last season that resulted in them missing the playoffs for the second time in eight years.
The acquisition of slugger Juan Soto will give superstar Aaron Judge that dangerous sidekick in the middle of the order the Yankees expected Giancarlo Stanton to be. That's not to say Stanton won't have a bounce-back season, but at this point it appears the offense will center around Judge and Soto, players that not only hit for power but also get on base at a high rate.
By position, the Yankees' opening day starters figure to be:
Catcher: Jose Trevino
First base: Anthony Rizzo
Second base: Gleyber Torres
Shortstop: Anthony Volpe
Third base: Oswaldo Cabrera
Outfield: Alex Verdugo (left), Judge (center), Soto (right)
Designated hitter: Stanton
Bench: With starting third baseman DJ LeMahieu on the injured list to start the season, the Bombers will likely stick with Cabrera, as long as he produces at the plate. Cabrera can also play multiple positions, a versatility that is in short supply around the league.
The Yankees acquired super-utilityman Jon Berti from the Florida Marlins on Wednesday in a three-team trade. Berti, 34, can play third base, second base and shortstop, plus all three outfield spots.
Austin Wells is expected to split time with Trevino at catcher. Ben Rortvedt was sent to the Tampa Bay Rays in the Berti deal.
The Soto trade with the San Diego Padres brought in a key piece in Gold Glove outfielder Trent Grisham, who manager Aaron Boone would have no issue starting at a moment's notice and would certainly use as a late-game defensive replacement.
With Oswald Peraza currently out with a shoulder injury, Jahmai Jones is still in the mix for a roster spot as a reserve infielder.
And let's not forget young slugging outfielder Jasson Dominguez, who made quite an impression late last season before he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery. The 21-year-old is expected back sometime this summer.