Yankees roster projection 3.0: New names emerge to round out team

Yankees manager Aaron Boone said early in camp that it’s a “reasonable expectation” for the team’s offense to return to being elite once again. With the trades for Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo plus projected bounce-backs for DJ LeMahieu, Anthony Rizzo and Giancarlo Stanton, it’s easy to see why there’s optimism with the potential of this lineup.

With both Carlos Rodón and Nestor Cortes in better spots than where they were at this point last year, the Yankees look like they can be a legitimate contender in the American League. But there are still some spots on the roster that are less certain than others.

Here’s our third roster projection of the offseason.

Lineup

1. DJ LeMahieu, 3B
2. Juan Soto, LF
3. Aaron Judge, CF
4. Giancarlo Stanton, DH
5. Anthony Rizzo, 1B
6. Gleyber Torres, 2B
7. Alex Verdugo, RF
8. Jose Trevino, C
9. Anthony Volpe, SS

Soto will likely play left field in Houston because it’s easier to defend than right field at Minute Maid Park. 

The top three of the Yankees’ lineup is as close to being locked in as possible. Boone said he wants LeMahieu to take hold of the leadoff spot. Soto has the highest on-base percentage in MLB since entering the league as a 19-year-old, and it makes sense to hit him in front of Judge, who’s the best slugger in baseball. Plus, Judge’s personal preference is to hit third.

The middle of the order is where things could change for the Yankees. The organization has hyped Stanton this offseason, as expected. It wouldn’t be surprising to see them show confidence in the slugger and bat him in his customary cleanup spot if he finishes spring healthy. Rizzo is fully healthy. Before his concussion in late May last season, he was on an All-Star pace. That version of Rizzo could fundamentally change the outlook of the potential of this lineup. If Rizzo and Stanton bounce back, Torres would be a big beneficiary. He was the team’s second-best hitter last season and may be in more run-producing situations.

The last third of the lineup also appears set. Trevino has yet to play this spring because of a strained calf but is expected to be ready by Opening Day. Gerrit Cole prefers Trevino behind the plate, so expect to see him in the lineup. Volpe has a new, flatter swing this year. Don’t be surprised if it does take some adjusting to get used to a big change. — Kirschner 

Bench

• Austin Wells, C
• Trent Grisham, OF
• Oswaldo Cabrera, Util
• Donovan Solano, Util

Two spots are easy to project: The backup catcher, likely Austin Wells (or Ben Rortvedt, who is out of options), and fourth outfielder Trent Grisham.

Last season, the Yankees were so high on Oswaldo Cabrera that they gave him the majority of the work in left field to start the season. His multi-positional ability should serve him well in a utility role, provided the Yankees believe he’s fixed his swing. He looked like an off-the-bench dynamo in 2022, when he posted a .740 OPS in 44 games and jolted the Yankees with energy every…