You may have recently heard rumblings of big changes brewing in the Yankee camp, with the new MLB season just around the corner. If you’re a Yankees fan, you’re probably wondering what those changes are and if they’ll have a positive impact on the team’s performance come Opening Day. Here, we’ll dive into all the potential changes the Yankees may be considering and what we can expect to see over the course of the 2021 season.
Potential Yankees Roster Additions
The Yankees have already made some apparent moves in the offseason to build a more competitive team in 2021. In addition to signing of pitcher Gerrit Cole, the Yankees have also brought on catcher Kyle Higashioka as well as infielders Gio Urshela and DJ LeMahieu. But they’re not done yet.
Here are some of the players who may join the Yankees this season:
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Corey Kluber: The veteran right-hander is rehabbing from a shoulder injury that limited him to just one start in the 2020 season. The Yankees are still negotiating with Kluber and have not yet signed him.
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Carlos Carrasco: The Indians non-tendered the right-hander, and he was shortly linked to the Yankees. However, no official information has been released.
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Francisco Lindor: The All-Star shortstop is one of the most sought-after free agents in the league. Though the Yankees already have two capable shortstops in Gleyber Torres and Gio Urshela, Lindor could provide a much-needed boost to their lineup.
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Trevor Bauer: The reigning NL Cy Young award winner recently disappointed Yankees fans by signing with the Dodgers instead. But if the Yankees can still find a way to bring him on board, he could make an invaluable addition to the team’s pitching staff.
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Mike Clevinger: Like Kluber, Clevinger was also injured in 2020 and missed most of the season. Though the Yankees have not yet pursued him, he could at least provide some needed depth to their pitching staff.
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Gary Sanchez: Last season, Sanchez had a below-average performance and was demoted to the minors. He may not be in the Yankees’ plans any longer, but if they do decide to bring him back, they could make a major splash.
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Giancarlo Stanton: Despite being hobbled by injuries over the past two seasons, Stanton is still one of the best hitters in the league when he is healthy. If he can get back on track, he could make a huge difference for the team.
Lineup Changes
Apart from adding a few more key players to their roster, the Yankees are also likely to reshuffle their lineup in the upcoming season. The team could move first baseman Luke Voit to the third spot in the batting order, while outfielder Aaron Judge could be shifted up to the first spot. Judge could also see more playing time in 2021 than he did in 2020.
Additionally, outfielder Clint Frazier could also receive more at-bats as the season progresses. Frazier has long been considered one of the team’s most promising prospects, and with Judge and Judge’s injury history, the Yankees may look to use him more this season.
Pitching Rotations
The Yankees are set to roll out one of their strongest pitching rotations in years. With the addition of Cole, there is no doubt that the rotation includes a front-line starter of world-class quality. But in addition to the new arrival, the Yankees will also depend on veteran pitchers Masahiro Tanaka and J.A. Happ.
It remains to be seen whether Kluber, Carrasco, Lindor, Bauer, or Clevinger will join the Yankees’ rotation. If any of these players do sign on with the team, they could provide valuable support to Cole.
Bullpen Changes
The Yankees are also likely to make some significant changes to their bullpen. Closer Aroldis Chapman is returning to the team this season, and the Yankees could also look to acquire left-hander Taylor Rogers, who has been linked to the team recently. Relievers Adam Ottavino, Zach Britton, and Justin Wilson could also all return to the bullpen.
The Yankees are one of the most storied franchises in professional sports, and their fans expect championship-level performance from the team each year. But before the season starts, we can expect the Yankees to make some changes to their roster, lineup, and pitching staff to give them the best chance of success.
A handful of key free agents are still available, and their signing could give the team a major boost. The Yankees already have an impressive lineup and a strong pitching staff, and if they make the right moves, they could be among the top contenders in the league this season.
