Yankees, Gerrit Cole

The New York Yankees’ regular season has concluded, and they’re set for the postseason. With the team celebrating their success, fans can only hope that the injury bug stays at bay, unlike last year’s chaos. Despite being labeled “October’s Healthiest Team,” recent developments have left the postseason roster looking uncertain.

The bullpen is facing some unexpected challenges, creating a ripple effect in roster decisions. A player who was once considered on the chopping block has suddenly become essential, while others may step up in unexpected ways. Amid these, here are three unexpected roster decisions the New York Yankees could enforce in October.

1. Yankees Might Go With 12 Pitchers, 5 Bench Players

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If the New York Yankees advance to the ALCS, they will likely need to reassess their roster. Anthony Rizzo might be available if they make it that far, necessitating more arms for a longer series. However, for the best-of-five ALDS, the team could afford to carry more bench players. With an off-day between Games 1 and 2 that could allow Gerrit Cole to return quickly, the Yanks might lean toward adding a bench player instead of a pitcher.

Names like Ben Rice, Jose Trevino, Alex Verdugo, Jon Berti, and even Trent Grisham could provide more flexibility than relying on Marcus Stroman, who has struggled recently. Adding a bench player could enhance the team’s depth and give them better options for late-game scenarios.

2. Ben Rice At First Base Over Oswaldo Cabrera

Yankees, Ben RiceAP Photo/Pamela Smith
Ben Rice’s recent performance has been a mixed bag. His showcase on Sunday was subpar, and while he did have a three-homer game in July, he has struggled since his MLB debut. The metrics suggest he faced a run of bad luck, and his impressive power numbers in Triple-A might have been a small sample size anomaly.

While Oswaldo Cabrera offers versatility and has the skills to fill in for Rizzo, the New York Yankees may opt to sub him in for Gleyber Torres in critical situations rather than start him at first base. This approach would allow Cabrera to maintain his defensive edge while also keeping Rice in the lineup. This adjustment could only be for ALDS, as Rizzo might recover in time for ALCS.

3. Yankees Can Carry Tim Mayza Over Marcus Stroman

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Tim Mayza’s recent performance has turned heads, especially with Nestor Cortes sidelined due to injury, leaving the New York Yankees with only one left-handed option in the bullpen. Mayza’s competence as a mop-up guy could earn him a spot over Marcus Stroman, who has struggled to regain his earlier form. Stroman’s summer slump saw his ERA rise significantly, culminating in an abysmal September.

With 31 hits allowed in just 15.1 innings that month, he has been a liability rather than an asset. While his earlier contributions cannot be overlooked, the Bronx Bombers may prioritize a more reliable option like Mayza in the postseason, hoping he won’t have to see action if the starters perform well. As for Cortes, he is still hoping for an ALCS return.