One of the most valuable qualities a baseball team can have is roster flexibility. Being able to move players around the diamond allows clubs to effectively manage injuries, rest, and poor performance. At first glance, the Yankees don’t seem to have this attribute. A lineup that is an average age of 32.5, consisting of several injury prone players and two full-time designated hitters, doesn’t exactly scream flexibility around the diamond. But even with these obvious limitations, the Yankees have a surprisingly adaptable roster.
That doesn’t mean the roster is perfect, though. Alex Rodriguez is at risk of disintegrating if put in the field, so he’s a strict DH. Carlos Beltran should have the same role as Rodriguez, but while A-Rod is still around Beltran will be forced to take his -15.4 FRAA defense to right field. Although Beltran shouldn’t be allowed to own a glove under normal circumstances, his bat is just too strong for the bench.
Despite these limitations, there’s plenty of flexibility to go around. The Yankees outfield is filled with movable parts, best exemplified in Aaron Hicks and Brett Gardner. Not only does Hicks boast gold glove talent in the outfield, but he can play this high level of defense at all three positions. Hicks played at every outfield spot in 2015 and has already spent time in both corners this season with the Yankees. Brett Gardner’s been in left field for a couple of years now, but he also stepped in to play center field last season when Jacoby Ellsbury was injured.
Bridging the gap from the outfield to the infield is Dustin Ackley. He’s not great with the bat, but should stick with the team because of his many hats in the field. Ackley was the Mariners’ second baseman for the start of his career, but the signing of Robinson Cano forced Seattle to try him at other positions. Ackley’s been more than competent elsewhere, and now he can (but won’t necessarily will) be used at all three outfield positions as well as second and first base.
Other than Ackley, the middle infield also has flexibility with Starlin Castro and Ronald Torreyes, who both can play second base or shortstop. Third base isn’t as pretty, but Torreyes also fills in at the hot corner behind Chase Headley. First base has Mark Teixeira and the aforementioned Ackley, though Brian McCann and Headley can also play in a pinch.
The team is fortunate enough to have depth in the minor leagues as well. The Yankees have quite a few big-league-ready options who would be perfectly serviceable in the big leagues. Top catching prospect Gary Sanchez is an injury or poor performance away from getting the call and so is Rob Refsnyder, who could play second base, and at some point, third base. In the outfield, Slade Heathcott, Mason Williams, Jake Cave, and Ben Gamel are all ready as fourth or fifth outfielders that can play in at least two spots, and prospect Aaron Judge is ready to take right field over from Beltran if need be.
The value of flexibility for the Yankees cannot be overstated. One of the team’s biggest weaknesses is durability, as aging stars aren’t great bets to stay healthy throughout the season. Having so many players available to play each position allows the Yankees to take one or two key injuries in stride without serious lineup overhauls or holes. No matter the position, there is a backup plan good enough to start in a major league lineup. This doesn’t mean the Yankees are invulnerable to multiple injuries, but they can stomach an injury to every position.
Lead photo: Rick Osentoski / USA Today Sports
Get a grip. No way is Judge ready to play everyday at the ML level. While I believe that Heathcott maybe ready to take an outfield spot as a starter, at this point, we’re not sure Williams will ever throw the ball from the outfield. Cave is just returning to the Yanks, coming off of a complete flop for Cleveland. Depth? Maybe. Starting depth, is quite another thing.
I’ve been saying since mid-last season that Judge shouldn’t be called up until mid-2016 at the earliest under ideal circumstances, but in the case of an injury I have confidence he can start in the outfield. Williams isn’t healthy, but he was very good in 2015 and hopefully can be ready in the next couple months. Calling Cave a complete flop because he had some trouble in fake games this Spring with a new team seems like an overreaction. The Yankees have five potential starting outfielders in Beltran, Gardner, Ellsbury, Hicks, and Ackley. Judge isn’t far behind, and Heathcott has the tools to be an intriguing player (as you mentioned). Just because Gamel, Williams, and Cave aren’t ready to be starting outfielders, or may never be, doesn’t mean they lack starting depth.