Starting Lineup:
ESNY’s Projected Starting Lineup:
- Jacoby Ellsbury, CF
- Clint Frazier, LF
- Greg Bird, 1B
- Mark Trumbo, DH
- Aaron Judge, RF
- Gary Sanchez, C
- Didi Gregorius, SS
- Starlin Castro, 2B
- Chase Headley, 3B
Bench:
- Rob Refsnyder, RF/2B/1B
- Ben Gamel, OF
- Austin Romine, C
- Ronald Torreyes, 3B/SS/2B
At first glimpse, this lineup looks like it could turn into a juggernaut offense but to get manager Joe
Girardi to list that as his 2017 Opening Day lineup, two notable trades must be executed in order for it to happen.
Move number one is trading contemporary left fielder Brett Gardner in order to make room for their freakishly gifted top prospect, Clint Frazier.
The speedster will be entering the final year of his four-year, $52-million deal signed back in 2013 and is a reputable gamer who can wreck havoc on the basepaths (215 career stolen bases) along with some pop (15+ home runs in the last two years).
Washington would be a good fit as they could use an upgrade in center field, a position Gardner and his average arm would love.
Additionally, a lineup this youthful, compact, and dynamic would only transpire if their current starting catcher, Brian McCann, is dealt as well.
RELATED: Brian McCann Clears Waivers
He cleared waivers, is able to be traded ahead of August 31’s waiver deadline and has already brought on interest from his former team, the Atlanta Braves. They, however, wanted Cashman to eat a portion of McCann’s total of $34 million over the next two seasons.
Eating the money for McCann would be tough, but not giving the “Baby Bombers” at bats in a lineup that looks like the one above is downright sacrilegious.
When looking at that lineup, the team looks moderately set and the additions of prospects like Frazier, Aaron Judge, Greg Bird and Gary Sanchez makes the offense look legit.
Here in 2016, they rank 22 in runs scored per game but that’s mainly caused by the absence of 35 home runs between Teixeira and A-Rod from a year ago.
Next season, Bird – who was on pace for 38 home runs and 109 RBI in 2015 – will take over at first and notice that Mark Trumbo’s name is listed as the team’s designated hitter in the projected lineup, as well.
Through 110 games with the Baltimore Orioles, Trumbo has a slash line of .264/.315/.529 with an OPS of .844 and an American League-leading 31 home runs. He is
expected to become a free agent at the end of 2016.
Though they are in rebuild mode at the moment, adding Trumbo would bring a powerful bat – that can also play first base and left – while avoiding the blockage of younger players. Note, however, that they would have to surrender a draft pick compensation which is a major reason why they refused to sign a major league free agent last offseason.
You also shouldn’t rule out Aaron Hicks making the roster for the second consecutive year to add to their outfield depth while he attempts to rescue his reputation damaged
by what was an appalling season.
Yankees’ fans, do you like what next year’s roster could possibly look like? Is your fantasy construction of the 2017 team a tad different? Let your voice be heard in the comments below and get the conversation going.
Christian Kouroupakis covers the New York Yankees for ESNY. Interact with him and view his daily work by “liking” his facebook page and follow him on Twitter. Don’t hesitate to shoot him an email with any questions, criticisms, or concerns.
