Watch Out: The New York Yankees’ Lineup is About to Become Scary

With the addition of Gary Sanchez today, the New York Yankees’ lineup is knocking on the door of monstrosity. 

Entering the 2017 season, if I told anyone that those MLB offensive ranks would apply to the New York Yankees through 26 games of action, I would have been looked at as if I was speaking a different language.

If I added that the lineup would achieve those ranks without Gary Sanchez for a month and Didi Gregorius for all but three days in April, I probably wouldn’t have been granted respect in another baseball conversation with a common human being.

Yes, this torrent start for the Yankees’ offense was unforeseen, but, as of May 5 (today), it is a reality. This lineup is dynamic, it flows, it has few holes, it is timely and, perhaps most importantly, it is powerful.

The Bronx Bombers are back.

Today at Wrigley Field, baseball’s biggest surprise gets some serious help — as if they needed it. The help will come in the form of Gary Sanchez.

Yes, the man who was the story of major league baseball’s second half in 2016, blasting 20 homers in 52 games, leading a “rebuilding” team back into the heat of contention and becoming the cornerstone of a much-anticipated franchise youth movement.

The Yankees did this without him, as hard as it is to fathom by looking at the numbers.

Whether it be the unexpectedly outstanding contributions from the likes of Chase Headley, Ronald Torreyes, Aaron Hicks and Jacoby Ellsbury, the brilliant start from Starlin Castro, or Aaron Judge‘s surge from a rookie phenom into Gary Sanchez 2.0, the Yankees have done more than held their own — with no signs of letting up.

All of this has taken place while patiently awaiting the return of their backstop. Well, the wait has been tremendously easier than expected, as the team was able to run off a 16-5 stretch of baseball following his departure.

With that said, now, with the sparkling 24-year-old back in the fold, the lineup can reach new heights.

Lately, it has been dominant. Today, it will be admired.

Here is how Joe Girardi could shape up his lineup in the series opener, with numerous combinations in the realm of possibility:

• Brett Gardner – LF
• Gary Sanchez – C
• Starlin Castro – 2B
• Aaron Judge – RF
• Chase Headley – 3B
• Didi Gregorius – SS
• Chris Carter – 1B
• Aaron Hicks – CF
• Michael Pineda – P

When New York returns to American League ballparks, this is how its potent offensive attack could be showcased:

• Brett Gardner – LF
• Gary Sanchez – C
• Matt Holliday – DH
• Starlin Castro – 2B
• Aaron Judge – RF
• Chase Headley – 3B
• Didi Gregorius – SS
• Chris Carter – 1B
• Aaron Hicks – CF

Let’s add that a good problem will be created upon the return of Jacoby Ellsbury, who was batting a sturdy .282 with 9 runs batted in and seven stolen bases prior to sustaining a wrist injury. Oh, and are we forgetting the fact that Greg Bird, who is currently sidelined on the 10-day DL with an ankle injury, has struggled mightily and not showcased a fraction of his potential — which was well-documented during his incredible Spring Training.

When you think of the Yankees’ offense, you think depth. There are numerous — and, frankly, no incorrect — ways to turn.

In today’s game, the league’s home run leader will take the field. Fun fact: he plays for New York. Additionally, four players with a batting average north of .300 will reside in the third base dugout in Chicago.

Add the guy who was supposed to be leading this charge all along? You are not only having fun. You are instilling fear.

Let’s just say the offensive team leaderboards should get comfortable with the pinstripes. They are not going anywhere.