Good afternoon, everyone! It’s time to jump back into the mailbag and respond to some of your questions. Don’t forget to send your queries for our weekly call via email to pinstripealleyblog [at] gmail [dot] com.
yankinBAMA asks: If Jones reaches 15 home runs and over 50 RBIs, is there any chance for him to win Rookie of the Year?
Spencer Jones has certainly surprised many with his performance this season, but he’s not really a serious candidate for Rookie of the Year. He’s only appeared in just over half the team’s games, posting a solid but not spectacular 109 wRC+ and 0.9 fWAR. Although this is commendable, especially given how uncertain his early call-up seemed, it pales compared to frontrunner Kevin McGonigle and other contenders like Parker Messick, Munetaka Murakami, and Payton Tolle. While Jones deserves credit for stepping up—especially since he didn’t secure a regular spot until August when he revamped his batting stance—his season-long numbers aren’t enough to challenge for the award. Still, his progress has earned him the chance to start some postseason games, particularly if Trent Grisham isn’t fully healthy, potentially giving Jones significant playing time.
Andrew M. asks: Who would you choose for the Wild Card Series bullpen? Boone mentioned he’s leaning toward bringing 11 or 12 pitchers.
As the postseason approaches, the biggest uncertainty is the bullpen composition. The Yankees are expected to carry their three starters—Cam Schlittler, Max Fried, and Gerrit Cole—alongside three reliable relievers: David Bednar, Paul Blackburn, and Brent Headrick. Carlos Rodón and Will Warren, both starters, would likely be next, offering flexibility as potential relief options if needed, especially with Rodón possibly starting a Wild Card game or an ALDS matchup. That secures eight pitchers, leaving room for three or four more spots.
Candidates for these remaining spots include Tim Hill, Ryan Yarbrough, John Schreiber, Michael Fulmer, Luis Gil, Bradley Hanner, Elmer Rodríguez, Brendan Beck, Yerry De los Santos, and Angel Chivilli. Some have been moving between the minors and the majors recently, though pitching coach Matt Blake downplayed the chances of Carlos Lagrange making a playoff debut. Of the minor leaguers, Rodríguez, Beck, De los Santos, and Chivilli have mostly appeared in spot starts and are unlikely to make the roster unless the team needs to stretch its arms late in the season.
Among the contenders, Hill is the most probable pick due to his past success, even though his current stats aren’t as impressive. He remains a reliable lefty specialist and could be used to face left-handed hitters late in games. Schreiber, acquired in August, has been effective against right-handers and could complement Hill in managing matchups before handing the ball over to the team’s top relievers.
For the final one or two spots, options are limited. Hanner has struggled and appears more like a mop-up reliever, while Michael Fulmer hasn’t impressed during his time in New York. Luis Gil showed some promise but was recently demoted after a rough outing. That leaves Yarbrough as the likely choice, providing a flexible, multi-inning option if an emergency arises early in a game.
If the Yankees go with 12 pitchers, a few of the less consistent options might sneak in, but overall, the bullpen depth has been weakened by the team’s gamble on turning starting pitchers into relievers—a strategy hampered by key injuries to Clarke Schmidt and Ryan Weathers. With no major trades to bolster the bullpen at the deadline, the Yankees will have to rely on what they have and hope these pitchers hold up through a challenging postseason.
jws85 asks: Any thoughts on Garcia or Rice working out at third base over the winter to replace McMahon?
I don’t see that happening. Both Garcia and Rice have been largely settled as first basemen when playing defense, and neither has much experience at third base. Garcia probably won’t even return to second base with the Yankees, making a move to a new position unlikely. Rice has been definitively ruled out as a catcher, and his defense at first base still needs improvement, so switching him across the diamond would probably be a bad idea. Anthony Volpe has been practicing at third base recently, but neither Garcia nor Rice looks poised to make that leap anytime soon.
McMahon’s future remains uncertain, and the team could move on from him after this season despite the contract still having a year left. Some of the talk about moving Garcia or Rice to third is likely driven by concerns about Aaron Judge’s health after his rib injury, which occurred making a tough outfield play. Although changing Judge’s position might be necessary eventually, 2027 doesn’t seem to be the year. If he recovers fully during the offseason, Judge could return to the outfield with a more cautious approach. His powerful arm remains a valuable defensive asset, even if his range diminishes slightly.
A roster crunch could still arise, especially with Giancarlo Stanton in the mix and Paul Goldschmidt likely moving on after this season—either retiring or signing elsewhere on a short deal. How the team will juggle Stanton, Rice, and Garcia on the roster is still unclear, but it may be an issue they plan to address later. This postseason might also be Stanton’s farewell tour if he’s activated, marking the end of an era given his frequent injuries and lengthy time on the IL.
Fan Take:
This insight into the Yankees’ roster moves and player developments is crucial for fans tracking the team’s postseason chances, highlighting how depth and strategic decisions can make or break playoff success. It also underscores the ongoing challenges teams face balancing player health, position flexibility, and bullpen reliability—factors that continue to shape the future of baseball.
Source: sports.yahoo.com
