After what was a punch-in-the-face ALDS loss to the Boston Red Sox, the Yankees spent the last five months retooling in all areas in preparation for a bounce-back chase for their 28th World Series Championship. With an upgraded and enhanced roster, along with a Red Sox roster that has arguably regressed, the Yankees are primed for a very legitimate shot at their first AL East title since 2012.
The ultimate result of the 2018 season was, of course, a failure. However, that’s not to say there weren’t any positive outcomes. Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar shined in their rookie seasons, both posting wRC+ above 120 with 20+ home runs. Aaron Judge proved he was no fluke with another stellar season despite missing six weeks due to a fracture in his wrist. Luis Severino posted an overall outstanding follow-up to his 2017 campaign. The basic notion here, for the most part, is that the Yankees continued to successfully develop their players.
If these Yankees are to finally put it all together and win the World Series, the key word is, of course, health. Now, with the official 25-man roster announced, here’s a look at how the 2019 Yankees will shape up to start the season.
Catchers
Gary Sanchez
Austin Romine
Infielders
Luke Voit
Greg Bird
Gleyber Torres
DJ LeMahieu
Miguel Andujar
Troy Tulowitzki
Outfielders
Giancarlo Stanton
Brett Gardner
Aaron Judge
Mike Tauchman
Pitchers
RHP Masahiro Tanaka
LHP James Paxton
LHP J.A.Happ
RHP Domingo German
LHP CC Sabathia *
LHP Aroldis Chapman
LHP Zack Britton
RHP Adam Ottavino
RHP Chad Green
RHP Tommy Kahnle
RHP Jonathan Holder
LHP Stephen Tarpley
RHP Luis Cessa
*5-game suspension
Key Additions: LHP CC Sabathia (Re-sign), OF Brett Gardner (Re-sign), LHP James Paxton (Trade w/SEA), LHP (Re-sign), SS Troy Tulowitzki (Free agent), LHP Zack Britton (Re-sign), INF DJ LeMahieu (Free Agent), RHP Adam Ottavino (Free agent), LHP Gio Gonzalez (Free Agent), Mike Tauchman (Trade w/COL)
Key Subtractions: RHP Sonny Gray (Trade w/CIN), OF Andrew McCutchen (Signed w/PHI), RHP David Robertson (Signed w/PHI), Neil Walker (Signed w/MIA), Adeiny Hechavarria (Signed w/NYM)
Projected Starting Rotation
- RHP Masahiro Tanaka
- LHP James Paxton
- LHP J.A. Happ
- RHP Domingo German
- TBA*
* CC Sabathia 5-game suspension
Projected Starting Nine
C: Gary Sanchez
1B: Greg Bird
2B: Gleyber Torres
3B: Miguel Andujar
SS: Troy Tulowitzki
LF: Giancarlo Stanton
CF: Brett Gardner
RF: Aaron Judge
DH: Luke Voit
Bullpen
CL: LHP Aroldis Chapman
LHP: Zack Britton
RHP: Adam Ottavino
RHP: Tommy Kahnle
RHP: Chad Green
RHP: Jonathan Holder
LHP: Stephen Tarpley
RHP: Luis Cessa
Bench
UTL: DJ LeMahieu
OF: Mike Tauchman
C: Austin Romine
Disabled List
CF Aaron Hicks
SS Didi Gregorius
RHP Dellin Betances
OF Jacoby Ellsbury