Projecting The New York Yankees Opening Day Roster

Mar 22, 2014; Fort Myers, FL, USA; New York Yankees manager

(right) talks with umpire Marvin Hudson (left) during a game against the Minnesota Twins at Hammond Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

We are just eight days from Jacoby Ellsbury leading off against Scott Feldman in Houston to open up the 2014 season.  There are still plenty of players fighting for spots on the team. So, who will be on the team that night? Here’s my guess.

Starters:

CC Sabathia

Hiroki Kuroda

Ivan Nova

Masahiro Tanaka

Michael Pineda

That is how I think the rotation shakes out. Even though Pineda is going to be on an innings limit, he will be the fifth starter. He’s pitched too well this spring not to.

Bullpen:

David Robertson

Shawn Kelley

Matt Thornton

Dellin Betances

David Phelps

Adam Warren

Preston Claiborne

Joe Girardi has said he won’t take a second lefty to start the year even with Thornton’s struggles this spring. That leaves the door open for Claiborne. Betances has pitched too well not to make the club. He could eventually find himself setting up Robertson.

Catchers:

Brian McCann

Francisco Cervelli

I don’t believe Cervelli is traded before the season starts. In fact, I’m not sure the Yankees make any moves at all before the season starts. The Yankees will keep whatever depth they have for now.

Infielders:

Mark Teixeira

Brian Roberts

Derek Jeter

Kelly Johnson

Eduardo Nunez

Dean Anna

Anna makes the club because Brendan Ryan will more than likely start the year on the DL. Yangervis Solarte doesn’t make it because he’s not on the 40-man roster and I don’t think the Yankees take anyone off of it.

Outfielders:

Brett Gardner

Ellsbury

Carlos Beltran

Alfonso Soriano

Ichiro Suzuki

I think with the recent injury to Ellsbury, it will make the Yankees re-think trading Ichiro for now.

Again, this is just a projection, and this won’t be the roster you see come September, but this could very well be the 25 in Houston.