Yankees Have Only Themselves To Blame For Roster Issues

Dec 10, 2013; Orlando, FL, USA; New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is interviewed by a cable network during the MLB Winter Meetings at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Resort. Mandatory Credit:

-USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees’ worst nightmare roster-wise happened last night. Derek Jeter was out with a tight quad. Brian Roberts was out with a neck injury. The only real player they could use was Ichiro Suzuki. Well, he was pressed into service in the bottom of the fourth when Francisco Cervelli (who was playing first) blew a hamstring beating out a fielder’s choice. Ichiro played right and Carlos Beltran had to move to first. All of this, excluding injury to Cervelli, is the Yankees’ own fault.

First of all, they have 13 pitchers on the active roster, which unless it’s September, or a doubleheader day, is right up there on the dumbness scale with sliding headfirst into first base. Shane Greene was called up and Austin Romine was sent down after Tuesday’s beatdown by the Orioles, who made Vidal Nuno look like a little leaguer. Nuno should have been the one sent down for Greene. Romine could have played first last night when Cervelli went down, instead of putting Beltran in that position.

Secondly, this is where having five catchers on your 40-man roster made no sense. Unless, they are like Ryan Doumit, who can play multiple positions, it shouldn’t happen. Romine should have been traded for an extra infielder on the 40-man roster who can play multiple positions.

Next, where is the backup first baseman to begin with? Mark Teixeira was no sure thing to begin with. Kelly Johnson has been okay there, but this was never the plan. Mark Reynolds? Milwaukee. Jeff Baker and Casey McGehee? Miami. Where was the corner infield pickup that this team really could have and should have acquired BEFORE the issues began?

Injuries are a part of the game, and while the Yankees are deeper than they were last year, one place they are not is at first and it has continued to cost them. While they don’t need a Kendrys Morales–type, a backup corner infielder should have been had. The Yankees only have themselves to blame for their roster issues.