Youth Parade Leaves Yankees with Roster Crunch Dilemma

Sep 21, 2016; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (24) is congratulated by second baseman Donovan Solano (57) and designator hitter Brian McCann (34) after he hit a 3-run home run during the second inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

It was the right thing to do. The New York Yankees played their dismal hand admirably throughout Aug. 1, but eventually cashed in their two Aces (Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman), King (“King” Carlos Beltran) and Wild Card (Iván Nova) for a prospect jackpot.

Phase Two of the youth movement committed to bringing up deserving players to get their feet wet in the majors. Aaron Judge, Tyler Austin, Luis Cessa, Chad Green, Ben Heller and Jonathan Holder make just a handful of rookies who were given their first test this year.

It was, again, the right thing to do. Now after adding new faces to their roster, the Yankees are facing a numbers crunch this offseason.

Keep in mind the Yankees have seven injured players to be reinstated after the World Series, and only one free-agent-to-be in the retiring Mark Teixeira. They also have 11 notable Rule 5 eligible players to decide whether or not to protect. Their 40-man roster currently sits at 39, and we still haven’t factored in space needed for any 2017 newcomers via free agency or trade.

With a swarm of names flooding the Bronx and minimal real estate available, the Yankees will have to get creative this winter. Let’s preview how they may go about handling their business:

It was the right thing to do. The New York Yankees played their dismal hand admirably throughout Aug. 1, but eventually cashed in their two Aces (Andrew Miller, Aroldis Chapman), King (“King” Carlos Beltran) and Wild Card (Iván Nova) for a prospect jackpot.

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