Yankees: 40-Man Roster Crunch Makes Them Explosive At The Deadline

Among your pitchers, Luis Cessa, Dietrich Enns, Giovanny Gallegos, Domingo German, Chad Green, Ben Heller, Ronald Herrera, Yefry Ramirez, and Chasen Shreve all are currently protected.

As are position players Miguel Andujar, Tyler Austin, Jorge Mateo, Rob Refsnyder, and Mason Williams.

All of them, however, would lose that protection if removed from the 40-man roster to make room for someone else.

Which means for all of the players named, either use ’em or lose ’em. Or more likely, trade ’em while the getting is good. And to make matters worse, or better if you see the cup half-full, none of this includes the players who are going to have big years down below, making them worthy of promotion up the ladder causing an earthquake upward.

Also worth mentioning in the same conversation are CC Sabathia and Michael Pineda, both of whom currently have a bed, but only for this season as their contracts expire at the end of the year. Chase Headley and Brett Gardner each have one more year on their contract. And Masahiro Tanaka may or may not exercise his opt-out clause after 2017.

Add to that list as well, Matt Holliday and Chris Carter who both have one year contracts. Carter will be easily dismissed from the conversation, but Holliday warrants at least a second look as he is already proving to be an invaluable piece of the team puzzle this year.