Yankees not hurting from injuries just yet

The Yankees were in some trade discussions over the offseason that many thought would help bolster the team’s biggest need — pitching.

The most notable Yankees offseason trade discussions came when the Pirates put ace right-hander Gerrit Cole on the market.

When the rumors began to swirl, the Yanks offered outfielder Clint Frazier as the centerpiece of the deal. The trade ultimately didn’t happen, leaving many fans wondering why the club was holding onto Frazier, a talented but nonessential piece to the puzzle, especially with all the outfield depth the Yankees already had.

The reasoning has been put on display early for general manager Brian Cashman and the Yankees’ front office.

Though Frazier is one of the key players facing an early-season injury, he is not alone. Greg Bird is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks of action after undergoing surgery on his right ankle.

Aaron Hicks was placed on the 10-day disabled list after playing just one game in Toronto as he too, has a history of battling injuries. Hicks hasn’t played a full season in his five-plus year career, having played in no more than 123 games in a single campaign.

Outfielder Billy McKinney had a nice spring and was rewarded by being brought onto the MLB roster just before the start of Friday’s game. He answered the call by collecting his first career hit in the win. 

It looked like a great opportunity for the former first-round pick until he also landed on the DL after crashing into left-field wall on Saturday, spraining his left AC joint. 

Jacoby Ellsbury was another early scratch for the Yanks with an oblique strain and will likely be serving time in the minors, just to get his bat ready for the big leagues. Ells could be back by April 5.

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All of this leaves the Yankees having to be creative in filling the voids for their injured players, but it’s also a luxury they have the depth to do so. Neil Walker and Tyler Austin will be asked to fill the hole at first base with Walker splitting his time with Friday’s hero Tyler Wade at second.

Then there’s the fact the Yanks have two promising infielders, Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar, residing in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for the time being, so the team can have an extra year of control of the prospects (Editor’s Note: this was written prior to Andujar getting promoted to the majors). 

The season is a marathon, not a sprint, and the Yankees know that some players are more durable than others.

Everybody is hoping this isn’t a true sign for what’s to come especially for stars the team is being built around, such as Giancarlo Stanton who just played a 150-game season for the first time since the Marlins were preceded by the word Florida.

No matter the size of the role a player has for the Yankees, this team is taking the next man up approach. The organization will likely have a player ready to go in any and all places.

The front office did the right thing by not moving its talent and the depth it will need to not only make the playoffs but establish a nice long run.

Next: Tyler Austin had himself a day

Depth is already paying off before the conclusion of the season’s first series.