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Ten Yankees set to benefit from potential MLB roster expansion

By Ryan Doyle

JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Mike Ford #72 of the New York Yankees at bat against the Miami Marlins during a Grapefruit League spring training at Roger Dean Stadium on March 11, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
JUPITER, FLORIDA - MARCH 11: Mike Ford #72 of the New York Yankees at bat against the Miami Marlins during a Grapefruit League spring training at Roger Dean Stadium on March 11, 2020 in Jupiter, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 19: Clint Frazier #77 of the New York Yankees runs the bases after hitting a home run in the eighth inning of their game against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on September 19, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – SEPTEMBER 19: Clint Frazier #77 of the New York Yankees runs the bases after hitting a home run in the eighth inning of their game against the Los Angeles Angels at Yankee Stadium on September 19, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /

OF Clint Frazier

The longer his career in pinstripes lasts, the more it feels like Clint Frazier’s timing is just not right. Prior to the season, he looked poised to get one last chance to prove that he belonged on the team. Aaron Judge came down with a fractured rib, Aaron Hicks continues his recovery from Tommy John surgery and Giancarlo Stanton was set to miss the beginning of the season after suffering a calf strain.

Now with the season delayed, Judge and Stanton could heal and just like that, Frazier is back in Scranton. With the starters getting healthy, there is no reason to have Frazier sitting on the bench instead of getting consistent swings in the minors.

However, if Judge, in particular,  is unable to go, Frazier still may get solid reps in right field. Stanton likely won’t be getting significant reps in the outfield with his injury history, leaving Mike Tauchman and Brett Gardner to man center field and left field on most days.

Defense will continue to be a reason for worry until Frazier can prove 2019 was nothing more than a blip in the radar.

However, he has proven himself at the dish. In March/April of last year, he helped carry a Yankees offense that was desperate for production.

He held a .324/.342/.632 slash line in the first month of the season, smashing six homers and 17 RBI. Frazier’s talent is hard to ignore, he may just not get a legitimate opportunity in 2020. Either way, an expanded roster will help Frazier stick around in the big leagues, regardless of his role on the team.

OF Rosell Herrera

The biggest name coming out of Yankees spring training was Rosell Herrera. He hit .400 with four extra-base hits after finding himself in the conversation for an outfield spot. Alike Frazier, returning players may cause him to miss the 26-man roster but if baseball decides to increase that number, Herrera may go from non-roster invitee, to the bench in short order.

Could he follow in the footsteps of Gio Urshela and his remarkable 2019 season?

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