Yankees lineup for Spring Training opener is showcase for top trade piece

The New York Yankees … play actual baseball … against the Pittsburgh Pirates … in an actual stadium … in the actual state of Florida on Friday, March 18.

It’s all happening. And, though any lineup would be acceptable after such a long layoff, the Yankees have been kind enough to bless us with equal parts familiar faces and intrigue for this road tilt in Bradenton, the home of the Marauders.

The lineup’s top four could all theoretically start for this team, with Isiah Kiner-Falefa making his Yankee debut in the leadoff spot, followed by his ex-teammate Joey Gallo, bounce back candidate Gleyber Torres, and first baseman … Luke Voit.

As trade talks reportedly intensify surrounding Voit — and the Yankees’ price dips out of necessity — every Spring Training game could be Bombers fans’ final chance to say goodbye to the slugging first baseman who carried the team through tough times in 2019 and 2020.

While attention should be paid to Ender Inciarte’s first time slipping on the road blue-and-silvers, top prospect Hayden Wesneski on the bump, or Anthony Volpe (!) and Everson Pereira in the later innings, Voit is likely to steal the spotlight.

At least, the Yankees should hope he does, as well as hope the San Diego Padres are watching.

Luke Voit bats fourth in Yankees Spring Training lineup

As of Thursday night, Voit is reportedly on the Pads’ radar, and their rotation is overstuffed with rebound pieces who would fit the Yankees’ mold, in a vacuum. Would Dinelson Lamet or Chris Paddack be too big an ask for Voit, at this stage?

Yankee haters are reading this paragraph and fuming, but do either of those injury-prone arms really have a stronger big-league resumé than Voit, who’s hit every single time he’s been healthy?

Voit rolled up to camp angry the morning after the Anthony Rizzo signing leaked, depositing bombs to the short porch in right with his devious little oppo swing. Hopefully, for his sake, he comes to play again on Friday afternoon.

He deserves another chance, and we completely understand why he’s unlikely to be insurance on the Bombers’ roster come Opening Day (even though that might not be such a bad idea.

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