4 bold postseason roster decisions Yankees need to make before ALDS

The ALDS begins on Tuesday, Oct. 11 and the New York Yankees will take on either the Cleveland Guardians or the Tampa Bay Rays in the Bronx. Plenty of decisions still need to be made before Game 1, however.

Though the Yankees finished with 99 wins and captured their second AL East division crown since 2013 (kind of embarrassing, to be honest), this roster still has a ton of question marks in regard to production, health and fit.

In your head, you might be able to sort most of these things out. But the postseason roster needs to be more carefully constructed than that. Sometimes all the answers aren’t on the surface and managers/front offices need to maneuver a bit to make to moves that truly click and make the necessary difference.

The Yankees rarely do that, though. They’re “by the book.” The “out of the box” decisions rarely ever take centerstage. But now it’s time that happens because of how complete this team looks (for the most part) heading into the playoffs. Doesn’t this version of the Yankees feel like they may have the best shot, all things considered (battle-tested, weakened AL, consistent offense, top starting rotation)?

If they clean things up around the edges and provide advantages/sparks in every corner possible, we could be looking at a satisfying October run.

4 bold roster moves Yankees need to make before ALDS

4. Leave Aroldis Chapman and Aaron Hicks off the Roster

This team is the best version of itself when Aroldis Chapman doesn’t pitch and when Aaron Hicks isn’t playing the outfield.

It sounds harsh, but Chapman’s fallen off a cliff these last couple years and is either less effective than every other bullpen option or he makes his outings exponentially more difficult than anybody else.

The Yankees bullpen is thin even with Chapman, but what has he done this year (or last) to convince you that he’ll productively eat innings in October? Why not just gamble on Greg Weissert? Chapman is a known commodity (a bad one). At least Weissert’s nasty slider gives you a potential weapon.

As for Hicks, injuries have derailed three of his last six seasons, and he’s been a shell of his former self following Tommy John (2019) and wrist tendon sheath surgery (2021). Though he’s been able to work good at-bats this year (.330 OBP vs .216 BA), that’s not exactly the value the Yankees need.

Wouldn’t fans rather a combo of Oswaldo Cabrera/Giancarlo Stanton in left field? Is Hicks really necessary unless there’s an injury? Plus, if the Yankees carry Tim Locastro, there’s no need for Hicks. Someone who can play better defense and be a pinch runner is already levels above.

3. Start Oswaldo Cabrera … for as Long as it Goes

Oswaldo Cabrera is the Yankees’ starting left fielder and that shouldn’t change. His bat has heated up with regular playing time and his defensive versatility has made him invaluable. There’s almost no world Yankees fans can envision with Cabrera on the bench for Game 1 of the ALDS.

But beyond that? He still should be playing every day. Whether it’s in left field or right field at third base, second base or shortstop, Cabrera’s switch-hitting bat should be in the lineup for as many playoff games he can physically suit up for. His presence gives the Yankees versatility to use a number of players at DH instead of locking Giancarlo Stanton into that spot.

Cabrera finished the season slashing .247/.312/.429 with a 109 OPS+, 21 runs scored, 6 home runs, 19 RBI and 3 stolen bases in 44 games — his first big-league action. He helps lengthen the Yankees lineup better than most who have tried to play the part. He’s done everything that’s been asked of him and has excelled given the circumstances.

That’s another reason Hicks can’t be here. Aaron Boone cannot have any sort of avenue to bench Cabrera outside of a horrible skid that costs the team on both sides of the ball.

1. Start Nestor Cortes Jr. Game 1

Let’s preface this by saying the Yankees are NOT going to do this. They just won’t. Manager Aaron Boone already hinted Gerrit Cole would start Game 1.

But some might argue this is where the Yankees need to be bold. Nestor Cortes has been better than Cole all year. In fact, one could argue that’s been the case since last season, too!

The big argument here is the pressure factor. Cole seemingly has some issues with that, or maybe it’s just the Red Sox. Either way, pitching Cole in Game 1 and a hypothetical Game 5 puts him in two difficult situations, susceptible to wrath if he doesn’t deliver in both. Do you really want to do that with the $324 million ace, who has struggled with his emotions most of this year?

Let Nestor take it for Game 1. Then Cole can get Game 2 with lower stakes, regardless of whether the Yankees win or lose on Tuesday. This would then allow the Yankees to use Cole again on short rest for Game 5 if needed, and his power arsenal would play much better in that scenario over Nestor’s craftiness.

Then the Yankees can go Nestor/Luis Severino in Games 1 and 2 of the ALCS. If it’s against the Astros, Cole can get Game 3 at home and then be ready for a hypothetical Game 7 (on short rest, again). If it’s not against Houston, Cole should be able to handle Toronto (he has before on the road) and Seattle (1.40 ERA in six career starts at T-Mobile Park and 2.25 ERA in 11 overall starts against the M’s in his career).

Cole’s shown a penchant for blowing up. He’s far from a sure thing. If you want to count the 2020 postseason, fine, but don’t forget there were no fans in the stands. The pressure was much different. Maybe utilizing him differently may yield more positive results. It’s doubtful many would complain with this decision because Nestor is widely trusted over any starter by almost every fan.

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