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3 roster changes Yankees could make ahead of ALCS vs Houston

By Adam Weinrib |
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 04: Oswald Peraza #91 of the New York Yankees steals second base during a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on October 4, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ben Ludeman/Texas Rangers/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - OCTOBER 04: Oswald Peraza #91 of the New York Yankees steals second base during a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field on October 4, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ben Ludeman/Texas Rangers/Getty Images)
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The New York Yankees have done it. They’ve won a postseason series against a team other than the Minnesota Twins!

Alright, alright, get your jokes out, but New York came from nowhere after gagging at the end of Game 3 of the ALDS against the Guardians, with Gerrit Cole propelling them off the mat in Game 4 and Nestor Cortes getting things to the bullpen two days later to secure the comeback.

Not that there weren’t bumps along the way, though. Isiah Kiner-Falefa lost his stranglehold on the shortstop gig after his Game 3 blunders, but found himself back at the position towards the end of Game 5, experiencing the ripple effects of Aaron Hicks’ collision in the third inning.

Hicks will miss the resulting ALCS after being sent to the hospital for further tests on his leg issue during Tuesday’s game. The veteran’s inclusion on the ALDS roster was a bit of a surprise in and of itself, and while he wants to avenge the 2017 and 2019 ALCS more than anyone (and was actually there to witness those games), he will be rehabbing during this year’s clash with an injury that takes six weeks to heal.

That leaves a roster spot “up for grabs” headed into a battle where the Yankees will not be favored. The team’s sudden lack of confidence in Kiner-Falefa likely dictates how the open space will be filled, too.

3 roster moves Yankees could try for ALCS vs Houston Astros

ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 3: Oswald Peraza #91 of the New York Yankees fields a ball off the bat of Nathaniel Lowe #30 of the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on October 3, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX – OCTOBER 3: Oswald Peraza #91 of the New York Yankees fields a ball off the bat of Nathaniel Lowe #30 of the Texas Rangers during the fourth inning at Globe Life Field on October 3, 2022 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

3. Oswald Peraza’s Chance?

OK, there’s no way to put it nicely: how does Oswald Peraza possibly get kept off this roster moving forward?

Oswaldo Cabrera finally showed some funky tendencies in left field this series, but looked excellent at short — except, probably not coincidentally, the one time he was forced into left field to chase a bloop. Without Hicks, though, the left field options are … Cabrera, Tim Locastro, Marwin González, or (we hope) Matt Carpenter.

Andrew Benintendi, for as valiantly as he tried to return, reportedly felt pain swinging this week and is extremely unlikely to join the Yankees for this series. Shame. Would be really nice to have him.

With the increased likelihood of Cabrera playing more left field moving forward, though, the Yankees need a better backup plan for Kiner-Falefa at short than “Marwin, and Maybe We Make Gleyber Uncomfortable?”. It’s got to be Peraza.

Even if they won’t start him — and they should, as he hit .306 down the stretch with a 139 OPS+ and fielded beautifully — he has to be on this roster, especially since Cabrera’s versatility might’ve just gotten neutered.

OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 25: Ron Marinaccio #97 of the New York Yankees looks on before the game against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on August 25, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 25: Ron Marinaccio #97 of the New York Yankees looks on before the game against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum on August 25, 2022 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images) /

2. Ron Marinaccio (for Miguel Castro? Or Both?)

Ron Marinaccio’s exclusion from the ALDS roster was one of many bullpen body blows the Yankees endured just before the postseason, leading to Wandy Peralta becoming the first pitcher ever to face three or more batters in every single game of a division series.

Marinaccio’s recurring shin issue, it turned out, was more like a stress reaction. After two weeks off, though, he appears to be ready for action, telling Pete Caldera he’s “good to go” if called upon on Tuesday.

In that case, he certainly should be included, and has a much better argument to be added to the group than deadline addition Frankie Montas, who’s also been angling for a shot at contributing.

During the regular season, Marinaccio battled some end-of-season control issues to strike out 56 men in 44 innings, sporting a 2.05 ERA and 1.045 WHIP. For a good part of the season, he was the team’s best reliever. The only question is whether he replaces Miguel Castro, who wasn’t used at all in the five-game ALDS, or whether he replaces Hicks and the team carries an additional pitcher in Castro/Greg Weissert/Montas.

Right at the end of the regular season, New York’s already-beleaguered bullpen lost Marinaccio, Scott Effross (torn UCL), and Aroldis Chapman (wild man). Getting one of the three back — and the right one, at that — would be a major gift after the Yankees somehow survived the Guardians’ on rush with limited options.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 29: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees hits a sacrifice rbi bunt against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 29, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 29: DJ LeMahieu #26 of the New York Yankees hits a sacrifice rbi bunt against the Los Angeles Angels during the third inning at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 29, 2022 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images) /

1. DJ LeMahieu Returns

It’s almost unbelievable that the Yankees exiled a clearly-hobbled DJ LeMahieu prior to the ALDS, even though the team’s line drive king wanted to return and prepared to do so.

It was obvious to the naked eye that LeMahieu wasn’t himself, though, even after weeks of rest and rehabilitation for a balky toe (which is apparently fractured?).

If the veteran isn’t able to spray line drives across the diamond, it’s probably still in the team’s best interest to keep him on the sidelines. The LeMahieu who played in August and Sept. (.211, .143) was not the same guy who posted a 125 OPS+ in the first half, batting a resurgent .279 with a .383 OBP.

LeMahieu’s the only legitimate (and experienced) game-changer the Yankees have in their arsenal who could lead off ahead of Aaron Judge. Gleyber Torres had a very fun ALDS, but he still didn’t make clear sense playing that role. If he can give you 80%, wouldn’t you want him?

The Yankees’ ability to carry LeMahieu likely hinges on how confident they are Matt Carpenter/Giancarlo Stanton could play a short left field in Houston consistently. Carp/Stanton in left, Cabrera at short, LeMahieu/Torres playing second/DHing? It’s strange, but it could happen. LeMahieu would, of course, be a patient at-bat off the bench preferable to Tim Locastro or Marwin González.

If LeMahieu really is ready, he could give the Yankees a bigger boost than anyone other than Benintendi. If he’s still hobbled, though, the fans all know what that looks like, and it isn’t good enough.

Our take? Peraza and LeMahieu for Hicks and González, Marinaccio for Castro. Play ’em all.

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