3 Yankees spring training battles that should be magnified more

Who Will the Closer Be?

The Yankees may not roll with a traditional closer in 2023, but they do like their structure. In the end, they at least like to have "their guy" for saves and/or big 7th or 8th inning spots when facing a tight situation against the opponent's heart of the order.

It's been Clay Holmes for the better part of the last year or so, but he fell off a cliff in the second half of 2022, while Michael King dominated up until his elbow fracture. Tommy Kahnle is also back, and he was used in a similar high-leverage role down the stretch with the Dodgers last year.

The reason this battle deserves your eyes is because Holmes' consistency is still a question mark, as are the health statuses of King and Kahnle. If Yankees fans were to bet, they'd pick King as the favorite, but it's hard to call that a certainty since he may not be let loose in the early going as he rehabs his way back to game speed.

Are you really doubting a scenario where King needs some time, Holmes still struggles with his mechanics, and Kahnle emerges as "the guy"? Or a world where Holmes' trademark sinker starts buzzsawing hitters right off the bat and he reclaims his throne? Or King's quickly able to return to form now that he's finally found a solidified role on the pitching staff? It's more wide open than you might think.

Backup Shortstop Competition?

If you think about it, the Yankees haven't had a backup shortstop since ... 2019? That was Gleyber Torres. Then he transitioned to the starter role and completely faceplanted in 2020 and 2021. Andrew Velasquez and Tyler Wade were the backups those years, which was hardly comforting.

Even last year when Isiah Kiner-Falefa was the starter, there was no true backup until Oswaldo Cabrera/Oswald Peraza got the call. Having Torres and Marwin Gonzalez behind him was the reason the Yankees played IKF for 138 games at the position.

Now, with Peraza likely to win the Opening Day job, there's a legitimate battle behind him for the backup role. You have IKF vs Oswaldo Cabrera (vs Anthony Volpe?!). IKF and Cabrera are more regarded as utility options, which could open the door for Volpe, who, with an impressive spring, could snag the starting SS or 2B job depending on what unfolds (and how comfortable the Yankees feel elevating him).

At the very least, it'll be IKF vs Cabrera, which is notable because IKF could be shown the door if Cabrera blows him out of the water. The Yankees already have a better, more expensive utility option in DJ LeMahieu, so Cabrera's emergence could convince the Yankees they have enough insurance.

If not, IKF could be the backup SS with Cabrera playing a decent amount of left field, which would affect that position battle. As of now, the left field search should mostly be between Aaron Hicks, Estevan Florial, Everson Pereira, Rafael Ortega and Willie Calhoun.

As you can see, there are a lot of ripple effects that could come out of the battle for a backup job. Don't snooze on this one.