4 surprise players who could steal a roster spot with 2023 Yankees

Jimmy Cordero, RHP

Of course, the Yankees' final reliever could also be former White Sox Jimmy Cordero, who the Yankees have been babysitting since Chicago released him after the 2021 season.

Cordero rehabbed on the Yankees' dime last year, undergoing Tommy John surgery early in '21 with the Sox. He made it back to the Triple-A level last summer, whiffing 50 in just 38.2 innings, walking 13 and posting a 2.09 ERA. Instead of letting him test the market as a minor-league free agent this winter, the Yankees used a roster spot on him and left top prospects like Andres Chaparro floating in the wind.

Luckily, Chaparro wasn't swiped in the Rule 5, Cordero's safe in the Bronx, and the Yankees will get a good chance to check out the reliever they've long coveted during those all-important middle innings, either right after or before Brito pitches.

Cordero is known primarily for his blazing fastball, which sits in the upper 90s and has reportedly hit 104 during his days as a Phillies prospect in the mid-2010s. At the big-league level, it hasn't limited contact as much as it probably should have, though.

In other words? Move over, already-released Junior Fernandez! Matt Blake, meet your next Clay Holmes-style project! If not on Opening Day, you'll probably meet him soon after.