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Handicapping Yankees' most heated position battles entering spring training

By Adam Weinrib |
Championship Series - New York Yankees v Houston Astros - Game One
Championship Series - New York Yankees v Houston Astros - Game One / Carmen Mandato/GettyImages
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The New York Yankees' roster is mostly settled entering Spring Training 2023, save for one gaping hole and a little bit of awkwardness around the edges.

Whether you believe this team is "running back" an unsuccessful product or whether you choose the optimist's view that a full year of Harrison Bader and Oswald Peraza is a hell of a lot better than Joey Gallo/Isiah Kiner-Falefa, most have settled on this being a championship pitching staff with a lineup that could use an additional bat or two.

It's also a fairly full roster. All that's left to do is sort out the overflowing infield (though Josh Donaldson will probably get more reps than most fans are comfortable with...), as well as solidify a few important roles during the month of March.

Oh, right, and everyone agrees the October left fielder isn't currently slated to start on Opening Day. That's fun. Let's do our best to suss out a few position battles -- featuring the players who are here -- and we'll update the progress as the month drags on.

Yankees Position Battles That Will Be Settled in Spring Training 2023

Yankees Fifth Starter Battle: Clarke Schmidt vs. Domingo Germán

Edge: Germán

This one's relatively straightforward. Before the season, both Germán and Schmidt were viewed as depth starters behind Frankie Montas, the two remaining members of the Yankees' thinned-out upper-level depth group. Goodbye, Ken Waldichuk, Hayden Wesneski and JP Sears. Hello ... Matt Krook and Jhony Brito, I guess?

Before spring action begins, prevailing wisdom dictates that Germán is a more experienced starter with less of a relief track record, and Schmidt, outside of a few stumbles, was a pretty good high-leverage reliever last season, especially during extra innings. Unless Schmidt shines and Germán stumbles, the vet probably gets the edge -- and maybe the spring outings don't matter whatsoever.

Yankees Left Field Battle: Aaron Hicks vs. Oswaldo Cabrera vs. The Field

Edge: Hicks (But Keep Your Eyes on Rafael Ortega)

The Yankees have made it clear that Aaron Hicks, even after a brutal 2022 season that messed with his head and ended with his benching at home, will have a leg up entering the competition. The team loves Oswaldo Cabrera's bat, but doesn't want to neuter his effectiveness by anchoring him to a position he's not accustomed to.

That said, team insiders from Michael Kay on down seem to believe the eventual left fielder isn't on the roster yet. Ian Happ? Bryan Reynolds? Max Kepler, who'll probably bust out in Minnesota and cost the Yankees more at the deadline than they would've paid in January? Because that always happens? The winner of this spring's battle isn't supposed to be on the field for the season's most important games. While it's encouraging the Yankees have a grand plan, it doesn't feel great that their goal is to be worse in April than they will be in August.

Keep watch on Rafael Ortega, too, only one year removed from a 121 OPS+ campaign in 2021 with the Cubs. Left-handed bat, too.

Yankees Closer Battle: Clay Holmes vs. Michael King vs. The Field

Edge: Holmes to Start

Again, why not settle back into what's comfortable? The Yankees don't have a "designated closer" this season like they have in years past, but last year ... that guy was Aroldis Chapman! Anybody feel better with him than without him? Exactly.

Before Holmes' season went off the rails and his back began to lock up, he was untouchable in the closer's role (yes, Boston, before "Alex Verdugo broke him," we heard you). Michael King, meanwhile, was a legendary eraser of multiple innings, sometimes spanning the seventh and eighth in a flash.

If he's at full strength, odds are he'll close some games throughout the year. So will Wandy Peralta. So will Lou Trivino and Jonathan Loaisiga! But why mess with success? Don't use King as an Opener. Don't make him the auto-closer. Use him against the heart of the order wherever it shows up. Holmes is the "closer," but there are plenty of arms talented enough to take over the ninth here.

Bold prediction? If someone does get the permanent designation midway through the season, it'll be because Loaisiga broke out and held it down.

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