Yankees 2024 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: Star free agent joins NYY late

As each day goes by, New York Yankees fans are feeling better and better about the team's chances in 2024. Brian Cashman and Co. might not have (yet) made a splash in free agency, but the roster has been massively upgraded year over year.

The Bombers said goodbye to countless players who offered below-average production or next to nothing. Out went Luis Severino, Jake Bauers, Billy McKinney, Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Harrison Bader, Willie Calhoun, Josh Donaldson, Kyle Higashioka, Franchy Cordero, Estevan Florial, Domingo German, Albert Abreu, Greg Weissert, Frankie Montas, Matt Krook, and others.

Hard to believe the roster was treated as a wasteland in 2023, but that's exactly why this team was 82-80.

What's even better is the Yankees are finally filling these vacancies in the right manner. They've brought in upgrades or are giving young up-and-comers a chance to make their mark. Early on, the roster will be tested and should give Cashman an idea of how he'll have to approach the trade deadline in this championship-or-bust season.

A lot of names will come and go in 2024, but who will receive the honor of cracking camp as a member of the Opening Day roster?

Yankees 2024 Opening Day roster projection 1.0: Star free agent joins NYY late

Yankees Starting Rotation

• Gerrit Cole
• Blake Snell
• Carlos Rodón
• Marcus Stroman
• Nestor Cortes Jr.
• Clarke Schmidt (swingman)

Surprise! The Blake Snell rumors, we hope, will materialize, and further put the team over the top, and the Yanks will have flexibility with their usage of Clarke Schmidt. Don't worry, someone will get injured, so he'll start at least 20 games.

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Yankees Outfield

• Aaron Judge
• Juan Soto
• Alex Verdugo
• Giancarlo Stanton (DH)

Your starting outfield will be Aaron Judge in center, Alex Verdugo in left and Juan Soto in right. Giancarlo Stanton is the DH and could get plenty of defensive reps if his new and improved look helps him stay on his feet.

Yankees Bench

• Jose Trevino (C)
• Trent Grisham (OF)
• Oswald Peraza (INF)

Three-man bench to open the season because ... pitching is more important! Trevino as the backup catcher. Trent Grisham as the fourth outfielder. Oswald Peraza as the roving infielder. In a perfect world, this should be enough unless injuries strike.

Key Yankees starting 2024 in minor leagues

• Oswaldo Cabrera (UTIL)
• Everson Pereira (OF)
• Ben Rortvedt (C)
• Jorbit Vivas (INF)
• Ron Marinaccio (RP)
• Clayton Beeter (P)
• Luis Gil (P)
• Yoendrys Gomez (P)
• Cody Morris (P)

Expect to see these guys plenty, but they just won't be with the team early on. Some need extra seasoning, others need to regain their footing. Nonetheless, fans should be rather pleased with the possibilities for the Opening Day roster and the depth that's backing it up.

And again, any flaws need to be addressed at the trade deadline if the Yankees are to be taken seriously as World Series contenders.