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

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.