Wednesday implosion proves Yankees should get more creative with final bullpen spot

The New York Yankees have a dearth of starting rotation depth, at the moment, likely relying on both Carlos Carrasco and Will Warren to begin the season.

It's a different story in the bullpen. Yes, New York has been inundated with injuries, but despite losing Scott Effross (for a while), Jake Cousins (temporarily), and JT Brubaker (how long does it take broken ribs to heal?), they're still able to field a formidable unit ahead of the opener. Both Ian Hamilton and Mark Leiter Jr. - who checked out fine during a Wednesday bullpen session - appear to be ready. Yoendrys Gomez's out-of-options decision isn't much of a decision after all, following nine shutout spring innings with an 0.56 WHIP to boot.

The only pitcher who's been recently penciled in who hasn't really earned a spot is long relief option/spot starter Allan Winans, formerly of the Atlanta Braves. The Yankees picked Winans up this offseason, DFA'd him on Feb. 5 to accommodate a claim of Owen White, then watched him clear waivers and return. He's a valuable arm to stash, but he shouldn't be projected to earn a bullpen spot almost by default now that Carrasco seems ticketed for the rotation.

In the coming days, there will be a swarm of non-roster invitees/folks with minor-league contracts who suddenly become available after their previous teams filled their full 26-man rosters with other personnel. The Yankees have every reason to be heavily in that market, no matter how their fringe bullpen options were performing; they've been stretched to their starting pitching limit already, after all.

Unfortunately, Winans' Wednesday showing in Clearwater against the Phillies - when he was staked to an 8-0 lead, but surrendered four earned runs in three innings (after allowing four runs/three earned in four frames against the same Phillies last time out) - proved the Yankees need to look a little harder before slotting him into their final spot.

Yankees Opening Day roster shouldn't end with Allan Winans in final bullpen spot by default

If anything, left-hander Brent Headrick, picked up from the Twins this offseason, deserves a longer look while Tyler Matzek recovers.

No matter what, though, the Yankees shouldn't just be open to an upgrade. They should be actively seeking one, turning over every available stone after next week's roster rubble. Winans, a viable innings-eater without overwhelming stuff or a clear out pitch, should begin the year in the high minors instead, waiting in the wings.