Yankees insider's (mostly) chalk roster projection underscores 1 glaring spring flop

The New York Yankees entered spring training this year with a mostly competition-free slate. Their marginalized talent was likely to be marginalized, no matter how well they performed (sorry, Jasson Domínguez). The rotation, short Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón, was filled (pending injury). The bullpen had soft spots, but one of the most unfamiliar names was all but guaranteed a spot, leaving a single space up for grabs.

Well, but ... hold on now. Because the incoming "lock" has been brutal enough that the Yankees might be forced to ship him elsewhere and carry a second left-hander. According to Bryan Hoch of MLB.com's latest roster projection, Cade Winquest's struggles have overwhelmed his promise enough to invalidate the Yankees' Rule 5 Draft leap.

Peeks behind the Yankees' curtain at the time of the Rule 5 indicated that they'd coveted Winquest and his fiery fastball ever since the 2022 MLB Draft, when they ultimately opted for Cam Schlittler instead. All indications were that they had a grand plan for the ex-St. Louis Cardinals righty, underscored by the shocking "new pitch" they had him work on all winter. For the Yankees to abandon the experiment so early because of poor spring results would indicate that the adjustments are really not taking hold, or seem impossible to execute.

Because, unless Winquest is injured, leaving him out of the bullpen picture would mean that he'd be property of the Cardinals again on Opening Day.

If Yankees carry Cade Winquest on Opening Day roster, they'll be hamstringing their chances

Winquest is going to get every chance to make the club. Waving the white flag now would be an admission of failure, something the Yankees despise. Typically, a Rule 5'er would get additional leeway, and would be buried on the Opening Day roster if at all possible. Sure, the bullpen would be theoretically worse, but if a team liked you enough to steal you in December, they probably haven't soured past the point of submission by March.

Except ... Hoch believes they have, and will opt for a third lefty in Brent Headrick to start the season, as well as similarly disappointing 2025 trade deadline addition/Matt Blake project Jake Bird.

Rounding out the roster's additional "battles," Hoch sees JC Escarra being carried, and Randal Grichuk making the team over Domínguez, Max Schuemann, and Oswaldo Cabrera. Last-minute trades are possible, but the likeliest "final countdown" outcome involves the Yankees shipping Winquest out the door in exchange for shame. Less than ideal.