Yankees Opening Day roster projection 2.0: Who will replace Giancarlo Stanton?

The New York Yankees have weathered an early injury storm at spring training, despite reporting to camp largely intact. Of course they have! It's par for the course for this group. You should be used to it by now.

Both Giancarlo Stanton and Luis Gil will be out long-term; Gil's "three month" absence will more likely last until the trade deadline, and Stanton remains a complete wild card (as fans hope for the hammer not to drop). Gerrit Cole is (not jumping the gun) unlikely to be available, either. Gil and Cole's replacements are clear; the Yankees failed to trade Marcus Stroman this offseason, and so he remains. Will Warren will be waiting in the wings.

Stanton's subs are a bit less obvious. The Yankees reportedly called JD Martinez, but don't want to spend "any/much more," according to Jon Heyman. Since Martinez won't play for free, there probably isn't a match here.

The Yankees have two out-of-options players who will complicate these decisions as well. If the Yankees don't carry (or trade) Yoendrys Gomez and Oswald Peraza north, they'll lose them on waivers. Bringing in a non-roster bat to replace Stanton could jeopardize Peraza's role. Look for a small trade or two as the Yankees prep their final touches in a few weeks. As of now, here's how we see the roster bubble shaking out.

Yankees Opening Day Roster Projection 2.0: Marcus Stroman, Welcome to the Rotation

Pitchers (13):

Rotation: Max Fried, Carlos Rodón, Marcus Stroman, Will Warren, Carlos Carrasco

Bullpen: Devin Williams, Luke Weaver, Ian Hamilton, Mark Leiter Jr., Tim Hill, Fernando Cruz, Brent Headrick, Yoendrys Gomez

Clarke Schmidt and his balky back aren't entirely ready for Opening Day. Schmidt's spring isn't moving as quickly as the Yankees had hoped, and while right now the plan is for him to start the sixth game of the season after a sim game, there's certainly a chance for a short IL stint to begin the year. Warren will more than likely move into the rotation in Cole's absence, while Carlos Carrasco gets an unexpected spot start. Brent Headrick will join the bullpen (wild) after Tyler Matzek's oblique issue - and our sincerest apologies to JT Brubaker and his shattered ribs. Gomez might've been saved from a last-ditch trade by this news flurry.

Jake Cousins is progressing nicely from an elbow issue, but is behind as well. He should be added to this bullpen mix by mid-to-late April.

Starting Lineup (9):

In order, this feels like: Austin Wells, Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger, Paul Goldschmidt, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jasson Dominguez, Anthony Volpe, Oswaldo Cabrera and ... Dominic Smith on most nights.

Ok, fine, Cabrera and Peraza will likely hit ninth with Smith in the eighth spot, but we wanted to be cheeky for the reveal.

The Yankees have precious few options (Everson Pereira could mash lefties while he works himself into game shape for the outfield), and carrying Smith to provide professional at-bats in place of Stanton feels like a smart idea for the time being. Regardless of spring performance (it's been great anyhow), he makes a lot of sense here. He stuck it out for over half of the Red Sox season last year as a league-average bat and team leader, and the Yankees could really use even "average" product from a fill-in. Bringing Smith north will require someone's removal from the 40-man.

Bench (4):

JC Escarra, Oswald Peraza, Trent Grisham, Ben Rice

Peraza has more value to the Yankees than he does in a trade (unless Joel Sherman's prediction comes true, and there's a deal for a righty masher in the works). Ben Rice has shone early in camp after putting on additional muscle, and will split starter reps with Smith in our vision. Escarra, the former Uber driver who owns one of the best stories (and bats) in camp should earn the backup catcher role over the mirage of Alex Jackson.