Most of the questions are in the rotation. Ron Guidry is a lock, and the scouting department are insisting Jim Clinton has a slot as well. But the other 3 slots have 8 contenders in Waite Hoyt, Dave Righetti, Red Ruffing, Jack Scott, Lady Baldwin, Jake Peavy, AJ Burnett, and Whitey Ford. 3 of those make the rotation, 3 make the bullpen, and 2 head back to the minors.
Guidry has been great. Clinton has pitched his way out of consideration, as have Peavy and Burnett. The rest remains up for grabs, with Ford and Baldwin the most impressive so far.
The rotation is pretty open, but in a way that is good for the Black Yankees. Clinton remains the worst of the group, and heads to AAA. Aside from him, though, they’ve all been decent. If the season started tomorrow, it would be Guidry, Baldwin, Hoyt, Ford, and Righetti. But it all could change based on performances for the rest of the Spring.
Sparky Lyle, Ralph Citarella, and Dellin Betances have yet to give up a run on the bullpen, and Fritz Coumbe has been pretty stout as well.
Lyle has been hurt, but he was amazing before that. Citarella and Goose Gossage look like the setup crew, with Coumbe and Betances in the mix as well.
Thurman Munson is the starting C, but Smoky Burgess and Manny Sanguillen are fighting to be his backup.
Sanguillen has a clear edge at this point.
Both Lou Gehrig and Don Mattingly should make the roster, although it’s not clear which will see more playing time.
Mattingly has the clear edge here as Gehrig has struggled to find a groove offensively. Moose Skowron has been recalled for the rest of Spring training.
Both Willie Randolph (2B) and Doug DeCinces (3B) have outside shots to unseat the incumbents (Hardy Richardson and Chris Brown).
Richardson has had a very rough time of it, likely losing out to Randolph if the season started now while neither DeCinces nor Brown are doing anything notable.
Richardson doesn’t make the roster as of right now, with Craig Counsell or Aaron Hill backing up Randolph at 2B. That sounds fine until you realize Counsell and Hill are also the best performers at 3B so far. That has led to Red Rolfe being recalled from AAA.
It would take great Springs from Albert Belle, Charlie Keller, or Joe Harris to force their way into the OF picture.
Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, and Aaron Judge are playing at an incredibly high level. Eric Davis‘ speed and defense probably earn him a roster spot, and nothing else is clear.
Even with Harris, Charlie Keller, and Sam Thompson not making the roster, the truth here is this is probably the best OF in the league.
Near Definite
Likely
Possible
Long Shot
Starting Pitchers
Ron Guidry
Lady Baldwin
Whitey Ford
Waite Hoyt
Dave Righetti
Red Ruffing
Jack Scott
Jake Peavy
AJ Burnett
Middle Relievers
Fritz Coombe
Dellin Betances
Bryan Hickerson
David Robertson
The WAR budget limits just how dominant the Black Yankees will be from the get-go. Still, there is so much talent in this franchise. I have a prejudice for “The Bronx Zoo,” and considered both Thurman Munson and Sparky Lyle for the banner, but settled on Columbia-era Lou Gehrig.
Yankee Stadium (52,325) HR: 1.092 | BA: .990
Washington Park (32,000) HR: .824 | BA: .989
Doubleday Field (9,800) HR: 1.445 | BA: .869
McCoy Stadium (10,031) HR: .952 | BA: .952
2000: 2nd Place, .526.
2001 Projections
As of the end of Spring Training.
C
Thurman Munson Manny Sanguillén
Eric MacKenzie
Darrin Fletcher Benny Bengough Josh Thole
Bill Killefer Gary Alexander Eddie Fusselback
1B
Lou Gehrig Don Mattingly Nick Etten
Fred Whitfield Harry Spilman
Ryan Garko Hal Chase Jerry Freeman
anthony volpe
2B
Tom Herr
Willie Randolph Aaron Hill Hardy Richardson
Jack Crooks Devon Travis
Mariano Duncan Ramon Torres
SS
Derek Jeter
Alex Arias Pee Wee Reese
Alcides Escobar Jim O’Neill
Mark Gruzielanek charlie irwin Dansby Swanson
3B
Mike Schmidt Héctor López elliott maddox
Josh Harrison Red Rolve Heinie Groh Doug DeCinces
Lou Chiozza
Harry Bauchman
OF
Babe Ruth Eric Davis Mickey Mantle
Bill Lange Mickey Rivers Roger Maris Jayson Werth Ron Pruitt Ollie Pickering
Julio Borbón Kevin Pillar Hank Bauer
Wally Rehg Phil Cavaretta Jim Rivera Nick Swisher
Bob Burda Clyde Milan Gene Moore Jr
Bob Meusel Danny Walton brett gardner aaron hicks Nick Evans Steve Hosey
SP
Jack Scott Ron Guidry Waite Hoyt Andy Pettitte Dave Righetti
Lady Baldwin AJ Burnett Whitey Ford Vic Raschi Alex Main
Bill Monbouquette Art Ditmar Sean Newcomb Cal Edlred John Danks
Carlos Rodón Arnie Portocarrero Dave Williams Carlos Silva Don Liddle
RP
Aroldis Chapman Rheal Cormier Goose Gossage Gary Lavelle David Robertson Sparky Lyle
Rick Porcello Tony Brizzolara Hooks Dauss
Erv Palica Herm Wehmeier Paul Shuey Dewey Adkins Danny Coombs Ron Bryant
José Veras Severino González Jeff Nelson Charlie Maloney Kevin Hart Andres Berumen Mark Guthrie
UP
Noah Syndergaard Red Ruffing Jake Peavy
Ryne Duren Ben Cantwell Mike Fornieles Clyde Shoun Roy Evans Jesse Orosco
Ed Nunez Mike Fetters Jim Corsi Fred Glade Don Hood
Jack Spring Ralph Citrarella Mike Bacsik scott kamieniecki Jeff Bennett Bryan Hickerson Mike Caldwell
5+ Year Contracts; 2-4 year contracts; future rights; Injured
Seed Players: Whitey Ford (P); Lou Gehrig (1B); Ron Guidry (P); Mickey Mantle (OF); Thurman Munson (C); Hardy Richardson (2B); Babe Ruth (OF). Franchise Rights: Goose Gossage (P); Derek Jeter (SS); Don Mattingly (1B); Willie Randolph (2B). Future Rights: Yogi Berra, Joe DiMaggio, Mariano Rivera, Dave Winfield.
