The 2023 New York Yankees had one of their worst seasons in quite some time, well in Yankees’ standards that is, finishing just over .500 at 82-80. The Yanks are off to a great start and battling for the top spot with Baltimore right now sitting 27-15 only a half game back of the Orioles. Some key players are out for NY, DJ LeMahieu being the name that would ring a bell to most fans. Jasson Dominguez star prospect, super utility guy Oswaldo Peraza and others missing from the team are relief pitchers Tommy Kahnle, Lou Trevino, and Nick Burdi.

My bad… Nick Burdi already came back, Burdi pitched Friday a third of an inning and collected a hold for the Bombers. Nick Burdi’s stats on the season are solid, he has 8 K in 6.2 IP and hasn’t let up a run and he has 1 win and 3 holds.

The question for a lot of the returnees is who gets sent down when these other players come back.

Jasson Dominguez had to have Tommy John surgery in September of 2023, and “his recovery is trending in the right direction” – says manager Aaron Boone. Boone also stated “He’ll start two the first two weeks as DH.” The question is who gets sent down, Stanton obviously will be sitting since the outfield is covered or ‘possibly’ platoon with Verdugo in LF. Personally I would like to see Verdugo in there more, especially for defensive abilities. Dominguez in his cup of coffee last year hit .258 with 4 HR and 7 RBI with one stolen base, and posted a .980 OPS.

Third base has been the most inconsistent position for NY thus far. We have seen Oswaldo Cabrera play there and he started out like man on a mission that’s for sure. Cabrera is currently hitting .252 with 4 HR and 19 RBI his OBP lacks what the team needs though, his OBP is a pedestrian .295. Jon Berti is another player the Yanks have used at 3B. He has not shown anything to brag home about, that’s for sure.

I do not know the answers to who goes where when players come back like i said, but my guess when DJ LeMahieu comes back Berti gets sent down and he’ll likely refuse that assignment and become a free agent.

DJ has not been what the Yankees had hoped for since his first season LeMahieu in his first two season was above .300, he hit .327 his first season and the next year even better at .364, LeMahieu actually finished third in MVP voting in 2020. DJ has not lived up to those numbers the last couple years, but he is definitely better than Berti and should out-produce Cabrera too. If anything platooning will continue but it’ll be DJ and Oswaldo, with Berti being the odd man out. DJ is the best option for defense as well.

Speaking Oswaldo, we have Oswald drop the ‘o’ Peraza coming back soon, he is a versatile infielder who doesn’t possess the skills of Cabrera or LeMahieu but Peraza coming back gives the Yankees another option to play anywhere in the infield given any injuries that may arise.

The back end of the Yankees rotation ahead of closer Clay Holmes will have some excellent arms. Current arms like Ian Hamilton, Nick Burdi who I mentioned earlier, Caleb Ferguson and Luke Weaver are going to be joined by returning RP Tommy Kahnle.

In 2023; Tommy Kahnle was great posting a 2.66 ERA with a 1.11 WHIP and 48 K in 40 innings, Kahnle also collected 14 holds for the Bombers.

Too many options is good to have, choosing who to send down or release is the hard part, I would not want to be the one making the final decision on these demotions or cuts.

Let me know what you think in the comments below, feel free to follow me on ‘X’ @HENDO19750 or message me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/HENDO.1975

Photo Credit; Pinstripe Alley, amNewYork, Yanks Go Yard, Bronx Pinstripes

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