Yankees' roster prediction for the 2024 MLB postseason after reaching a playoff spot

The Yankees return to the postseason after missing it last year.

Now that they've secured at least a wild-card spot, the Yankees can prepare for what they hope will be a long October run. While they still hope to secure the AL East — and one of the top two spots in the American League — we can already make predictions about who will (and won't) make the team's first round of postseason play.

This prediction could change if the Yankees win the division, but for now, here's our first attempt at predicting New York's postseason roster…

Starting eleven (9)

C- Austin Wells

1B – Anthony Rizzo

2B – Gleyber Torres

SS- Anthony Volpe

3B – Jazz Chisholm Jr.

LF- Alex Verdugo

CF- Aaron Richter

HF – Juan Soto

DH – Giancarlo Stanton

As we have seen for most of the season, this is the most likely starting lineup we will see in the playoffs. But, Aaron Boone loves to keep the lineup flexible, especially when it comes to the outfield and DH positions.

The team likes Verdugo and his glove will get him the most starts, especially against righties, but against lefties we could see some changes.

Stanton can have a game off against right-handers, so the Yankees can use Judge at the DH position – or have Wells DH to Jose Trevino a start behind the plate – but I expect Judge and his plus defense to start in the outfield in most, if not all, postseason games this year.

Starting rotation (4)

RHP Gerrit Cole

LHP Carlos Rodon

RHP Luis Gil

LHP Nestor Cortes

All eyes are on the Yankees' starting lineup. With six legitimate starters, they can only use three or maybe four (if they clinch one of the top two seeds) in a best-of-five series, leaving two either out or stuck in the bullpen.

Cole and Rodon are expected to throw Games 1 and 2, so Game 3 is still uncertain. Cortes pitched really well down the stretch and Gil is on the short list of AL Rookie of the Year candidates, so they're probably the safer candidates if the need arises.

I think it is clear Marcus Stroman will not start in this first series, especially after his recent move to the bullpen. And Clarke Schmidt is still working on his return after missing most of the season due to injury.

Substitutes (5)

C- Jose Trevino

IF – Oswaldo Cabrera

IF – Jon Berti

FROM – Jason Dominguez

FROM – Trent Grisham

The bench will feature the usual cast from the regular season. Berti's return from injury gives the Yankees a serviceable outfielder who can play in the infield (mostly at 3B) and is a speed threat. Cabrera is the backup first baseman, while Dominguez is the preferred option in the outfield alongside Verdugo.

I think Grisham will be brought in as another experienced outfield option whose defense is better than Dominguez's.

Open plan office (8)

RHP- Luke Weaver

RHP- Ton Holmes

RHP- Jake Cousins

RHP- Tommy Kahnle

RHP- Marcus Stroman

RHP- Clarke Schmidt

RHP- Daniela B.

LHP- Tim Hill

This is where it gets interesting. Weaver has become the Yankees' unofficial closer, but Holmes will still be called upon in certain situations, even though most fans would rather not have him on the roster. The usual pitchers like Cousins, Kahnle and Hamilton are pretty much guaranteed – unless he gets injured.

Hill has become Boone's preferred left-hander and Stroman seems like a good option as a long man out of the bullpen who could potentially fill in on a starter if needed. Schmidt is in the same boat as Stroman, but his inclusion says more about the ineffectiveness of arms like Mark Leiter Jr. and the injuries of Scott Effross And Cody PoteetHowever, Poteet was just added to the 40-man roster, so the Yankees may have some plans for him.