Revisiting Yanks' projected Opening Day roster

Additions of Drury, Walker have impact as season nears

March 14th, 2018

TAMPA, Fla. -- It has been about a month since the first installment of "Must See BP," with and mashing baseballs in the same batting practice group. Meanwhile, the rest of the Yankees' roster is taking shape for the March 29 season opener against the Blue Jays.
General manager Brian Cashman has made changes since then, orchestrating a three-team trade in late February that imported infielder from the D-backs, then signing infielder to a one-year, $4 million contract this week.

With those edits in mind, as well as lingering injuries to outfielder (right oblique) and (concussion), this seems like an appropriate time to revisit the 25-man roster predictions that we made on Feb. 9. How did we do? Read on:
Catcher (2): This wasn't difficult. will be the starter, with backing up. Our prediction had beginning the year at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, and indeed, Higashioka was optioned on Tuesday.
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First base (2): Despite a slow start, Greg Bird remains the starter, though the backup picture has changed. We forecast as a reserve, though the Walker addition complicates that. Austin still has a chance to make the roster if Ellsbury begins the year on the disabled list.
Second base (1): We had as the starter, with returning to the Minors. That seems to have been half right. Walker provides an experienced option, but manager Aaron Boone and Cashman have spoken highly of 's impressive spring. At this moment, Wade appears to have a leg up to start on Opening Day.

Third base (1): Drury was preparing to report to D-backs camp when we made our predictions, but now that he is in pinstripes, he appears to be locked in as the starter. Boone spoke recently about loving the "grit" that Drury provides to the roster. As a result, will begin the season at Triple-A.
Shortstop (1):Didi Gregorius was penciled in as the starter then, and nothing has changed. Boone has referred to Gregorius as "the captain of the infield," which seems to be an appropriate title.
Utility (1): Let's flip-flop here. We had Wade making the club as a versatile jack-of-all-trades, but it now appears that Wade will man second base -- at least until Walker gets up to speed, considering his late arrival. Torreyes thus returns to a utility role that he has filled well.

Outfield (5): Four of the five spots are set, depending on Ellsbury's health. , , Judge and Stanton are locks. If Ellsbury is on the DL, the Yanks will choose between Austin, or an extra reliever while carrying a three-man bench -- something that Boone said they'll utilize at times.
Starting pitchers (5): The rotation is set. We had as the likely choice for the No. 5 spot, and Boone has confirmed that. He joins , , and .
Bullpen (7): This appeared set then, as it does today. Locks behind closer include , , Tommy Kahnle, and . We had Green and Warren both landing in the bullpen, with snagging the final spot by holding off non-roster challenger .