3 big decisions the Yankees still need to make before Opening Day

3 big decisions Yankees must make before Opening Day

NEW YORK, NY - AUGUST 31: Pitcher Domingo German #55 of the New York Yankees in action in an MLB baseball game against the Oakland Athletics on August 31, 2019 at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx borough of New York City. Yankees won 4-3. (Photo by Paul Bereswill/Getty Images) /

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TAMPA, FL – MARCH 4: Jay Bruce #9 of the Philadelphia Phillies in action during a spring training game against the New York Yankees at Steinbrenner Field on March 4, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images) /

2. Yankees: Can Jay Bruce make the team?

The Yankees are planning to carry a four-man bench into the regular season. Tyler Wade is a lock to make the big league roster as a utility infielder. Veteran outfielder Brett Gardner will make the team as a reserve outfielder. Kyle Higashioka should make the team as Gary Sanchez’s backup behind the plate.

That leaves the battle for the last bench spot as a battle between Mike Tauchman and Jay Bruce. The Yankees like Tauchman due to his ability to play all three outfield positions. The downside to his games is that he struggled mightily to hit at the big league level in 2020.

Tauchman’s questionable offensive credentials open the door for Bruce to knock him off the Opening Day roster. The veteran left-handed bat has knocked the cover off the baseball this spring. He claims that he’s as healthy as he’s been in years. It’s hard to argue with that assessment watching him swing the bat over the last few weeks.

Bruce can only play in the outfield corners, but he also can spell Luke Voit at first base. If the Yankees believe he can help them as a power left-handed bat then he’s going to knock Tauchman out of the picture. The imbalance of the Yankees’ regular lineup might work to Bruce’s advantage.

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