Fansided

5 Yankees still fighting to make the Opening Day roster

By Rucker Haringey

BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 26: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on September 26, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - SEPTEMBER 26: Manager Aaron Boone #17 of the New York Yankees looks on before the game between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees at Fenway Park on September 26, 2021 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Omar Rawlings/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 5
Next
Yankees rumors, Manny Banuelos
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MAY 30: Starting pitcher Manny Banuelos #58 of the Chicago White Sox delivers the ball against the Cleveland Indians at Guaranteed Rate Field on May 30, 2019 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

3. Manny Banuelos

Banuelos began his professional career as a highly-touted Yankees farmhand but he never fulfilled his full potential in the Bronx. Now he’s returned to New York as a journeyman left-handed reliever doing everything he can to break onto the 40-man roster.

The fact that he’s not on the 40-man is the biggest thing working against his efforts to make the team. His performance during Spring Training has been excellent. He’s pitched three innings without giving up a hit to go along with four strikeouts.

Banuelos doesn’t have overpowering stuff but he’s just the sort of crafty southpaw who can eat up some valuable innings during the slog of a regular-season campaign. That may not be a sexy quality for Yankees’ fans desperate to add difference-makers to the bullpen, but it’s a steady contribution that might appeal strongly to Boone’s sensibilities as a manager.

The odds are slightly against Banuelos making the team at this point unless Cashman can swing a favorable trade to open up a spot on the 40-man roster. Don’t rule that out as a possibility as Opening Day approaches.

Home/New York Yankees