Yankees weigh wild-card roster as playoff plans hinge on division finish

With the postseason fast approaching, the Yankees face decisions that could vary by round, depending on whether they can outlast the Blue Jays for the AL East or must settle for a wild-card path. Officials have not publicly finalized a roster, but the timing of a potential start underscores the need to plan for a wild-card series on Tuesday or an ALDS on Saturday, should New York win the division. The ultimate aim is to redeem last October’s finish, when the franchise fell short of another World Series title after a strong chase through the American League.

Projections compiled from a recent New York Post analysis detail how the Yankees have historically assembled rosters for postseason rounds and how those choices might inform this year’s approach. The pattern from last season illustrates a flexible strategy: for the wild-card round, clubs typically lean toward a certain balance of pitchers and position players; for the ALDS, the mix shifts, and further adjustments are common by series. In the ALDS last season, New York carried 11 pitchers and 15 position players. In the ALCS, the roster shifted to 12 pitchers and 14 position players, with Anthony Rizzo and Marcus Stroman replacing Ben Rice and Duke Ellis — and Mark Leiter Jr. entering the roster to replace an injured Ian Hamilton mid-series. For the World Series, the balance tightened to 13 pitchers and 13 position players, with Nestor Cortes joining the fold in place of Jon Berti.

Those roster mechanics suggest the Yankees may tailor their playoff squad to the opponent and the evolving health picture as the season ends. A smaller, more bullpen-heavy group could be favored if the team expects to lean on short appearances from its rotation or if the playoff run hinges on late-inning leverage. Conversely, a deeper roster with more position-player versatility could be favored if the schedule includes longer series or multiple off-days to navigate the bullpen stress and defensive alignment. The same logic could influence which veteran infielders and outfielders remain in the cohort, given the potential impact of travel, rest, and matchup-specific needs across rounds.

The questions that loom most loudly for analysts and fans center on how many pitchers the Yankees will carry in a given round and which bench pieces will be trusted for defensive flexibility, pinch-hitting potential, and baserunning. If the wild-card round begins early, the team might prioritize pitcher depth and short-leveraged options that can bridge to a potential ALDS start, while preserving a strong defensive and switch-hitting capability on the bench. If the division outcome unlocks the ALDS, the roster could tilt toward a different balance that reflects the expected opponent, ballpark quirks, and the need for extra baserunning and coverage in the infield.

As of now, the club has not disclosed a definitive postseason roster. The New York Post projection serves as a reference point for what to watch as the schedule takes shape and the season moves toward its climax. The organization’s approach will almost certainly adapt to the realities of each round, the health of core players, and the evolving tactical plan crafted by the coaching staff and front office. The plan also underscores the broader objective that has driven the franchise for decades: building a roster capable of championship contention across every phase of October baseball.

Fans should expect updates in the coming days as final decisions are made, with the potential for last-minute adjustments based on game results, injuries, and the opponent. The Yankees’ pursuit of a 28th title remains the throughline, even as the path to the World Series continues to offer multiple viable rosters depending on when the playoff clock starts ticking.