For the most part, the Yankees don’t have many position battles entering spring training in a few weeks.

The outfield is pretty set, with Clint Frazier maybe the only question mark. DJ LeMahieu re-signing shores up the infield with Luke Voit, Gleyber Torres and Gio Urshela all returning. And though he struggled in 2020, Gary Sanchez is likely the Opening Day catcher once again with Kyle Higashioka also on the depth chart.

While the positions might be set in stone, the starting rotation is anything but. GM Brian Cashman brought in some more depth, but there isn’t a definitive answer on what to expect with many high-risk, high-reward pitchers currently on the roster.

Corey Kluber and Jameson Taillon were added to work behind Gerrit Cole. Masahiro Tanaka and James Paxton weren’t really considered. Jordan Montgomery is still on the roster, too.

So while Cole, Kluber, Taillon, and Montgomery should be the first four in the rotation, injuries and/or poor pitching from anyone but Cole could warrant a change from manager Aaron Boone – and the fifth rotation spot is truly up for grabs, with a load of quality options vying for that spot in Tampa.

With that in mind, let’s rank the best options for that final rotation slot heading into camp and see if it is how the competition shakes out come Opening Day...

Domingo German

Even though he’s one year removed from the game due to his domestic violence suspension, German does have the upper hand considering his solid 2019 season.

He owned a 4.03 ERA over 27 games, and had 18 wins in a span of 143 innings on the mound. His velocity was consistently in the upper 90s and he didn’t care who was at the plate – German was attacking hitters at all times.

If German can perform the way he did in 2019, he’d likely be the Yankees’ best option to round out the rotation.

Deivi Garcia

Cashman is relying on his young arms in case the high-ceiling method doesn’t work, and the top one in many eyes is this guy right here.

Garcia had a little more than a cup of coffee with the Yanks to make his MLB debut in 2020. He started six games (34.1 innings), owning a 4.98 ERA. The 5-foot-9 hurler was applauded by teammates and coaches for his aggressiveness, using his nasty off-speed stuff to get hitters out. The control wasn’t all there, though, so that will need some work to sustain a role in MLB.

But the arsenal is there and the 21-year-old will be giving everyone a run for their money in Tampa because he could easily win a starting role depending on how his spring training starts go.

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