The Yankees greatest fear could be... gulp... health

Yesterday, in scattered locations across the Yankiverse, the horizon boiled with impending storms. 

In Scranton, Brandon Drury doubled and walked. In Tampa, Clint Frazier homered. And wherever they are, Greg Bird and Jacoby Ellsbury likely set new personal highs on Minecraft. Soon, all four could be knocking on the door, with no room at the Yankee Inn.

Before continuing, let me acknowledge that is is a pure, unadulterated First World problem, the kind most GMs would kill to have. Overcrowded rosters don't stay that way. Gonads are always getting tweaked, and the reality is that too many cooks don't ruin the broth; one gets pushed in, adding a strange, rather unsavory taste. 

But with nine wins in a row, it's time to wonder - gulp - what if everyone gets healthy?

Drury is closest to a return - maybe even tomorrow. He could replace Neil Walker, who has swung the bat like Neil Sedaka. But maybe not. Walker plays 1B and switch hits, adding a LH bat in a right-tilting lineup. (They claim Drury can play 1B, but in his four year career, he's played only one game at that position.) If Drury replaces Walker, we might be better off talent-wise, but are we balanced? Why keep two RH first basemen? (Three, if you add Austin Romine.) Also, realistically, can Walker be that bad? 

Maybe Drury will "spell" Miguel Andujar at 3B. That's a defensive improvement (I think.) Offensively, not so sure. Everyone knows that Andujar needs to play every day. Does that mean sending him to Scranton? Have you seen Tyler Wade's death spiral in Triple A? He's hitting .158, clearly disillusioned. He's gone from being the breakout star of Yankee camp to a career-blocked afterthought. Would the Yankees exile Andujar to the same fate? That's bad juju, folks.

Maybe they'll drop one of their 13 pitchers. AJ Cole, for example! But that will leave Aaron Boone one extra-inning marathon meltdown from summoning another arm? It's early in the season to be going through pitchers like popcorn.

Then there is Frazier, who looks to be a few weeks away. Theoretically, he can play the summer at Scranton. (Next to Billy McKinney, who should also return eventually.) But what if Red Thunder goes on a certifiable hitting tear? The Yankees could promote him and go with five outfielders (like many other teams), but still... somebody's gotta go? Can't be Romine. Shouldn't be Ronald Torreyes. Walker?

Then... oh, shit... I forgot about Bird. He should return in May, reshuffling the infield. Does Bird reclaim 1B or platoon with the incredible Tyler Austin? And finally, there is Ellsbury, whom our outfield needs like Trump needs another porn scandal. He would add speed and guile, I guess. Moreover, the Yankees will want to showcase Ellsbury for other teams. If he hits, maybe somebody will take him. But who gets thrown overboard?

What I'm avoiding here is the dreaded "t word:" Trade. Soon, Cooperstown Cashman could be flush with position players and - unless Sonny Gray improves - the Yankees will be glaringly weak in the rotation. Many fans blame Cashman for trading three prospects for Gray. In fact, Cash's career pursuit of "power arms" has been his greatest blind spot. Still, he might have no other choice. 

Brace yourselves. If the Yankees get too healthy, something's gotta give.