The Yankees added George Lombard to their big-league roster for his MLB debut, with Jack Curry of YES reporting the top prospect’s callup after the trade deadline passed.
New York made a few moves before the deadline but didn’t address their infield or catcher needs. They did pick up Luis Garcia Jr. over the weekend and traded for Giants outfielder Heliot Ramos on deadline day.
Now that Lombard, Ramos, and Garcia are joining the Yankees’ big-league squad, it’s worth looking at what this new-look lineup could be. Not just for the short-term, but what it might look like when everyone’s back and healthy for the postseason.
Here’s how they could line up right now:
1. Trent Grisham, OF
2. Ben Rice, DH
3. Luis Garcia, 1B
4. George Lombard, SS
5. Heliot Ramos, OF
6. Jasson Dominguez, OF
7. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
8. Ryan McMahon, 3B
9. Austin Wells, C
This lineup would get shuffled around depending on the opposing pitcher. Against righties, Spencer Jones could slot in over Ramos or Dominguez. Jose Cabellero might get starts against lefties, and Paul Goldschmidt would likely play first base against left-handed pitching.
The current lineup’s intriguing, but it’s more interesting to think about what a fully-healthy Yankees lineup could look like by season’s end.
Yankees vs. Right-Handed Pitching (Fully Healthy)
1. Trent Grisham, OF
2. Ben Rice, DH
3. Aaron Judge, OF
4. Luis Garcia Jr., 1B
5. Cody Bellinger, OF
6. George Lombard, SS
7. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
8. Ryan McMahon, 3B
9. Austin Wells, C
That’s quite the lineup. You could even swap Grisham and Bellinger depending on who’s hitting better at the moment.
It’s left-handed heavy, but it’s strong and features quality right-handed bats in Judge and Lombard. The only odd-man-out here is Spencer Jones, who wouldn’t start over Rice, Grisham, Judge, or Bellinger when they’re fully healthy.
But if any of those players were out, or maybe Garcia isn’t in the lineup, Jones could slot into an outfield or DH spot against righties if needed.
Yankees vs. Left-Handed Pitching (Fully Healthy)
1. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B
2. George Lombard, SS
3. Aaron Judge, OF
4. Giancarlo Stanton/Ben Rice, DH
5. Heliot Ramos, OF
6. Cody Bellinger, OF
7. Jazz Chisholm Jr., 2B
8. Amed Rosario, 3B
9. Ali Sanchez, C
The Yankees could have a completely different look against lefties. Garcia, Grisham, McMahon, and Wells could all be subbed out for right-handed hitters to get the platoon advantage.
With some uncertainty around Stanton, the Yankees might have to keep Rice in the lineup against lefties, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. But it’d be nice to have Stanton’s power back in there if possible.
Adding Lombard and Ramos – two right-handed hitters – gives the Yankees a lot more options with their lineup construction against left-handed pitching.
This projected lineup could change a lot depending on whether Grisham or Garcia stick in the lineup, or if Ramos gets moved up to the top against lefties, or Bellinger earns a spot closer to the top.
Regardless of whether they’re facing a righty or lefty, the Yankees will be able to send out a strong lineup.
While it’ll obviously look better with Judge, Bellinger, and Stanton back, the additions of Ramos, Garcia, and Lombard give New York a solid lineup heading into the home stretch of the season.
