I try to do something like this every year because I really love roster construction. As a fan, this is the aspect that fascinates me the most. Because Brian Cashman is awesome, there probably won't be too many changes. The lineup is pretty much set and the top of the rotation will return a couple of excellent arms. The bullpen is more than top heavy, with at least four contributors expected to return. Despite a roster that's nearly set, there's still tons of cash available to bring in a few free agents that could really help put the team over the top after a disappointing end to the 2018 campaign.

With this said, here's a look at payroll obligations for 2019, as well as internal and free agent options available to fill in the gaps.

Notes:

· An * denotes MLBTR arbitration projection

· 0.6 denotes pre-arbitration salary

· Red denotes major injury/surgery

· All other contract numbers come from Cot's

Position Players:

Position Player AAV/Salary projection C G. Sanchez 0.6 C A. Romine 2* 1B G. Bird 1.5* 2B G. Torres 0.6 3B M. Andujar 0.6 SS D. Gregorius 12.4* OF J. Ellsbury 21.143 OF G. Stanton 22 OF A. Hicks 6.2* OF A. Judge 0.6 OF 1B/DH L. Voit 0.6 INF/OF Buyout B. Gardner 2 Total 70.243

INF Internal options:

· Tyler Wade. Wade regressed heavily in 2018. After an excellent 2017 that saw him post a 137 wRC+ in Scranton, Wade has been incapable of translating his skill set to the show during opportunities over the last few seasons. He'll have a chance to compete as the primary middle infield back up/super sub.

· Ronald Torreyes. Torreyes is a singles hitter without much patience, but his versatility, strong defense, contact ability, and clubhouse impact make him the front runner for what could be the last spot on the offense if the Yankees continue to carry eight relievers.

OF Internal options

· Clint Frazier. Frazier has an opportunity to take a starting role out of the gate if the Yankees choose to hand him the keys. He's got to stay healthy and show the concussion issues are behind him. He could also end up as trade bait, if he isn't already.

· Miguel Andujar. If the Yankees do bring Machado in, where does that leave Andujar? Could he move to 1B if the Yankees don't believe in Bird or Voit? Could he move to the OF to keep his bat in the lineup if they don't pursue Harper? Could he be trade bait for a starting pitcher?

Premier Free Agent INF options:

· Manny Machado. Hard to argue against signing Machado. Perennial all-star. 26 years old. Only costs money. Is a huge upgrade over Andujar defensively, and an upgrade offensively. He is my top free agent on the market.

Premier Free Agent OF options:

· Bryce Harper. Hard to argue against Harper, too. Perennial all-star. Turns 26 this week. Only costs money. He would be a huge upgrade over Brett Gardner or Clint Frazier.

Secondary Free Agent OF options:

· Andrew McCutchen. Could McCutchen come back?

· Brett Gardner. Seems like Gardner is done, which is sad, but probably necessary to move on at this point.

· Michael Brantley. Always an injury concern. Left handed bat could replace Gardner, and a rotating outfield could help him stay healthy.

Starting Pitchers:

SP L. Severino 5.1* SP M. Tanaka 22.143 SP J. Montgomery 0.6 SP SP SP Total 27.843

Internal options:

· Sonny Gray. I can't imagine the Yankees will bring Gray back during his third arbitration year. He is a trade or DFA candidate.

· Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga. Both German and Loaisiga were decent as rookies and showed flashes of dominance. Both could end up in the bullpen depending on how active the team is during free agency or in the trade market.

· Jordan Montgomery. Monty is recovering from Tommy John Surgery and will probably miss a decent chunk of the 2019 season. The Yankees cannot go into next year expecting anything out of him.

· Justus Sheffield. Sheffield is the team's top prospect and got a cup of coffee near the end of the season. He could be in line for spot starts, but it would be hard to see the team turn to him to start the year.

· Chance Adams. Adams probably belongs in the bullpen, but he could be given spot starts when injury or ineffectiveness hit. Rough 2018 really set him back.

· Michael King. King skyrocketed through the system in 2018, tossing 161 1/3 IP to the tune of a 1.79 ERA across three levels. Dark horse rotation candidate.

Premier Free Agent options

· Patrick Corbin. Corbin finally broke out and is the top free agent pitcher to hit the market unless Clayton Kershaw chooses to opt out. I would like the Yankees to heavily pursue him.

Secondary Free Agent options

· J.A. Happ. Happ could be brought back for quality mid-rotation innings on a short-term deal.

· CC Sabathia. I appreciate everything Sabathia has brought to the team over the last 10 years. It's time to say goodbye, though. Would the Yankees bring him back?

· Dallas Keuchel. I don't think Keuchel fits in with the Yankees and their pitching philosophy, but it's worth mentioning that he's available.

· Charlie Morton. Morton has really taken off the last few years. Strong ERA, strong peripherals, consecutive 3+ fWAR seasons.

· Nathan Eovaldi. Seems Eovaldi is beyond his elbow issues. 2.2 fWAR, significantly improved command in 111 IP in 2018.

Relief Pitchers:

RP A. Chapman 17.2 RP D. Betances 6.4* RP C. Green 0.6 RP J. Holder 0.6 RP RP RP Total 24.8

Internal options:

· Domingo German and Jonathan Loaisiga. Could end up here if there's no room in the rotation for them.

· Chance Adams. Could he be an Adam Warren type?

· Stephen Tarpley. Does he replace Britton?

Premier Free Agent options:

· Craig Kimbrel. Excellent arm, but will be expensive and command regressed this year. Wrong side of 30. Is he too expensive? Are the Yankees willing to give him Robertson's money?

· Andrew Miller. Could he replace Britton? Also on the wrong side of 30 and dealt with injuries most of 2018, but he's really good.

Secondary Free Agent Options:

· David Robertson and Zach Britton. Could the Yankees bring either back?

Overall, here's what is already spent:

Position Players 70.243 Starting Pitchers 27.843 Relief Pitchers 24.8 Player benefits/40 man 20 Total 142.886

Once we've factored in player benefits and 40 man expenses, the Yankees have already committed about $143MM for 2019 ($20MM might be a bit high, but it helps to round up during exercises like this).

The biggest questions surrounding this offseason revolve around the tax threshold. Is the team ready to start spending beyond it again? If they exceed the threshold, how far over are they willing to go? The threshold is set for $206MM in 2019, leaving Cashman over $60MM to fill a few spots if the team chooses not to exceed it. After resetting the tax penalties in 2018, it would be disappointing to see this trend continue with so many premier free agent options available. I hope they go all out.