By admin 
The postseason is right around the corner, and the New York Yankees sit four games out of the American League East. It does seem like they’re headed for another Wild Card series, and there are plenty of questions surrounding a potential series that they are likely to find themselves in.
Read more Breaking Down the Miami Dolphins 2026 Week 1 Snap Counts
Fans are curious what the roster should look like by then. If you are one of them, reach out to Joseph Randazzo on X or Instagram at @YankeeLibrarian. Fans can ask anything, from questions about George Lombard Jr. to Brian Cashman’s status in the organization to José Caballero’s role moving forward.
Gerrit Cole as the wild card in the rotation
Should Gerrit Cole get a start in a potential Wild Card series?
@theeratakeshita on Instagram
I still trust Cole over the alternative in a short series. The reservations right now are understandable, of course.
This isn’t to dismiss any fears anybody has about Cole right now. The number of home runs he has given up in his last two starts is pretty bad, but the Yankees would essentially be choosing between him and Carlos Rodón come October in this situation.
Rodón has looked better for sure, but he also hasn’t performed in the playoffs. He has a 7.53 ERA in 8 appearances. That’s still technically a small sample size spread across years, but I still trust Cole more than him in a big game.
If Cole is starting a game, it’s Game 2. Cam Schlittler should obviously get the game one nod.
Trent Grisham’s cloudy future
Will Trent Grisham get DFA’d?
@miked3199 on Instagram
I don’t think the Yankees should DFA Grisham. That doesn’t mean that the Yankees should start him if he’s healthy, though.
Spencer Jones has more than earned the opportunity to start, and even though he isn’t the best center fielder, he can physically get the balls that Grisham can’t. I would take my chances with Jones out there.
Read more Los Angeles Chargers Stock Report: 2 Players Rising and 2 Falling After Week 1
It doesn’t seem like Grisham will be back by the end of the year, so if I’m playing GM, I keep him around the clubhouse. Also, he can be there as insurance. If anybody else gets hurt, they’ll want him back in there. The outfield depth is pretty bare behind what they have now and the alternative is probably Max Schuemann.
Give all the credit in the world to Jones for overperforming expectations in his rookie year and making this a conversation. His hitting .265/.339/.452 with a 121 wRC+ on 246 plate appearances has made this a conversation. He’s ahead of where Judge was at 25 – not that Jones will be Judge.
Cam Schlittler MVP buzz
How much MVP consideration will Cam Schlittler get?
@mattman1199 on Instagram
I wrote over the weekend that Schlittler shouldn’t win it, but he should be at least in the final three for MLB Network’s MVP show. That, in itself, is a huge achievement.
Schlittler has clearly been one of the league’s most valuable players, pitching with an ERA below two and being one of four players with a WAR over 5 in the American League, according to FanGraphs.
Get Yankees On SI straight to your inbox: sign up for our free newsletter here.
Today’s best reads
- Should the Yankees Be Worried About Gerrit Cole After Last 2 Starts?
- Yankees Announce Starting Pitchers for Mets Series (Potentially a Trap Series)
- Yankees’ American League East Hopes Are Still Alive Despite Padres Gut Punch
- Spencer Jones Giving Yankees Glimpse of Their Center Field Future Post-Trent Grisham
- Yankees Announce Starting Pitchers for Rockies Series (A Big Start for Will Warren)
This article was originally published on www.si.com/mlb/yankees/onsi as Yankees Monday Mailbag 9/14: Postseason Starters, an MVP nod and Gerrit Cole’s Struggles.
Copyright ABG-SI LLC. SPORTS ILLUSTRATED is a registered trademark of ABG-SI LLC. All Rights Reserved.
This story was originally published September 14, 2026 at 5:57 AM.