ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA – MAY 27: Matt Carpenter #24 of the New York Yankees celebrates with teammates in the dugout after hitting a home run. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images)
The New York Yankees are one of the best teams in baseball, but not everyone is playing well. Which three players will be removed from the active roster by July 1?
The New York Yankees are at the top of the standings in the AL East. The Bronx Bombers have gotten off to a hot start and outfielder Aaron Judge is squarely in the conversation to be the league MVP.
But not every player on the Yankees roster is playing up to expectations. Aaron Hicks, for example, has struggled mightily in 2022. But due to his massive guaranteed contract, I don’t see Hicks going anywhere anytime soon.
But, a handful of New York Yankees may not be on the roster when the calendar flips to July. Which three Yankees players won’t be on roster by July 1?
3. Matt Carpenter will not be on the Yankees on July 1
But he just got here! That he did. Matt Carpenter was signed to a contract recently, but that was due to the large number of injuries the New York Yankees suffered. Giancarlo Stanton and Josh Donaldson hit the IL and DJ LeMaheiu has been in and out of the lineup with wrist discomfort.
You’d have to assume that when New York returns to full strength, Carpenter will be expendable. The longtime St. Louis Cardinals third baseman is little more than bench bat at this stage of his career.
Carpenter has seen a sharp decline in production over the past three seasons. The three-time All-Star slashed .203/.325/.346 during his final three seasons in the Gateway City.
In 2013, Matt Carpenter led the league in both hits and doubles, but the 36-year-old is not the same player he once was. Carpenter should enjoy the ride while it lasts, because once the New York Yankees get healthy, he’ll likely be released.