$Predicting New York Yankees\' 2016 Opening Day Lineup$

Predicting New York Yankees' 2016 Opening Day Lineup

By Bryan Zarpentine

Scoring runs has rarely been an issue for the New York Yankees, and that trend looks likely to continue in 2016. From top to bottom, the Yankees have a formidable lineup, and they even have a few young players who look like they’ll be able to contribute this season. Let’s take a look at the powerful lineup the Yankees will be putting on the field on opening day 2016.

$Predicting New York Yankees\' 2016 Opening Day Lineup$

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1. Jacoby Ellsbury, Center Field — Ellsbury did not have the kind of season he wanted last year, but he's more than capable of bouncing back and returning to the play he's provided past years. The Yankees will plug him into the leadoff spot to start the season and give him the chance to get a fresh start and put last year behind him.

2. Brett Gardner, Left Field — Gardner has been the definition of consistent for the Yankees throughout much of his career. He's going to play at least 140 games, and he's going to be productive day in, day out. If Ellsbury struggles, the Yankees can move Gardner into the leadoff spot, but New York's left fielder has shown that he's best utilized in the No. 2 spot.

3. Mark Teixeira, First Base — Teixeira has been hampered by injuries the last few seasons, but when he was healthy in 2015 he was productive, hitting 31 home runs despite missing all of September. This gives the Yankees hope that he can still be a productive No. 3 hitter. Of course, with Greg Bird missing the entire season, it's imperative that Teixeira stay healthy and on the field in 2016.

4. Alex Rodriguez, Designated Hitter — His days in the field are long over, but as long as A-Rod is fit enough to walk from the dugout to the batter's box, he'll be the DH in the Bronx. He proved last year that he can still hit, slugging 33 home runs and posting an OPS of .842. As long as father time doesn't catch up with him, A-Rod still gives the Yankees a viable clean-up hitter.

5. Carlos Beltran, Right Field — Age is starting to catch up with Beltran, but the Yankees are hoping he has one more good season in him. They have Aaron Judge waiting in the wings, but as long as Beltran can remain healthy, he'll patrol right field at Yankee Stadium. He'll certainly be in the middle of New York's lineup on opening day.

6. Brian McCann, Catcher — McCann will soon have Gary Sanchez pushing him for the starting spot, but for now he's the Yankees' starting catcher. While he's not hitting for as high of an average as did earlier in his career, the power is still there, and that still makes him an asset in the middle of the lineup.

7. Chase Headley, Third Base — Heading into the season, the third base job is Headley's to lose. Headley wasn't great in his first full season with the Yankees last year, but he put up acceptable numbers for someone hitting down in the order. That being said, if the Yankees are comfortable playing Rob Refsnyder at third base, Headley could lose his spot. On opening day, though, it'll be Headley at third base for the Yankees.

8. Starlin Castro, Second Base — Castro has a lot to prove after being so up and down with the Cubs the past few years, but he'll start 2016 as the everyday second baseman for the Yankees. There won't be much pressure on him early in the season hitting so low in the order, which should help, and Castro has been great during spring training. There's reason to believe he'll have a good season in pinstripes.

9. Didi Gregorius, Shortstop — Gregorius was solid if unspectacular in his first season in New York, but he's fine batting in the No. 9 spot in the order. As long as he plays good defense, the Yankees will live with whatever they get out of Gregorius offensively.

Masahiro Tanaka, Pitcher — Barring something unexpected happening, Tanaka appears to be in line to start for the Yankees on opening day. The top of New York's rotation looks to be in good shape, especially if Tanaka is healthy and able to pitch at a high level. If he gets the start on opening day and pitches well, it'll be a good sign for the rest of the Yankees' 2016 season.

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