The New York Yankees’ 2015 season came to a close in the American League Wild Card game when they suffered a three to nothing defeat at the hands of the Houston Astros. With that defeat, the 2015 Yankees were done, and 2016 went from the future to the present. The Yanks are going to have to make some changes if they wish to make a larger push next season. So the question is, what changes will be made, and will it be enough? Let’s examine how the Bronx Bombers' off-season will shape their club for 2016.

What’s Staying the Same

There are certain things that are almost locks to remain as they are right now. For starters, Brian McCann is going to remain behind the plate as the primary catcher. Last off-season, Didi Gregorius was acquired to be the heir to Yankee great Derek Jeter. Gregorius performed well enough in his first season in pinstripes to earn himself the starting gig, uncontested going into 2016. Despite underwhelming performance, Chase Headley looks locked in at third, thanks to the hefty contract given to him by general manager Brian Cashman last off-season. With a weak third baseman free agent class, Cashman would need to get creative with a trade involving Headley that would land him another third baseman. With that being highly unlikely, I feel safe saying Headley opens the season starting at third for the Yanks. Jacoby Ellsbury, who was benched for the Wild Card game because of his struggles, is another under-performer who has a locked spot in the lineup thanks to a pricey contract. Ellsbury will man center field alongside of Carlos Beltran, who will spend most of his season in right. Beltran, an aging veteran enters the final year of his contract, which will likely be his last season in New York. At his age, he is going to need some days of rest, but in order to keep his bat in the lineup, which still has value, he will see some at-bats at DH. The DH stop will be filled by Alex Rodriguez on most nights, coming off a resurgent year. In the rotation, Masahiro Tanaka will lead the way as the ace. After an up-and-down season, Michael Pineda still holds onto a rotation stop due to his potential. Nathan Eovaldi will return after missing the end of the season with an elbow injury. Finally, breakout rookie Luis Severino is the ace of the future, and pitched more than well enough to earn a spot in the 2016 rotation. Andrew Miller and Dellin Betances will continue to hold down the end of games at the end of bullpen.

Positions in Question

The right side of the infield is full of questions. At first base, Mark Teixeira will enter the final year of his contract. Tex was having a great season, until a fracture in his leg ended his season. Now while Tex should be healthy come spring training, his lengthy injury history, along with the emergence of rookie Greg Bird, puts some questions around the position for 2016. Bird showed a powerful bat, that could be extremely useful in the Yankees lineup ,who is looking like a piece for the Yankees future. While he may still be a year away from being a full-time player, his bat is still worthy of being in the lineup most nights. Bird will likely play first on nights Tex has off or gets some at-bats at DH. So how manager Joe Girardi handles these two will be interesting throughout the season.

At second base, it is looking like a potential platoon. As it stands, Rob Refsnyder and Dustin Ackley look set to split time. Refsnyder is known for having a solid bat, but is terrible in the field. Ackley is a former top prospect who the Yankees acquired from Seattle this past season. He was moved by Seattle since he has never come close to living up to expectations. While the Yankees could very well enter the season with these two, it is also very likely they look to acquire a second baseman. Free agents such as Howie Kendrick, Daniel Murphy, Ben Zobrist, Asdrubal Cabrera, and Chase Utley may all be potential targets. In the rotation, four spots are likely filled with Tanaka, Severino, Pineda, and Eovaldi. That means there is at least one spot that is still up for grabs. CC Sabathia checked himself into alcohol rehab before the Wild Card game, and cannot be seen as any sort of guarantee. Even assuming Sabathia is fully rehabilitated, his performance has been in a steady decline, and isn’t worthy of a guaranteed spot in the rotation. Other possible internal options include Ivan Nova and Adam Warren, both of whom could also be utilized in the bullpen. The starting pitching free agent class is loaded this off-season. Front line starters David Price, Zack Greinke, Johnny Cueto, and Jordan Zimmermann, headline the class. All of those guys will likely be out of the Yankees range, but with the Yankees, you can never rule anything out. The name the Yankees have already been linked to is Jeff Samardzija, a move I wouldn’t be a fan of. Samardzija has had most of his success when he was with the Cubs, and has yet to have any true success in the American League. I could see the Yankees pursue names such as Mike Leake or Marco Estrada as alternates as well.

Potential Trade Bait

Many of you may be wondering, why haven’t I mentioned Brett Gardner yet? Following his second half slump, along with a very tradeable contract, Gardner is very much at risk of being on the trading block. Now let me start by saying, I would much prefer the Yankees traded Ellsbury and keep Gardner to open up a spot in the outfield. However, it is virtually impossible for Cashman to move Ellsbury and his enormous contract. I am a Gardner fan and would love for him to stay, but he is simply the most likely piece Cashman moves. For starters, the Yankees have several outfield prospects, such as Aaron Judge and Mason Williams, that may be ready to start at some point this season. The Yanks could also opt to give Bird some reps in left to get his bat in the lineup. Gardner could serve as a trade chip to land the Yanks the starting pitcher they need, or possibly a second baseman. If Cashman is in fact going to deal Gardner, I suggest he talks with Cleveland about a possible deal. If Gardner goes, working a deal involving someone like Carlos Carrasco or Danny Salazar would be something I would be on board with.

There aren’t too many other main names I could see Cashman dealing this off-season. Michael Pineda could be one potential name, but trading away a starter with his potential would seem very strange, given the Yanks' need to acquire starters. Ivan Nova is another starter who may get dealt, and his departure wouldn’t hurt as much, given he isn’t locked into a rotation spot.

Moves to Make

Time for me to step into Cashman’s shoes and play general manager. My first move would be to sign utility man, Steve Pearce, formerly of the Orioles. Pearce provides a guy who can play a multitude of positions. This includes second base if both Refsnyder and Ackley falter. Pearce also provides insurance in the outfield. Given their injury histories and ages, Ellsbury and Beltran are always potential candidates to get hurt and miss time. Pearce can easily start for either one while they are out. He also slides right into left field after Brett Gardner is traded. Gardner is moved to Cleveland for Carrasco or Salazar, filling in the rotation. I would make an addition or two to the bullpen, with righty David Hernandez being a target due to his upside. Signing a cheap starter for depth or trading Nova for someone new would also be something I would look into.

So there you have it. That is what the Yankees are looking at this off-season. Big contracts on the current club may limit what kind of moves they make, but there are definitely potential moves that can help improve the club for next season, and in the future. So, what do you think? What moves should Cashman and the Yankees make?