5 Players Who Definitely Won't Be on the Yankees' Roster Next Season

The New York Yankees were a team that seemed destined for the World Series all season long. They survived injury after injury en route to first place in the AL East. Now that the hunt for their 28th World Series title is over, it's time for Brian Cashman to make some tough calls and shake up the roster. There are a number of players that are hitting free agency or simply need to go.

Here are five Yankees players that will no longer be with the organization by Spring Training next year.

5. Edwin Encarnacion

Before Encarnacion's 1-for-18 showing in the ALCS, the Yankees might have given some thought into picking up his option. After all, he did slug 13 homers through just 44 games with the Yankees. However, there's no way they can justify paying him $20 million after striking out 11 times against the Astros. The Yankees will get healthy and have more cost-effective options.

4. Brett Gardner

Gardner had a glorious season in 2019. The veteran outfielder signed a one-year deal last year looking to prove that he still belongs in the Bronx. He did just that, as he smacked 28 homers and 74 RBI, both career highs for the 36-year-old. Unfortunately for Gardner, a young Clint Frazier is waiting for a full-time role, and you have to think the Yankees will give him more playing time next year after Gardner's overall pitiful showing in the playoffs.

3. Greg Bird

Does anyone remember when Bird and Luke Voit were locked into a heated battle for first base in Spring Training? It's incredible how things change during the grueling MLB season. Unsurprisingly, Bird had yet another lost year due to injury. This has to be the last straw for the Yankees, as they have better options available on the roster. It's hard to believe the Yankees won't non-tender him to save a few million to allocate elsewhere.

2. Didi Gregorius

Gregorius missed the start of the season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in October 2018 and struggled mightily when he made his return in June. Gregorius hit just .238 with 16 homers and 61 RBI through 82 games. While the Yankees are in desperate need of left-handed bats, they will likely move on from Didi with DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres proving more than capable of handling the middle infield. Didi never got back on track after his career-best 2018 season and was among the players who choked beyond belief in the ALCS.

1. CC Sabathia

It's a complete shame that CC Sabathia's career had to end this way. He was forced out of Game 4 of the ALCS after his shoulder gave out on him, forcing the Yankees to replace him with reliever Ben Heller. He didn't get to finish his career with another World Series ring, but Yankees fans will always remember his awesome contributions over the past 11 seasons. The left-hander is expected to call it quits.