#Yankees mailbag: How loaded outfield situation could play out

What will the Yankees do with the plethora of quality outfielders? [Aaron] Hicks, [Giancarlo] Stanton, [Aaron] Judge, [Mike] Tauchman, [Brett] Gardner, [Clint] Frazier and now it seems [Miguel] Andujar is in the mix, and [Estevan] Florial could come up in the future. — MM

Nothing at this point. The Yankees are in it to win a World Series, so moving any of the names you mentioned will play a part in that plan. Perhaps Frazier gets moved in a trade following the season, but the Yankees believe he will be a regular player in the big leagues.

Stanton is more of a DH, Andujar is very raw in the outfield and might be needed at third base. As for Florial, he could play center field in the big leagues right now — based on his range, glove and arm — so they aren’t going to give him away, despite two years of injuries and too many strikeouts.

Remember, before the coronavirus shut down spring training on March 12, the Yankees’ starting outfield was going to likely be Gardner in center, Frazier in left and Tauchman in right, because Judge, Hicks and Stanton weren’t going to be ready for Opening Day.

How does the new extra inning rule of having a runner start on second base impact the opposing pitcher’s stats? Is it recorded as a hit? Base on balls? Count against WHIP? ERA if the run scores? — Bryant Cleary

The runner who starts the inning on second base will be scored as reaching on a fielding error, but no error will be charged to the team in the field or a specific player. If the runner scores, it will be an unearned run.

If [Masahiro] Tanaka isn’t ready to go by the time the season begins, will Clarke Schmidt be the No. 5 starter? — Julia

Does Clarke Schmidt really have a shot at making the rotation? — Boo

Let’s go 2-for-1 here. It looks like Tanaka won’t be ready for the first time through the rotation, but Aaron Boone has plenty of options should the absence last through nine games or so. Mike King and Jonathan Loaisiga could start, Boone could use Chad Green as an opener or employ multiple relievers at the beginning of a game.

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If Tanaka is out longer, the strategy might change. In March’s spring training, there was talk that Schmidt might be able to help the big-league club at some point in the season. But that would have happened after he pitched in minor league games prior, and the minor league seasons were canceled.

Do you think it’s a choice between Tanaka and [James] Paxton or will they try and lock them both up? — Chris Ardizzone

Here is what we know about the free-agent landscape following the season: Teams are going to operate with major financial losses due to COVID-19. That will certainly impact the free-agent market for Tanaka and Paxton, no matter if they stay or leave. My view is that the Yankees let the pitchers test the market. And never forget the $324 commitment to Gerrit Cole figuring into the Yankees’ thinking about spending.

In a 60-game season, what does it look like for the Yankees to still make a statement and be elite? — @Ben22Rivera

Before the coronavirus arrived, the Yankees were favored to win the AL East. Nothing has changed. How elite remains to be seen but they are the team to beat.

What are the chances the Yankees sign Judge to a long-term deal, given his injury history. Would they go three years? Would he take it? — Jay

Here is my opinion on that without input from anybody else: Judge will reach free agency. Doesn’t mean he leaves The Bronx but will get the chance.