2013 vs 2014 Offense Comparison

Sep 1, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees designated hitter Derek Jeter (2) reacts after striking out against the Baltimore Orioles during the third inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Shortstop

Derek Jeter was limited to just 17 games last year and a carousel of Jayson Nix, Luis Cruz, Brendan Ryan, Alberto Gonzalez, Reid Brignac, and Eduardo Nunez received time at the position. It was truly a mess at a position that has been so productive for the Yankees over the past 17 years. Jeter won’t play all of the games at shortstop and really shouldn’t as his previously limited range is further complicated from the ankle injury and increased age. This will give all-field, no-hit Brendan Ryan a healthy amount of plate appearances. Ryan doesn’t provide anything with the bat as a career .237/.299/.320 hitter. That’s about on-par with .228/.283/.308 the Yankees put together as a team at the position last year. I can’t ever count Derek Jeter out and apparently Steamer can’t either with a pretty rosy projection of .281/.339/.376 for a 39 year old right-handed hitting shortstop coming off a major injury. There will be a squeeze to get all four of the starter-quality outfielders (Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran, and Alfonso Soriano) in the lineup that forces the Yankees to play Jeter at shortstop a decent amount of the time instead of clogging up the DH spot. If healthy, he could be 5-10 runs better than last years production at the position.