New York Yankees Infield Is A Huge Question Mark

Jun 4, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira (25) hits a single against the Cleveland Indians during the first inning of a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

When you look at the New York Yankees, you usually see All-Stars at every position. The outfield is certainly that way with Jacoby Ellsbury, Carlos Beltran and Alfonso Soriano at DH, with Brett Gardner as a pretty darn good option in left. Brian McCann is a perennial All-Star behind the plate. The infield is where it starts to get dicey and according to Fox Sports’ Ken Rosenthal, there may not be any help coming.

So what will the infield look like?

Mark Teixeira will be at first. However, is he healthy? He hasn’t begun to swing a bat yet. He’s also going to be 34 in April and has been in decline over the past few seasons. What can the Yankees really expect out of him? Is the the guy who can drive in 100 runs and hit 30 homers or will be a shell of his former self? If he isn’t healthy, they don’t really have another option on the roster.

The rest of the infield resembles the old Abbot and Costello routine with Alex Rodriguez suspended and Robinson Cano off to the Pacific Northwest. So, what’s on second and I don’t know is on third? Well, Brian Roberts is in the fold, but he has concussion issues. Kelly Johnson can play both spots, has some pop, but can he do it on a full-time basis? Scott Sizemore was just added, but the guy has torn his ACL twice over the past couple of seasons. When he’s been healthy, he is an on-base machine.

Dean Anna was brought in after crushing it in Triple-A for San Diego, but what will he do in the bigs? Eduardo Nunez is still in the fold, but his fielding isn’t exactly Gold Glove-caliber. Corban Joseph will be in the mix, but he hit .239 in only 47 games in Triple-A.  The Yankees also added Yangervis Solarte to a minor league deal. Solarte is like Anna. He can play all over. He had a .276/.323/.403 line with 12 homers and 76 RBI in Triple-A for Texas last year and is 26 years old.

Then there’s shortstop that will be split between Derek Jeter and Brendan Ryan. There are questions there too. Is Jeter going to be healthy? Can Ryan hit more than .215?

The New York Yankees infield is a bit of a mess right now and it being straightened out will be the key as to whether or not 2014 is successful for the New York Yankees.