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Bomber Bites: The Yankees Are What They Will Be

By Billy Brost

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By now, everyone should know that free agent pitcher James Shields did not end up as an under the radar signing for the New York Yankees. Instead, the 33-year old workhorse signed a four-year deal to go home, joining his native San Diego Padres. It shouldn’t come as a surprise or as a shock that the Yankees didn’t make a last ditch effort to bring the veteran AL East hurler to the Bronx. That simply hasn’t been the M.O. of GM Brian Cashman this past winter. 

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I know, I know. Some of you were still holding out hope, perhaps a Mark Teixeira-type snatching away of a solid player from the clutches of favored teams. Those days, at least for the foreseeable future, are long gone. What you see in Tampa in the coming weeks, is what the Yankees are going to be: veterans all around the diamond, most of whom have seen better days. Guys hoping to return from injury or suspension, while questions remain as to the production and future of the middle infield.

Didi Gregorius begins a new chapter not only in his career, but for the franchise, as he should be the first starting shortstop not named Derek Jeter in about two decades. While Stephen Drew was re-signed, there is growing belief that Rob Refsnyder is the man to beat out for the job. Personally, and I have discussed this before, I still believe that Jose Pirela is the right guy, right now. Let Drew slide back and forth as a utility infielder, backing up both Gregorius and Pirela, and allow Ref to continue to develop his glove at second base in Triple-A. If you hand him the gig, and he falls on his face, you’ll lose him for the duration. The Bronx does that to players. 

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While no sexy, multi-million dollar contracts were handed out this winter as in years’ past, this Yankees team, if, and that’s a big if, can remain healthy and play solid baseball, could contend for a Wild Card spot. Of course much of that depends on how well the rotation can remain intact, and how well Carlos Beltran, Mark Teixeira and Brian McCann start off 2015. Lest we forget the most polarizing figure in professional sports over the last half century, Mr. Alex Rodriguez. You’re going to be reading a piece by senior writer Wayne Cavadi later today, that basically says he just needs to go away.

I won’t go that far. Like it or not, the Yankees need him to be productive. I’ll bring up the running joke of .270/20/70. If he can do that out of the six-hole in Joe Girardi‘s lineup, that means the rest of the boys in front of him are doing their jobs. Like him or not, he’s owed a ton of money, and simply has too many years remaining on his deal to cut him loose. And if he is productive? Why wouldn’t you want him in the lineup as much as possible. The last time I looked, this current roster is a far cry from the 2012 verision which bludgeoned everyone in the American League to death.

This has been a winter of change for the New York Yankees for many reasons, but don’t give up on the Bronx Bombers returning to form, albeit as a Cinderella candidate in 2015.

Next: Should We Forgive A-Rod?

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