Mark Teixeira Shouldn’t Block Tyler Austin from Everyday Role

Struggling New York Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira, who will retire after the 2016 season, should not prevent the promising Tyler Austin from playing every day.

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman vowed that top prospect Aaron Judge would play every day in rightfield following his promotion to the big leagues, but made no such promises about rookie first baseman Tyler Austin, who got the call on the same day.

Austin started at first and hit seventh in his first two games on the Yankees roster, going 3-for-8 with a solo homer and a stolen base. Although he only made the transition to first base early this year, he has also looked very capable defensively.

Unfortunately, Tyler Austin may have an obstacle to receiving regular playing time in 36-year-old Mark Teixeira. The incumbent starting first baseman forced Austin to the bench in Monday’s 1-0 win over the Toronto Blue Jays. Tex turned in all-too-familiar 0-for-4 performance while hitting in the cleanup spot. He got the start at first Tuesday night as well.

Teixeira has been one of the worst everyday hitters in the American League this season. His 68 wRC+, a stat which calculates the total offensive contribution of a player, is the sixth worst in the AL coming into Tuesday. He’s been well below replacement level on the season (-1.0 fWAR).

The difference between how the Yankees have treated the last days of Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez is puzzling. A-Rod had the more accomplished career, but their tenure with the team was comparable. So how come Rodriguez was forced off the roster in the middle of the season and Teixeira gets the opportunity to play regularly down the stretch?

Whether the Yankees see themselves as in contention this year or not, it doesn’t make to play Mark Teixeira. If they are pushing for a Wild Card spot, Tex has been so bad that it hurts the team to have him in the lineup. If they are rebuilding for the future, why are they letting him block a potential future building block in Tyler Austin.

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Yankees manager Joe Girardi has always preferred going with veterans over youth (with the obvious exception of A-Rod), so expect to see Teixeira continue to play until the bitter end. Tyler Austin can play some outfield and even third base, so maybe he can move around a little bit to stay in the lineup.

Of course, with Brett Gardner returning from injury and Aaron Hicks beginning to hit, the outfield picture is even more crowded if anything.