Notable Quotes from the First Few Days of Yankees Camp

We’re only now entering the end of the first week of Spring Training for the 2017 New York Yankees, and already we’ve been privy to a plethora of strong sound bites.

Though Spring Training is still in its infancy, it feels like there are more Yankees players, coaches, and first office staff speaking their minds than ever before. In a time where fans and media alike crave a constant stream of the latest information and gossip from Internet sources and social media sites galore, at this feverous rate, sports writers surely won’t run out of material to weigh in on anytime soon.

Let’s take a look at some of the trending topics around Yankees camp and who offered their two cents’ worth.

Bucky Dent

The 1978 AL MVP knows good shortstops when he sees them. And having not yet laid his eyes on Yankees top prospect Gleyber Torres — made claim that current big league shortstop Didi Gregorius has built himself into the club’s best option for the future. Saying that he’s heard from people that Torres is “the real deal,” Dent told NJ Advance Media why Gregorius would be his choice:

"“(Gregorius) just needs to keep playing the game the way he’s playing. He’s developed every year,” said Dent. “Last year, he hit left-handers really well. The first year he struggled defensively. He’s become a really outstanding defender. He’s cut down on his mental mistakes and he keeps growing every year. That’s what happens in New York. … to be able to play under this pressure day in and day out, and to play behind a guy like Derek Jeter, I think he’s done a fabulous job.”More from Yankees NewsYankees chose worst possible player to ring in New Year on 2023 team calendarYankees make upside play, sign former Rangers top prospect outfielderMichael Kay’s Anthony Volpe story will get Yankees fans amped for Opening DayNo, Yankees should not acquire Trevor Bauer for 2023Yankees’ Marwin González replaces Red Sox LF in Japan in logical next step"

Alex Rodriguez

According to ESPN, A-Rod will arrive at Yankees camp on Sunday. And you can bet that the man who hit 696 home runs in his career will have plenty to say once he steps foot on George M. Steinbrenner Field. But before he could, George’s youngest son, Hal, answered questions as to whether or not Rodriguez’s role will evolve in this, his final contractually obligated season to the organization.

"“Absolutely,” Steinbrenner said. “We haven’t talked about that. Obviously, he’s been doing some broadcasting as well and he’s got other things going on in his life. But, look, the more he’s involved, he’s actually tremendous with the young players. Always has been. We are going to continue talking about different ways he can be involved.”"

Then there’s Yankees general manager Brian Cashman stoking the fire of the New York media, telling the New York Post and all that would listen, that even though this club has youthful pieces at key positions all around the diamond, that 2017 will not just be a season to gauge the future — rather, he expects much bigger results.

"“We have the potential to be a championship-caliber team,’’ the GM said. “If we stay healthy and perform up to our expectations, and certain guys who are starting their careers and reach their ceilings sooner than later, then I think without question we can be a team to be reckoned with.“You have to have the mixture of the veterans and young players and let them come together as a squad. Hopefully we’ve given Joe Girardi and our staff down here enough talent that can stay healthy and mesh together really well and provide some exciting baseball for the next six months to push ourselves to the postseason again,’’ Cashman said."

Next: Yankees Taking Right Approach With Girardi

I for one just hope that the excitement on the field matches the racing pulse off it. Either way, one thing is for certain, Yankees baseball is back on the front page for the right reason… hope.