5 Steps Yankees Can Take to Survive Without Didi Gregorius

The New York Yankees are going to be without one of their best offensive players from last year for at least a month. And, no, Didi Gregorius will not be to Gleyber Torres what Drew Bledsoe was to Tom Brady.

Yankees General Manager Brian Cashman already put the kibosh on that. Trying to compete while rebuilding will be difficult without a budding lefty slugger who plays good defense at a premium position.

But, in five easy steps, here’s how Manager Joe Girardi can work the lineup to maximize the damage the lineup can do without Gregorius.

Step 1:

Sign a Veteran Slugger to a One-Year Deal ASAP

Wait, this is already done, and it’s Matt Holliday! We’re off to a good start. He’s brought his bat, know-how and work ethic to camp and looks like he’ll hold down the cleanup spot. You can also double-down here and sign a second veteran slugger… say, Chris Carter for example.

The Yankees might be without good offensive production at shortstop, but Holliday and Carter should increase production from last season at DH.

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Step 2:

Get a Super-Prospect to Wait in the Wings

Also done! Guys, we’re going to be fine. Sure, Torres won’t be on the Opening Day roster, but that doesn’t mean he won’t get to the Bronx in 2017. Torres still needs to get some Double- and (maybe) Triple-A experience, and he needs to play in cold weather. Once he does that, he’s one call away.

Gregorius’ injury may keep him out until mid-May, and Cashman admitted he was hopeful for early May. However, Torres is not lurking to take over for Didi, at least not this season. He’s more likely going to take over second or third base in the event Starlin Castro or Chase Headley get hurt or struggle.

Step 3:

Move Gary Sanchez Up to Second in the Order

Manager Joe Girardi has already been doing this occasionally in spring training. The reason behind it is simple: maximize your best hitter’s at-bats. With Gregorius’ newfound pop, he and Sanchez make for an intriguing two-three combo, in either order. Without Gregorius, there should be no question about who the second hitter in the order should be.

Step 4:

Move Jacoby Ellsbury Down in the Lineup

Brett Gardner has edged Ellsbury in OBP the last two seasons, so I’d lean toward hitting the former leadoff and dropping the latter to the bottom third. Hitting at the bottom of the order still allows Ellsbury to set the table for the top of the order and, frankly, there are hitters in the lineup more deserving of the spot he’s accustomed to.

The Yankees “Youth Movement” Gets An Early And Telling Test

The Yankees "Youth Movement" is getting an early and telling test as the team scrambles to fill the hole created when Did Gregorius went down.

Step 5:

Get Creative

As for Gregorius’ offensive production, don’t try to replace it. Just don’t. Instead, work the matchups. Against a tough lefty, play Castro at short and Rob Refsnyder at second. Use Ronald Torreyes and Tyler Wade in a platoon system. Just throw different guys out there and see if one or two of them get hot.