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Yankees News: Expectations For Veteran Infielders

By Antonio Mendes|

This season will be a vital year for New York Yankees infielders Mark Teixeira and Chase Headley. Both are coming off so-so to below expectation type seasons. Let’s take a look at expectations Yankees fans should have, and how it will affect the seasons outcome.

Mark Teixeira

Some can argue 2014 was Mark Teixeira’s worst season of his career (in which he actually played at least 120 games). The year was plagued with lingering injuries, which led to being more prone to other injuries to occur. Since the 2011 season in which he hit 39 home runs, Teixeira has only hit 49 homers in the last 3 seasons. So what’s the Yankees organization, and fans expecting from Teixeira in 2015?

It should go without saying it all relies on his health. Many are feeling more confident with Teixeira finally having a whole off-season to recuperate and get stronger. Let’s say it’s a great year and he misses maybe, 10-15 games. I’d say a .260-270 batting average would be more than exceptional, also with at least 30 homers. This all depends on your mentality, and what you think he is due for. If we’re being realistic, I’m not going to set the bar high for him. Not because I don’t think he can still produce at a superior level, but because of the injuries and games being missed. If he does however exceed expectations, I think it will play a huge role in us contending in the American League.

You have to remember with the additions to the bullpen (as well as defensive additions), small ball should hopefully suffice in the tight games the Yankees lost last season. We witnessed, that had a couple more games went New York’s way, that would’ve meant a Wild Card spot.

Next…

Chase Headley

Chase Headley came to the Yankees in July, and turned heads his very first game, and almost every game after that. The Yankees locked the veteran up this off-season for the next four years, and I haven’t seen one fan that was in total displeasure when the news struck.

The expectations for Headley for most, depend on a balanced output of offense and defense. As for me, I’m looking to see his glove flash more. His fielding percentage in his 58 games for the Yanks was .983% through only about 60 games. Defense is still proving to be superior with all the pull hitters in the league, and the movement isn’t going to stop anytime soon.

I think an ideal average for Headley to be at (depending on how his back manages) would be .250-.260. Different from Teixeira where we want the home runs to come back, here Headley at the lower spot in the order would be the best for racking up RBIs.

Say the Yankees corner infielders produce as well as we all know they can, it could help steer the Yanks in the direction they should’ve been last season.

Next: David Carpenter Excited To Be A Yankee

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