Expect a Healthy Mark Teixeira to Lead the Yankees This Season

Once again, Mark Teixeira‘s health is a major question mark as the Yankees begin spring training.

But, according to Brendan Kuty of NJ.com, Teixeira’s trainer said the 35-year-old first baseman shouldn’t be feeling any ill effects from the broken leg that ended his season in 2015.

“But the leg won’t be a problem in 2016” Teixeira’s personal trainer, Ben Prentiss, told NJ Advance Media Wednesday afternoon.“‘That hasn’t even been brought up since November or December,’ said Prentiss, who owns Prentis Human Performance in Stamford, Conn., and has guided Teixeira through approximately 50 workouts this offseason.”“After spending months with crutches, Teixeira started running around Jan. 1, Prentiss said.”“‘If you saw him today,’ the trainer said, ‘we had him flying. He’s running. He’s jumping. He’s cutting.'”“Prentiss added that Teixeira is also heavier, but leaner than he was at approximately this time last year — almost a week before Yankees position players report to spring training.”

While Prentiss’ comments are somewhat encouraging, there are still Yankees fans who find it difficult to be optimistic about Teixeira’s health. The three-time All-Star has not played in more than 130 games since 2011, as injuries have certainly taken their toll.

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Despite his injury-riddled past, I expect Teixeira to finally stay healthy and be a major contributor for the Bronx Bombers this season.

Let’s not forget the numbers Teixeira put up in 2015 before getting hurt.

Prior to the injury, Teixeira was hitting .255 with 31 home runs and 79 RBIs and was an effective bat in the middle of the Yankees’ line up.  The slugger was even in the conversation for American League Most Valuable Player.

Additionally, even though Teixeira missed the Yankees’ final 36 regular season games, he still finished second on the team in home runs behind Alex Rodriguez.

Teixeira is also an extremely crucial defensive asset for the Yankees. In 2015, the five-time Gold Glove Award winner committed just three errors in more than 900 innings at first base.

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Without Greg Bird, the Yankees are left with few quality backup defensive options behind Teixeira. Dustin Ackley and Brian McCann are nowhere near as defensively talented as Teixeira is.

I don’t think Teixeira is going to win an MVP award this season, but I do expect him to have another All-Star caliber year. More importantly, I expect him to stay healthy.

A healthy Teixeira has the potential to do wonders for the Yankees. His presence in the lineup takes the pressure to drive in runs off of other aging veterans like Rodriguez and Carlos Beltran. Defensively, his fielding prowess has the potential to lower the collective ERA of a less than stellar starting rotation.

Many Yankees fans are quick to write off Teixeira. I’m not one of them.

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If Teixeira is able to shake loose from his injury-prone past this season, the Yankees have the potential to compete for an AL East division title. If not, the Bronx Bombers could find themselves missing out on the postseason come October.