Yankees Spring Training: If Only It Meant Something

The Yankees are currently 7-2 in the Grapefruit League, which is good enough for first place. This would be great if first place meant something.

The Yankees have shown the depth of their farm system so far in the handful of Spring Training games they’ve participated in. Their pitching has been solid throughout, barring a few hiccups, and they’ve shown some great offense as well. Youngsters Aaron Judge and Greg Bird, both possible Opening Day starters, have redeemed themselves by getting on base and hitting bombs. Of course, it’s still very early to be saying the Yankees are perfectly ready entering the 2017 season. Although there’s still plenty of Spring ball left to play.

If Spring Training were only a week or two, this would be a non-issue. But because it consumes so much time it would at least be more interesting if being in first place means something.

The Yankees are due for a few bumps in the road after a substantial 6-game winning streak. While other AL East teams, namely the Red Sox and Blue Jays, have struggled, the Yankees have risen to the occasion.

They’ve shown off their young studs, and in turn, the youngsters have shown off themselves. Prospects such as Clint Frazier, Miguel Andujar, and Billy McKinney have shown they’re taking big steps in progress. And most of the starters as well have shown they’re getting better and more prepared as Spring Training continues.

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Now, if only these games could mean something to the players. While Spring Training is a great way for prospects to show their potential as well as starters to get some conditioning in. The problem is no matter how good the record is at the end of Spring Training; it still means nothing. Teams that finish in the last place can still finish towards the top when games mean something in the regular season.

In this case, Spring Training is never truly indicative of how good a team will truly be when the regular season starts. For as long as Spring Training is, there is no significant payoff for teams do well throughout.

The primary purpose is to get a feel for the regular season and prepare for it. Teams already have an idea who is set to be starters before Spring ball even starts. While it also helps prospects develop, they don’t often get a call-up until they show something in Triple-A.

The MLB should give the games meaning. Now I’m not about to suggest the MLB set up playoffs for Spring Training, that would be foolish. What I will say is to allow teams to compete for a trophy. While it wouldn’t generate any more interest amongst fans, it would at least give teams an incentive to do well.

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If Spring Training were only a week or two, this would be a non-issue. But because it consumes so much time it would at least be more interesting if being in first place means something.

Call it a participation trophy, but at least it rewards the best teams with recognition for their efforts during a long preseason. It would also further draw links between whether or not Spring Training contributes to a teams success or lack thereof. It wouldn’t hurt to at least implement it and see if teams take an interest.