Yankees hope table setters such as Gleyber Torres arrive for 2018

1B Greg Bird

Bird had one of those rare seasons in which he proved both his supporters and detractors right, as Tim Tebow once had. Critics rightly point out how fragile Bird is; he appeared in only 48 games last year. Of course, that was a lot better than the zero games he played in two years ago.

But when he played, he was every bit the dynamic offensive player his boosters were confident he could be. His line in the postseason reads more like a seasoned veteran’s than a rookie’s: .250/.421/.500, with eleven hits in thirteen games, three home runs and six RBI’s.

And the reason the Yankees might move him up in the order is Gleyber Torres. Managers prefer but are not married to line-ups that alternate left and right-handed hitters.

That’s part of the reason Judge, the rightie, hit second after the left-handed Gardner.

But if the right-handed Torres does indeed take over the top spot, Boone might move leftie Bird in behind him. That sets up Judge batting third and, possibly, Stanton fourth. This is probably one of those times when talent trumps batting order, as Stanton also bats from the right side.

Livin’ In the Future

If the trend under Girardi continues, Didi would bat next from the left, followed by Gary Sanchez on the right. The idea of Sanchez, already the best power hitting backstop in baseball, batting sixth in any lineup says a lot about the power in that order.

But that all starts with Torres, and then Bird. And that all starts with health.

There is every reason to think Greg will have a full, healthy season. Just as there was last year. Yet, a hard to diagnose foot injury kept him hobbled until September. If Bird stays healthy and performs to his talent, the Yankees will have a lethal line-up.

If not, the first six hitters will feature too many righties, and Boone will have a lot of juggling to do. Or Gardy will be back at the top of the order, which is fine but not great.

The problem with some of this analysis is that there are two infield spots open, and too long to go before the end of Spring Training.

A free agent might be brought in, such as Todd Frazier or Eduardo Nunez. Or a Brandon Drury-type might be traded for. Even so, I will assume that Miguel Andujar will win the job at third base at some point this year.