Yankees: Whose job is Brandon Drury going to take?

It’s only a matter of time until the Yankees offer Brandon Drury an overdue promotion to the majors. Since he lost his third base job to Miguel Andujar, Drury has raked in the minors. When he is finally recalled, whose job is he taking?

The reason why Brandon Drury went to the Yankees this offseason was that there was an opening at third base. Pinstripe management was unsure of Miguel Andujar‘s potential and figured he needed more seasoning, so acquiring a new third baseman appeared to be the correct decision.

Drury, on the other hand, was fighting for playing time on the Arizona Diamondbacks roster in 2017. While the D-Backs did everything they could to find plate appearances for the then 24-year-old utility man, he never earned an everyday role.

When Drury came to the Bronx via a Spring Training trade, the third base job was his to keep. Unfortunately, migraines and blurred vision caused by an irritated nerve running up his neck caused him to hit the DL.

After the Yankee staff provided a treatment plan, Drury was playing baseball again. But by the time he completed his Double-A rehab assignment, rookie Miguel Andujar had already proved himself as an everyday third baseman.

So why have we not seen Drury on the active roster since he completed his rehab assignment?

Drury, at the age of 25, is like other Yankees prospects waiting to flourish in the majors. Except, already having major league experience should play a huge advantage when he comes back to the Bronx. Drury has the right to be aggravated about still being in the minors, but he also understands it’s not his decision.

Drury completed his rehab assignment on May 15. We hadn’t seen him on the active roster since Opening Weekend when he was in the starting lineup. One could think a starter on Opening Day should easily be recalled following a rehab assignment.

Well, the easy answer as to why Drury is still in the minors is because Andujar is playing too well. Also, Neil Walker is already serving as the team’s backup infielder. And on occasion, Ronald Torreyes also serves as a backup infielder when he’s on the MLB roster.

In my opinion, there are two reasons why Drury is still in the minors: they want him to play first base, and they want an extra year of control of his contract.

If a player is on an active roster for more than 171 days, that counts for a full year of service. Once a player has six years of service, he can test the free agent market. In Drury’s case, the Yankees have a chance to keep him for an extra year by keeping him at bay until early July.

And since July is only a week away, it’s time to speculate who Drury will replace on the active roster.

Who could potentially lose their job to Brandon Drury if he is promoted?

If the Yankees activate Drury, odds are Neil Walker is the favorite to be removed from the active roster. Walker had some clutch moments this year. But for an organization packed with talent, they need more offensive production from him. Walker’s currently batting under .200 with an OPS of .533.

The only reason why Walker wouldn’t be removed is if GM Brian Cashman doesn’t want to let another team potentially claim him off of waivers. Although I do see value in his versatility and switch-hitting abilities, what good is a switch-hitter who can’t hit?

The only other player who is seriously in jeopardy of losing his job is Greg Bird. Since returning from the DL, Bird has underperformed based off the organization’s expectations of him. While I don’t have complaints about his fielding, he hasn’t been the impact lefty-bat we’ve been told he’s supposed to be.

It’s clear that the Yankees plan on sometimes using Drury at first base in the majors. Why else would he be taking reps at the position in Scranton? It’s a guarantee that Bird will lose playing time to Drury when he is recalled, especially against lefty pitchers.

And what does this all mean for Tyler Austin? If Drury is promoted and plays first base against lefties, and succeeds, Austin’s value to the team is in jeopardy. I would say it’s highly likely that Austin is traded or doesn’t see much more playing time on the active roster in 2018 unless there’s an injury.

Andujar and Torres is here to stay, and so is Drury

Rookies Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar are here to stay. So if Drury is promoted, it’s clear that either Bird or Walker is the odd man out. Also, since the Yankees traded to acquire Drury, and they’re holding him back for an extra year of control, I doubt they trade him.

Next: Opportunity knocks for Austin Romine

The Yankees’ scouting department for years has eyed Drury, so don’t expect him to be traded. Either way, he deserves to be in the majors, and it’s only a matter of time until he’s back in the Bronx.

It’s only a matter of time until the Yankees offer Brandon Drury an overdue promotion to the majors. Since he lost his third base job to Miguel Andujar, Drury has raked in the minors. When he is finally recalled, whose job is he taking?

So why have we not seen Drury on the active roster since he completed his rehab assignment?

Who could potentially lose their job to Brandon Drury if he is promoted?

Andujar and Torres is here to stay, and so is Drury

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