Yankees Rumors: Troy Tulowitzki and D.J. LeMahieu promised they would start

According to reports, the Yankees convinced newcomers Troy Tulowitzki and D.J. LeMahieu to sign with them this offseason by promising both a starting role.

Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu will start for the Yankees in 2019. That’s not a spoiler, that’s a promise the Yankees now have to keep.

Joel Sherman of the NY Post reported on Monday that during negotiations with each respective player, the Yankees promised both they would make the starting team, just like they did when they played for the Colorado Rockies.

And according to manager Aaron Boone, he’s looking forward to the challenge of finding all of his infielders on the roster significant playing time. During Tulowitzki’s offseason workout for professional scouts, Boone seemed convinced by Tulo’s resurgent ability.

“It is exciting to see where he is physically,” said Boone who watched the session.

It’s been confirmed for a while that Tulowitzki will get the first crack at the starting shortstop job while Didi Gregorius is recovering from his offseason Tommy John surgery. As for LeMahieu, Yankee fans and analysts have wondered what his super utility role will really entail. Boone answered the question clearly on Monday.

“Even with perfect health [from others], I expect [LeMahieu] to start 145 games. He’s going to play all the time.”

The Yankees are historically known for making headlines during the offseason by acquiring players like Giancarlo Stanton last winter. Even though superstars like Manny Machado and Bryce Harper were included in the free agent pool this time around, the front office decided not to be as aggressive as expected.

Instead, general manager Brian Cashman improved the pitching staff and signed Tulo and LeMahieu. With a log jam of infielders now on the roster, one question we will often hear this spring is how is this all going to work?

How will Aaron Boone and the Yankees make this work?

It’s understandable why some fans are questioning how or why both will be starters. Third baseman Miguel Andujar and second baseman Gleyber Torres finished second and third, respectively, in last years AL Rookie of the Year voting.

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Therefore one could reasonably understand their jobs are not in jeopardy. I too expect both to play as much as they did last year, but perhaps they can’t play the field every day. Torres has a history of hip issues, and Andujar was a liability at the hot corner in 2018. With that said, I think we’ll see the former Gold Glove-winning LeMahieu plugged in at second and third base often.

Andujar or Torres can move to DH while Stanton, who is a former gold glover himself, plays left field more often. Because of Tulowitzki’s history of ankle injuries, he’ll likely sit two days out of the week, which would allow Boone to slide Torres over to shortstop.

In my opinion, the Yankees most effective lineup would include Andujar at DH, LeMahieu at third, Tulo at short, Torres at second and Stanton in left. Brett Gardner can then be used either as a pinch-runner or a left-handed bat off the bench, which seems more suitable for his ability at this point in his career.

For now, we can ponder what the Yankees will look like in 2019. Just make sure to include Troy Tulowitzki and DJ LeMahieu as starters when you’re picturing what the lineup and fielding alignment will look like on Opening Day.