Yankees: Q&A with Bryan Hoch, Yankees Beat Writer for MLB.com

Marcus:
Do you think Urshela can be the Yankees’ future third baseman? And, if so, what happens to Andujar?

Bryan:
As far as Urshela, I’m not sure what the future holds. I think he’s exceeding their expectations. I think that what you saw from Andujar last year was real. I think that is who he is at the big-league level. He’s got an impact bat, that extra base power that is easy to dream on.

The Andujar you saw this year, especially after the injury, was not the same guy. So, I think this year is a complete wash for Andujar. I think they still believe in him. He’s got a bright future ahead. He’s still so young. I don’t think you give up on a guy like that.

Urshela has been a really nice story here for four or five weeks, but I think you have to see it over 400, 500, plate appearances to really know if this is legit or if he’s just on a ridiculous hot streak here. The longer it goes, the more I believe that it could be real. But, again, I want to see it over the next few months. It looks like the Yankees are going to give us that chance to see it.

Marcus:
Greg Bird is once again injured, and he doesn’t seem to have much of a future with the Yankees. I’m of the opinion that if he was a right-handed hitter, he’d actually be gone a few years ago. I think his left-handed bat was such a big deal for such a right-handed lineup.

Bryan:
I agree with you on Bird that his left-handed stroke has been one of the major selling points. I mean, the Yankees have dreamed on him for years and years, putting that in Yankee Stadium. And when he was healthy, you could see it. It was right. The problem has been staying on the field. So, it’s hard to kind of make your name and establish yourself if you’re continually in the trainer’s room. And that’s just been, in some cases, a lot of bad luck for Greg.

Marcus:
Back to Bird for a moment, do you think he ever makes another appearance as a Yankee again?

Bryan:
You know, I don’t know. I understand what you’re saying in that a change of scenery would probably do him well at this point. I think that he needs a fresh start. Maybe there is just too much kind of history here for him to overcome that. But that being said, the way this season’s going, and I think I said this earlier, nothing’s going to surprise me.

Once you go down at some point and, all of a sudden, you’re waiting on Greg Bird to come back. I know, as crazy as that seems, it could happen. So, I’m not going to rule anything out. But I do think Voit has made this job his own, and it’s definitely reduced the urgency to get Greg Bird back. Put it that way.

Marcus:
I feel like this season, everything has gone wrong for Bird. He got injured, Voit has produced, and Lemahieu has produced. I think if Voit goes down, Lemahieu is the backup option for first base.

Bryan:
And Morales can play there, too. They’ve definitely got options on this team. So, nobody is really banging on the door for Bird to come back. But I know he’s frustrated, and he wants to play. Sometimes, your fans say, “This guy doesn’t want to play.” That’s ridiculous. Of course, he wants to play. You don’t devote your whole life to this craft to get to this level and not play. I know it’s killing him to be on the shelf and not be able to physically produce, but it is what it is.