Mark Teixeira focused on being strong in 2015

By Lou Musto | Feb 20, 2015

The New York Yankees need the old Mark Teixeira back if they are going to be competitive in 2015. That starts with the 34-year-old first baseman returning to full health and strengthening his right wrist, which has been an issue for two consecutive seasons since tearing the tendon sheath during the World Baseball Classic in 2013.

That has been Teixeira’s focus for the last few months and, he says, he feels better than he has in years.

“This offseason, I got to go back to working out and getting strong,” Teixeira said during a meet-and-greet event at PNC Field for players from the Challenger Little League, season-ticket holders and corporate sponsors. “I’m a big, power-hitting first baseman and I have to be strong. Last year, I wasn’t.”

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Teixeira appeared in 123 games for the Yankees last season, but hit just .216 with 22 home runs. Still, it was an improvement from the 15-game disappointment 2013 proved to be.

After averaging 153 games per season through his first nine Major League campaigns, he has averaged just 83 over the last three (he played 123 in 2012). Hampered by various injuries and illnesses, his production has dipped and the Yankees have faltered as a result.

Teixeira’s performance has also fallen victim to the dreadful shift, which has devolved many left-handed power hitters (Teixeira is a switch hitter) into hapless groundout machines. His batting average has dropped 76 points since hitting .292 during his first season in the Bronx in 2009.

“I’m a big, power-hitting first baseman and I have to be strong. Last year, I wasn’t.”

He was much better the final two months of last season and though there’s no final tally to be found, he hit .273 against the shift between August 1 and September 9, according to It’s All About the Money. Teixeira half-jokingly credited his improvement to his injured wrist which restricted his ability to pull the ball and thus forced him to hit to the opposite field. That may or may not be a good thing.

“I never try to hit ground balls,” he said. “The best way to beat the shift is hit more doubles, home runs and walk more.”

All that effort will be for naught, though, if Teixeira is unable remain healthy and see the field again. The Yankees desperately need his power bat in the middle of their lineup. He is the only big-time home run hitter they have on the roster this season.

“If you’re healthy and you’re feeling good, you want to play every single game,” he said. “Early in my career I played over 500 games straight and there was no reason for me to come out of the lineup. When you’re hurt, you need to take time off. Hopefully that won’t be an issue this year and I’ll play as many games as I can.”

All quotes were acquired firsthand unless otherwise noted.

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