New York Yankees: Four corner infield options for 2018
The Yankees are set everywhere on the diamond except for first base and third base. They can go in several directions to fill out their lineup.
A lot of Yankees exceeded expectations in 2017. Aaron Judge and Luis Severino went from question marks in March, into All-Stars in July and awards finalists in November. The team won 91 games and took the Houston Astros to game 7 in the ALCS.
However, there were two lineup spots where thing’s didn’t go according to plan. At first base, the idea was to go with a Greg Bird/Chris Carter platoon. Bird struggled severely in April before succumbing to injuries, from which he wouldn’t return until late August. Carter had no such excuse for his weak hitting and was released on July 10.
At the hot corner, veteran switch-hitter Chase Headley held down the fort for most of the year. Despite an anemic May, he finished the year with an exactly league average 100 OPS+. However, he shifted primarily to first base after the Yankees traded for Todd Frazier at the trade deadline.
Now, with Frazier hitting free agency and prospects on the horizon, the Yankees must decide who to trust at the corners in 2018.
Gleyber Torres
Check out the top prospect list on MLB.com. The #1 name on the list is Gleyber Torres. That list is somewhat outdated, but there’s no doubt that Torres is among the best prospects in baseball.
Acquired from the Chicago Cubs for Aroldis Chapman in 2016, Torres has done nothing but hit at every level. He was the MVP of the AZL in 2016 at only 19 years of age. In 2017 he posted identical .863 OPS at both AA and AAA.
He appeared primed to make his MLB debut when he tore the UCL in his left (non-throwing) elbow, requiring Tommy John surgery.
The Yankees aren’t likely to hand the third base job to a 21-year-old coming off a significant injury. However, he’ll be ready soon enough, and he won’t stay in the minors for long. When that time comes, they’ll need to make room for him somewhere in the infield.
Miguel Andujar
While not quite as highly rated as Torres, Miguel Andujar is a natural third baseman. He had a brief cup of coffee in the majors last year, going 4-8 with a walk and a stolen base. Across AA and AAA, he slashed .315/.352/.498 with 16 HR.
His bat is big league ready, but he needs to improve his patience at the plate. There are also questions about his defensive ability, as he has been far too error-prone in the minors.
He’s still young, turning 23 in March, so he has time to correct his flaws. Either way, he should receive more playing time in the majors in 2018.
Greg Bird
Greg Bird has been the first baseman of the future…for the last three years. He tantalized Yankee fans in 2015 with a .871 OPS in 46 games. He got hurt in Spring Training in 2016 and missed the entire season. 2017 was washed out by injuries as well.
The power is for real. He’s smashed 20 HR in 348 PA. He also proved he could take a walk and boost his OBP. If healthy, he’s a reliable option for the Yankees, especially against right-handed pitching.
Chase Headley
Chase Headley came to New York from the San Diego Padres in a mid-season trade in 2014. He then signed a four-year deal to remain a Yankee in the off-season. He now enters the final year of that contract and is on the hook for $13 million.
Headley has been solidly average and most durable for the duration of the contract. Last year he demonstrated the ability to play across the diamond at first base as well as third. This gives the Yankees flexibility to use him as they please depending on Bird’s performance, the prospects, and any trades or free agent signings.
Free Agents
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The Yankees have been forthright about their intention to get under the luxury tax threshold. Still, if they sign any position player free agents at all, it will probably be a corner infielder. Here are some likely candidates:
- Todd Frazier– Frazier came to The Bronx this July in a trade with the Chicago White Sox. He combined walks, home runs, and unadulterated enthusiasm to endear himself to the fans.
- Danny Valencia– Valencia is a journeyman infielder with some pop, having hit 50 HR over the last three seasons. He has experience at both corner infield spots.
- Brandon Phillips– Would the Yankees think outside the box with a second baseman like Phillips? Either he or incumbent second baseman Starlin Castro could slide over the third base.
Trades
Speculating on who could be traded this winter is nearly impossible. General Manager Brian Cashman has never been gun-shy about shaking up his roster. They already expressed interest in San Francisco Giants’ second baseman Joe Panik. Perhaps even Castro ends up wearing a different uniform.
The Yankees have several options at the corner infield spots. They aren’t likely to commit to anyone long-term, so they can keep things open for their youngsters (or for Manny Machado next winter). Which direction they decide will be a primary focus for their off-season.