Third was So Much Older Then; It’s Younger than that Now
The 2017 Yankees started the season with a man of great character but declining skills, Chase Headley, at the hot corner. This version of the Bombers will start with Brandon Drury, freshly acquired from the Diamondbacks.
While Cash and the Yanks see big things in Drury, all fans can see is his stat line. Brandon hit .267/.317/.447 last year, while Headley hit a very comparable .273/.352/.406. Some would say the Yankees swapped one okay player for another.
But there are three essential differences for 2018, the most notable being slugging. Drury showed that last year by hitting 13 home runs in 445 AB’s; Headley hit 12 in 512 AB’s. And he did it at a younger age: Brandon is 25 while Chase is a few days from 34.
However, there is now depth at the position. If and when Drury struggles, the hot-hitting Andujar is waiting in the wings. All told, the infield looks like a more complete, competent, and even dangerous unit than the one that started last season.
And so does the DH spot…finally.