New York Yankees: It is time to set Greg Bird free
By David Hill
The New York Yankees were hoping that Greg Bird would be the answer at first. That has not proven to be the case.
Over the years, the New York Yankees have been waiting for Greg Bird to take flight. Yet, his takeoff was continually delayed by injuries, as shoulder and ankle woes have sidelined him for most of the past four seasons. However, when he has been healthy this season, the first base job has been in his hands.
This may be a decision that the Yankees want to reconsider. Bird has finally surpassed a complete major league season’s worth of games, although it took three years to get there. The results of that playing time have not been promising, as he has a lifetime .214/.303/.438 with 31 homers in his 636 plate appearances.
As mediocre as those numbers are, they are actually skewed in a positive light by his 46 games as a rookie in 2015. Over the past two seasons along, Bird has produced a horrendous .196/.288/.402 batting line with 20 homers in 458 plate appearances. Meanwhile, Luke Voit, in a very limited sample size, has two homers and eight hits in 26 plate appearances.
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Even though it is far too early to say that Voit is an answer for the Yankees, that is not the case with Bird. Over his time in the majors, he simply has not displayed the offensive capabilities that would be required for a first baseman on a contending team. And yet, that is precisely what Bird is, at least at this point in time, despite his struggles with the bat.
With the waiver trade deadline fast approaching, it would not be a surprise to see the Yankees look to upgrade at first. As unthinkable as it may have been even a month ago, players like Kendrys Morales and Lucas Duda could be an upgrade over the struggling Bird.
Even if the Yankees do not address the position in the coming days, First base is a weakness they could look at in the offseason. Daniel Murphy, although considered a second baseman, may be better off being moved to first. Mike Moustakas could, in theory, make the transition to first. Justin Smoak is a free agent. Or, the Yankees could look to swing a trade for a player like Eric Thames, helping the Brewers out of their roster logjam, and add some more punch to the lineup.
These struggles are compounded by a trade the Yankees made earlier in the season. Tyler Austin was sent to Minnesota, where he has thrived with regular playing time. The possible answer at first, both for the present and the future, was sent away in the hopes that Bird would take flight. Instead, he has been grounded, despite being healthy.
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The New York Yankees were hoping Greg Bird could be a future star. Instead, they need to solidify first base once again, even though Bird is in the lineup.