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Is Troy Tulowitzki the Answer at Third Base for the New York Yankees?

By Nick Reid

NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Troy Tulowitzki #12 of the New York Yankees looks on before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on March 30, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - MARCH 30: Troy Tulowitzki #12 of the New York Yankees looks on before the game against the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium on March 30, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Rob Tringali/SportsChrome/Getty Images) /
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TAMPA, FL – MAY 01: Troy Tulowitzki (12) of the Tarpons fields a ball and makes the throw over to first base during the Florida State League game between the Charlotte Stone Crabs and the Tampa Tarpons on May 01, 2019, at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TAMPA, FL – MAY 01: Troy Tulowitzki (12) of the Tarpons fields a ball and makes the throw over to first base during the Florida State League game between the Charlotte Stone Crabs and the Tampa Tarpons on May 01, 2019, at Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, FL. (Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

New York Yankees infielder Troy Tulowitzki has never played anywhere but shortstop his entire professional career, but the oft-injured 34-year old may have to learn some new tricks in order to find playing time.

Yep, you read the headline right. After having manned shortstop for the last 13 years in the Majors, we may see Troy Tulowitzki playing a different position when the New York Yankees activate him from the injured list at some point.

As reported by MLB.com’s Brian Hoch, the veteran has let the Yankees know that he is open to playing other positions upon his return, and it appears as if he’s now getting reps at third base.

Tulo took grounders at both shortstop and the hot corner Monday as he continues to rehab from a left calf strain that has sidelined him since April 4th. He’s been on a rehab assignment with the Class A-Advanced Tampa Tarpons since April 30, where he’s begun to get accustomed to playing even further towards the left side of the infield.

This news has come forward in light of the expectation that Didi Gregorius is expected to return from the IL sooner than anticipated. The 29-year old underwent Tommy John surgery in the offseason after tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his throwing arm during the 2018 ALDS and was expected to be out for the first half of this season at the very least. However, it appears as if Gregorius is on track to return to the Bronx in June, which complicates the Yankees’ infield situation.

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Knowing the clutter that will arise upon his return along with Didi’s, Tulowitzki has made it known he’s willing to play elsewhere on the diamond. A new position will pose a learning curve for the veteran, who has only ever played shortstop in 1,291 career games at the MLB level as well as the 1,200 or so innings he’s logged in the minors.

Tulo’s openness to play another position in the best interest of the team is something new for the 34-year old. When asked about moving around the diamond as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays last August while recovering from bone spurs that plagued both of his heels, Tulowitzki was adamant regarding where he belongs on the field.

"“I just said I’m a shortstop… If someone’s better than me, I’ll pack my bags and go home. I do think I bring a lot more out there than what you guys see and that’s part of baseball.”"

While becoming more versatile would certainly help Troy Tulowitzki’s case, it is unclear how much playing time will be available to him when he gets back to wearing the pinstripes. At this point in his career, Tulo is a far superior player than Gregorius, who is expected to return to shortstop and cause a wave of changes in New York’s defensive alignment. Current SS Gleyber Torres will likely return to second base which he manned as the second runner-up for AL Rookie of the Year in ’18. That will cause the Yankees to move newcomer D.J. LeMahieu to either third base or first base, with either choice bearing significant consequence.

If the former Colorado Rockie, who’s hitting .325 as the leadoff man, were to move to third base it would send Gio Urshela to the bench, who has been the Yankees’ messiah in lieu of all their injuries. On the other hand, moving LeMahieu to first base would move power bat Luke Voit to designated hitter, although the impending return of Giancarlo Stanton would make the transition short-lived.

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I believe that Gregorius’ return will cause skipper Aaron Boone to alternate playing time between him, LeMahieu, Voit, and Urshela until one of the latter two cools down and sees fewer at-bats as a result. Therefore, Troy Tulowitzki will need to blow the Yankees away with both his bat and defense at third base as well as prove he is healthy before we see him make a lasting impact anytime soon.

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