It's time to ask... WWTD? (What Would Tampa Do?) And the answer is... Tyler Wade.

Well, folks, we're into it now.  The virus is everywhere, aliens are building monoliths in the Utah desert, and humankind - I'm not making this up - is actually rebooting Saved by the Bell.  Tell me, over and over again, my friend, that you don't believe we're on the eve of destruction...

That said, when traveling through Hell - or upstate New York - you don't pull over to ask directions from the guy in the red ballcap. And when cheating in third grade, you find the smartest kid in the class and copy her answers. Fortunately, we have the Rays. And it's time to do what Tampa does.

The Yankees have a solid batting order with a disturbing uncertainty at SS. So... what would Tampa do? 

I say... Tyler Wade.

Okay, I heard that.  Everybody, remain seated. Vulgarity is not needed. Tyler Wade is how the Rays would solve their problem at SS. Year after year, they slot their best young players into positions and let them show what they can do. (Does the name Ji-Man Choi strike a note?) 

What Tampa never does is trade prospects for someone whose best years are behind him, and who will demand a huge contract, which is guaranteed to become an albatross halfway through its duration.  

Everybody's talking 'bout Lindors, Condors, Correa, Korea, Simmonds, Clemons, Rabbis and Popeyes, bye-byes and pie-eyes... 

All we are saying is give Wade a chance. 

Two days ago, Wade turned 26. For a shortstop, that's peak foliage. He has a sure glove. He's the fastest Yankee on the roster. He's paid his dues. Last year, he showed marked improvement with the bat. He is a smart player who has learned the major league game. He has earned a shot at more than merely a utility slot.

Okay, I heard that. I won't be swayed by death threats. I get it: Wade hit .170 last year... in only 88 at-bats. (Give him one measly 5-for-5 day, and he'd be at .247 - only three percentage points below Giancarlo Stanton!) Wait. Hear me out! 

Wade hits LH. That's huge, because he feasts on righties - last year, he hit .215 against RH pitchers - that's 45 points above his overall average.  

In September/October, Wade hit 2 HRs, both in key situations. (His 3 HRs last year were key to big wins.) From the left side, he'll make use of that Pennant Porch in RF.

With runners in scoring position, Wade last year hit .235 - 65 fucking points above his average. And get this; With 2 outs and runners in scoring position, he hit .286. (Okay, small sample size - 10 ABs.) How many Yankees hit more than 100 points better with 2-outs and RISP?

He hit .231 against the Redsocks - 61 points above his average.

He stole 4 bases, was caught only once. This obscures the fact that when Wade was on first, pitchers were mortified. Many throws to first. He was always a huge distraction, a clear threat to steal. 

At SS last year, over 22 games, Wade committed no errors. Zero errors. (In 40 games, Gleyber Torres had nine.)

Look, I'm not saying the Death Barge give Wade the position and hibernate until April 1. I'm saying don't crush the long term roster to pry Francisco Lindor - who'll be a free agent next winter - from Cleveland. Rather than signing or trading for an expensive veteran, Tampa gives their best young players a shot. Wade deserves a shot.

If he fails in spring training, well, there is Thairo Estrada, Kyle Holder and the endless scrap heap of glove-first infielders, from which Cashman's greatest strength over the years has been panning for gold. 

The Yankees do not need a big hitting SS. If their sluggers don't slug, shortstop is not going to save them. What we need is pitching, pitching, pitching - and they screwed up yesterday by letting Atlanta get Charlie Morton on a one-year deal. From now on, they should focus on their needs by realizing what they have - and what they have is a rising young player who, on most teams, would get a chance. It's time to follow the leader. What would Tampa do? The answer is Tyler Wade.