Overcrowded, right? Until it's not.
But maybe we should start pondering the unponderable - the 2026 Yankee infield, home to some of the most volatile question marks in recent years. You'd think Abbott & Costello were managing this team.
Who's on first? Well, Ben Rice, obviously. On most teams, he'd be the fulltime 1B, ready for a breakout season - 30 to 40 HRs. But but BUT the Yankees recently signed Paul Goldschmidt, creating a platoon situation, which will sharply limit Rice's at-bats. Now, he'll play, say, every other game, and maybe be replaced by pinch hitters in late innings.
Goldy is a future Hall of Famer and a jolly good fellow - solid handshake, always flushes the toilet, remembers your mom's birthday - but he's in the twilight of his career. This looks to be Rice's defining season. Are the Yankees really going to platoon him? Shades of Ron Bloomberg.
Who's on second? Well, Jazz Chisholm, obviously. Guy hit 31 HRs last year, stole 31 bases, even though he hit only .242. You'd think we're set. But but BUT... Chisholm spent the winter ruminating about a long-term contract, which the Yankees did not offer. I wonder if that discussion is over.
If Jazz starts off hot - a problem we'd love - he's gonna start talking about his future. And if he begins cold - and as Athony Volpe and Oswaldo Cabrera get closer - Chisholm's contract could become another distraction. I'm not saying the Yankees should give him a deal, just that it could be a silent storm inside every discussion.
Who's on shortstop? Well, Jose Caballero, obviously! For now, anyway. The Yankees - inexplicably - still seem to believe in Volpe, who could be back around June. Then there's George Lombard Jr, down in Scranton, looking to escape.
Caballero should do fine, for a while. But can he hold up over a regular season? We'll soon know.
Who's on third? Well, Ryan McMahon, obviously! As far as defense goes, no problem! This guy is the real deal. But McMahon struck out 189 times last year - 7th in all of baseball - (and most of those who fanned more - Schwarber, Devers, Suarez, etc - are far bigger sluggers.)
The Yankee line has been that McMahon is using a new stance, aimed at putting balls into play. Well, this spring, he's fanned 14 times in 45 ABs.
Look, everything will be fine, right? Maybe it will all work out...
AND DON'T FORGET TO ADD YOUR YEAR-END PREDICTIONS:
NUMBER OF YANKEE REGULAR SEASON WINS>
NUMBER OF BEN RICE HRS.
NUMBER OF WINS BY GERRIT COLE.
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3 comments:
McMahon's strikeouts are another good reason to bring up Spencer. He strikes out a lot, too, but when he doesn't...mama mia.
The opening day roster is, of course, meaningless. Not as meaningless as Spring Training, but you know it's going to change as the injuries and the non-production mount. Although the latter doesn't seem to be an issue with this organization. You can suck for a long time and still have a job.
And I am NOT implying that Volpe is gay and a secret boyfriend of anyone high up in Yankees management. So don't even go there.
Volpe isn't gay, but he has proof that Cashman was on Epstein Island many times, courtesy of Randy Levine's friendship with Trump.
Are you talking about Randy “Glory Hole” Levine?
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