Yankees Infield Questions
By: JJ Vargas
Heading into the 2020 season, the Yankees find themselves as Las Vegas favorites to win the World Series championship, and with good reason, after winning 103 games. The Bronx Bombers went big (and expensive) in free agency landing ace starting pitcher Gerrit Cole (nine-years, $324 million) filling an important slot in the starting rotation for seasons to come. Uncertainty still lies within the infield, and questions will be answered in spring training.
In the offseason, fan favorite shortstop Didi Gregorius signed a one-year, $14 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, leaving a hole in the infield at Shortstop. Gleyber Torres is a candidate for the SS position, but has spent the past two seasons at second base.
Gio Urshela shined last year with his glove and bat while Miguel Andujar underwent surgery on his right shoulder, but Miggy seems to have a promising return. He will compete for his former position in what will be the most heated positional battle in spring training.
First base seems to be locked in with Luke Voit as the prime candidate to be the everyday starter. Mike Ford will be the backup. The two will exchange playtime on the field on days Voit hits in the DH spot.
The Swiss Army knife in the infield will be last year’s MVP candidate DJ LeMahieu. LeMahieu set a Yankees franchise record starting at least 25 times in each infield position, showing his versatility during an extremely injury-riddle season last year.
In a “way too early” prediction, the infield will look this way:
1B: Luke Voit
2B: DJ LeMahieu
SS: Gleyber Torres
3B: Gio Urshela
Voit’s plate presence and power solidifies his place on the team and will continue to be more than serviceable at first base. Gleyber is probably better fitted to continue to play his natural position at 2B, but he appears headed to shortstop, as he continues to rise as one of the young superstars in the MLB. LeMahieu will take over as the everyday second-baseman, a position he’s previously won at Gold Glove at. Urshela will most likely beat out Miguel Andujar at the hot corner, and as he returns from injury, and if Gio keeps his level of play where it was last year, it should be enough to keep the job unless Andujar returns in top form.
The Infield played very well for the New York Yankees in 2019, and there is no reason to think it will be any different in 2020.
