New York Yankees: Rob Refsnyder is an important piece

I’d like to imagine that Rob Refsnyder would read New York Yankees blogs, newspaper articles, and columns and see the things fans and journalists alike wrote about him and the current team. I’d like to think he had a nice Jack Nicholson moment reading about Stephen Drew one day. Maybe, just maybe, he looked up from the text that surely read “Drew goes hitless again; Yankee fans alive and dead grimace,” and he smiles and says, “Wait till they get a load of me.” None of this probably happened, but hey, I have no real evidence that it didn’t either.

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Back to the land of reality, Refsnyder perfectly captured every amateur and professional scouting report I have ever read about him. He had a big hit and showed his bat, and he also booted an easy out and showed his suspect play at second base.

However, even though in his last game, when he hit a homerun and had an error, he still managed to make a few plays and be in the right position. The play-by-play announcers even pointed out how in his first game he played second very well and he looked more comfortable out there than many had predicted. Considering Drew’s horrendous .182 batting average, I (and most Yankee fans) would sacrifice Drew’s defense for an improved batting average.

Despite the close race in the AL East, the Yankees are primed to make a run. They have gotten hot at the right time and more consistency from the starting pitching staff could easily propel the Yankees into the playoffs. One thing they could use is some pop at the bottom of their line up. Stephen Drew has been serviceable, the only kind word I could think of, but its time to move on. At some point teams have to let their young players get a shot, and why not give a guy a shot at the playoffs. He is advertised as guy with good contact, good eyes, and bad fielding. Maybe his fielding can improve or maybe it doesn’t, but you have to take that chance. Is Drew, who is an automatic out with good defense, any better than suspect defense with potential at the plate? I say no.

It may be a mistake to go with Refsnyder, and to be honest the Yankees may never find out, they could use him as trade bait. These next few games could serve as a mini showcase for the prospect. If the Yankees feel like Refsnyder is part of the future then they can’t deal him. However, if he is expendable, then he could be the top prospect in any deal involving an upgrade to the pitching staff. Sending Refsnyder could prevent Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, or Greg Bird from being dealt.

Either way, Refsnyder is an important part of the Yankees. These next few games are important for the Yankees and for Refsnyder. Let’s hope the right decision is made.

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