New York Yankees: Top Five things that will keep the Yanks atop the AL East

Number Two: The Return of Greg Bird

God help the Yankees, but Chris Carter cannot be the everyday first baseman.

Don’t get me wrong, the guy has a great power stick, but Greg Bird needs to come back quick. The Yankees can’t anticipate to stay at the top spot in the East with Carter as the everyday guy.

Bird was struggling a ton before going onto the DL, and Carter is not doing a good job filling in. The second year man is just a better all-around player than the former Brewer.

He has to find a way to come back and get past this injury. His bat is too valuable to this lineup, and his glove is even bigger.

If the Yankees can get Bird back, it adds a threat to the lineup that the time is missing of late. That lefty pop that Bird possesses, with his size, makes him a tough out every time he steps into the box.

Carter’s swing is so relaxed, it looks like he doesn’t even want to be at the plate.

Bird has a fire about him that few possess, and he has to add it back into the everyday card for Joe Girardi.

With Brid back at first, the heart of the New York Yankees lineup becomes an unconquerable animal for anyone.