New York Yankees: Who’s on first for the Yanks? It’s up in the Air
By Ed Stein
The New Guy 1 – DJ LeMahieu
A steady two-way player, DJ LeMahieu has had a stellar MLB career up to this point. The former second-round selection by the Chicago Cubs has played all but 37 of his 955 games for the Colorado Rockies. A lifetime .298 hitter, he’s won three gold gloves at second base but has played all infield positions.
The likely option is that LeMahieu opens the season at second base while Gleyber Torres fills in for injured Didi Gregorius at short, the first half of the season. That plan could change depending on several factors. If the Yankees find someone else to play shortstop, Lemahieu could wind up at first. Another scenario would have him become the third baseman and Miguel Andujar moves to first.
The New Guy 2 – Troy Tulowitzki
It would have been a huge coup if the New York Yankees got Troy Tulowitzki a few years ago. The reality is that he’s 34-years-old and missed all of 2018 after undergoing surgery to remove bone spurs in both his heals last April.
If he has anything left in the tank, this could be the bargain deal of the century. Tulowitzki is going to make $20M this season, but the Yankees are only paying him the MLB minimum. The rest of his pay is the responsibility of the Toronto Blue Jays.
Tulowitzki could prove to be the wild card in the first base sweepstakes. If he’s the same shortstop he was two years ago, you can bet he’ll be there on opening day. Since LeMahieu is going to play you might see one of the above scenarios play out.