Friday, April 26, 2013

We're only a few days way from May 1st as April starts to close. The excitment that Yankee are feeling is that when May rolls around, we're going to get some of our stars back. But what's going to happen when they do. Who's getting cut and who's moving to the bench?

Well first, let's just get this out of the way and say that when Teixeria returns, there's no doubt that he'll resume his duties as the starting first baseman, hitting 3rd or 4th in the lineup. Which in the end, will likey leave Lyle Overbay at the odd man out on the Yankees bench making it very possible that he won't stick around for long when Tex returns.

The biggest questions lie in the outfield. As it stands, the Yankees starting outfield lines up with Vernon Wells, Brett Gardner, and Ichiro Suzuki. So heres the big question, who get's the boot in the outfield? First, we can say it's likley wont be Gardner. The Yankees need his speed at the top of the lineup and considering the age of Wells and Ichrio, Gardner is a better defensive option.

Vernon Wells in my opinion like Gardner won't be benched. Wells is having a good season early on and the Yankees certainly would wouldn't want to take him out of the lineup. He's a gold glove left fielder and has also been showing to be useful in the outfield with his glove, after making several nice plays this season.

So that leaves us with Ichiro. Some people might be thinking, "No, not Ichiro!". Well it might have to happen. Off to a sluggish start, it wouldn't hurt at all to move to 40-year old Ichiro to the bench. He wouldn't missed in the lineup as much as Wells or Gardner, but he would leave his gold gloves on the field.

Yet in the end, non the these guys would even have to leave the starting lineup. The DH role is a likely spot for maybe a guy like Vernon Wells. Ben Francisco is currently the DH against righties and we all know theres no way he stays around once Granderson returns. You can move Gardner to left, Grandy in center, and Ichiro will stay in right. Wells will DH then play in the outfield in order to bench Ichiro against lefties.

But then what happens to Travis Hafner? I thought he was the DH against right handed pitchers, you might say. Well thats when Girardi makes the deciscion to go with the hot hand. Platoon them at DH and just play the hottest hitter. Simple.

We can agree to disagree. If you can agree mith my views, then share this story. If you don't agree, then tell me on twitter, @GavinEwbank2013. Until next time, Go Yankees!

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