About Spring Training: Here We Go Again
By Tim Kabel
February 20, 2025
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Well, Spring Training just started and already, gloom and doom have descended upon the Yankees. Giancarlo Stanton has tendonitis in not one but both elbows. He has described it as “very painful”. Opening Day is already in doubt for him. Let's look at the facts for a minute. Stanton misses time every year due to injuries. He is already describing this injury as very painful, and it is both elbows. That means he probably won't be able to even swing the bat for several weeks. Stanton's recovery time is historically longer than most players’. In other words, if his injury is predicted to keep him out 6 to 8 weeks, 9 to 10 weeks is a more realistic expectation. Based on those factors, I would not count on Giancarlo Stanton being the DH for the Yankees for quite some time. In fact, if he makes it back by the All-Star break, I would be pleasantly surprised.
What does that mean for the Yankees? Well, I think it means they can't go into the season with question marks at both designated hitter and third base. I've read all the articles about the magical resurrection of DJ LeMahieu as well as Aaron Boone’s ringing endorsements of him. I'm not convinced. I would not feel comfortable entering the season with DJ LeMahieu as the starting third baseman and Dominic Smith as the designated hitter. There are other options, at least at designated hitter. And Oswaldo Cabrera could seize the third base job but, my biggest concern with that is that Boone would pull the rug out from under him at the first opportunity.
As far as the DH position goes, until Stanton returns, whenever that is, the Yankees could use Ben Rice or Everson Pereira, or both, depending on how they do in Spring Training. Again, as with third base, the likelihood of Aaron Boone entrusting a starting role to a youngster is not very great. This is based on his history as the Yankees’ manager. Add in the fact that Jasson Dominguez will most likely be the starting leftfielder and I could easily see a lineup that features DJ LeMahieu and his vanishing bat at third base and Dominic Smith becoming an automatic out at Designated Hitter. Meanwhile Boone will offer insipid remarks and odd platitudes on a daily basis, telling us that both Smith and LeMahieu are “really getting after it.” Or perhaps he will tell us that they “looked really good with some swings in batting practice this morning.”
So, what is the alternative? The last free agent standing is Alex Verdugo and as they say, thanks but no thanks. The Yankees did that last year, and it didn't work out very well They may have to explore a trade. They could revisit the idea of acquiring Nolan Arenado to play third base but, a lot of questions remain about him. He is another aging veteran who has seemingly begun to decline. The Yankees already have that role covered with both LeMahieu and Stanton. A much more exciting and interesting possibility exists.
The other day, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. declared that he will no longer negotiate with the Toronto Blue Jays on a contract extension. He is going to pursue free agency. That may induce the Blue Jays to trade him. The Yankees could cobble together enough pieces to get it done if they want to. Vladi could play third base this season and then shift to first base next year. Having Vladi in the lineup would allow the Yankees to be patient while waiting for Stanton and allow some combination of Everson Pereira and Ben Rice to fill the DH role. Having Vladi along with Rice and Pereira is much more comforting than having DJ LeMahieu with the same two options at DH.
You'll notice that I'm not mentioning Oswaldo Cabrera. Don't interpret that as a lack of faith in him on my part. I have just been observing Boone ringing the bell for LeMahieu for weeks now. He keeps telling us that LeMahieu is a former two-time batting champion. It is as if Ty Cobb is running around wearing #12 for the Yankees. Well, he's not. I would be more confident seeing corn on the cob than LeMahieu at third base.
The point is that the Yankees are now in a position where they have to do something. They can't go with “good enough” at third base and at DH. They have to do something. It's likely that Stanton will be back at some point this season. I just wouldn't hold my breath on it. Therefore, the Yankees need to do something at third base, and they need to do it now so they can ride things out until Stanton returns. Who knows, Ben Rice and or Everson Pereira might do a spectacular job as the DH. I actually have more confidence in them than I do in DJ LeMahieu. Anyway, time is of the essence and the Yankees need to acquire somebody very soon.
And meanwhile, it appears Stroman is starting the first spring game tomorrow. Be careful what you wish for, Marcus (see Rope, Enough to hang yourself with).
V-daddy makes too much sense for Yankees... if Stanton cannot return maybe he retires and that would open up payroll otherwise Cashman needs to pull a rabbit out of his hat! It never gets easy for Yankees.
This team is going to have trouble scoring runs. Big trouble.
have Guerrero play third base ????
why not have Guerrero DH and allow just about any one else play third?
LeMahieu, old, stiff and weak-armed, plays a better 3B than does Vladi.
they could also simply keep Jazz at third and find a 2B.
DH is not a problem. Enough combinations to fill that hole. Odds are this secures Everson Pereira's spot on the active roster, provided he is healthy. A RHB to spell both Bellinger & Dominguez.
Third Base? Welcome to the disaster of the developmental problem. This group, led by Cashman, Reece, Daley, and the other coordinators, They blew it. Before he was traded away (still not sure how kosher that deal was) Trey Sweeney was never playing 3B even once a week, despite Volpe & Peraza were ahead of him in. Peraza, someone that Cashman has refused to trade, and lied about his readiness in 2022. Hardman. Never looked fully healthy when he came back last year, plus they move…