As we wind down Spring Training and approach Opening Day, we’re really just going through motions. At this point, we’re just hoping that no one else gets hurt. And, of course, there is a chance that Derek Jeter will miss Opening Day. Great. Let’s officially start the rambling there.
If Jeter is out for Opening Day, that is going to be one hell of a lineup in a terrible, horrible, no good, very bad way. What could it look like? Let’s assume they’re facing Boston’s lefty, Jon Lester.
1. Kevin Youkilis, 3B
2. Eduardo Nunez, SS
3. Melky Mesa, CF/LF (justification here)
4. Robinson Cano, 2B
5. Juan Rivera, 1B
6. Ben Francisco, DH
7. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
8. Francisco Cervelli
9. Brett Gardner, LF/CF
Um….yikes? That is…not desirable. It could shake out differently and we could end up with Ronnier Mustelier in the fold, likely at third. If that happens, the lineup could be:
1. Kevin Youkilis, 1B
2. Eduardo Nunez, SS
3. Ronnier Mustelier, 3B
4. Robinson Cano, 2B
5. Juan Rivera, DH
6. Melky Mesa, CF/LF
7. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
8. Francisco Cervelli, C
9. Brett Gardner, CF/LF
Honestly, I can’t tell which one is better/less worse. Your thoughts?
Earlier yesterday, I read this piece from the New York Times about Hal Steinbrenner and the “new course” he’s plotting for the Yanks. In defense of Plan 189, Hal broke out one of his favorite justifications:
“My firmly held belief is that you don’t have to have a $200 million payroll to be world champion,” he said last week in the team’s plush conference room at the spring training complex here. “And the historical data that led me to that conclusion is rock solid.”
I don’t know if it’s my newfound rooting interest in him or the Yankees calling up every recently retired corner infielder like a desperate dude who needs a date to his 10-year high school reunion that’s influencing this, but it certainly seems to me like there’s been a red carpet of opportunity rolled out for Ronnier Mustelier in the wake of Mark Teixeira‘s injury. He’s gotten a lot more playing time at the hot corner in the six days since Teix’s strained tendon was diagnosed, and had Cash himself confirm that the Yankees were looking at him as a potential option at third. If you’re on the wrong side of the roster-making fringe as Mustelier was, hearing the GM say your name is like music to your ears.
Mustelier has played in every game since Teix’s injury, something he couldn’t say prior, and he’s had a few starts at third base. He hasn’t dazzled in the six games he’s played, going just 2-12 at the plate with one run scored and RBI apiece, but he has sprinkled in little dashes of what he brings to the table offensively with a triple, a BB, and a stolen base. And while he hasn’t had the chance to make a lot of plays at third base, he’s looked competent and drawn some positive reviews from folks who’ve watched him. With the situation the Yankees are facing to start the season, he’s the perfect type of player to roll the dice on.
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In pursuit if shoring up the current corner infield debacle, the Yankees are looking at a number of different possibilities.
As EJ discussed on Friday, Chase Headley is a good fit for the current and future landscape of the organization, but he won’t come cheap. Although it was rumored that Headley was available on Thursday, those reports were shot down the following day by the Padres’ GM. Now it appears that the Yankees have inquired about Headley. Take all three reports with a grain of salt, but if the Yankees are indeed inquiring, it shows that they recognize the need for another impact bat.
In the same piece, Nick Cafardo discusses the Phillies’ John Mayberry as an option for the Yankees. The former first round pick has experience in both the outfield and first base. Over 848 major league plate appearances, he’s posted a .760 OPS and a 105 wRC+. As a right handed hitter, who can play two positions of need, he would solve a number of problems, but the Phillies don’t seem eager to trade outfielders.
Finally, the Yankees are going to give Ronnier Mustelier a try at third base during Spring Training. Mustelier has primarily played outfield in the minor leagues, but was a third baseman in Cuba. As a Yankee, Mustelier has looked unimpressive at third base, posting a .941 fielding percentage in 26 games. His bat might be worth taking the hit on defense, but he’ll have to prove it over the next few weeks.
In all the talk about a right-handed outfielder, much is mentioned about Matt Diaz, Melky Mesa, Russ Canzler, and even Zoilo Almonte. One name goes overlooked in the organization, not because he hasn’t performed, but because of his age. The 28-year old Cuban outfielder, Ronnier Mustelier, is not only a candidate, but he may be [...]
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