« Looking Back At Pitching Prospects | Main | SWB Yankees Blog »
March 13, 2007
Yanks See Gonzalez As Jeter's Replacement?
From the Boston Herald -
“We got stuck for a couple of years constantly replacing some of our older players with more older players,” Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi said. “That can only last so long. The way we’re going now will definitely help in the long run.”
“It’s been a good winter for us,” Yankees hitting coach Don Mattingly said. “Once we got Bobby (Abreu) last year, that kind of put Sheff on the outskirts. Then the Randy trade. He won 16 twice in a row for us, but he was on the back side. He’s still got some wins left in him, but we got three good young arms for him, plus a potential everyday shortstop.
Is Donnie spilling the beans here on the Yankees hopes for Alberto Gonzalez? An everyday shortstop? Don't the Yankees already have one of those under contract for a while? Is Mattingly suggesting that Gonzalez could bump Jeter to a new position (3B)? This is the first time that I can recall anyone in the Yankees organization talking about their 'next' everyday shortstop.
Posted by Steve Lombardi at March 13, 2007 10:12 AM
Comments
I think it needs to be at least acknowledged, especially considering the potential hole that is being left if ARod opts out at 3B.
Thinking down the line, I've heard Cano could be groomed as a future corner OF, so maybe there would be room at 2B?
It's been a while since we've had a 'legit' middle IF prospect to watch (Cano aside; he is obviously legit, but really kind of came out of nowhere), and he'll be highlighted because he was involved in this RJ deal. It'll be fun to see wtach we've actually got here.
Posted by: TurnTwo ![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.waswatching.com/nav-commenters.gif)
at March 13, 2007 10:52 AM
Or stick Derek at first. He won't be a slugging firstbaseman, but he'd be a good glove there.
Posted by: rbj at March 13, 2007 11:40 AM
I could see Jeter doing the Molitor shift of MI to 3B to 1B to DH some day, to stay with the Yankees.
Posted by: Steve Lombardi at March 13, 2007 11:50 AM
Even if Rodriguez opts out, I would think that Gonzalez would move before Jeter would. Unless Jeter offers to play 3b, of course.
Posted by: Raf at March 13, 2007 01:47 PM
Didn't he say "A everyday shortstop." Not, "Our everyday shortstop?"
Posted by: SteveB at March 13, 2007 02:03 PM
Not to mention the word potential, which means he has a chance to be an everday shortstop. A guy who has a chance to be an everyday major leaguer probably isn't good enough to play short for the Yanks.
Posted by: Eric at March 13, 2007 02:15 PM
"This is the first time that I can recall anyone in the Yankees organization talking about their 'next' everyday shortstop."
And they still haven't based on what you excerpted. Mattingly was talking about players who could have the ability to play SS. Where is "next everyday shortstop" mentioned?
For all the parsing you do you're reading something into a quote that isn't there.
Posted by: RICH at March 13, 2007 09:28 PM