GOOD THINGS COME TO THOSE WHO WAIT

Good things come to those who wait, or so they say.  It’s certainly a saying that Dean Anna hopes is more true than not.

Anna is the 27-year-old infielder the Yankees received (from the Padres) in exchange for minor league reliever Ben Paullus last November.  The Bombers signed Anna to a one-year MLB minimum ($500,000) contract this past month.

The second baseman/shortstop/third baseman had been mired in San Diego’s farm system in spite of putting up solid numbers at the plate and in the field.  For the Yankees it may turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

Given that the Bombers are thin at the positions Anna plays, it only made sense that the team would sign him and bring him in with the opportunity to win a roster spot.

In the Pacific Coast League last season, Anna hit .331 with a .892 OPS and scored 90 runs for Triple A Tucson.  It marked career highs in nearly every category for the infielder.

The numbers don’t appear to be a fluke as Anna has increased his batting average by at least 18 points each of the last two seasons while moving from Double A to Triple A.

Could he be blossoming into a Major League caliber player?

The Yankees must believe the potential is there given that he is considered a legitimate candidate to win the utility infield position.

With the fielding deficiencies of Eduardo Nunez, and the injury concerns with Scott Sizemore, it would not come as a surprise to see Anna as the player the team takes to the Bronx.

Anna isn’t going to be spectacular; he’s just going to be solid.  He doesn’t steal many bases (only 3 at Tucson) and doesn’t hit for power (nine home runs last season) and he might not win a Gold Glove in the field.  However, what he does provide is stability and consistency.

In short, he’s not going to hurt you at the plate or at his position, and there’s a lot to be said for that.

At 27, the infielder is now entering what are considered to be the peak years of a ballplayer’s career.  Recent history would indicate now would be the time to give the man his shot in “the show”.

We’ve seen what Nunez can (hit) and can’t (fielding) do and Sizemore’s career average (.238) would indicate that he’d mainly be used for defensive purposes only, so why not give Anna the chance he deserves?

This spring the Yankees’ situation represents the best opportunity Anna may have to playing in the big leagues.

It is something he’s waited for long enough.


    

--Steve Skinner, BYB Writer
Twitter: @oswegos1

   

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