DUSTIN ACKLEY, FIRST BASE & CRAZINESS

Just a little nugget brought to you by NJ.com in reference to the backup situation at first base.

In a nutshell, Dustin Ackley is your back up first baseman.  That's pretty much been established even though Suzie Pinstripe is vouching for ARod and giving him alittle time backing up Mark Teixeira, because hey, you know Tex will get hurt... I'm predicting May 10th... please let me be wrong.


As NJ.com writes, "Ackley was slated to start the season as the team's jack of all trades, able to fill in at all three outfield positions, second base and first base, where he played in college.

Meanwhile, Cashman expected Bird to start the season at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre due to a numbers crunch on the 25-man roster. Bird, however, would have been the likely fill-in if starting first baseman Mark Teixeira were to suffer a long-term injury, with Ackley being a stopgap option.

Now it's Ackley who would see the majority of playing time at first base if Teixeira gets hurt or needs a rest day at designated hitter, Cashman said."

But then craziness ensued... 

"OPTIONS? Despite the availability of free agent slugger Pedro Alvarez, who hit 27 homers for Pittsburgh last season, Cashman hinted that the team likely wouldn't be in on his market.

'I would expect that we'll look at anybody interested in coming in on a minor league contract and interested in being an insurance policy,' Cashman said.

ESPN's Buster Olney recently reported that six or more teams had contacted Alvarez's agent, Scott Boras, and that Alverez, a Bronx product, would need regular playing time."

Olney likes to stir the pot, NJ.com bit, but the reality is, the Yankees are pretty set with Ackley, although, nothing wrong with Cashman putting out the old  "I would expect that we'll look at anybody interested in coming in on a minor league contract and interested in being an insurance policy" line.  Maybe some kid out there wants a shot. Alvarez will NOT be the guy though, that's seems weird to me.

So look, for all of you that are trying to fit square pegs in round holes and looking for the back up at first, and yes, there are very interesting ideas, including by the way, Tyler Austin... the reality is, there is no story here. NONE.  Greg Bird is out and will spend the next year recovering.  In the meantime, Tex gets first... and Dustin Ackley will be our back up first baseman.

Everyone relax.



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