Bleeding Yankee Blue: BIRD IS DEFINITELY THE WORD

Friday, February 24, 2017

BIRD IS DEFINITELY THE WORD

Photo: Charles Wenzelberg

With the retirement of Mark Teixeira, it was assumed that Greg Bird would be the starting first baseman entering the 2017 season. However, with the emergence of Tyler Austin and signing of Chris Carter, there has been a lot of question and speculation as to who will be the First Baseman.

Much of which has been written about here on BYB and every paper in New York. Now Austin is out for a bit with a fractured foot, but what happens when he returns? Where will he go? And Chris Carter? Think about it... is this guy the veteran who splits time with Bird at first? Will Carter embrace the DH role officially? Sure, much speculation is out there, but our stance at BYB is simple... we want the kids to play. Bird is exciting and many are hoping that his 2015 season continues in 2017.

The Daily News wrote this, and I gotta tell ya, I love Greg's attitude as he heads into Tampa for Spring Training. Check this out:

(Andrew Savulich/New York Daily News)

"Greg Bird doesn’t feel like he’s fighting with Chris Carter for the starting job at first base.

'I’m fighting to prove that I’m healthy and can play,' Bird said Monday. 'I’m just trying to play at a high level again, get better every day and become the best possible player that I can be.'”

Bird's attitude has been great all year. We just wrote about it a few weeks ago in SAYING ALL THE RIGHT THINGS. This is a great kid!

After missing the entire 2016 season because of shoulder surgery, Greg was sent to the Arizona Fall League where he would exclusively DH. You could tell there was some rust was there but, how could you expect there not to be after missing a full season. He would finish the Fall League going 14/65 for a .215 BA.

(Feb. 20, 2017 - Source: Elsa/Getty Images North America)

To be honest, I don't believe there is much to worry about here, though. Greg was sent to the Fall League to shake that rust off. I don't believe he was 100% during it. With Tyler Austin now on the shelf for 6 weeks, I really don't see anybody else at first base come April 2nd. Chris Carter has a big bat, if he connects, but is inferior to Bird in the field.

It's my honest opinion that first base is Greg Bird's to lose barring another injury. Best wishes to Greg and the rest of our boys as Spring Training gets underway.

First Spring Training game today on YES! Get ready to root!