Saturday, June 23, 2018

TIME ALMOST UP FOR WALKER & PATIENCE THINNING FOR BIRD

Source: Al Bello/Getty Images North America

With the Yankees back to back losses to the Rays, the spotlight turns towards players who have not been producing.  Arguably you could say that Neil Walker just hasn't gotten enough playing time, and that may be, but if he had been productive in the playing time he has had, wouldn't the Yankees consider platooning him with Greg Bird?  And speaking of Greg Bird, why is he still playing first base?  He has been nothing more than a rally killer at the plate, batting an abysmal .193.  Why keep guys in the lineup or on the roster if they are simply not pulling their weight?

Source: Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images North America

According to CBS Sports, "The Yankees have acknowledged that (Brandon) Drury deserves to be in the majors, but there's currently no room for the infielder with Miguel Andujar and Gleyber Torres both mashing for the big club. He'll get some reps at first base moving forward in an attempt to provide him with another path to the majors."  So if Drury, the International League Player of the Week batting .471, can in fact play first base, he could dismantle both Bird and Walker in one swoop, perhaps also making way for beloved utility player, Ronald Torreyes.

Source: Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images North America

Torryes was sent back down to Scranton-Wilkes Barre when Brett Gardner had some knee inflammation and needed to take a few games off.  Skipper Aaron Boone called on Clint Frazier to replace Gardner, making Toe the odd man out again.  "The best guess is that Torreyes spends 10 days in Triple-A and then replaces Frazier. By rule that is the quickest the Yankees can bring Torreyes back without another player going on the DL," reports NJ.com.

Source: Jim McIsaac/Getty Images North America

Playing everyday is something you earn by producing. Sure, players hit the wall and have slumps intermittently throughout the 162-game schedule, but what is happening with Bird is just unacceptable and the Yankees should not be rewarding him with a starting role or even a roster spot if he is not going to produce.  Bring back Drury, bring back Torreyes and send Bird and Walker to the minors. These losses to the Rays are unnecessary and could come back and bite us later on. If Walker and Bird stay as is for one more week, I will lose my mind!




--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof





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3 comments:

  1. It is obvious that Drury needs to be on the roster. Bird needs to go down. Drury needs to become platoon option at first and backup at third.

    Plus I would love to see Clint Frazier get some time in at first. Even if Clint has to do it in double A. Frazier is going to be special. We are going to need him.

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  2. I agree totally, you have hit one of the major problems with this club , outside of the starting pitching 🤙🤙🤙🤙

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  3. Can’t send Walker to the minors, you’d have to release him. If they release him they are still on the hook for paying him. They’d probably be better off sending down Bird since I believe he has options and then bringing up Drury. Bird can find his swing in the minors and when he starts to get going Try to trade Walker, if there’s no market for him release him then. I’m sure Walker can find another job where he can play full time, I’m not sure what the Pirates situation is but my guess he’ll probably end up going back there.

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