So I have been doing a lot of deep reflection on this upcoming Yankee team based on my post traumatic stress leftover from last year's failure to get passed the Houston Astros into the World Series. Last week I wrote about Aaron Hicks and the bs that he is the frontrunner for the starting left field job. I shared my elation with Aroldis Chapman as he exited the Bronx. But now I am bracing myself for the fact that Josh Donaldson is likely the front runner for the starting third base job. He just doesn't deserve it nor the big salary the Yankees are giving him. So, today's piece unpacks Donaldson and Hicks and their rise to top of public enemies list for Yankee fans.
According to the New York Post, "When general manager Brian Cashman has proclaimed Donaldson the starting third baseman and Hicks the frontrunner in left field, it resonates with the fan base as if he is championing Jacoby Ellsbury and Carl Pavano for Monument Park. Mainly due to their big salaries and small production, Donaldson and Hicks currently are enemies No. 1 and No. 1A of the Pinstripe State."
I have deep dislike for players who are hanging around to collect money for work they don't or are incapable of doing. Donaldson doesn't have the bat speed to keep up with today's pitching and Hicks can't hit a lick nor does he put in the effort necessary to be a star outfielder. Heck he isn't even a mediocre outfielder.
"If not for what they were owed (plus Donaldson’s less-than-pristine reputation), the Yankees would have traded Donaldson, Hicks or both in the offseason. Hicks has three years at $30.5 million still due — plus he would receive a $1 million assignment bonus if traded. Donaldson, between his 2023 salary and a 2024 buyout, is due $27 million," reported The Post.
We have two really great prospects who could easily slide into these positions in Oswaldo Cabrera and Anthony Volpe. Volpe likely will be in the running for the starting shortstop position and Cabrera has already proven himself in the outfield. Both are more than capable of the corner infield position, which is occupied by Donaldson, who other than his defense, offers nothing to this Yankee team. And his attitude certainly doesn't scream Yankee lore to me either.
"Donaldson did not endear himself to the fans for, among other things, going into homer trots on several flyballs that were not homers, but mainly for his strikeout addiction, which worsened late in the season and carried into a 5-for-29, zero-RBI, 16-whiff postseason. That included a 1-for-13, 10-strikeout eyesore in the ALCS versus Houston— in which Donaldson’s mere appearance in the on-deck circle at Yankee Stadium brought derision," reported The Post.
So brace yourself, fans—Cashman believes his big salary signings will rise to the top of the spring training competition in a few short weeks. Which could mean we are stuck with Hicks and Donaldson at least until they get hurt, which they undoubtedly will or just suck so much that Aaron Boone will be forced to give them some days to reset. If they have not been able to contribute so far, what makes this their standout year? We will find out this and much more soon.
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--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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