Perhaps the most heavily evolving offensive roster may finally have found its completion on Thursday. Juan Rivera, vying initially for the back up left field, then starting left field, then back up first base and finally starting first base job, was released from Yankees’ camp.
New York has had a tumultuous winter and spring due to health issues. Alex Rodriguez is expected to miss most of the season and was replaced by Kevin Youkilis. Nick Swisher‘s departure was easily remedied by resigning Ichiro Suzuki for two years. Brett Gardner‘s return indicated no more use for Andruw Jones and Travis Hafner took over for Raul Ibanez.
When Russell Martin bolted for Pittsburgh, Francisco Cervelli stepped up and is now likely to be the starting catcher. The Yankees were simply looking for a fourth outfielder back in January and then Curtis Granderson broke his arm being hit by a pitch and Mark Teixeira bruised and then more severely injured the sheath in his wrist.
Mesa and Almonte played their ways out of consideration and Neal was not better than Boesch or Francisco. Mustelier might have had a chance if not for hurting himself this past week and now Rivera was the odd man out because he has an inferior defensive glove, which may prove important with Eduardo Nunez replacing the injured, Derek Jeter, at shortstop to start the year and Youkilis playing third base.
Then, of course, Vernon Wells, was acquired for two no-name minor leaguers and over $14 million dollars, most of which will be paid this season so Wells costs literally nothing during the budget crunched, 2014 campaign.
All of this means Boesch and Francisco will form a backup outfield platoon, likely acting as backup corner outfielders while Ichiro backs up Gardner in center field and starts in left and Wells starts in left and is a right-handed DH option with Francisco to platoon with Hafner, who will only face right-handed pitching.
Youkilis will play third which means Overbay will play first, except against lefties when Youkilis is likely to slide to first so Jayson Nix can play third since Overbay will only face right-handed pitching as well.
This means the Yankees will carry: Chris Stewart, Francisco, Boesch and Nix on the bench and can actually have a pretty deep offense once: Jeter, Teixeira and Granderson return in the next two weeks to two months.
New York had its final spring training game on Thursday and is set to start the season April 1st against the Boston Red Sox.
