TAMPA, Fla. – At one point during Aaron Boone’s opening spring training address, the Yankees manager was asked about his club’s capacity to finally bridge the gap with the Houston Astros.
“We’ve got a long way to go to even get that opportunity to find out,” Boone said of getting another postseason shot at the reigning world champs and perennial Yankee nemesis, having been swept by Houston in October’s AL Championship Series.
“We can talk about closing the gap but right now that’s all talk,’’ Boone said of overcoming Houston. “It’s February…we have a long way to go.’’
Yankees pitchers and catchers reported Wednesday, and Boone is already down one starter, with Frankie Montas headed for arthroscopic shoulder surgery next week.
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Missing Frankie Montas
A free agent at season’s end, there’s a chance Montas’ eight regular season starts (6.35 ERA) and one postseason relief appearance is all the Yanks get out of the right-hander.
Sending pitchers Ken Waldichuk, JP Sears and Luis Medina to Oakland last summer (and missing out on Luis Castillo, traded to Seattle) for Montas, who had shoulder inflammation just prior to his Bronx arrival, could haunt the Yankees for years.
“Losing Frankie is clearly a blow,’’ said Boone. “But we feel very good about the rotation that we’ll potentially go north with.’’
Yankees pitching depth
At least there is starting depth, with Domingo German and Clarke Schmidt next on Boone’s depth chart. German is the leading candidate to fill Montas’ spot.
As for Nestor Cortes (strained right hamstring), Boone said the lefty could resume throwing off a mound by this weekend and stay on track toward a normal start to the season.
It’s unclear, though, who fits behind German and Schmidt on the current starters’ depth chart, which suggests an outside-the-organization option if the rotation is further compromised.
MLB rule changes
Of the significant rule changes to impact the game in 2023, implementation of a pitch clock is the most dramatic.
As a group, the Yankees will address that Thursday before the first official workout. There will be “a lot of emphasis on it,’’ Boone said. It’ll be “an adjustment for everyone, pitchers and hitters alike.’’
Projecting Yankees Opening Day roster:There’s competition at a few positions
Yankees left field competition
In the competition for the left field job, Boone sees “at-bats up for grabs’’ this spring, though Aaron Hicks – despite his injury history and unfulfilled potential – has a leg up on the field.
“Hopefully, there’s that hunger there to go show the world that, ‘Hey, I’m still a guy that can be impactful,’ ’’ said Boone.
Fellow switch-hitter Oswaldo Cabrera provides Hicks’ main competition, but “you don’t want to lose all his versatility, either,’’ Boone said of Cabrera’s ability to play multiple positions.
Yankees shortstop competition
Though rookie Oswald Peraza is perceived as the top candidate to open at shortstop, there is “no acknowledged leader,’’ Boone said as camp opens.
In fact, “maybe it’s something the plays out throughout the year,’’ with top prospect Anthony Volpe in the mix, along with Cabrera and Isiah Kiner-Falefa, whose rough 2022 included benchings in postseason.
Though “performance matters’’ in this spring competition, Boone offered that stats won’t be the determining factor in naming his Opening Day shortstop.
DJ LeMahieu ready for the opener?
Avoiding surgery on his troublesome right foot this winter, infielder DJ LeMahieu is “on time’’ for Opening Day.
LeMahieu has been in camp for several weeks, conducting defensive work and taking BP. “I’m really excited about where DJ is at,’’ said Boone, with workout partner Gleyber Torres adding that LeMahieu “looks ready.’’
A fractured sesamoid bone (big toe) and second toe ligament damage wrecked LeMahieu’s second half last year, and kept him off the postseason roster for a second straight October.
Aaron Judge at first base?
Aaron Judge taking grounders and fielding throws at first base Tuesday, on the minor league side, was “much ado about nothing,’’ Boone said.
The new Yankees captain was merely assisting the infielders (Torres, LeMahieu, IFK) who arrived early to camp.
“Maybe five years from now it’s something we’re talking about,’’ Boone said of Judge playing some first base, but the reigning AL MVP is strictly a right fielder and occasional center fielder right now.
Story Credit: usatoday.com