We all know not to trust Spring Training statistics. Sample sizes are small. Players aren’t always facing major league competition. Players are working on stuff. As long as players look healthy and in shape, we shouldn’t care much about what actually happens on the field. However, we can learn a bit about how the team thinks about players based on who is getting the most playing time. Maybe we can learn a little bit about what how the Yankees are planning to resolve their infield logjam.
The Yankees have played ten Spring Training games. Here is how they have written each lineup for the various players competing for playing time:
Some bullet point thoughts from this table:
Volpe, Peraza and Cabrera are being treated like major league players. They are starting roughly every other game, just the more established guys. They are batting higher in the lineup than other Yankees prospects.
LeMahieu and Donaldson are a little bit behind. Probably because they are old.
Kiner-Falefa is only playing shortstop, while Peraza and Volpe are playing a bit at 2nd base.
When Cabrera is playing infield, he is playing 3rd base exclusively
Torres is about to head off to the WBC. I don’t think we’re going to learn much more about the Yankees situation on Opening Day until he gets back, other than to simulate what they would do if he or LeMahieu goes on the injured list.
With the caveat that I’m wildly speculating with not a lot of good information, here is where I think the Yankees are right now:
Kiner-Falefa is the starting shortstop right now. Despite Boone’s comments that he could play in a super utility role if Peraza wins the job, he hasn’t played anywhere else so far. Until he actually plays a bit at other positions, he’s the short stop.
Peraza is still ticketed for the major league roster as a backup 2b/SS.
When Oswaldo plays in the infield, he will play 3rd.
Their plan for Volpe sure looks like it’s to play 2nd more than short.
The verdict? This roster still doesn’t make sense. When Volpe inevitably goes down, the Yankees have two shortstops, two second basemen and two third basemen, with five right-handed hitters and one switch hitter, plus a player who might be better than any of them at Triple-A.
Last season, the Yankees had one surplus infielder in DJ LeMahieu. When everyone was healthy, they were able to get him plenty of playing time. Now they have four (maybe three-and-a-half with Cabrera playing OF) surplus infielders. They aren’t going to be able to get everyone playing time. It sure feels like a trade is still coming.