Yankees Third Baseman

As Spring Training approaches (pitchers and catchers report in mid-February) LeRoy will begin its preseason analysis of the Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, and the hated New York Yankees.  We will continue with the third basemen and go on with the New York Yankees.

The Yankees were set with 3B Aaron Boone after the 2003 season.  He'd had a good year, especially after being picked up mid season via trade from the Cincinnati Reds.  He was a postseason hero after a Series clinching home run in extra innings to beat the Red Sox and advance to the World Series.  He was a good fielder.  Then Boone blew out his knee playing pick up basketball in the off season.  He was lost for the year.  The Yankees had no third baseman.  Then they traded 2B Alfonso Soriano to the Texas Rangers.

1.  Alex Rodriguez:  A-Rod has been a stud on the field since the Yankees picked him up.  Off the field, well, that's a different story.  He's gone through a messy divorce, dated several high profile actresses, has been a constant media distraction, and has admitted to using steroids while with the Texas Rangers.  Some people think he's clean.  Why?  There's no reason to believe he is.  There's no test for Human Growth Hormone and in order to link him to that performance enhancing drug a paper trail must be produced.  So there's no reason why a guy like A-Rod (or any other PED user) should stop using.  But if the Yankees can deal with A-Rod's off-field tifts then they should be fine at third.  Last season he belted 30 homers and drove in 125 runs.  He's a mediocre fielder at third and his defense probably won't get any better, but he's still capable.  He'll be 35 and he may start to decline, but the decline should be gradual at first.

2.  Eduardo Nunez:  Nunez is a top shortstop prospect who was named by LeRoy as an up-and-comer in the Yankees organization.  He has a chance to battle in Spring Training for a role as a utility player but is probably better suited getting regular at-bats in the Minors.  It's too bad that he's blocked by 2B Robinson Cano, A-Rod, and SS Derek Jeter on the Yankee infield because he's ready to step up and contribute at the Major League level.  He could be used as trade bait mid season when the Yankees run out of pitching.

3.  Ramiro Pena:  Pena will begin his third season as the team's utility player.  He's a natural shortstop and hasn't played much second base thus far.  Last season he played primarily third base and will continue to back up at short with the aging Jeter.  A-Rod will start most of the time, but Pena will probably be his understudy and spell him when he needs a day off.  Pena's a suitable utility man but don't expect anything extra from him, he only batted .227 last season.

4.  Brandon Laird:  Laird is a top prospect in the Yankees organization and is getting a look in Spring Training.  Laird's a top prospect for a reason.  Last season he blasted 25 homers and drove in 102 runs before being named the MVP of the Eastern League.  He needs another year in the Minors, but the Yankees are starting to get a look at the future after A-Rod at third base.  A mid season trade for pitching would probably yield a big return for Laird, and the Yankees figure to be about dry by July.

Overall, the Yankees look strong at third base.  If you can deal with A-Rod's baggage then you've got a stud at third base.  There's plenty of depth at the position too, as either Nunez or Pena figures to be on the Major League roster and the other on call in AAA.  And you couldn't ask for a much better prospect than Laird.

Here's how the Red Sox, Mets, and Yankees rank at third base:

1.  Yankees:  A-Rod's still the best third baseman in the northeast.
2.  Mets:  Wright's an absolute stud but not quite on the level of A-Rod.
3.  Red Sox:  Youkilis is a good player and will hit .300 but is not in the league of either Wright or A-Rod.