Yankees Shortstop

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 shortstops and go on with the New York Yankees.

When Tony Fernandez batted .245 for the Yankees in the strike-shortened 1995 season it appeared to many people that the Yankees were in trouble at shortstop.  They had a number one draft pick coming up and he had a cup of coffee that season, which was tremendously unimpressive.  He was handed the job in 1996, and the rest is history.

1.  Derek Jeter:  Jeter didn't really bring much to the table last season, batting .270 with ten home runs, 67 runs batted in and 18 stolen bases.  He should continue that decline next season and the Yankees are hoping that he doesn't weigh down the lineup due to his unbelievably pricey and lengthy contract.  He's never been a good defensive player with limited range to his right and a weak throwing arm and his defense is in decline along with his offense.  Still, he's a Yankee legend and under contract so he's not going anywhere soon.  The Yankees are basically giving him a retirement package with his current contract.

2.  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.

3.  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.
4.  Doug Bernier:  Bernier is a career Minor Leaguer who played two games for the Colorado Rockies in 2008.  He's no stranger to the Yankees organization as he played for Scranton/Wilkes-Barre in 2009.  He's here strictly for depth and may not even stick with the organization past Spring Training.  Then again, his odds of sticking with the team as a utility player at Scranton (again) are just as likely.  He may get a cup of coffee this season with New York, but it will only come in September unless the Yanks are ravaged by injuries on their infield.

The Yankees look to be mediocre at shortstop.  Jeter's best days are behind him and he'll painfully endure as the team's shortstop for the time being.  Pena's a suitable utility player but he isn't anything special and probably couldn't start if Jeter becomes injured.  Nunez is a top prospect but until Jeter's out of the way he'll be at AAA.  Re-acquiring Bernier is a good measure for depth but nothing more.

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

1.  Mets:  Jose Reyes is the only one who brings a lot to the table offensively.
2.  Red Sox:  Marco Scutaro has never been great but he's still suitable.
3.  Yankees:  Jeter won't hurt the lineup but he's in decline and doesn't compare to the other two.