Saturday, March 1, 2014

Yanks Showing Off Their Catching Depth

If you've paid any kind of attention to the first few ST lineups, you've noticed the trend that Erik Boland pointed out yesterday.  Not only have the Yankees been playing 2 catchers every game behind the plate, they've used the DH spot for a 3rd one.  Yesterday it was Brian McCann at catcher and Gary Sanchez at DH to start and each of them popped his first HR of the spring.  Today it's Cervelli behind the plate and McCann getting a day at DH.

There's been a lot of talk about the Yankees looking for more infield help on the trade market this week.  From Rickie Weeks and Gordon Beckham to the Arizona Diamondback's stash of young infielders, the Yanks don't appear to be as comfortable with what they have as they've stated publicly.  Arizona actually makes a lot of logical sense as a trade partner, as they are looking to add a young catcher, and the Yankees certainly appear to be putting their crop of catchers on full display for them and all other potentially interested trade partners.

 There's no need to rush into a deal for someone, but there's no harm in showcasing what's become the Yankees' greatest strength in terms of trade assets.  Someone from their top group of 5 catchers isn't going to be getting regular playing time when the season starts, so the best way for him to bring value to the team could be as a trade piece.  If this attempt to show off their goods ends up netting the Yankees a better second base option than what they've got right now, that would be a very good thing.

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