Here are the five biggest takeaways from Yankees manager Joe Girardi’s first press conference of spring training:
Yankees’ Gleyber Torres takes batting practice
1.) Looks like 1996: With the number of promising prospects and veterans filing into camp, Girardi couldn’t help but remember the start of the Yankees’ dynasty and the origin of the Core Four. “In that movement where there were a lot of young players, there was a lot of success,” he said. “There were a lot of championships that followed. It was a great mixture of youth and veteran players and guys that had a significant impact, guys that the fans recognized when they came up as homegrown and fell in love with players who did wonderful things. I think it’s going to be a very exciting year.”
2.) Might have to smooth things over with Dellin Betances: The dominant reliever is taking the Yankees’ to an independent arbitrator, who will decide how much money he’ll make in 2017. Betances wants $5 million. The Yankees want to give him $3 million. Girardi said he understands there could be hard feelings on the three-time All-Star’s side. “”If I feel that it does affect him, I will talk to him,” Girardi said. “Obviously this is the part of the game that somewhat becomes public and sometimes can be frustrating for both sides. You have to be able to move on.”
Austin in for tough year?
3.) And the Opening Day starter is …: Masahiro Tanaka, for the third year in a row. Girardi hasn’t told him yet, though. “You’ve got to see where he’s at, but I don’t really see him being not our Opening Day starter unless something was to arise that I wasn’t expecting,” the manager said. The Yankees typically take it slowly in spring training with Tanaka, who has pitched since 2014 with a slight tear in his right elbow’s ulnar collateral ligamnet.
4.) Wants to stick around: He’s in the final year of his four-year, $16-million deal. This season will be his 10th as Yankees manager. And he wants to be back. “Yeah, I do. I don’t envision myself doing anything different, and maybe that’s why I don’t really think that much about it,” he said. “So is what I know. This is what I’ve done for a long time and we’ll just play it out.”
5.) Top of the lineup change?: Girardi wasn’t exactly clear regarding the plan for the top of the lineup. General manager Brian Cashman said the team could decide to split up Brett Gardner and Jacoby Ellsbury. Girardi said something similar, but said that someone would have to emerge as a candidate to split them. There aren’t many unfamiliar options in the Yankees’ lineup. It would seem Starlin Castro or Chase Headley would be the ones who would fit best, especially against left-handed pitchers.
Brendan Kuty may be reached at bkuty@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.
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