The Yankees said coming into camp that Luke Voit was by definition the starting first baseman and that Greg Bird will have a chance to unseat him. The exhibition season began Saturday with Bird getting the first chance to play, and it could not have started better for him. Bird went 2-for-2 with a double and a single.
Before the game Aaron Boone was asked a few questions by reporters about the situation and here's how he responded:
Q: How will you decide first base? Is it just who hits better all spring?
AB: No I don't think it's that simple at all. We're a long way between now and the end of March. Luke Voit has earned the right to be that guy. But as I've said all along I believe Greg Bird can be an impact player, and I have never lost sight of that even at his lowest points last year. So we'll see how it unfolds, we'll see what our roster needs are as camp unfolds, but certainly as we get ready to break camp.
Bird is in a good place physically, better than at any point of last year. So hopefully that translates into results from him, but I don't get married to results so much in spring training. There's a lot more that goes into those things.
Q: What can Bird do to win the job?
Just being healthy, being able to bounce back, looking like Greg Bird in the box, impacting the ball like we've seen him when he's at his best. All those. He's already grabbed our attention with how he's looked at this point. He can continue to get our attention more as camp unfolds. And I think it'll be pretty clear to everyone that what we're seeing when he's right will look a little bit different than what he was last year.
Q: What about Luke Voit?
AB: It's impossible denying (not just) the impact he had, but how consistent he was for us the final couple of months when we had some key guys out. A lot of his damage was done when Judge was down, when Didi was down. So he's earned a strong place coming into this camp.
Q: Who's the better defender?
AB: At this point I would probably give the edge to Bird there, but I do feel like Luke continues to make strides as well. I think both guys have showed up here looking in a little bit better place defensively. Bird from a health standpoint and the volume of work he's been able to do. Last year he was having a hard time getting the reps that he'd like to see in practice just because he was at times just trying to stay off that foot. His volume has gone up. I think Luke's made some really nice strides defensively this year. So we'll see how that unfolds.
Q: Is there any scenario where they could form a platoon?
AB: Sure. Any scenario? Yes. But I don't necessarily see it that way. I would just say we've got a long way to go and we'll see how the spring shakes out, how the roster kind of shakes out, and we'll see where we are at the end.
MORE: Yankees Spring Training Opener - Early Reactions
So—as Austin Powers might ask—what does it all mean, Basil?
There's no reason to think about making the decision now because so many things can happen, a number of them health related, not only with Bird and Voit but with others on the roster that could shake things up. Ideally, if everyone is healthy one of these two will win the job and the other will be sent to AAA—both players have options remaining. The desire for roster flexibility combined with only three position players on the bench limits any chance for a platoon that would keep both players on the big league roster. That could change if there is an injury to an outfielder or if they decide to carry 12 pitchers rather than 13. Again, too hard to forecast any of that.
The Yankees have downplayed any hint that their lineup is hindered in any way by being too right-handed. But dropping another lefty bat—like Bird's—into the order certainly has its advantages.
A lot can happen in the next four and a half weeks. The Yankees would be thrilled if Voit's power show continued this spring. Actually having both players performing and having to make the decision without an injury forcing their hand—that's what the Yankees would love to happen by the end of camp.
But my own reading of the tea leaves is this—if Bird shows he is healthy and hitting, there is little reason to think he won't be the first baseman on Opening Day. Now it's up to him to be both of those things for the first time ever in his big league career.
