The New York Yankees have seen massive improvements from some of their more questioned players – first baseman Greg Bird being one of them. Two years of sub .200 hitting and injury spells have erased what was once a promising start to his career.
This spring, Bird has shown flashes of offensive productivity, not to mention his above-average defensive abilities. But, the fact of the matter is that Bird simply hasn’t been consistent enough to warrant a realistic opportunity to be the opening day starter.
When the Yankees acquired Luke Voit from the St. Louis Cardinals last season, nobody expected him to hit .333 and launch 14 homers in 39 games. Before being traded he was hitting a putrid .182 with one homer in eight games. Something about the Pinstripes elevated his game, as it does with most – take a look at Troy Tulowitzki, a player that hasn’t stepped foot on a field since 2017.
Inevitably, Voit has earned the starting role at first base despite being an average defender. Bird offers more in that sense, but the Yankees aren’t willing to give up Voit’s run production for a slightly better-graded defender.
What will the New York Yankees do with Greg Bird?
If Voit does end up starting the season at first, we can expect Bird to spend time in triple-A. At least at the lower level, he can continue building on his form and reigniting a developmental halt. If he can regain the trust of manager Aaron Boone and prove that he can be a consistent offensive option, there’s a chance he could legitimately compete with Voit at first base.
As the great Bert Lance once stated, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” This directly applies to what most are referring to as a “position battle,” when it’s more of a “Greg Bird” saving himself battle.
Another important factor:
One of the more underrated aspects of Voit’s game is his durability, not to mention his power. His slash of .333/.405/.689 was uncharacteristic for the slugger. He also earned a 194 wRC+ with the Yankees, which lands in the “incredible” category. His ability to avoid injury yet elevate his game is very attractive and will likely play a big part in his locking down the first base position in 2019.