A daily look at New York Yankees News/Rumors of interest to Yankee fans
Masahiro Tanaka feels cheated:
Masahiro Tanaka and some of the New York Yankees reported to the spring training complex in Tampa yesterday. Pitchers and catchers are to report tomorrow with the first workouts on Thursday. Retired pitcher CC Sabathia has been more than vocal about this displeasure with the Houston Astros and the biggest story of the offseason, the Astros sign-stealing scheme that was revealed by former Astro Mike Fiers. After the Manfred report detailed the electronic scheme, Astros General Manager and Field Manager A.J Hinch were fired by owner Jim Crane. Since then, select baseball players from around the country have divulged their resentment toward the Astros. Yankee Masahiro Tanaka is the latest. According to the New York Daily News reporter Kristie Ackert when asked about the scheme, Tanaka responded that he felt cheated after the ALCS loss to the Astros in 2017.
Jasson Dominguez is training:
In the Dominican Republic, spring training is already underway. The reports on super-prospect Jasson Dominguez are off the charts. Dominguez, nicknamed the “Martian” due to his out of this world talent, is still at least two years from appearing in the Bronx as he is still only 16 years old.  Scouts have said in the past that his talent is impressive as he has superpowers — he is fast and agile. Considering his young age, it is said he has the strength and body of a player in their mid-twenties. Yankee evaluators were in the Dominican Republic last week to take a look at the young player. According to Dan Martin of the New York Post, his skills have been described as “silly…stupid…crazy”. It was initially said that he was a good four years away from the majors, but due to how he is advancing, it may be much sooner than that.
Is it Tyler Wade’s time?
Tyler Wade has been kicking around the Yankee baseball world for six years, three in the minors and Arizona Fall league and three now, going back and forth from Scranton Wilkes/Barre and the Stadium in what’s called the “Yankee shuttle.” He is usually called up in an emergency when someone is injured, as he is what is named the super-utility player. He can play anywhere on the field except for pitcher, catcher and first base. Once the injured player comes back, Wade is demoted again.
Wade has a lot going for him besides his looks that always gets the attention of the fairer Yankee fans. He is equally good at all positions he plays. Those that don’t see his worth cite his relatively average hitting ability and that he has no power.  The power thing I can’t argue with, but his hitting has improved in each of the three years that he has been called up, to the tune of 20% better every year. This year he had one hit in each four plate appearances for a .245 batting average. If he continues to improve at that rate, he may hit in the .270 area, which is not bad at all. Add to that he can play anywhere and is the fastest most agile Yankee on the team.
This year even if everyone stays healthy, the Yankees should use him in the new 26 slot in the roster. He is the perfect bench player to give DJ LeMahieu at second and Gleyber Torres at short a needed respite so they can stay fresh for the postseason.  Use him much as they did Bubba Crosby and Miguel Cairo in the past. The only difference is that Wade is better and faster.
The Yanks drafted Wade in the 4th round of the 2013 June Amateur Draft. Not a lot was expected from the 19-year-old, but he moved through the minor as a shortstop relatively quickly and became a go-to when Stadium players were injured. As it stands now with Didi Gregorius going to the Phillies that the Yankees need a backup for short. Consider that Torres is relatively untested at short; it makes sense to have Wade in the dugout. With the 2020 MLB season approaching, the Yankees should give Tyler Wade a chance to be the New York Yankees super-utility man, be the guy who steps in when a player needs a rest, lands on the IL, they need a base runner, or for a defensive replacement late in games.