Another Chance

Greg Bird looks like he ought to be a star-in-the making for the Yankees. A power hitting 1st baseman with strong defensive skills, he has the natural ability to be an important player in the Bronx. But fate hasn't been kind: injuries and inconsistent performance opened the door for Luke Voit to overtake him in the last third of the 2018 season.

This spring, Bird is getting what could well be his last chance to win a regular job in the Bronx. While manager Aaron Boone said he considers Voit his regular heading into Grapefruit League play, Bird will get his chance as well.

Saturday, Bird started the Yankees' exhibition opener and went 2-for-2, including an opposite field double, against the Red Sox. I know, it's just one game. And Voit will get his chance soon. But in a Yankee lineup that leans righthanded more than anytime I can think of, you almost have a hunch that organization would prefer to see Bird win the competition and put all those doubts to rest.
  • (My image of Bird is from the Yankees/Rays game on September 28th, 2017.)

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