DJ LeMahieu and Gio Urshela open to move around the Yankees box.
The Yankees’ infield is shaky, with potential holes at first, third, and shortstop and Gleyber Torres at second base after the failed experiment at shortstop.
It remains to be seen where DJ LeMahieu and Gio Urshela fit in.
LeMahieu’s best spot is second base and Urshela’s is third, but LeMahieu could be forced to go to third base and the Yankees are going to improve short.
“DJ, I think, gives us the flexibility to do some more strategic projects. [roster] moves, either in free agency or in a trade, ” Aaron Boone said during a Zoom call Tuesday. “DJ will be there every day. He’s capable of playing third base, second base, or even first base and you can build the roster that way. ”
It’s the job LeMahieu was originally hired for when the Yankees surprised many by acquiring him as a free agent before the 2019 season.
Urshela said he was willing to move through the infield as well.
The third baseman, who fell short when Torres moved to second, was at Hackensack University Medical Center Children’s Hospital on Tuesday, where he visited sick children.
He said he is prepared “to play everywhere. I really do not care. Wherever they want me to play. ”
Urshela won’t be a free agent until 2024 and could be used as a business token, but he said he wanted to stay with the Yankees, adding, “I can’t control that.”
After missing most of the season following wrist surgery, Aaron Hicks “is in position” to play winter ball, which he has expressed he is doing.
Brian Cashman told GM meetings last week that center field was a position he would consider this offseason. Hicks has four years left on the seven-year, $ 70 million deal he signed in 2019.
Boone said Hicks sent him a video of himself swinging in the cage and Hicks said “it feels great.”
The Yankees would have to approve of Hicks playing winter baseball, something Gary Sanchez did last offseason.
“The most important thing about Aaron is making sure he’s strong and healthy,” Boone said. “If that’s the case, we know we have [a] very good player.”
Boone said he hopes Jameson Taillon (offseason ankle surgery) will be ready to be in the rotation by the time the regular season is scheduled to begin.
“Five months [from surgery], it should be all the way back and that’s online late March or early April, ” Boone said. “He should jump off a mound in January or February.”
With the CBA almost certain to expire on December 2 and a lockout to follow, there is no guarantee that spring training or the regular season will start on time.