Mark Teixeira's last three seasons have been characterized by injuries and, for the most part, struggles at the plate. If the woes continue in 2015 it's possible one of the Yankees' top prospects takes his job.
Teixeira is under contract through 2016 and is owed $46.25 million over that span, which puts New York in a tough spot to demote the first baseman. However, Joel Sherman of the New York Post suggested in his "36 bold predictions for a parity-filled 2015 MLB season" that the team may be forced to move on from Tex at some point.
Under his "Don't be surprised if ... (Yankee Edition)", Sherman wrote:
"Pressure builds to just eat Mark Teixeira's contract and promote Greg Bird to play first base."
Let the rumors begin.
Considering Teixeira has missed 225 games over the past three seasons and has batted just .234 with 49 home runs and 158 RBIs, it's not at all inconceivable that the Yankees look to move him or even release him if he doesn't show improvement in 2015. They're already stuck with Alex Rodriguez, who is owed more than $60 million over the next three seasons and it's hard to believe they will continue to deal with the excessive contracts of their declining and aging players.
Enter Greg Bird.
The 22-year-old was named MVP of the Arizona Fall League in 2014 (and also MVP of the league's All-Star Game) and has continued his offensive surge in spring training. In 13 games he owns a .353/.421/.706 stat line with four runs scored, one home run and four RBIs (19 plate appearances).
On the other hand, Teixiera has batted .264/.316/.396 with two runs scored, one home run and four RBIs in 20 games (57 plate appearances). Earlier in March, a report from FOX Sports' Ken Rosenthal found scouts have been critical of Teixeira's slow bat this spring.
However, general manager Brian Cashman was unconcerned with the assessment of Tex.
"Usually in spring, young guys look great, play hard, try to impress," he said. "Old guys are going through the motions, getting their work in ... I don't think you can judge any veteran in spring training as they go through the process."
Manager Joe Girardi was impressed with the performances of Bird, as well as fellow prospects Aaron Judge and Luis Severino, this spring.
"The kids played a lot in spring training," he said, via Chad Jennings of The LoHud Yankees Blog. "Their talent level. The way they hold each other accountable. The way they push each other. It's really neat to see."
Although Bird has shown what he's capable of in recent months, the youngster has only logged 27 Double-A games in his career and it's unclear where he'll start the season after the team reassigned him to minor league camp back on March 17.
If he starts the year in Triple-A and continues to have success at the plate and Teixeira deals with injury troubles and struggles offensively, it's realistic that Yankee fans see Bird at some point in 2015.
