Yankees Not Waiting To Extend Sheff?
Posted by Steve L. on February 21st, 2006 · Comments (2)
Interesting. I guess this means that Giambi plays a lot of 1B in 2007 too. Unless they want Sheffield in RF, at his age, next year.
Comments on Yankees Not Waiting To Extend Sheff?
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This does open up a lot of questions. You would think that Bernie will be retiring after this year and that Sheff would be the primary DH. But, like you said, that leaves a year-older Giambi as a full-time first baseman. But the really interesting issue involves Eric Duncan. The FO clearly loves this kid, and all indications point to him being the first baseman/DH with Giambi in ’07. Of course, if Sheffield’s the primary DH, that can’t really happen. The other wrinkle is Derrek Lee. If the Cubs aren’t able to re-sign him, people think the Yankees will throw a ton of money at him. (The Sox will also bid for him.) I would love to have Lee because he is a lot like A-Rod: a slugger who is brilliant at his position and is athletic (not a Thome/Giambi type). But if that does happen — and Lee (who had a breakout year in ’05) comes here — where does that leave Duncan?
Duncan still has a lot to prove, but if he’s the player they think he is, the question becomes: who would you rather have manning first base from ’07 on: Duncan or Lee? Lee’s amazing, and he’s something this team needs, but I think I’d rather the guy who didn’t cost fifteen million dollars a year.
I also love Lee – plus, he’s a standout person. But, at some point, the Yankees need to get away from this $13-18 mill person at every position thing – - – and the way to do that is with kids like Cano, Duncan, Cox, etc.