New York Yankees to start Brian Roberts at 2B

Sep 11, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts (1) hits a one-run single in the ninth inning against the New York Yankees at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. The Yankees defeated the Orioles 5-4. Mandatory Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports /

Although the New York Yankees went on a spending spree in the offseason, signing several players to big deals, including center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury, catcher Brian McCann and starting pitcher Masahiro Tanaka, they have a huge hole in their infield.

They let Robinson Cano, their best player, sign with the Seattle Mariners and must find a replacement at second base.

According to Yankees’ manager Joe Girardi, they have a plan for the center of their infield.

“That is the plan, for him to be our second baseman,” Girardi told ESPN New York’s Andrew Marchan Monday. “I know he hasn’t played a full season in the last few years, he’s obviously a guy who has some age on him too, but my plan is to run him out there every day.”

Roberts knows he isn’t Cano and doesn’t think he has to be.

“I’m sure there are going to be people who are going to want to look out there and say, ‘He is not Robbie.’ I’m not going to be Robbie and I’m not going to try to be. I’m going to be Brian Roberts and hopefully that is good enough.”

Last season, Roberts played in 77 games, batting .249 with eight home runs and 49 RBI.

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