Fantasy Baseball 2018: Greg Bird out 6-8 weeks
By Bill Pivetz
Yankees first baseman Greg Bird will miss significant time again this season. Is he worth drafting as a stash this year?
The New York Yankees and their fans have been waiting for the breakout season from once-touted prospect first baseman Greg Bird. Unfortunately, they will have to wait yet another season as he will miss six to eight weeks after undergoing surgery on Tuesday. Fantasy owners should look elsewhere for a backup first baseman.
Bird has played a combined 94 games over the last three seasons. He missed all of 2016 while recovering from shoulder surgery. His 2017 season was cut short with a right foot injury. Bird hit just .190 with nine home runs, 28 RBI and 20 runs in 48 games.
Bird broke onto the scene in 2015 with 11 home runs, 31 RBI and 26 runs while hitting .261 over 46 games. After Mark Teixeira left, the Yankees needed a new first baseman. Bird looked to be the answer but injuries have played a major factor in Bird’s performance so far in his career.
More from Fantasy Baseball
- 5 fantasy baseball waiver wire pivots to replace Triston McKenzie
- Fantasy baseball mock draft 2023, 12-team: Aaron Judge over Trea Turner?
- 3 fantasy baseball sleepers being drafted too late
- NBA DFS picks December 25: Merry Bucking Christmas
- Fantasy Baseball: Hot pitchers worthy of starting this weekend
Bird should be eligible to return in mid-May at the earliest. That is if everything goes right with the surgery and he doesn’t suffer any setbacks on his road to recovery. In the meantime, the Yankees have a few options to take over first base in the meantime.
Utility infielder Tyler Austin and veteran Neil Walker are the two likely candidates to play first base. The team also has Austin Romine as a third option. The Yankees have plenty of infielders that they can shuffle the pieces around and still be able to field a good defensive team.
The negative comes to the Yankees lineup. Bird was set to be the left-handed hitter in between Aaron Judge, Gary Sanchez and Giancarlo Stanton. The foursome was looking to hit close to 150 home runs this season. The team still has Brett Gardner, Didi Gregorius and Tyler Wade as their lefties. Aaron Hicks and Walker are switch hitters so they can rearrange the order some to benefit everyone. Judge, Sanchez and Stanton will do just fine without Bird in the order.
The first base pool is deep enough that you can find another backup first baseman in your draft and on the waiver wire. Bird was drafted as the No. 24 first baseman with a 161.0 ADP, according to FantasyPros. Guys like Justin Bour, Yonder Alonso and Ryan McMahon are available a few rounds later, provide power and can play a full season.
Next: Week 1 Waiver Wire Options
In AL-only leagues, Bird is still a starting first baseman when he returns. I don’t think he’s worth drafting but should be a waiver wire add when he gets closer to returning. You could stash him on your DL but then you don’t have a spot if one of your other players gets hurt within that timeframe. I’d leave Bird alone until May.