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Yankees real problem isn’t pitching, it’s at first base

By Rucker Haringey

BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 01: Neil Walker #14 of the New York Yankees takes a swing during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 1, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Yankees won 4-1. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - JUNE 01: Neil Walker #14 of the New York Yankees takes a swing during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on June 1, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Yankees won 4-1. (Photo by Mitchell Layton/Getty Images) /
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The combination of Neil Walker and Greg Bird isn’t getting it done for the Yankees. The team have to get more production at first base.

Historically speaking, the New York Yankees have grown accustomed to getting excellent offensive production at the first base position. It’s safe to say that Greg Bird and Neil Walker aren’t living up to the standards set by Don Mattingly and Tino Martinez in recent memory. The team’s production at the first base position has been poor all season long.

Most Yankee observers are focused on acquiring a new starting pitcher, but finding a new everyday first baseman might help the team just as much. Walker has played 30 games at first for New York this season and has posted a WAR of -.6. The fact that he’s hitting just .205 with a pair of home runs makes it easy to see why he’s struggling to positively impact the team.

Bird’s return from the DL was supposed to bolster Aaron Boone’s options at the position. Unfortunately, he’s off to a really slow start to his season as well. He has a slightly positive WAR of .1, but no one should be overly impressed with his performance at the plate either. His swing is too pure to only be hitting .215 on the year. He’s a solid bet to improve as the season goes on, but the Yankees can’t afford to be overly patient.

Fortunately for Brian Cashman, the organization does have some internal options available to fix their first base problem. The most obvious potential solution is to get Brandon Drury ready to play first base at the major league level. He’s only received one start at first base in the minors this season, but the team should look to correct that in the coming days. The fact that he’s already hitting a scorching .360 in Scranton proves his bat is ready to return the Bronx.

If Drury doesn’t prove up to the position switch, Boone should start working with both Gary Sanchez and Andrew Romine at the position. Both obviously have the most value when they’re catching, but each is a better hitter than either Walker or Bird at the moment. Getting them both in the everyday lineup could make the Yankee offense even more dangerous. In all likelihood they’d still serve in a platoon with Bird, but that would still get put Walker’s weak bat on the bench.

The other option for New York would be to search for a first baseman on the trade market. Don’t rule out the possibility of Cashman making that sort of move. If he can find a way to acquire a relatively cheap option with a high ceiling it’s something the team will certainly consider. It isn’t as pressing as the need for starting pitching, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t give the team a real boost.

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Ultimately, Neil Walker and Greg Bird need to pick up their performance levels soon if they want to maintain an important part of the lineup moving forward. The Yankees have other options to consider at first base, and the organization should look to activate them soon in the absence of significant improvement.

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