Fansided

5 Yankees who are still fighting for their playoff role

By Rucker Haringey

NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 15: CC Sabathia #52 (R) stands on the mound with teammate Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees during the third inning prior to being removed from a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 15, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 15: CC Sabathia #52 (R) stands on the mound with teammate Gary Sanchez #24 of the New York Yankees during the third inning prior to being removed from a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium on September 15, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 29: Greg Bird #33 of the New York Yankees reacts during an at bat against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium on August 29, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – AUGUST 29: Greg Bird #33 of the New York Yankees reacts during an at bat against the Chicago White Sox during the fifth inning at Yankee Stadium on August 29, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /

4. Greg Bird

For the majority of the 2018 season, Bird was firmly entrenched as Boone’s starter at first base. Then Luke Voit burst onto the scene and grabbed the position by the throat. That’s left Bird on the fringes of the Yankees roster in recent weeks.

In fact, Bird has only played in four games in September. Even more concerning for fans of the lefty is that he’s only started two games in that time span. He’s squarely behind Voit in Boone’s mind at the moment.

It’s unclear whether or not Bird will even get enough at bats down the stretch to climb back into consideration. Remember, a platoon isn’t really an option here. Bird doesn’t hit right-handed pitching well enough to make that a realistic choice in Boone’s mind. The only way he’s going to get meaningful playing time is if Voit suffers an injury.

As such, the odds of him being involved in playoff baseball for this team might be even longer than those facing Sheffield. Unless he suddenly gets white-hot down the stretch, expect Bird to be planed to Boone’s bench when October arrives. He’s had a ton of opportunities to perform this season, but hitting .195 in 266 plate appearances doesn’t impress anyone. Bird might want to be more concerned with his long-term future than earning a few postseason at bats.

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