Fansided

5 questions the Yankees must answer in spring training

By Rucker Haringey

Bronx, N.Y.: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2018 in the Bronx, New York (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Newsday via Getty Images)
Bronx, N.Y.: CC Sabathia #52 of the New York Yankees pitches in the first inning against the Boston Red Sox in Game 4 of the ALDS at Yankee Stadium on October 9, 2018 in the Bronx, New York (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Newsday via Getty Images) /
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TORONTO, ON – JULY 28: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Toronto Blue Jays is helped off the field by trainers George Poulis and Mike Frostad after injuring his ankle in the third inning during MLB game action against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Rogers Centre on July 28, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)
TORONTO, ON – JULY 28: Troy Tulowitzki #2 of the Toronto Blue Jays is helped off the field by trainers George Poulis and Mike Frostad after injuring his ankle in the third inning during MLB game action against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Rogers Centre on July 28, 2017 in Toronto, Canada. (Photo by Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images) /

3. Can Troy Tulowitzki be trusted?

Tulowitzki isn’t the shortstop Yankees fans wanted to sign during free agency, but it’s highly unlikely Manny Machado is walking into the clubhouse anytime soon. What New York can get out of the 34-year-old shortstop this season is a major question mark for the organization.

It has to be said that counting on a player who has managed to play only 66 games in the last two seasons for any meaningful contribution is very risky. Throw in the fact that Tulowitzki didn’t play a single game due to injury in 2018 and it’s easy to understand why some fans don’t think he’ll be a factor at all. Clearly, Brian Cashman and company believe he has a shot to give this club a boost.

In a perfect world, Tulowitzki would show up to Tampa completely ready to serve as the team’s starting shortstop until Didi Gregorius is healthy enough to reclaim the position. A more reasonable hope for the franchise is that Tulowitzki can play well enough to prevent Gleyber Torres from moving to shortstop full-time. That would be a solid contribution for a player on a minimum salary.

The smart plan for the Yankees will be to hope for the best with Tulowitzki, but plan for the worst. Expect the organization to treat him with kid’s gloves during spring training. They’ll want to get a glimpse of what he can do, but the primary objective will be to make sure he can be ready to go when the regular season begins.

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