Predicting the New York Yankees starting infield for 2021
The Yankees have big decisions to make about how to construct their 2021 infield. Here’s the way for New York to maximize the position group.
Crafting the perfect infield is one of Brian Cashman’s biggest challenges heading into the 2021 season. The Yankees have plenty of individual talents to deploy, but the question of how to fit them all together is one of the most interesting subplots of the offseason in the Bronx.
The question of whether or not the Yankees will re-sign D.J. LeMahieu is front and center to this conversation. He’s clearly a player the franchise wants to retain. The only concern is whether or not another team makes him an offer he can’t financially refuse.
Gleyber Torres’ defensive struggles at the shortstop position also complicate matters for Aaron Boone and his coaching staff. He’s a strong bet to lock down a starting position somewhere in the Yankees’ 2021 infield, but a position switch might be in the offing for the talented slugger.
The prediction series begins with the one spot in the infield that should be relatively safe absent a major trade.
Third base-Gio Urshela
Urshela can comfortably be called one of the shrewdest acquisitions of Cashman’s tenure. The Yankees absolutely stole him from Cleveland. He gives this team a healthy combination of offense and defense at the hot corner.
Some fans don’t seem comfortable with his offensive prowess, but the facts illustrate that Urshela was one of New York’s top hitters in 2020. He hit for a solid average (.298) while also providing decent pop with six home runs. Urshela will never lead the league in average or home runs, but he gives the Yankees a balanced hitter who provides excellent production in the bottom third of their order.
The 29-year-old’s defense has always been his calling card and nothing should change about that fact in the near future. He makes all of the reliable plays at third and sprinkles in a few highlights for good measure. Urshela isn’t the MVP candidate some Yankees fans want to employ at every position, but he’s a solidly above-average starter on a great contract. That makes it an easy choice to bring him back as the starter at third base in 2021.