The New York Yankees have been on a rollercoaster ride all year long, but one integral piece has been virtually absent throughout.
When the New York Yankees got out to their red-hot start one year ago, it was Mark Teixeira and his new gluten-free diet leading the way. A renaissance year sparked instant production out of the middle of the lineup and he proved to be a true MVP.Why? Simply because his presence provides strength in more than one facet of the game.
By going down in the middle of August, he robbed himself of a 40 HR, 110 RBI year and ultimately deteriorated the Yankees’ chances of winning the AL East.
Not only was he putting up incredible numbers and seemingly driving in runs on a nightly basis, but he provided protection to others in the lineup and featured his typical gold glove caliber defensive play.
Throughout injuries and an unexpected lifelessness at the dish, the Yanks have received nowhere near what they truly need out of Teixeira. Perhaps their current marriage to the .500 mark has something to do with his general absence.
A return to form will mean all of five vital factors coming into play for the team and the organization. Let’s take a look, shall we?
1. 30 HR, 100 RBI Production
In 50 games played this year, Teixeira is producing at a horrific rate. His line includes four homers and 13 RBIs and he connected on his first home run since April 13 in yesterday’s ballgame.
That brutal level of production is destined to keep Tex from knocking in his 100 runs that we have become accustomed to seeing. However, embarking on some relative production will help the offense immensely.
If he starts producing at a rate of that sort for the remainder of the campaign, the lineup will receive a surplus of RBIs that it was missing in his absence.
2. Alex Rodriguez’s Outburst
The Yankees have been waiting, and waiting, and waiting some more. At this point, they may be starting to think that A-Rod’s 33 HR, 86 RBI 2015 campaign is the last time they will see a season of that caliber from their aging slugger.
Sitting at 695 career home runs, the 40-year-old brings with him a subpar .662 OPS, a lackluster .223 batting average, and unconvincing power production. With eight homers and 26 runs batted in through 44 games, something is missing with Rodriguez.
The answer: Teixeira.
Dynamic was the combination of Rodriguez and Teixeira at the number three and four slots, respectively, in the lineup last year. Tex was such a presence that opponents felt obligated to pitch to A-Rod.
With the nonexistence of Teixeira, opposing pitchers have the luxury of expanding the zone with an aging star that no longer has the same ability to catch up with the heater. He has been guessing.
Tex regaining form can mean the reuniting of the two back-to-back in the order. You can bet on the results being substantially better than what is being put out currently.
3. Lineup Spacing
A switch-hitter with power the middle of the order provides all sorts of opportunities for a skipper. Having two is a dream.
The problem for Joe Girardi has been that only one of the two has served a purpose. Consistency from both Carlos Beltran, who has been outstanding, and Teixeira, who has been less than outstanding, can make a lineup extremely hard to attack.
Spacing the two out in the lineup avoids strings of righties and lefties at any point. This avoids managers simply playing the matchup game when the Yanks are up against it late in contests.
Combine Teixeira’s numbers from last year with Beltran’s current 42 HR, 116 RBI pace and you have a switch-hitting duo most teams would do some ugly things to get their hands on.
The hope is that an upturn from the 36-year-old can be combined with the unbelievable walk year the 39-year-old is already having.
4. Veteran Leadership
Let’s just say Teixeira has been there, done that. A 13-year veteran, he is currently just trying to find himself out.
If he can take care of that, he can help find other people out. Veteran presence is vital on a team like the Yankees who contain some players that have contended before and some who have not.
With the respect that Tex earns from his teammates on a daily basis, he can be crucial in the clubhouse heading down the stretch. Given that the Yanks are likely to be in the postseason hunt, guys like him, Beltran, Brian McCann, and A-Rod take forefront with keeping ultimate perspective intact.
5. Gold Glove
The obvious factor. One trait that Teixeira has never squandered throughout struggles and torrent stretches is the ability to play the first base position.
Yankee fans have become spoiled by his smooth and brilliant poise while saving error after error for infielders, including great plays on his own side. It is something that will truly be missed in 2017 and beyond.
Unlike the others, this is a factor that is not contingent upon his offensive production. This is simply a factor that is contingent upon his ability to stay on the field.
Keeping him on the field provides dynamite defensive stability few teams can say they have.
Emmanuel Berbari covers the New York Yankees for ESNY. Interact with him and view his daily work by “liking” his facebook page. He invites you to email your questions, comments, or concerns as well.