NEIL WALKER HEADED TO YANKS

The Yankees and Neil Walker are nearing an agreement on a one year contract that is expected to be worth around $5 million. Walker has spent time in New York with both the Yankees and Mets and has been an above average player on both sides of the ball his whole career. Walker is a true utility man and can play all around the diamond. This move by the Yankees leaves a lot writing on the wall for the rest of the roster. It seems that the Yanks want to hold off on calling up both Gleyber Torres and Miguel Andujar, at least for now. They have now filled both holes in the infield with Brandon Drury slotted to play third and now Walker to play second. Walker will also provide good insurance behind Greg Bird at first base. While both Andujar and Torres look real close to being big league ready, some more time in the minors definitely would not hurt, especially in today’s contract situations. Holding the two young talents out of the big leagues through April will keep both of them under Yankee control for another full season. Andujar is 23 and Torres is only 21, so the Yankees are thinking long term here. While I understand what they are trying to do, I’m getting impatient. Andujar has been smacking the cover off of the ball this spring and I want to see him up in the Major’s. Torres would have been ready last year if it wasn’t for an elbow injury. There is something so exciting about watching these young kids play the game and I was looking forward to seeing it all season. But the Yankees did execute their plan well. Both Drury and Walker are great ball players who come at a price that still allows New York to reset some of their luxury taxes this season. I just feel like it puts the team in a holding pattern at a time when they should be attacking. They were only one win away from the World Series last year. The rebuild is over. It’s time to go win now. All I can hope is that this patience will be rewarded with multiple championships. I’m ready for another Yankees dynasty.