02/16: The Bernie Options
Posted by: Patrick
Joe Torre discussed some situations where Bernie Williams could still make this team:
Personally, I could live with Bernie making this team. I mean... it's Bernie. In October, I'd still take a Bernie Williams at bat over a Josh Phelps at bat or an Andy Phillips at bat. It's not like we'd be cutting Albert Pujols for him. Phelps is a .268 hitter, Phillips is a .228 hitter. Not saying they aren't better than that, but that's what they've done so far. But, the overall message to Bernie was that to get a spot, you have to be here. We'll see.
Via Jim Baumbach.
... Torre Thursday mentioned several scenarios that would make room for Williams, including using Giambi at first base, making lefthanded-hitting Doug Mientkiewicz the everyday first baseman or using Miguel Cairo as the righthanded part of a first-base platoon.
All of those scenarios most likely would mean the roster spot that Andy Phillips and Rule 5 selection Josh Phelps are vying for would go to Williams, as long as he proves to the team that he still is capable of performing. "It's how many first basemen are we going to carry," Torre said. "That's where the choices will come from."
Addressing his various options at first base, Torre said, "I don't think that I would be afraid to play Mientkiewicz [against lefthanded pitchers]. He's always played both ways ... If we see Jason as a first baseman, that all of a sudden opens up a spot, too."
All of those scenarios most likely would mean the roster spot that Andy Phillips and Rule 5 selection Josh Phelps are vying for would go to Williams, as long as he proves to the team that he still is capable of performing. "It's how many first basemen are we going to carry," Torre said. "That's where the choices will come from."
Addressing his various options at first base, Torre said, "I don't think that I would be afraid to play Mientkiewicz [against lefthanded pitchers]. He's always played both ways ... If we see Jason as a first baseman, that all of a sudden opens up a spot, too."
Personally, I could live with Bernie making this team. I mean... it's Bernie. In October, I'd still take a Bernie Williams at bat over a Josh Phelps at bat or an Andy Phillips at bat. It's not like we'd be cutting Albert Pujols for him. Phelps is a .268 hitter, Phillips is a .228 hitter. Not saying they aren't better than that, but that's what they've done so far. But, the overall message to Bernie was that to get a spot, you have to be here. We'll see.
Via Jim Baumbach.
RAHolland wrote:
Torre 'opened the door' a little more by saying if Giambi plays 1st base, a spot Bernie could fill would be created. I believe Bernie can hit better than the Phelps, Phillips and Mientkiewicz.
Show up Bernie, and see how it plays out.