Position Analysis - First Base/DH

The Jason Giambi experiment is over. The Giambino will be the Yankees full-time designated hitter headed into the 2007 campaign. If Lou Gehrig was the Iron Horse, then Giambi qualifies as the Iron Glove. As inadequate as he is in the field, Giambi can still swing the bat. Wrist injuries have slowed his bat speed some but he's still a power hitter with power from center to right. He's a patient hitter who's become more and more of a streak hitter.

The Yankees signed defensive specialist Doug Mientkiewicz to take over the majority of the first base duties. He's one of the best in the business at first and will ultimately help the rest of the infield defense picking errant throws from across the diamond. He has a very fluid swing and is more of a line drive hitter so he won't put up much in terms of power numbers, although Yankee Stadium will help him in that aspect a little. He also provides a friend for Alex Rodriguez, reuniting with his high school teammate. He's a better option at the plate against lefties than Andy Phillips, although Phillips will probably still be the right side of a platoon.

Andy Phillips has outgrown the 'promising prospect' label. He's 30 years old and has yet to establish himself as a solid everyday player. He's in between Giambi and Mientkiewicz defensively although he tends to rust when playing very sporadically. He specialized in hitting left-handed pitching in the minors, but has yet to translate that skill to the major leagues. He's a good fastball hitter, but struggles against off-speed pitches. In my opinion, trading Phillips would make the most sense for the Yankees. A deal with Atlanta could make the most sense, packaging Phillips with Ron Villone for Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a pitching prospect.

Josh Phelps was picked up in the Rule V draft. He showed promise as a young player in Toronto and is looking to battle for playing time with Phillips. Another players with some pop and the ability to handle fastballs. If he makes the team, he could serve as the team's emergency catcher.

The Yankees seem to be favoring defense over offense at first base this year, finally having enough of Jason Giambi's slow footwork and shoddy defense. Joe Torre seems to be set on opening the season with the winner of the Josh Phelps/Andy Phillips battler and Doug Mientkiewicz in a lefty/righty platoon. Giambi will be counted on for 30 home runs and, 100 RBIs and his usual .400+ on base percentage while whoever starts at first will be considered successful if they play solid defense and occasionally contribute with the bat.