Josh Phelps is mashing right now…
You can tell me it’s early. That’s fine. But at this point in Spring Training, Josh Phelps has clearly wrested the right handed first baseman spot away from the absentee Andy Phillips, who is not in Spring Training due to family matters. At this point in Spring Training, Phelps is hitting a robust .600, with four RBIs and one home run in seven games played. From what I’ve seen at least, he has shown a sweet swing and his fielding is competent, although not great (I think his career statistics back that up as well). What I’m trying to say here is this: While Phelps has not locked up his spot as of yet, he’s well on his way towards accomplishing that.
A lot of this will fall on Andy Phillips, and how he plays from now on. Torre will most definitely give Phillips a fair shake at winning the job out, as he is not the kind of manager or person for that matter that would give a roster spot to another player while another player is hurt or going through personal issues (as is the case with Phillips). But from what everyone who watches the Yankees on a daily basis can tell you, Phillips is a mediocre player: I’m not sure he is capable of winning the job out if Phelps continues to play like this.
Remember to keep in mind this as well: Whoever loses this Spring Training positional battle will more than likely not be a member of the Yankees after all is said and done. Phelps is a Rule V player, meaning if he does not make the roster, the Yankees must offer him back to the Orioles, who will likely accept him back on the team. As for Andy, he is out of options with the Yankees. Meaning if the Yankees want him to go to AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre, he would have to make it through waivers. And I’m pretty confident that one team in the majors will take a chance of Phillips, he is not that bad of a player.
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