McPherson creams righties but has undergone invasive back surgery.

While the Yankees are ostensibly happy with Cody Ransom filling in for A-rod the month-plus the all-star is out, Mike Axisa at River Avenue Blues caught an interesting prospective add on the waiver wire: Dallas McPherson, a former prospect in the Angels’ system, who made his way over to the Marlins last year but was just released by the team.

McPherson has battled injury problems all his career and can’t hit lefties, but Axisa thinks  the Yankees could platoon him with Ransom, who destroys left-handed pitching, and then use Ransom to spell the rest of the infield when McPhereson starts.

Of course, the idea does have its holes, as Axisa admits: McPherson is drawing interest from other clubs who are more likely to give him a full-time role, and McPherson likely wouldn’t stay in the Majors with the Yanks once A-rod returns. But it’s still interesting to watch a team have to cope with losing its best player at a relatively shallow position.

Source.

Joe Blancato a-rod, dallas mcpherson, mike axisa, river ave blues, yankees

Mark Teixeira - the next Reggie?

Howard Bryant at ESPN drew on his experience in following the Yankees in Spring Training, and considers Mark Teixeira the next in a long line of potential saviors to sit down with Reggie Jackson to have “The Talk.” Every time the Yankees sign a big free agent when they’re on the World Series hunt, Jackson typically takes them out to dinner to give them a rundown on what it’s like to play for New York as a high-dollar acquisition.

Jackson has spoken with Jason Giambi and A-rod in the recent past, and while both of them performed admirably for the Yankees, neither did what Jackson did: win the team a World Series title. Bryant believes much of Jackson’s success was due to his legitimate desire to prove himself in New York: “Reggie came to New York for the most authentic of reasons. Jackson craved New York, wanted it to become a part of him. He left for free agency following the 1981 season; but for the most part, he has been back ever since the day he retired. Wanting to absorb all of New York was real for him.”

There’s no telling on how Tex will shake out, but Bryant’s perspective is an interesting read.

Source.

Joe Blancato a-rod, espn, howard bryant, jason giambi, mark teixeira, reggie jackson, yankees