New York Yankees notes from a turn back the clock day at Steinbrenner Field

There was a reunion of sorts from 1998 today at Steinbrenner Field. Tino Martinez was back as hitting coach of the Marlins, David Wells and Jorge Posada were there as guest instructors, Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera of course are still playing for the Yankees and Joe Girardi is their manager. Paul O’Neill was also there working for the YES network. 
The Yankees signed Brennan Boesch today who was released by the Detroit Tigers. He is a 27 year old outfielder who had a bad year last year. He hit 240 with 12 homeruns and 54 RBI in 132 games last year for the Tigers. He was in right field for 115 starts and committed just two errors and had five outfield assists. He is a 367 career hitter at Yankee Stadium and has hit 36 of his 42 career homeruns off of right handers. He will play good defense and provide some pop to the lineup. He had a couple of good years to start his career before last season. He will most likely be a platoon left fielder until Cutis Granderson comes back. He could be on the bench or DH when Granderson does come back especially if Hafner isn’t healthy. This move also allows the Yankees to move Juan Rivera to first base, he has hit well this spring and played good defense at first. They can keep Kevin Youkilis at third like they planned and just wait to get there guys back.

Sabathia made his first start today and will make two more before starting on Opening day against the Red Sox. He battled a little today especially early but he felt good and was happy with the outing and his catcher Francisco Cervelli liked what he saw.

Jeter said he had nothing to report and it is now just like any other spring training. He seems to be coming through the games fine and now it is just getting more and more reps on the field. He should be fine for Opening day like we expected with him.

The Yankees pitching really looks like a stength and it will need to be with the perceived lack of offense. Here are the starters coming up. Hiroki Kuroda on Saturday at home and David Phelps on the road, Ivan Nova on Sunday, Monday is an off day, Tuesday it will be Adam Warren, Wednesday is Vidal Nuno and Sabathia in the minor leagues, Phelps on Thursday, Nova on Friday with Kuroda in the minor leagues, Pettitte on Saturday and Warren on Sunday. There are more guys being cut and the guys will be coming back from the WBC soon. The regular players and pitchers will be playing more and the last couple of weeks is really when they should be peaking and getting ready to go for the season. The Yankees have won five of their last six games.