The Yankees news cycle was subjected to a bit of confusion today when NY Yankees manager Joe Girardi released what could shape up as his Opening Day lineup prior to today's rained-out exhibition contest against the Miami Marlins.
Many prognosticators around the New York Yankees believed that Girardi would hit left fielder Brett Gardner ninth in the Yankees starting lineup in order to get a double lead-off hitter effect when the lineup turns over to center fielder Jacoby Ellsbury in the number one spot.
However, the lineup for today's rain-out had Gardner hitting seventh, raising some eyebrows and questions amongst members of the media.
“He’s a guy that we feel we could hit anywhere in the top or anywhere down to give some speed,” Girardi stated when questioned about the decision. “He had a pretty good year offensively last year, and that’s where we decided to put him.”
In 145 games last season, the NY Yankees starting left fielder set career-highs in hits (147), doubles (33), triples (10), and RBIs (52).
Girardi made it clear that injuries forced the NY Yankees' hand last year -- a problem which has now morphed into a luxury going into the 2014 campaign, especially if players like Brett Gardner continue to contribute --
“Last year we left, we were missing the middle of our order, the end of our order, the top of our order,” Girardi stated. “This year we leave with pretty much everyone in our order that we expected to be there. I think it was a very productive spring. I thought it was a very competitive spring. I really liked what I saw from our team. I do. I feel good about it.”
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