Yankees rumors have been all over the place about how exactly the NY Yankees' infield is going to shape up going into the 2014 season, but it looks like at least one of the roles in question has a concrete answer.
There has been a solid amount of speculation as to who on the NY Yankees current roster would function as returning first baseman Mark Teixeira's backup. During today's "State of the Yankees" press conference, manager Joe Girardi provided an answer--
“I would say right now our backup first baseman would be Kelly Johnson if Tex needed a day off, and he’s going to need some days off.”
Yankees rumors have been running rampant that newly acquired catcher Brian McCann could be another option for spot-starting when Teixiera needs a day off, but as of now no conversation has taken place.
Kelly Johnson hit .235 in 118 games with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2013. Johnson has not hit above that mark in a full-season's work since 2010.
However, Johnson did club 16 home runs in just 407 at-bats, showing he still has 20-25 home run pop in his bat.