‘Where’s Oswaldo?’ Yankees trying something new with jack-of-all-trades Baby Bomber
TAMPA — After revealing that Yankees utilityman Oswaldo Cabrera will play some center field in a spring training game next week, the prospect’s first chance to play the position in his entire professional career, manager Aaron Boone took a beat and perked up in his chair.
“We should have shirts made: ‘Where’s Oswaldo?’” Boone said.
Thinking he had created a marketing masterpiece off the top of his head, Boone had a split second to celebrate … until several reporters chimed in and delivered the bad news.
Those shirts already exist.
“Oh, man, I thought I just came up with that!” he said, getting a laugh.
Cabrera’s unprecedented versatility on defense is a big reason why the phenom stuck around with the Yankees last summer, called up in August as a slumping ballclub looked desperately for a spark.
In no time, the fan base fell in love with Cabrera, a switch-hitter with pop and a bubbly personality who could play all over the diamond. In addition to stops at each infield position, the natural shortstop spent 34 of his 44 games played with the Yankees in the outfield. Up until that season in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Cabrera had made one appearance in the outfield in the minor leagues. That lack of experience didn’t stop the top-30 prospect from blossoming into a strong defender in unfamiliar territory on the biggest stage.
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Cabrera, 24, started in right on Saturday in a 14-10 loss to the Rays at Steinbrenner Field. He homered in the bottom of the third inning, sending a 385-foot blast to right-center field. There’s a good chance he’ll see some playing time in left this year, jockeying for reps with Aaron Hicks, along with a few long shots competing for a roster spot this spring. Other than pitcher and catcher, center field was the only position that Cabrera didn’t have a chance to check off last season.
It’s important to note that this isn’t meant to be an audition for Cabrera in center. Harrison Bader has that spot locked up with Hicks and Aaron Judge ready to slide over if needed. Boone simply wants Cabrera to give it a try now on the off chance that he has to play there during an emergency situation when games start to count.
“With what he’s shown us so far, you feel good about him anywhere on the field,” Boone said. “I don’t necessarily see him being a regular center fielder for us at any point, but I could see it in a certain game when things get moved around. I want to get him at least exposed to it.”
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Considering how quickly the prospect familiarized himself with the corner outfield spots a year ago, making highlight-reel plays look easy, it wouldn’t be surprising if he shines in center as well.
“Myself and a few coaches talked a lot about our comfort level with Oswaldo, feeling like whatever situation comes up this year, he can help us,” Boone added. “I didn’t necessarily see it in the outfield, but he’s certainly been on our radar up here, going back to not only last spring but before. That’s a credit to him and his makeup. He’s a special guy.”
The plan is for Cabrera to come off the bench and replace Bader in center in a Grapefruit League game over the next couple of days. He’ll be an option there during the regular season “in a pinch,” said Boone, who will need to make a decision this spring on the best way to use his Swiss Army knife come Opening Day.
Speaking of defensive versatility, Boone confirmed that Judge will start a game in left field midway through next week. The reigning Most Valuable Player was spotted taking fly balls in left during Saturday morning’s workout at Steinbrenner Field, willing to swap positions if it means Giancarlo Stanton can play more defense and simultaneously stay healthy. With so much ground to cover in left at Yankee Stadium, and Stanton’s history on everyone’s minds, the slugger would be better served guarding the short porch if he’s not penciled in at designated hitter.
