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Since clearing waivers after being Designated For Assignment, Chris Dickerson officially hits the market as the Yankees grant him his release. As a left-handed bat in an outfield full of lefties, everyone's favorite name pun really had little chance of hanging around. Dickerson once got us away from Sergio Mitre and he'll never be forgotten for that.
Is Eduardo Nunez capable of being a utility infielder? Is he only capable of playing shortstop? Can he even do that? There aren't a lot of questions to these answers, but the Yankees seem to suggest that they will be giving him another shot at moving all around the infield in 2013. Brad Vietrogoski thinks jerking Nunez around may end up causing more harm than good in the long run.
For every Opening Day of his career with the exception of 1996, Derek Jeter has taken his place at shortstop. An ugly ankle injury in the ALCS put his status for the beginning of the 2013 season in jeopardy, but the Captain is already without his walking boot and getting back into a workout routine. He is expected to resume baseball activities by the end of the month.
It's Been a Year, Questions Remain:
On January 13th, 2012, the Yankees traded Jesus Montero and Hector Noesi to the Mariners for Michael Pineda and Jose Campos. A year later, it's still a mystery which team truly came out on top in this deal. Pineda didn't throw a meaningful inning for the Yankees after tearing his labrum and landed himself in the news for drunk driving while Montero disappointed offensively in Seattle. The next season should bring more clarity as Pineda returns to baseball and Montero continues to try to prove he is a big league catcher.
The Yankees need a starting catcher and Francisco Cervelli wants to be that guy. He was banished to AAA last season in favor of Chris Stewart, but Spring Training looks like it will be an open competition to see who will get the job behind the plate in 2013. Cervelli seems to be a concussion magnet, which is certainly a mark against the 26 year old as an everyday catcher in the majors.