Bronx Bomber Ball

  With just four days before Opening Day, the Yankees are rounding into regular season form down in Tampa and finalizing their roster they’ll bring up North with them for their Thursday matinee against the Boston Red Sox. Photo Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA TODAY Sports

The Yankees utility players, Ronald Torreyes (0.3 WAR), Tyler Wade (-0.1 WAR) and Neil Walker (-0.1 WAR) had a combined WAR of .1 in 2018, and while they are all serviceable as utility players or as players off the bench, this is an area where the Yankees could use an upgrade in 2019.   Photo Credit: NBC Sports

The Yankees have failed to solidify the first base position ever since Mark Teixeira retired after the 2016 season. Over the last three seasons, New York has gotten nowhere near the production the 2015 All-Star Teixeira gave them. That year, he slashed .255/.357/.548 with 22 doubles, 31 home runs, and 79 RBI before his season was cut short to a broken leg. Many believed 2011 fifth-round pick Greg Bird was the solution at first base as he tore up the minors in 2013-2015, leading to a mid-August call up to the bigs in 2015. Bird started 44 games in August and September amid some Teixeira injuries, and he hit .261 with 11 homers and 30 RBI.