From around the Yankees and the game:
• Earlier I cited Brian Cashman’s comfort level with A.J. Burnett. Jon Paul Morosi views the Yankees’ fifth-starter competition as one of baseball’s top position battles to watch in Spring Training. He forecasts what I’m expecting: Strong performances and good health creating a roster crunch and trade speculation.
• Said Mark Teixeira on Tuesday before he was honored with a Thurman Munson award: “I might lay down some bunts this year. I’ve been so against it my entire career, but I might lay down a few bunts. If I can beat the shift that way, that’s important.”
Opponents have employed a defensive shift against Teixeira when right-handers are on the mound and it’s affected his splits the past two seasons. In 2009, Teixeira was .287.376/.586 against righties. The last two years have produced .247/.344/.461 (2010) and .223/.323/.450 (2011).
“I have to adapt. I’ve been frustrated the last few years, because those balls haven’t been falling in,” Teixeira said. “Finally I’ve kind of given in, and I’m going to hopefully start using that side a little more.”
That said, Teixeira has justified his $22,500,000 a year salary, writes Zach Finkelstein.
• In addition to his take on Burnett, Cashman shared a classic George Steinbrenner story Tuesday night while speaking at Sacred Heart University.
• Roy Oswalt remains a free agent and apparently with heart set on either Texas or St. Louis. Edwin Jackson, Johnny Damon, Hideki Matsui and the out-of-retirement Manny Ramirez are among name players still without teams for 2012. Jackson could end up stuck with a one-year deal.
• The Yankees outrighted RHP Kevin Whelan, designated for assignment last week, to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.
• First it was Eli Manning. Then Tom Brady became the latest member of the Derek Jeter Fan Club.
• David Robertson was photographed for Outdoor Life’s November issue. This magazine’s Web site has cool behind-the-scenes video of Robertson chatting with Fishing Editor Gerry Bethge and photographer Nathaniel Welch.
Follow Jon Lane on Twitter: @JonLaneNYC
