TAMPA — A lot has been fabricated from Aaron Decide’s willingness to maneuver to heart subject this spring, in addition to previously, to offer the Yankees extra flexibility within the outfield.
However that doesn’t fairly evaluate to the transfer that one other former American League MVP is making in Los Angeles, the place Mookie Betts has turn out to be the Dodgers’ new beginning shortstop.
“It’s outstanding,’’ Decide mentioned Saturday of Betts’ resolution, which was made after the earlier starter, Gavin Lux, was struggling on the place.
“He’s bought 5 or 6 Gold Gloves within the outfield, which is spectacular and normally you retain these guys in that place when they’re that good,’’ Decide mentioned earlier than figuring out at Steinbrenner Subject. “The selflessness of him to go on the market and attempt to assist the crew by transferring to the infield after which not simply that, however now transferring to shortstop, speaks volumes to what sort of athlete he’s and how much teammate he’s.”
Like Decide, the 31-year-old Betts is within the prime of his profession and taking part in for a crew with sky-high expectations.
Along with the AL MVP Betts received in 2018 with the Purple Sox, he additionally completed second within the AL MVP as soon as, in addition to twice within the NL MVP voting as a Dodger — together with final season.
Betts got here up primarily as a second baseman earlier than transferring to the outfield with Boston.
“I’ve seen him play the infield and he’s bought nice abilities, he’s bought nice fingers, he has nice motion,’’ Decide mentioned. “I do know he got here up as a second baseman with the Purple Sox, however they mentioned ‘We’ve bought this man Dustin Pedroia, so that you’d higher be taught a brand new place.’ So I’m excited to see what he does.”
And Decide understands the scrutiny Betts will face.
“It’s all the time powerful when your crew is within the place to combat for a World Collection and you’ve got a fantastic crew that signed two extra nice gamers [Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto], however I feel it’s gonna assist them and open up spots within the outfield. It makes them so various.”
The Yankees are hoping for comparable outcomes from Decide being in heart once more, which is able to permit newcomers Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo to be within the nook outfield spots.
“That dialog [about moving to center] began in ’21 and if that helps free us up and preserve guys within the lineup, then I’ll play wherever they want me,’’ Decide mentioned.
That’s one thing Decide believes he has in widespread with Betts.
“It simply comes all the way down to being a ballplayer,’’ Decide mentioned. “Mookie’s not simply an outfielder. He’s a ballplayer. He’ll go on the market and do no matter job you want him to do. I attempt to do the identical factor to place us in one of the best place to win a recreation, if it’s proper, heart or left.”
Not like Betts, although, Decide attracts the road at filling in at shortstop if Anthony Volpe wants a break.
“I assume I may play just a little quick, however I don’t have the pace, fingers or quickness, so which may not be a good suggestion,’’ Decide mentioned with fun.
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