The Yankees haven't been overwhelmed with the pool of potential center fielders they've seen outside the organization, so it's not surprising that they're looking internally.
The names they're considering, however, are mind-boggling.
Joe Torre said in an interview with Reuters yesterday that the Bombers have considered the possibility of moving Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez to center field to fill the hole vacated by Bernie Williams.
"We've thought about it," Torre told the international wire service. "We just haven't made a commitment to that. We haven't broached it with the shortstops."
His use of the plural in that sentence is noteworthy, since A-Rod was once considered the best shortstop in the game but moved to third base to facilitate a trade from the Rangers to the Bronx, deferring to Jeter as the incumbent shortstop.
Now, it's possible that one or both could be moving again; Rodriguez could be shifted to center or, if Jeter became the center fielder, A-Rod could slide back over and take over shortstop. GM Brian Cashman didn't return a phone call late last night, but Torre pointed out that such a move wouldn't be unique.
"That's happened before, hasn't it?" Torre told Reuters. "Bobby Murcer, Mickey Mantle. Hank Aaron came up as a second baseman. Robin Yount went to center field. It certainly is a consideration."
Speculation about Jeter making a move to the outfield isn't new and, if one of the players were to move he'd be the more likely candidate. Even before A-Rod arrived in New York there had always been a small segment of the Yankee population proposing that the captain's ability to read the ball off the bat and his uncanny ability to go back and catch fly balls over his shoulder made him a natural candidate to finish his career as an outfielder.
Typically, however, that sentiment has been dismissed as totally far-fetched.
After all, Jeter did not change positions - to second or third base - when Rodriguez came over from Texas, so why would he agree to a move now?
Jeter won his second consecutive Gold Glove at shortstop last month and, despite critics who believe his range is below-average, has one of the best throwing arms in the game.
"There are a number of ways to make an impact during the course of a game, and playing solid, sound defense is one of them," Jeter said after winning the award. "To be recognized with a Gold Glove with so many other worthy shortstops in our league is an accomplishment I hold with great honor."
Rodriguez, meanwhile, has spent the past two seasons honing his skills as a third baseman and, in the minds of many observers, has reached near Gold Glove-level status at this point, so it stands to reason that he wouldn't want to begin that process all over again.
Still, Torre said he had no doubt that the two players wouldn't have any trouble handling the responsibilities of center field and, if they set their minds to it, could probably learn the position during spring training. "Jeter would do anything, and so would A-Rod for that matter, to help this ball club win," Torre told Reuters.
BY SAM BORDEN NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
The names they're considering, however, are mind-boggling.
Joe Torre said in an interview with Reuters yesterday that the Bombers have considered the possibility of moving Derek Jeter or Alex Rodriguez to center field to fill the hole vacated by Bernie Williams.
"We've thought about it," Torre told the international wire service. "We just haven't made a commitment to that. We haven't broached it with the shortstops."
His use of the plural in that sentence is noteworthy, since A-Rod was once considered the best shortstop in the game but moved to third base to facilitate a trade from the Rangers to the Bronx, deferring to Jeter as the incumbent shortstop.
Now, it's possible that one or both could be moving again; Rodriguez could be shifted to center or, if Jeter became the center fielder, A-Rod could slide back over and take over shortstop. GM Brian Cashman didn't return a phone call late last night, but Torre pointed out that such a move wouldn't be unique.
"That's happened before, hasn't it?" Torre told Reuters. "Bobby Murcer, Mickey Mantle. Hank Aaron came up as a second baseman. Robin Yount went to center field. It certainly is a consideration."
Speculation about Jeter making a move to the outfield isn't new and, if one of the players were to move he'd be the more likely candidate. Even before A-Rod arrived in New York there had always been a small segment of the Yankee population proposing that the captain's ability to read the ball off the bat and his uncanny ability to go back and catch fly balls over his shoulder made him a natural candidate to finish his career as an outfielder.
Typically, however, that sentiment has been dismissed as totally far-fetched.
After all, Jeter did not change positions - to second or third base - when Rodriguez came over from Texas, so why would he agree to a move now?
Jeter won his second consecutive Gold Glove at shortstop last month and, despite critics who believe his range is below-average, has one of the best throwing arms in the game.
"There are a number of ways to make an impact during the course of a game, and playing solid, sound defense is one of them," Jeter said after winning the award. "To be recognized with a Gold Glove with so many other worthy shortstops in our league is an accomplishment I hold with great honor."
Rodriguez, meanwhile, has spent the past two seasons honing his skills as a third baseman and, in the minds of many observers, has reached near Gold Glove-level status at this point, so it stands to reason that he wouldn't want to begin that process all over again.
Still, Torre said he had no doubt that the two players wouldn't have any trouble handling the responsibilities of center field and, if they set their minds to it, could probably learn the position during spring training. "Jeter would do anything, and so would A-Rod for that matter, to help this ball club win," Torre told Reuters.
BY SAM BORDEN NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
