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2016 AL East Rankings by Position: First Base

By Nate Wardle

Sep 20, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Chris Davis (19) hits a 2-run home run during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 20, 2015; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Chris Davis (19) hits a 2-run home run during the third inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees designated hitter Mark Teixeira (25) hits a RBI single against Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 15, 2015; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; New York Yankees designated hitter Mark Teixeira (25) hits a RBI single against Toronto Blue Jays in the eighth inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-USA TODAY Sports /

2. New York Yankees – Mark Teixeira, Dustin Ackley, Rob Refsnyder, Gregory Bird*

Mark Teixeira was an All-Star in 2015 and is in the last year of his massive Yankees contract. At age 35, there are many questions as to whether Big Tex can stay healthy, as he hasn’t played in more than 125 games since 2011. When he was on the field last year, Tex was good, hitting to a .255/.357/.548 clip with 31 HRs, 22 2Bs, and 79 RBIs.

In all honesty, I would like to rank the Yankees lower. I see Tex getting hurt and the backups behind him are, well, inadequate. Gregory Bird did very well in his games at first last year, but he is already out for the season with a torn labrum in his shoulder. This could be a devastating blow to the Yankees.

Ackley played all over the place for the Yankees after being acquired from Seattle for Ramon Flores and Jose Ramirez just before the trade deadline. With the Yankees seemingly set at most other positions, barring injuries, Ackley will likely see most of his time at first base, which is not his natural position. His power does not work as a first baseman in the AL East, but the Yankees may not have many other options.

With all the reserves the Yankees are going to have, I don’t know that Refsnyder can make the team. More realistically, I think Brian McCann and Alex Rodriguez are the two reserves at first base, but they will be starting at catcher and DH respectively.

Next: Can Colabello repeat 2015?

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