Blue Jays make impression in 9-2 win
TAMPA, Fla. — The Yankees had their struggles against the Blue Jays in 2021, going 8-11 vs. the powerful, athletic Toronto lineup, and they’re 0-for-2 so far this spring against a team many see as the favorite in the AL East in 2022.
They were outhit, 13-6 in a 9-2 loss last Tuesday in Dunedin, and fell behind 8-4 after seven innings in a 10-9 loss Saturday at Steinbrenner Field. The Blue Jays outhit the Yankees, 13-11, Saturday.
“A lot of good, young talent over there,” Giancarlo Stanton, who hit a titanic homer halfway up the scoreboard in left-center Saturday, said of the Blue Jays. “They’re going to be a good team.”
Aaron Judge, who doubled and scored a run Saturday, cited young stars Vlad Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette, among others.
“Those guys are just going to continue to get better,” Judge said. “They’ve got a great outfield, a great infield core. They’re going to be a tough opponent all year.”
Which isn’t to say the Yankees feel they’re lacking when it comes to their lineup.
“Very dynamic,” Stanton said in describing his club. “We’re going to be great as well but, again, we’ve got to just put it together for a full season.”
Add-ons coming?: GM Brian Cashman continues looking for reinforcements, particularly in the starting pitching department but, to this point, the asking prices from opposing teams that have rotation help available — the A’s, for example — have been prohibitive.
“We’ve stayed in touch, engaged a lot of clubs about what our needs seem to be right now,” Cashman said. “If something comes out of any of those discussions, great. And if not, we’re prepared to go with what we have here and pull from what we have in the minors.”
With a projected payroll in the range of $256 million for this season, Cashman quickly came to the defense of managing general partner Hal Steinbrenner when asked how much “leeway” he had to add to the payroll.
Birdie time: Greg Bird, a fifthround pick of the Yankees in 2011 whose career in pinstripes was ruined by injuries, pinch hit with runners at second and third with one out in the seventh against righty Vinny Nittoli in the seventh and one out. Bird, who signed a minor league deal with Toronto earlier this month and who heard a small handful of boos when announced Saturday, drew a walk. The first baseman, who has an outside chance to stick as a DH/ backup first baseman, then crushed a two-run homer in the eighth off righty Reggie McClain, giving the 29-year-Bird a .417 batting average and 1.588 OPS in six Grapefruit League games.
Keeping hidden: The Yankees had Jameson Taillon, who made his spring debut five days before, pitch a three-inning simulated game at the club’s minor league complex late Saturday morning rather the face the Blue Jays, whom he’ll likely face the second series of the regular season.