Perhaps enjoying the perverse notion that Derek Jeter could start at short despite being the 3rd best defensive player at that position on the New York roster, free agent Nomar Garciaparra is supposedly manuvering for a move to the Yankees and a switch to 2B. The Daily News’ Anthony McCarron explains.
All-star shortstop Nomar Garciaparra has told friends he would be open to a position change to either second base or third, which could open the way for the Yankees to pursue the free agent as a second baseman.
The Yankees’ top offseason priority is improving their starting pitching, but if they signed Garciaparra to play second, they would have all of the famed “three shortstops” playing in the same infield – Garciaparra at second, Alex Rodriguez at third and Derek Jeter, who won his first Gold Glove yesterday, at short.
“Obviously, his preference is short, but he’s open to third or second,” a friend of Garciaparra’s said. “He could play either one and he’d be happy to play either one. He’s comfortable playing any of those positions.
“That would be something, wouldn’t it, the holy trinity of shortstops on the same team?”
The friend said Garciaparra would have no trouble playing in New York or making a position change. “Given all he’s been through, I don’t think he’d have a problem dealing with anything,” the friend said.
I don’t see any reason why the Yankees need to stop stockpiling All-Star shortstops. Miguel Tejada in right field? Edgar Renteria at first?
Jeter the 3rd best player at short on the NY roster? Since when did Enrique Wilson attain such stature?
I think what i meant to say was that with Nomar’s mooted arrival, Jeter would find himself starting at SS despite two arguably superior defensive players with experience at that position on the same team (Garciaparra, Rodriguez). Apologies to Enrique Wilson.
This is nothing more than posturing by Nomar’s agent. He knows the market for Nomar is going to be next to nil and is attempting to find a way to get him more than a one year deal. By “suggesting” he’d move to second, he’s hoping that George will jump in and drive up the bidding.
Though I think “next to nil” is a bit of an exaggeration (for instance, I think the Cubs would take Nomar back for more than a year) clearly Garciaparra’s value has dropped dramatically and it would appear as though Nomar managed to sulk himself out of a big guaranteed payday (if not a chance at winning a ring on the field instead of through the post).
I wouldn’t be shocked to see the Giants attempt to sign Nomar on the (relatively) cheap.