For MLB players and teams, spring training marks the official start of the preparation period with the upcoming season in mind.
It doesn’t, however, ban players from working on their own at any facility whenever they want.
Some players opt to take a long vacation after the World Series is over.
Others, however, take a couple of weeks and start their throwing or stretching programs, or hit in the cage.
In short, some players prefer to keep themselves in shape during the whole offseason.
Two members of the New York Yankees have been spotted fielding groundballs together: DJ LeMahieu and Gleyber Torres.
“DJ LeMahieu taking grounders at 3B today. Gleyber Torres is at 2B,” Yankees insider Bryan Hoch tweeted with a video of the two infielders working together.
DJ LeMahieu taking grounders at 3B today. Gleyber Torres is at 2B. Thanks to @MarcNYY618 for the 🎥! #Yankees pic.twitter.com/AUc8pWh5ZD
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) January 19, 2023
Josh Donaldson remains under contract, but was below-average with the bat in 2022.
He could be an option to start at third base, but the best one is still LeMahieu, who was actually above-average offensively and won a Gold Glove at the utility position.
LeMahieu has played third base in his stint with the Yankees, and is the best option on the roster.
As for Torres, he overcame several trade rumors ahead of the deadline and also at the start of the offseason.
In truth, the Yanks don’t quite have a second baseman who is better than Torres.
He has 20-homer power, is solid with the glove there, can work a walk and is still under relatively cheap control.
When Opening Day comes, those two are probably going to start at the respective positions they are practicing at today.
