YANKEES: Bernie Has Been Made an Offer

According to SI.com, the Yankees have offered Bernie Williams a minor league deal with no guarantee for the major league team.

I originally suggested that Bernie learn to play first for the Yankees, replacing Phillips/Phelps. God knows he is a better offensive player but his defensive skills are in question.

Which leads you to the question, why did the Yankees give him the invite? The SI article states that people forget the wonderful job he did as a fill in last season. If two out of the three first baseman (Minky/Phillips/Phelps) turn out to be duds this spring training, then there could be room on the roster for Bernie after all. This would mean 1 of 2 things: a) Bernie plays first alongside the one acceptable first baseman or b) Bernie sits as a fill-in and the first baseman becomes full time.

As is, it looks like Bernie retiring is the most probable. I, for one, still think he can hit and be an asset to the team. We didn't think we would need him last season and look what happened. Do we really want that to happen again?

Peter Abraham's says, "There is not a chance in hell Bernie plays first. I personally like Bernie and he has been a heck of a player. But you don’t take a guy with marginal baseball instincts and make him a first baseman, particularly at this stage of his career. Just. Not. Happening. You ever watch the routes he takes to fly balls? You want him at first base trying to dig out throws and figure out relays?"

I would take Abrahams' word over mine any day. He is around the players, goes to the meetings, and knows his baseball. He has most likely even talked to Bernie personally before. There is, however, still a part of me that wants him to be wrong and to see Bernie back in pinstripes for one more season...