? Three days after the trade deadline, the Yankees are using their new regular lineup for the first time. This is essentially the group the Yankees plan to use going forward.
? As mentioned yesterday, this regular lineup includes Carlos Beltran remaining at DH for the time being. There?s still some desire to get him into the outfield, but it?s not nearly the priority it was before the deadline. ?With the moves that we made, it?s a lot easier to (have an everyday DH) because I feel that we have a lot more options with (Martin) Prado,? Girardi said. ?If you?re facing a lefty, you don?t necessarily have to have three left-handed-hitting outfielders out there. I do believe with the trades that we made, it gives us more options. I told Carlos, ?Obviously we?d like to be able to get you out there, but I don?t want to rush it.??
? Speaking of Beltran, he?s hitting .375 with a .625 slugging percentage since the All-Star break. The Yankees didn?t add a huge bat at the deadline, but getting a legitimately productive Beltran could be that kind of upgrade. ?I think it?s consistent at-bats,? Girardi said. ?I think he?s just being the player that we thought he would be. It was just a matter of time. But I?m sure it has something to do with (the elbow feeling better), and maybe getting used to the brace as well because that?s obviously something he had to go through and get used to.?
? Not technically a deadline addition, but Chase Headley is certainly a new guy, and he?s generating rave reviews for his defense at third base. ?His defense has been spectacular,? Girardi said. ?And the play he made yesterday to end the game was a really, really difficult play. The ball took a bad hop and it almost took his hat off. So he?s played a great third base.?
? Second base also might have gotten a defensive upgrade, even from a guy who?d never played the position before Friday. Stephen Drew?s looked good over there so far. ?He?s looked pretty good to me,? Girardi said. ?He?s seemed to make the plays that he needs to make. He seems to be in the spots where he needs to be. So far, so good.?
? Some lingering discussion today about Dellin Betances hitting 100 mph three times last night. While Betances has acknowledged wanting to reach triple digits, Girardi said he doesn?t believe Betances is sacrificing mechanics or logic in the name of lighting up the radar gun. ?I have not seen a guy that necessarily tries to do that,? Girardi said. ?I have not. I?ve seen a guy that really has just went out and done his job and not worried about velocity. He?s thrown his share of curveballs. I don?t see a guy looking at the radar gun. I don?t see that, so I don?t have any concern about it.?
