TAMPA — Now playing at third base for the Yankees: Wishful thinking.
The Yankees built an exceptional all-around team, but sources say they have hit their financial limit, which means their all-too-obvious hot corner conundrum has a much better than even chance to carry late into spring and perhaps even into the season.
The otherwise set and stacked team is basically holding its first open, many-man tryout at third since 1991, when three young guys — Mike Blowers, Randy Velarde and Jim Leyritz — battled it out for an also-ran Yankees club. This time it’s an eclectic trio (or perhaps even quartet) of very pleasant hopefuls, and since the Yankees have reached their budget at about $308 million, one or more of them are likely to be the guy or guys. (A platoon is another option.)
Here are the contestants.