Reggie: Stanton has 'ingredients' to succeed
Yankees likely won't pursue free-agent starters; Wilson expected to report Monday
CLEARWATER, Fla. -- Giancarlo Stanton has said that he is looking forward to playing in front of the big city's bright lights, and as someone who never shied away from that stage, Reggie Jackson has some advice for the newest Yankees superstar.
"Play good," Jackson said with a laugh before the Yankees' 8-3 victory over the Phillies at Spectrum Field. "It'll be fun in Spring Training. It'll be work the first month. They'll want to know why he didn't hit a homer the first day. He's been around it. Last year, he was trying to hit 60 [homers]. There was some pressure there. Miami is not New York, but he'll be fine. He's surrounded with the right group, the right people."
Jackson, who arrived at Yankees camp on Sunday, said that he was excited by the December trade that fit the reigning National League Most Valuable Player Award winner for pinstripes. Between Stanton, Aaron Judge and the rest of the Bombers, Jackson joked that the team might run out of batting-practice balls.
"This is a great collection of talent and personalities and characters," Jackson said. "The pieces are in place, and I'm sure [general manager] Brian [Cashman] is looking for more. It never stops. The demand doesn't stop.
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"New York's a tough place. The expectations are as big as the salary. No surprises. I don't think he'll be surprised. It'd be different if he didn't have a big toolbox; if he didn't have the skills. He's got the important ingredients, for sure. He can make it work. It'll be fun."
Not pursuing
Manager Aaron Boone indicated on Sunday that Cashman is not actively pursuing the remaining crop of free-agent starters, having been asked specifically about the likelihood of Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn joining the team.
"At this point, I don't really see those guys as realistic options," Boone said. "I know Cash is always kicking the tires and always looking for ways to improve the club and monitoring every situation, but as we sit here today, it's my understanding that those guys really aren't in play for us. I'd be surprised."
Hey, Mr. Wilson
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson is expected to be in uniform with the Yankees beginning on Monday, when the one-time Rockies Minor League infielder will participate in workouts. Wilson is expected to be with the club for about six days and will not appear in a game.
"We really want him to come here and enjoy himself and be able to be around our guys," Boone said. "I'm looking forward to our guys getting the opportunity to interact with him, and him getting the opportunity to breathe into our guys. We feel like it's something that's a really positive opportunity for us to take advantage of."
Bombers bits
• Jordan Montgomery was sharp in a two-inning outing, permitting a hit with two strikeouts while throwing 16 of 25 pitches for strikes. The left-hander is working on commanding his changeup, an offering that he said was absent for a large portion of the 2017 season.
"I threw two good ones today," Montgomery said. "Just something I'll keep concentrating on, tossing it every day, and get back to what I used to have in college and the Minors."
• Justus Sheffield was dominant in a 1-2-3 third inning, striking out two, but the lefty wasn't able to complete the fourth inning. After a leadoff walk, Sheffield drilled J.P. Crawford with a slider, then permitted a one-out sacrifice fly before Maikel Franco mashed a fastball for a two-run homer.
"It's really important to me that he walks out of there with a lot of positives," Boone said. "If you had never seen him pitch before and you saw that first inning, he'd open your eyes. It was special. I think he gets going a little bit too fast at times. … I think there's a lot to build on from what he showed us."
• Chad Green is scheduled to start on Tuesday against the Blue Jays, while Luis Cessa will make his second spring start on Wednesday against the Tigers. Boone said that the Yankees are considering using a sixth starter during the first month of the season.
"That's on the board as a possibility," Boone said. "As long as we can stay fairly healthy, we feel like we're in a good spot to have some good options to come up and give us a spot start."
Quotable
"Put the heat on him. Let's go. Burn a lamp on him. I'm ready." -- Jackson, on Stanton
Up next
Sonny Gray will make his first start of the spring as the Yankees host the Phillies on Monday evening at George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla. Ben Lively will pitch for the Phillies, with first pitch at 6:35 p.m. ET. Gary Sanchez is scheduled to make his spring debut behind the plate.