Can new Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius handle NYC without Derek Jeter's influence?
Some with the Diamondbacks questioned Didi Gregorius'€™ work ethic, attributing whatever success he achieved to his sheer athleticism.
The Yankees, during the Derek Jeter era, could be confident that such a player would snap to attention. The quiet but firm examples of Jeter and the other members of the Core Four helped shame lagging teammates into better work habits.
Gregorius might develop those habits on his own — he is only 24, still a young player. But now that Jeter is gone — and now that the Yankees have acquired Gregorius to replace him — it'€™s fair to ask whether the team'€™s clubhouse culture will remain the same type of force for positive change.
To be sure, the Yankees still feature a number of highly respected, lead-by-example veterans —€" Carlos Beltran, Brian McCann, Martin Prado, Jacoby Ellsbury, Mark Teixeira, et al. But this season, they also could be re-introducing Alex Rodriguez into their mix.
Clubhouse culture can be overrated. Without question it is impossible to measure. But no less a talent than Robinson Cano credited Jeter and the Yankees'€™ demanding environment with helping him become a better player.
Gregorius is no Cano, certainly not offensively. The question now is whether the post-Jeter Yankees can help him become the best he can be.