BOSTON — This is a new world the Yankees have entered: No sizzle. Not much steak.
This is the Everyman Era. It seems as if any player can be a Yankee.
In the post-steroid era, power is out the window, so now it is about lengthening the lineup. In Stephen Drew and Martin Prado, the Yankees feel they have done just that.
“The game has changed a lot,’’ manager Joe Girardi said Saturday on a day the Yankees were handed a gift, 6-4 victory over the Red Sox at Fenway Park. In a four-run third inning, five Yankees were walked by Red Sox starter Allen Webster, who was in panic mode from the first pitch.
“You look on the scoreboard on a daily basis and it is much different than it was 12-14 years ago,’’ Girardi said.
It certainly has changed from five years ago, when the the Yankees last won a World Series.
The Yankees did get one home run Saturday, Mark Teixeira’s leadoff shot in the fifth, the Yankees’ 100th home run of the season, but Teixeira wanted to talk about the two new guys, who each picked up a hit. Both also walked in that third inning.
“These guys have a track record,’’ Teixeira said of Prado and Drew. “I love the way they swing the bats.’’
“Prado’s ability to control the bat is going to be huge for us,’’ hitting coach Kevin Long told The Post. “He’s a professional. And Drew, I really like him so far, his demeanor, he’s a relaxed, confident individual and we’ve had some good discussions already.’’
Because of his late signing with the Red Sox, Drew said he feels he is just now out of spring-training mode.
“These guys know what I can do here,’’ Drew said. “This offense is starting to come around, I think we’re very capable of scoring runs. I’m pleased with the way I’m swinging the bat.’’
Can Prado make the switch to right field? Can Drew handle second base? Both did fine Saturday and Drew made a spectacular play in the second inning, coming in to snatch a ground ball and flip the ball to first from his glove.
“He’s a great athlete, he’ll be fine,’’ infield coach Mick Kelleher said of Drew.
“So far so good,’’ Prado said of his moving to right field, adding that Jacoby Ellsbury has really helped position him in right. “It’s awesome,’’ he said of playing the Red Sox.
Drew plays an aggressive second base. That was needed.
“He’s never played second base in his life,’’ said Ellsbury, Drew’s former teammate with the Red Sox. “He’s come in and has made some very nice plays. He’s a gamer.’’
The Yankees desperately need the help. They are a step above mediocrity. There is not much power. There has not been much much excitement.
A year ago at this time, Alex Rodriguez was in the locker at Fenway that is occupied this weekend by Prado, a pro’s pro.
The Yankees sit at 56-53, trying their best to make the playoffs after completely missing out on the show last October. Girardi talks about “flexibility’’ with his lineup these days.
The Yankees are middle-of-the-pack boring — 17th in hitting with a .252 average, tied for 11th in home runs with 100, 15th in slugging at .385, 17th in runs with 438, 20th in ERA with a 3.89 mark.
Nothing is outstanding. At this stage, there is no there, there.
Staying in the middle of the pack has become a way of life for the Yankees.
How long will that play?
This is mix-and-match baseball and the Yankees are trying to squeeze all they can from this group of players.
In two quick days, though, Prado and Drew have fit in nicely. There is a more relaxed atmosphere in the clubhouse.
You can sense the Yankees feel they are a better team with these two.
Prado and Drew certainly are better than what the Yankees had in their lineup just a few days ago.
Anything is better than absolute mediocrity.