TAMPA — Brendan Ryan has a simple motto heading into this season: “Embrace the boos.”
He knows if he’s playing shortstop, there’s a good shot Derek Jeter isn’t in the lineup that day, and he expects to hear about it from the crowd.
“Dealing with all the disappointment of [me] being out there and not the captain?” Ryan said at Steinbrenner Field on Tuesday. “If it’s a few days a week or a few days a month, might as well as embrace it. It’s a very special opportunity to play with a special guy in his last season.”
Though Jeter’s long-term replacement is likely in another spring training location, someone the Yankees will sign or trade for after the season, Ryan would like to think otherwise after signing a two-year deal in the offseason.
“It’s something that’s in the back of my mind,” Ryan said. “I don’t think anyone envies that, but I’m trying to get on the field, so I don’t really care. I’m gonna get booed regardless.”
He’s already anticipating that this season, when Ryan will be a somewhat frequent fill-in as the Yankees try to keep Jeter healthy in his final season.
“I don’t know how much I’m gonna play, but I’m sure some of it will be up to the captain,” Ryan said.
He also figures to be used as a defensive replacement for Jeter late in games.
“That’s a tough one,” Ryan said. “I don’t think that’s something he’s gonna be in favor of, but he doesn’t have the office.”
Joe Girardi does have the office, and he will have to perform the delicate balancing act of keeping Jeter in one piece and not offending the 39-year-old.
GM Brian Cashman said using Ryan for late-game defense at shortstop hasn’t been discussed.
“He is here as the backup, that’s it,’’ Cashman said. “He will be utilized tomorrow any way the manager feels he can help but [defensive replacement for Jeter] hasn’t been discussed.’’
No matter how often Ryan plays, he needs to be more productive at the plate.
“I just want to get my offense going and show I’m not the hitter I’ve been the last two years,” said Ryan, who has hit under .200 with an OPS of under .600 in both 2012 and ’13 when he tried to add power to his game. “I had a lot of moving parts in Seattle. … I can hit. I just got into my own head.”
Ryan and hitting coach Kevin Long spent time in Los Angeles over the winter to simplify his swing. Ryan, who turns 32 next month, thinks he can be a serviceable hitter.
“If I’m hitting for some average, I don’t want to talk about what I do defensively, but I think you guys know,” Ryan said. “I’d like to think hit .260, something like that. If I do that, I’m gonna be playing somewhere.”
Likely in The Bronx. As someone else’s backup.