On the surface, Greg Bird's season-ending shoulder injury could be looked upon as a potential spare 2016 part gone missing.<br />But Bird's torn labrum cracks at the core of the Yankees' future plans and demonstrates, before even a pitch has been thrown or a swing has been taken in the warm spring air of Tampa, how fragile a transition this multibillion organization is attempting.<br />Bird, 23, is one of the Big 3 the Yankees hope is on the cusp of Bronx stardom.<br />He, Luis Severino and Triple-A prospect Aaron Judge are three parts of a potential new Core Four.<br />Even if they were to become a poor man’s version of Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte and Jorge Posada, the Yankees would be more than happy to take it.<br />It still might happen.<br />Bird's injury, a torn labrum in his right shoulder, often means doom for a pitcher.<br />Bird, however, is a first baseman with a keen eye and a swing built for the right field porch at Yankee Stadium.
