The Yankees could soon learn the result of Alex Rodriguez's appeal of his suspension. If the suspension is upheld, they could turn to free agents Michael Young or Mark Reynolds as alternatives, Andrew Marchand of ESPN New York writes.
If A-Rod isn't available, the Yankees do have the lefty-hitting Kelly Johnson to play the hot corner. Young or Reynolds, both of them right-handed, could platoon with Johnson, who could also play second base. Young hit .279/.335/.395 with the Phillies and Dodgers last season, and Reynolds hit .220/.306/.393 with the Indians and Yankees. CBS Sports' Jon Heyman tweeted last month that the Yankees had interest in Reynolds and Young, but since then, they've agreed to terms with Brian Roberts to help address their second base needs. That would appear to impact their plan at third base, since Johnson can play both positions.
Marchand notes that the Yankees are unlikely to make any moves at third until they know more about Rodriguez's situation, and they might not make any until after Masahiro Tanaka signs, whether that's with them or someone else.
Michael Young would be a great fit for the Yankees. A 38 year old who’s posted a -1.8 WAR the last two seasons. Sounds like a match made in heaven.
I’m afraid Young is exactly the type of player the Yanks would target since you know he has such versatility. That being a below average defender at all infield positions of course.
With Young, Jeter and Johnson clogging around the IF, maybe the Yanks should go with 5 IF and take their chances with Ells and Gardy in the gaps, ha.
what other options are out there right now?
Not sure, but it’s gotta be someone with a WAR above 0.
i imagine so. it just doesn’t look good either way.
Exactly, which hasn’t been Young for the past two seasons. Even Nunez can post replacement level numbers without throwing another 5 or whatever million the useless vet would command.
would it be crazy to move jeter there?
Jeter wouldn’t move to third. It’d be nice but it’s not happening
i know. but if there’s one guy on that team that i’d expect to put the needs of the team before his own, it would be him. i’d be curious to see him there.
I can’t believe I’m saying this but I’d take Nunez over young
Except for the fact Nunez is also a negative WAR player
They could always make a play for Chase headley now.
Aramis ramierez if the Brewers want a salary dump with weeks? Not sure if they manipulate it so that the salary only counts for next year.
Aramis ramierez if the yankees eat week’s deal?
They can always trade for middlebrooks if they want a third baseman with a war slightly above zero.
The Red Sox are not going to give up Middlebrooks, especially not to the Yankees. Cecchini isn’t ready yet.
If they re-sign Drew they might.
Well, if Michael Young or Mark Reynolds are playing third base for you, you don’t really have a third baseman.
I could live with Johnson/ Reynolds platoon. Not really loving the idea of Michael young on the team
…wait.
After all the defensive success that Reynolds has had at 1B over the past couple of years after being absolutely putrid at 3B, the Yankees think “Hey. Let’s play Reynolds at 3B”
Sounds about right.
Young makes some sense from the standpoint that Roberts cannot be relied on at all and can play second and third. Thats unappealing, but they’re not looking at a ton of decent alternatives.
They should learn from the Youkilis debacle not to expect Reynolds to play 3B with any regularity. He plays a good 1B. Leave it at that.
Could have just kept Adams then?
too bad chase headley is not available
If they don’t sign young I honestly wish Yankees had enough to trade with one of following
the pirates for Pedro Alvarez….
The royals for mike moustakas
The giants Pablo Sandoval
Diamondback for prado
Anyone is better than Johnson at third jeez.
Not that he’s not hurt enough already, but is Mark Teixeira totally out of the question for third base. When I first heard of him as an up and comer with Texas back in 2002, he was a third baseman then. Of course, he could also hit them too.
2yrs $8-12mil is that over paying for young if yAnks give him….