The Yankees have received trade inquiries about both third baseman Chase Headley and left fielder Brett Gardner, GM Brian Cashman told reporters (including MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch). “They’re still here and they’re here for a reason, but we’ll see,” Cashman said. “We have our interest in getting younger and stronger and more flexible, and improve our present and our future. If all that provides that opportunity, then I think I’ll be talking to our owner and see if he’ll consider it.”
The switch-hitting Headley hit .253/.331/.385 with 14 homers over 529 PA last season, as he sandwiched four months of pretty good hitting between a dreadful April and a mediocre September. While he posted below-average numbers at the plate (92 wRC+) for the second consecutive year, Headley rebounded from a poor defensive year in 2015 to deliver his usual strong performance at the hot corner in 2016, with +7 Defensive Runs Runs Saved and 8.6 UZR/150.
Powered by his defense and a tremendous year on the basepaths (3.9 on Fangraphs’ Baserunning metric), Headley was worth 2.6 fWAR in 2016, which made him more than worth his $13MM salary. The veteran will earn $13MM in each of the next two seasons and turns 33 in May, however, so it makes sense that New York is at least open to listening to offers for Headley’s services as part of the club’s continuing effort to get both younger and cheaper. Since the Yankees don’t have another obvious third base option immediately ready to step in, trading Headley could be a precursor to another move to adding a third baseman.
Gardner is also entering his age-33 season, and is guaranteed $25MM over the next two seasons (counting the $2MM buyout of his $12.5MM club option for 2019). The veteran outfielder hit .261/.351/.362 with seven home runs over 634 PA and ended up with a pretty similar season to Headley — 2.4 fWAR built on excellent defense and baserunning moreso than hitting. Aside from his injury-shortened 2012, Gardner has produced at least 2.3 fWAR in every season since 2009, so it’s no surprise that teams looking for an outfield upgrade have been in touch with Cashman.
If Gardner is dealt, the Yankees could replace him in a big way in left field with Yoenis Cespedes. Cashman confirmed that he had spoken to Cespedes’ representatives and that he expects more talks to take place now that the Yankees have freed up some payroll by dealing Brian McCann.
Signing the 31-year-old Cespedes (MLBTR’s top-rated free agent on the market) would obviously cost the Yankees over $100MM and commit them to a deal well into Cespedes’ mid-30’s, which may not jibe with the team’s overall desire to get younger. Cespedes is quite a bit younger and probably more likely to remain productive in 2017 than veterans like Carlos Beltran or Jose Bautista, though those older players would also be available on much shorter contracts. Cespedes in particular would be able to replace Gardner’s defense as well, while Beltran or Bautista have defensive limitations.
“I’m going to be open-minded to what’s available,” Cashman said. “We now will pursue bats, but we’ll see if it takes us anywhere. It could be a DH-only situation; obviously the preference always is going to be someone that can provide positional ability so you have more flexibility on your roster. We’ll see where it takes us.”
The general manager acknowledged interest in reunions with Beltran and Aroldis Chapman, both dealt by the Yankees in the leadup to last year’s trade deadline.
Hoch also reports that “the Yankees have started the information-gathering process” in regards to both Rich Hill and Jason Hammel. Hill was already known to be a potential New York target this winter, while this is the first time Hammel has been linked to the Yankees (or any team) since the Cubs surprisingly declined his option after the World Series. The 34-year-old Hammel is a reliable and productive innings-eater who would be a good fit in the Yankees rotation, though his price tag could be driven up since free agent pitching is so scarce this offseason.
Headley and $$$ for Yunel Escobar?
That doesn’t benefit the Yankees what so ever
I don’t need it to lol
It save them $$ and nets them a better hitter (though a worse ballplayer overall)
It does not benefit the Angels neither.
How? Switch hitting 3B that’s a massive upgrade with the glove and on the bases. Roughly league average hitter who’s shown the ability to be better.
I think that’d help quite a bit
Yanks want pitching prospect in return!
the only pitchers the angels have worth trading is nate smith, tyler skaggs and matt shoemaker, and the angels are in no shape to trade any pitching depth they have. they are better off signing justin turner
Agreed that we shouldn’t deal any of our arms. Disagree that we should pursue Turner. He’s gonna get paid and we don’t need to be the ones doing so
We need a second baseman , we could just sign somebody cheap like darwin barney he’s all glove but no bat. Or I wonder what it would take to get brandon phillips. I know the angels were also linked in trading for brian dozier.
Don’t like either of those options TBH. Dat dude isn’t much of an upgrade for $14m and Dozier, while great, would cost more than we have. Even if we had enough to get a Dozier deal done we would cripple our pitching present and future.
I like Cory Spangenberg from SD. Not sure what he would cost us though… Maybe Carlos Perez and Yunel for he and Norris?
Can’t see why the Padres would have any interest in Yunel Escobar. A rebuilding team doesn’t need a guy like that. Spangenberg probably has very little trade value anyway. He missed basically all of last season, and he’s not really a plus defender or hitter.
Padres already have a superior 3b, ironically the guy headley was traded for
Superior to Headley? Not quite. Solarte can’t field or run at all, and his numbers otherwise are about the same, in the easier league.
I feel like Gardner would be a lot more appealing to other teams than Headley. I’d gladly deal both if we had a decent offer to clear cap space.
Gardner isn’t worth much.
I don’t really think that’s true though bigjonliljon. He’s a gold glove outfielder that plays an amazing LF and can still play a plus CF, has an obp over .350, produces about 2.5 war year in and year out and can steal 20 bases. Take all of that and the fact he’s due $25 mil over the next 2 years, and he can fetch you something decent. If the Yankees were to kick in $5-$6 mil, they should get something back better than what they got for McCann (an organization’s top 10 prospect and another high upside prospect). Who knows though, only time will tell if they even move him or not.
Headley and Gardner are both playing better than what they are getting paid… If the Yankees does trade them, they don’t have to put any cash consideration, unless the prospects or players we are getting are worth a lot.
Gardner is an option for a contender who doesn’t want to over pay for an outfielder who is solid, he did just win the gold glove. He’s anywhere from a 1.5- 2.2 WAR according to Fangraphs. The only free agents rated higher are Cespedes, Fowler,Gomez, and Bautista., and they will cost you a lot more money. Smart teams like the Giants and Nats who are contenders will look hard at Gardner because he is a solid player who is signed short term with can play in the playoffs.
Really bigjonliljon
A Gold glove outfielder who consistently hits in the .260’s and has a positive WAR for his position. He shows up to play everyday and plays as hard as he can.
Left Field in Yankee stadium is a pretty touch assignment and he played that into a Gold Glove. And, he still can play center with range.
Why would you even make such a moronic comment.
Would probably start for any team in the majors, and would be pursued by almost any. Know who you’re talking about
Gardner? No way. Over the hill glove-first corner OF whose glove declining (as is inevitable for 30 something outfielders). wRC+ has been declining steadily year after year just like it should for a 34 year old. Would be a 4th OF on many, many teams.
While the Mets are snorrrrrring, the Yankees might just walk in and grab Cespedes.
You snooze, you lose!
I don’t think you have a basic understanding at how negotiations work. Let me break it down for you:
1. The Mets want Cespedes back, and he wants to remain a Met.
2. His people know the basic parameters of what the Mets are willing to do, in terms of years, and AAV. These parameters are set by the owners, NOT the GM despite your continued babblings.
3. Cespedes and his agency are collecting offers to see how far the market is willing to go. He will take these offers back to the Mets, and see if the Mets owners will match it.
That’s it.
This is not about Alderson “sleeping” or any such nonsense. Either the Mets owners will match it, or they won’t. It probably has little, if anything, to do with Alderson who is basically a middle man between the two parties. That’s common in MLB. These large, multi year contracts are ownership decisions, not GM decisions. The GM’s advise the owners, that’s probably about it.
The thinking is the Mets are willing to go 4-5 years guaranteed. If it stays in that range, he probably remains a Met. If some team steps in and goes for a 6th or 7th guaranteed year, or an absurd, overmarket AAV, he leaves.
This isn’t complicated.
TLDR: theruns is a flaming d**chebag for 4 paragraphs
OMG IT WAS SO LONG WHY ARE THERE SO MANY WORDS!
Gardner for Fedde? Might be shooting high seeing what we got for Mac. I see us continuing to stockpile young arms…
Then Lopez is the better acquisition and it shouldn’t cost the Yankees any money to kick in to cover Gardner’s salary.
Feede or Glover might do it , even if they pay some of Gardner’s contract.. Headley could go to the Dodgers if they don’t sign Turner!
No insult to Gardner (Great D, speed etc) but Rizzo has stated he wants to upgrade the offense, I personally don’t think an OPS barely over .700 would cut it. Just my 2 cents.
Only 2 ways I see Headley leave.
1. We trade for a bad contract pitcher who can eat innings this year and next.
2. Headley plus a prospect or two (Tate) (Herrera) (etc) for a high upside SP in A or AA
Why would we trade for a bad contract pitcher for Headley? Headley is a solid option and is performing better than his salary. I would understand if you said you would trade for a third baseman or a utility player…
Headley is bafely performing better than his salary. And that’s all thanks to his defense (which showed a potential decline two years ago) and baserunning (which is reasonable to expect a decline as he ages). His bat isn’t anything special. I agree that the Yankees wouldn’t need to package a prospect in the deal with Headley, but he’s not going to be bringing back any top prospect unless a team becomes desperate and/or run by Dave Stewart.
Tate is a high upside pitcher though
Headley is a 2.1 WAR, there are many contending teams that don’t have a 2.1 WAR player at positions. Cashman will pay down the contract a bit to move him! Headley was ranked 16th in WAR right in the middle, which means he is better than half the starters in the majors at his position.
Headley for a box of marbles can’t wait for him to be gone
amen
I feel like this is the way Brian Cashman wanted to run this Yankees team his whole time in new York he’s just been handicapped playing in new York and having steinbrenner as the owner. Young and cost effective it might be scary with the financial resources they have.
I’ll take anything for Headley, even if it’s just salary relief. However opening that spot at 3B does pose an interesting problem. Who would play third? Would we then talk to Justin Turner? I don’t really think that’s the way to go and Andujar is not ready for the bigs yet. They could swing a trade for a decent 3B, but doesn’t that seem counter-productive?
As far as Gardner goes, I would like to get a reliever for him if possible. I think that’s about what his value is at the moment. However I have a hard time finding teams that he is a fit for. Who needs a good LF/decent CF who doesn’t steal bases anymore and has little power? I’ve seen people mention Blue Jays, Orioles and Angels. I automatically eliminate the AL East teams because…you know. So maybe the Angels are a good fit especially with Eppler at the helm. Just no clue what the heck the Yankees would get back. Their farm system has to be 30 out of 30 right?
If we move both those guys, I see no reason the Yankees cannot sign Cespedes or Encarnacion, resign Chapman and figure out 3B later. Hill would be a meh signing for me. Injury prone older pitcher who is destined to get a three-year deal so no thanks to that. Move a couple prospects like Mateo for a young starter. Who? No clue, but Cashman has a way of making these deals for guys that have fallen out of favor. I’m guessing he’ll make at least one of those types of trades this offseason.
I feel like he kind of contradicts himself though by stating he wants to get younger and salary relief by talking to anyone with draft pick compensation. First losing that pick and then you’re digging yourself back into that same hole with guys in their mid thirties with large contracts. Cespedes is good but he’ll be 32 next year and probably require a 6th year unless he loves new York and even Edwin might require a 5th year @ 34. These talks sound more like posturing to drive up the prices of division rivals in Boston and maybe even Baltimore not to mention the mets who might be the talk of new York the last couple of years.
As much as I love keeping the draft pick….with how deep the Yankees system is there’s no reason to keep it
There’s also no reason to get rid of it in a weak free agent class save your financial flexibility for next season. And the Yankees feel like I do notice you haven’t heard them attached to Jansen nearly as much as chapman? You never have enough guys in the farm ready if you do someone doesn’t and you can trade. Not to mention only about half of the best prospects ever actually workout
I think you’re right on and this is all posturing (hopefully it works), everybody knows these types of contracts have been nothing but an albatross for the Yankees for years. Last off-season was when they finally decided to break the cycle (the only team not to sign a major league free agent) and they drove the point home at the end of July, and I will be very disappointed if they decide to again throw $25MM+ a year at some hitter for 4-5 years when we all know they’re going to start declining (and most likely soon).
I’m starting to believe that 2018 is the year they finally get under the salary cap and at that point they’ll only have one bad contract (Ellsbury, though I suppose if Tanaka were to get hurt and not opt-out that could be problem too). They could have potentially four starting position players (Sanchez, Bird, Frazier, Judge) making right around the league minimum, and (if they keep everybody else) reasonably paid players at 2B, SS, 3B and DH with only CF overpaid.
Your talking about the Yankees, if they get rid of Headley and Gardner they will spend money and use prospects to build the team back this winter. Right now I see them getting Chapman, Hammel and Beltran. if they trade Gardner and Headley, they will go after Turner, EE, instead of Beltran, and Sale. None of these moves will stop their young prospects from advancing. The Sale package would be Severino or Kaprelian, Judge or Mateo, McKinnney, and Clarkin.
Do we know whether or not these are those same Yankees? That was back when George steinbrenner was in charge this is more of Cashman s team they’ll always spend $ but maybe they will only spend $ when deemed necessary and worth it like Tanaka they did let Cano go.
That’s light for sale
That’s actually very light for Sale. Trading for Sale will hurt any team.
I agree with your comments.
Also, why sign a 32 year old outfielder that consistently was in the sports pages this year for all the wrong reasons….not running out balls in play etc.
This is exactly the reason that the Yankees were down on Cano…..lazy and self serving although probably the best athlete they had. Deal with the one bad contract (Ellsbury) and don’t add any more.
Go with the kids and leave guys like Cespedes and Encarnacion alone and let somebody else have the current and future headaches.
I agree. The yanks should keep big money off the books and build up young talent until 2018. Then they fill out the roster with studs to complement the prospects.
I’d be ok with EE if the Yanks can get him on a 3 yr deal. Not for 5 though.
No way he only gets 3 years Texas, Boston and even Houston and baltimore involved I’d be shocked if he only gets 4. I’d be more shocked if he got 3 than I would if it went 6 with the nature of free agency.
Yes, hold off for one more year, then get Machado, not Harper.
I totally agree he will probably get 4 to 5 years. I’m just saying I’d be ok at 3 years, 4 is a coin toss, and 5 would just be stupid.
Why would you trade someone who is worth more than they are getting paid??? The Yankees have spent the last three years paying guys more than they are worth. What am I missing?
Salary relief is salary relief especially at a position which you have a ton of guys that can fill for cheaper in left. Headley they might worry about him next year playing like he did to begin the season and if you can sell high do it especially when Turner is the only true third base free agent. And it doesn’t say they would give them away they want value back like the McCann deal. My prediction Gardner gets traded Headley stays.
Yanks would be a better team if they keep Gardner and instead eat 10 mil a year on Ellsbury and trade him. Same salary relief at the end of the day and you keep the better WAR guy (and a fan favorite).
It’s a sellers market. Regardless of money, these 2 are not going to bring a championship to NY. Cashman is seeing what he can get, prospects are lottery tickets and he’s hoping some of the tickets he acquired eventually hit.
I can see the Yanks going after Turner.
Machado is only a year away. They better wait for him. He would be my number one target if I’m Cashman.
Headley and Gardner are both useful players, although neither, at this stage of their careers, is likely to be a key member of a championship team. You trade them opportunistically, if there’s an emergent need on another team that gives you good value.. Otherwise, you might as well keep them while the kids develop
All this talk [and action] of the Yankees getting younger. But Rich Hill is continually mentioned. Doesn’t make sense.
Only $ on what probably amounts to a short term deal if he’s healthy he puts a good formidable 1-2 punch with Tanaka. If not it’s not an albatross won’t prevent you in the future.
I think Hill is mentioned because if Tanaka opts out after 2017 they would have no established starters signed for 2018 (CC and Pineda are also free agents) so they can afford to have one veteran arm signed for the next few years, even just to solidify a spot in the middle of rotation to take some pressure off the younger starters. Plus they could use another established starter in 2017 so it makes sense for now and later. I think there is a lot of risk to signing Rich Hill but I understand why the Yankees are connected to him.
I see the production but I would hardly call Rich Hill established. The guy is 37 and had 1.5 good years while still missing a lot of games last year. I doubt Tanaka leaves NY either, opt out for sure but resigns at a higher rate. If I’m Cashman I try as many internal candidates as I can while avoiding this FA market.
You’re right, as I look at Hill more he’s not really that established, he’s just the best starter in one of the worst free agent starting pitching classes ever. I can still see the Yankees having interest (and hoping for the best) but I hope they pass on him.
At the same time they really do need to pick up at least one innings eater type of starter just for some stability in the middle/back of the rotation, but maybe that is better done through a trade.
Better to pass on Hill and go after Arrieta and Darvish next year. Hill won’t throw more than 200 innings over the next 3 years.
I see your point, but I suspect that Cashman’s thinking is that you spend your money on older guys to fill holes, and you trade older guys when you think you can fill that spot cheaper and get talent in return.. So, the McCann deal made sense for them (I personally don’t love it, but I get it). Signing Hill same thing–they need a starter, and Hill isn’t going to require CC money..
Big picture the Yanks look to get Sale if they can trade Gardner and Headley. They have the pieces to get him. Judge or Mateo, Severino or Kaprelian, McKinney and Acevedo. At this point Cashman is wheeling and dealing He can get who he wants through free agency or by trades., or he stands pat. Both the Dodgers, Cards, and Giants need upgrades at 3rd, whoever doesn’t land Turner will take a long look at Headley. I would say they’re both gone by Jan.
Headley and Torrens to the Braves for Ruiz & Withrow.
Yankees get a 3B prospect, a bullpen arm and salary relief.
We get a 3B that plays plus defense and will allow Garcia to play a more super utility role and a catcher of the future. It also allows 2 yrs for Austin Riley to develop in the minors to be our 3B of the future.
Ruiz is ready now. Garcia could play bout 20 games in LF, maybe 7 or so at 1B, 30 at 3B, 20 in RF and be a top PH. Getting bout 300-350 abs.
I always viewed him as more of a Jesus Guzman bat first type player.
I don’t see the sense in trading Headley unless they are overwhelmed. Maybe this is similar to last off-season when Cashman shopped Miller and Gardner but didn’t find any trades to his liking.
They have absolutely nobody else in the organization to replace Headley, who has started 130+ starts at 3B the last two years. Yes I wish he hit more but his defense was solid last year and as long as the team is good enough (which it hasn’t been the last two years) to bat him in the bottom third of the lineup he’s doing his job.
Justin Turner has had one great full season (the last one going into free agency of course, always something to be wary of) and is only six months younger than Headley and this website predicted he’ll get $85MM over 5 years in FA, while Headley is going to cost $26MM over the next two years. I’ll stay with Headley.
Do they sign Justin Turner if Headley is traded? Maybe Luis Valbeuna? Or a trade?
Throw Andujar in there and see if he hits the ground running.
You’d figure it’d be a bridge guy FO andujar. So they can transition Castro to third and or just sign valbuena to bridge that gap.
If Gardner played for anyone else but the Yankees, he’d be an ideal trade candidate for the Jays.
Cashman is a hard guy to read, but I think now he is trying to speed up the rebuilding process.. The Yankees aren’t going to be content on rebuilding, they also want to be a contender every year. If they move Headley and Gardner their payroll will be 110 with A-Rod coming off the books next year.They could get anyone they want at that point, with these 4 year contracts in free agency, none are considered long term. The thing with Cashman is he will change on a dime if he thinks it the right move. One thing for sure is he knows the market and how to play it.
I would not deal anything to the Braves because their fans think they can give an average third base prospect and utility guy for Headley and Torrens who has potential to be a top ten catching prospect by end of next year.
I would deal Headley and Gardner straight up to Texas for Joey Gallo who Texas and their fans are down on. Plus Yexas GM said a month ago good chance Gallo starts in aaa again because they don’t think his strikeout rate is productive right now for their lineup.
Texas let’s Moreland go and Headley replaces him.
I would put Gallo at third and Headley can play third, first, and outfield for Texas and Gardner can leadoff.
Gallo gives Yanks that big left handed power bat which they are now lacking.
The idea is cool, but having Judge and Gallo in the future, both with high strikeout rates might not be the best idea to stick in the 4-6 spots of the Yankees lineup; even with their big power.
The Yankees would be OK with that alot of big sluggers are high strikeout guys it’s the nature of their swing for the most part. As far as that trade while those guys individually are cheap headley doesn’t really offer Texas that much he offers more to other teams based off the market for third baseman and they have that filled his bat isn’t good enough to warrant mainly dh/1b. If anything wouldn’t Texas just go after a joey bats/ carlos beltran type bat and give Gallo a chance to dh /play first
Gallo in not going to happen, his stock is down and he K too much!
Gardner and Headley would likely net more prospects or some #3-5 pitcher, individually. Depends what the Yankees do to fill those holes. Maybe shift Ellsbury to left, have Frazier/ Hicks compete for the CF/LF and Judge/Austin compete for RF. They could put Refsnyder/Torreyes over at 3B for the time being, but they’ll likely wish to sign a free agent.
Why don’t they give Tyler Austin a chance at third? He played there at triple a last season.
I would rather have Gallo huge left handed power potential in Yankee Stadium and free up an outfield spot also freeing up cap space by dealing both Gardner and Headley. Headley can play third, first, and the outfield so he has that utility flexibility. Both have two years left on contract.
Maybe the Yanks can get more but maybe they don’t eat money making this deal and we get younger.
Now Yanks have a lineup with nice power: Judge/Gallo/Sanchez/Castro Didi combo/Bird/eventually Frazier
Also speed in Elsbury, Hicks, Frazier or Mason Williams
I wouldn’t be surprised if manny machado is the next Yankee third baseman. Everyone keeps talking about Harper when he becomes a FA after the 2018 season, but I think machado is the better play.
Agreed totally. I’ll pass on Harper and the ridiculously high contract he’ll get when I can get the better player for cheaper probably in Machado. Machado all the way for me!
I could see Beltran coming back on a one-year deal, with a possible second-year team option with a buyout. No to all the rest. I do not want Cespedes at all. He’s a very good player, but he’ll make too much money and he’s a Dog. His Physician is Dr. Summeroff, who treats his yearly injuries conveniently placed around his tee times. Plus we already have an overpriced mutt with Ellsbury.