Free Agents Yankees Should Target
According to many
sources, the Yankees will not be pursuing any top tier free agents such as
David Price and Yoenis Cespedes. For a few reasons, I think it is a good idea
to steer clear from most of these players that are in for a huge raise. One
reason being, like so many other times, the Yankees would be paying huge money
for past performance and the decline years and like so many times before, I
want to at least wait until the other headache contracts expire. For this
article, I decided to take a different and possibly more realistic path to free
agency and who I would like to see the Yankees target this winter to fill areas
of need.
Ben
Zobrist (UTL)
We’ve all heard Zobrist
tied to the Yankees for obviously reasons. Not only can he play second base,
where the Yankees are looking to improve, but Zobrist can also back up third
base and the corner outfield spots. It’s also a bonus that Zobrist spent nine
seasons with Tampa Bay so he has experience in the AL East. I think Zobrist
would be a good pick up if it was at the right price, but don’t forget that he
is 34 and anything more than a three year deal might be too much.
Darren
O’Day (RHP)
O’Day had a really good
season with Baltimore this year, as he pitched to a 1.52 ERA in 68 games. O’Day
has also had a good track record in recent years as he has had an ERA under
2.28 since 2012. O’Day has also proven he can pitch in the AL East, which he
has been doing with Baltimore since 2012. Another thing to note is O’Day, in
14.2 innings pitched at Yankee Stadium, is 2-0 with a 0.61 ERA. There has been
talk that the Yankees need to get a RHP who can ease Dellin Betances’ workload
and I think O’Day can do that.
Ryan
Raburn (OF)
Raburn, whose $3
million option was declined by Cleveland, is someone I could see replacing
Chris Young as the right handed outfield bat off the bench. While I have
enjoyed Chris Young’s time in pinstripes, I think it’s time to move on before
the magic expires and find someone new. Raburn actually had pretty nice stats
in 2015, hitting .301 with eight home runs in 82 games, but I don’t expect him
to do that next season. If the Yankees are able to obtain Raburn on a one year
deal, I’m all for it, but I wouldn’t do more than that.
Chris
Denorfia (OF)
Denorfia is another
player that could replace Young as the right handed outfielder off the bench,
just not as much power. Denorfia batted .269 with the Chicago Cubs this season
with three home runs and 18 RBI in 103 games and played all three outfield
positions as well as pitching a third of an inning in an August 19th
blowout against Detroit. Denorfia has also proven during his career that he is
a clutch hitter, batting .298 in 400 career at bats in late/close games and has
also batted .297 in 414 career at bats in high leverage situations. Again, this
is only something I would recommend doing with a one year deal and for the
right amount of money.
Ross
Detwiler (LHP)
Detwiler is not a
starter, and nor should he be since hitters have a .315 batting average facing
him more than one time in a game. He could, however, be a useful one inning guy
or a lefty specialist out of the bullpen, yielding hitters to a .244 batting average
when facing him for the first time in a game. Detwiler is also a ground ball
pitcher, which can be very helpful when pitching in Yankee Stadium. If the
Yankees could snag him on a minor league contract or even on a one year deal
between $1-$2 million, it could be a low risk high reward situation.
Ian
Desmond (SS/2B)
Now this is most
certainly only if Desmond was looking for a one or two year deal to rebuild his
stock after a poor 2015 season and if the Yankees truly didn’t believe that a
Refsnyder/Ackley platoon wouldn’t work out. A right handed middle infielder
with power, Desmond could slide over to play second base, but might have to
relearn the position after not playing at second since 2009. Just to add a
little interesting fact, Desmond has a career .301 average (9-23) with a home
run and 8 RBI verses Boston. This idea is by far a long shot with other teams
most likely willing to commit to more years and money to a shortstop.
Article by: Julian
Bussells
Follow me on twitter @JuneYank6
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