Yanks have faith in Cody Ransom

From the Denver Post we learn that the Rockies are shopping Jeff Baker, a useful utility player that has the ability to play at 1B, 2B, 3B or RF and LF. The Post article also mentions that the Astros and the Yankees — two teams that could use some assistance at 3B — would make sense for a Baker trade. However, author Troy Renck notes that “the Rockies will ask for a lot for Baker,” especially if Colorado knows that he’ll start somewhere.

Baker is versatile in that he can play a number of positions and he does have some power upside, however, a trade doesn’t seem to make much sense for New York. Not only will the team balk at the asking price for an eventual part-time player — whatever that price may be — Renck points out that a “source” familiar with the team’s thinking believes that the Yankees are truly “committed to giving Cody Ransom a shot” while A-Rod heals. This makes sense given the length of A-Rod’s absence, and in reality, Ransom and Baker are somewhat similar as they both have some power and neither are great, defensively. I think you could probably get the same production from Ransom that you would from Baker over an abbreviated period.