Before the announcement that Alex Rodriguez would–again–need hip surgery to repair a torn labrum, the Yankees’ roster situation was dire enough. Perhaps “dire” is overselling it a bit, but going into yesterday, the Yankees were without a legitimate catcher, right fielder, and designated hitter. Now, they find themselves without a wholly viable third baseman. With A-Rod’s absence looming, the Yankees will have to patch up the hot corner for an extended period of time.
Internally, they’ve got options, even if they’re not great. First on the list would be Eduardo Nunez by default. Though the team is committed to him at shortstop, he’s seen a good deal of time at third. Brian Cashman seemed to dispel the idea on Monday, but I don’t think it’s possible to rule it out completely. The organization does see something in him, even if I don’t. He’s been able to hit for an empty average (though he’s been better against lefty pitching). As for his defense, well…The other option, however much a long shot, could be David Adams. Adams, on whom I’m higher than most, has shown an ability to hit in the minors (career .825 OPS), but he’s not yet reached AAA , is often injured, and just moved to third base during the latter part of the 2012 season.
Externally, I see three main options. Each guy has at least one positive and at least one negative. I should clarify that by “externally” I mean free agency. Anyway, the three are Eric Chavez, Kevin Youkilis, and Mark Reynolds. Chavez’s best trait is his reliability. By that, I mean you know what you’re going to get from him. He’s going to play solid defense and be a decent bat at the plate. However, that reliability is a double-edged sword because you also know what you’re not going to get from him, and that’s health and a lot of plate appearances. Replacing A-Rod with Chavez full time is simply replacing an injured player with another, and that’s not desirable. That also brings us to Kevin Youkilis. His main drawback is also health; he hasn’t played in more than 125 games since 2009. Youk’s defense is also a bit suspect and it would be weird to root for him after a long campaign of unadulterated loathing against him. Still, when he’s on the field, Youk produces and maybe he’ll come at a bit of a discount after a down year in 2012. And while this may be a bit overrated, but Youk’s shown the ability to do it in the A.L. East; he knows the territory and is used to the intense play of the ever difficult division. After his stint with Baltimore in 2012, the same can be said for Reynolds. He and his prodigious power were tested by the A.L. East in 2012 and Reynolds showed he can hack it. Of course with him, “hack it” takes on a double-meaning. However, he does balance it out with walks (11.85 career walk rate) and the aforementioned power (16.43 AB/HR & .240 Iso). The biggest concern I’d have, though, wouldn’t be the whole in his bat, but the one in his glove at third. Reynolds has the reputation of a butcher over there and that could hurt.
The more and more I think about it, my mind keeps going to Youkilis. While he’s far from a perfect choice for this role, he’s the most well-rounded of the options. And while that might lead to a logjam when A-Rod returns, their collective spotty health records will make it easy for the Yankees to rotate them at 3B/DH/off. The Yankees are sorely in need of quality right handed hitting and Youkilis could help them bridge the gap until Rodriguez gets back. I’ve got no idea what his price-tag will be, but he’s best worth the shot.
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8 Responses to Filling the Empty Corner
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TIQ IQ
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
I’d rather the Yankees lose 100 games than have Youkilis.
I couldn’t imagine having to watch that ridiculous batting stance – and rooting for him while he’s batting! NOOOOOO! I can’t do it.
It would be too painful to root to Youk.
(In all seriousness, he’s probably a good player, but some players are more fun to root against – and he’s one of them.)
(For the record, I LOVED it when the Yankees got Wade Boggs.)
But, not Youk! NOT YOUK! Please not Youk!
So much this. I can deal with rooting for players I formerly despised, but Youk is a step too far.
How about Mark Derosa?….he has been hurt lately so they could get him really cheap…and he can play all over the field with a little pop in his bat…
Mark DeRosa is awful.
I’m pretty sure he was joking
Dang it I’m getting tired of all these stories of we can get cheap this and cheap that. We are the Yankees. Luxury tax is chump change. These penny pinching sons better sell the team and get a real owner in here who understands the Yankee way.
50% luxury tax is far from chump change, even for the Yankees it’s a ton of money. I have my own problems with Hal but wanting to avoid the repeat offenders clause isn’t one of them.
I’m a little surprised you didn’t mention Keppinger, all reports are the Yankees really want him him. Realistically I don’t think they have a shot because someone will give him 3 years, but still he seems to be the go to for most to start this topic.
Re-signing Chavez needs to happen, whether he’s in a backup role or starting he is an important player to bring back because of what he can do when healthy. I’d like to see Ian Stewart brought in on a minor league deal, I read Hannahan might be someone the Yanks are looking for defense, but other than that I don’t we have any other options. As I said Kepp is likely getting 3 years somewhere, Scutaro is off the board at a high price, Reynolds is likely going to be had out of our price range, and while I’ve read Youk would take a 1 year deal it’s said he’d only do it for well above market value. I know there is no budget this season but do we really want to pay Youk 15 million for basically half a year at 3B?
At the end of the day I think the Yankees are going to be very soft at C and 3B in 2013, this makes RF even more of a concern because filling that spot with a league average hitter on top of those position makes for a very weakened offense. Losing Martin and Alex also really hurt against LHP, each having a well over .800 OPS against south paws. I think the need to trade for Justin Upton is at an all time high, he’s still very young as he hasn’t even reached his prime years, provides right handed power, and would allow you to have a young bat to build around if the need arises to let Cano walk.
I wonder if maybe the Phillies would be a possible trading partner in a 3 way deal with Arizona. Philly could land Granderson, the Yankees get Upton and maybe Dominic brown and Erik Kratz, and the Diamondbacks could get Trevor Mays from the Phillies, Mason Wiliams, Nova/Hughes/Phelps, and Nunez from us. A small addition would probably have to be thrown in to Philly likely but it would be a chance for all 3 teams to walk away accomplished in one way or another.