The Yankees have questionable infield depth at best, with Kelly Johnson, Brian Roberts and Eduardo Nunez all figuring to see significant playing time in 2014. As such, the team's scouts are placing a heavy emphasis on watching infielders when looking at other clubs in Spring Training, according to George A. King III of the New York Post. King writes that the Yankees could use their surplus of catching options to bolster the infield.
In addition to Brian McCann, who signed a five-year, $85MM contract with the Bombers this offseason, the Yankees have Francisco Cervelli (who is out of options), J.R. Murphy, Austin Romine and Gary Sanchez on their 40-man roster. With the exception of Sanchez, each could be considered Major League ready. Cervelli, of course, has racked up 623 plate appearances with the Yanks over the past several seasons, while Romine had 168 big league PAs in 2013, and Murphy made his Major League debut as well.
It's natural to speculate on the possibility simply adding Stephen Drew, but as Newsday's David Lennon tweeted earlier today, the Yankees will only add to their infield if the addition doesn't come with significant financial impact. GM Brian Cashman told Lennon: "If we need to do improvements, it’s got to be cheap. We’ve spent our money."
Likewise, it's easy to speculate that the reportedly available Nick Franklin would fit with the Yankees, but Seattle likely feels they have their catcher of the future in 2012 No. 3 overall draft selection Mike Zunino. They're said to be interested in acquiring pitching in exchange for Franklin, should they end up dealing him.
King writes that the White Sox, Giants, Tigers, Astros and Twins all had scouts in attendance to watch Cervelli, Murphy and Sanchez in yesterday's exhibition game against Florida State. While that could just be routine and doesn't necessarily carry much weight, King does add that an industry source indicated that the White Sox are seeking catching upgrades. He also adds that the Yankees will monitor Rickie Weeks during Spring Training, who figures to be plenty available due to his $11MM salary and $11.5MM vesting option. It stands to reason that Milwaukee would need to eat a significant amount of salary in any deal to move Weeks, who batted just .209/.306/.357 last season.
The longer Drew waits, the less likely he’ll be considered a legitimate second base option. While I don’t doubt he could make the move, he’s never played the position at the major league level and Opening Day is creeping up. It doesn’t make much sense to pay a guy an eight figure salary on top of a draft pick to man a completely new position, especially when he’s spent significant time on the DL in 2 of the past 3 years.
facts are its been a long 2 years for Jeter dealing with injuries, hard to imagine him pulling through over 100 games at SS. They really need a 2b that can play SS too and that is Stephen Drew
With the 2014 FA SS market looking as good as it is, I don’t think they go after Drew. It would be a bad PR move if he was going to spell Jeter and he wants too much money for what he is. The long he waits to sign, the more likely he is to get injured which is what the Drew family does best.
It’s not that he will spell Jeter, but i see Jeter getting quite a few DH days especially in early cold days.
Depends what he is doing for training. MLB players have money and connections. Wouldn’t be surprised if he is working out with a college or independent team working at different positiions.
Weeks and Ramirez should both be available if not now then by the deadline.
Neither would be available now, as the Brewers are expecting to compete for 2nd in the division and one of the WC spots (according to their owner). At the deadline, absolutely, as a lot of things have to go right for them to compete for said wild card.
The Brewers want to get rid of Weeks in the worst way….they have Scooter in the wings and ready to take over at second for the brewers. he filled in well for Weeks last year, younger, and cheaper! Brewers just hope that Rickie can show something positive in spring training, so they can get something for him in return.
Scooter is a platoon second baseman at this point, as he cannot hit lefties. Weeks, for all his struggles over the past few years, has continued to hit lefties at career norms. While a part time second baseman is not worth 12 mil, if the Brewers expect to compete this year he’s an important piece of the puzzle.
At what point is Gennett a platoon 2B? He hit .324 overall playing against both. Gennett will play against both RHP and LHP. They have 7 RH bats in their order already. He doesn’t have to hit lefties all that well. They’ll give their utility guy, either Bianchi or Herrara an occasional start at 2B, but Weeks isn’t in their plans. His roster spot is better used elsewhere.
A team like the Yankees or Orioles could take a chance on Weeks for a minimal amount, likely $2-3 million, and the Brewers will eat the rest.
Look at the splits, he was protected from most lefties (only 39 AB against 174 AB for righties) and only hit 154/175/154. Small sample size yes, but he struggled a bit vs lefties in the minors as well.
What is “struggled a bit?”
I guess I can look up the stats for you:
MiLB splits:
vs RHP:
2013 (AAA) 309/348/409
2012 (AA) 316/355/406
2011 (A+) 307/337/430
vs LHP
2013 (AAA) 259/294/349
2012 (AA) 239/270/329
2011 (A+) 282/325/342
At what point is Gennett a platoon 2B? He hit .324 overall playing against both. Gennett will play against both RHP and LHP. They have 7 RH bats in their order already. He doesn’t have to hit lefties all that well. They’ll give their utility guy, either Bianchi or Herrara an occasional start at 2B, but Weeks isn’t in their plans. His roster spot is better used elsewhere.
A team like the Yankees or Orioles could take a chance on Weeks for a minimal amount, likely $2-3 million, and the Brewers will eat the rest.
Ramirez isn’t available but Weeks certainly is. Brewers were 35-57 in games started by Weeks in 2013, and 35-30 in games started by Gennett. Who would you want at 2B?
Win/Loss record is a pretty ridiculous argument to make for a starting 2nd baseman. I get it, Scooter has upside, Weeks doesn’t really anymore. But for a team in (hopeful) contention, placing all 2nd base hopes on someone with a little over 200 MLB at bats is ludicrous.
What team doesn’t do that? How is it you imagine younger players join teams – as bench players?
Good ones? Is that a trick question? Scooter is a very good platoon 2nd baseman. He can hit for high average and defend at an average clip, but he is not by any means a slam dunk everyday starter.
Teams who are contending would probably like to have a veteran backup/platoon partner to go with a guy like Gennett, at least until he’s played for more than 2 months in the bigs. Aka Rickie Weeks, even at the ridiculous price of 12 million dollars to hit vs LHP.
Also I forgot to mention the elephant in the room of the Brewers starting last season something ridiculous like 6-18 or 6-20 almost entirely due to terrible starting pitching and bullpen, all of which were when Rickie was starting and Gennett was in AAA. Thisprobably throws out your whole Win/Loss theory, to the shock on no one at all.
Yeah let’s just give Rickie a complete pass on the Brewers record at the end of May blame it on the pitching. It’s not like his 1HR 1RBI in 92PAs in the month of May had any impact. Nor the 5Errors he had through May led to a few of those losses?
I don’t think I’m giving Rickie a pass. To give him a pass on his atrocious start to the season would be as ridiculous as blaming said terrible start on any one single player.
As I’ve stated here a couple of times, Rickie isn’t as good as Gennett, lacks upside, etc. But he can hit lefties and Gennett can’t.
Lets just trade David Phelps for Brett Lawrie. Lawrie hasn’t been amazing with TOR yet and they need more pitching! Its perfect!
-Yankees fans
That would be a horrible trade for Toronto. Lawrie is still young and has plenty of upside and the Jays have plenty of similar options to Phelps. Lawrie put up 4.3 WAR in 2012 and didn’t have a terrible year last year. They need a proven starter, not the Yanks’ scraps.
I don’t think he is making a proposal he is saying that’s the type of deal Yankee fans think is realistic. Strange joke considering how random Lawrie is but I think that’s what that is.
I have to disagree with you about the intent of his comment. It doesn’t sound like that from what he wrote. It sounds more like a recommendation from that poster.
I saw nothing that suggested it was a joke.
“-Yankees fans” Weird thing to make plural, or even state.
Exactly that shows it is a joke.
There’s a lot of weird people on the internet.
I see 2 problems with that. First, the Yankees aren’t sure how or what they will get from Pineda so trading Phelps at this point isn’t really an option as I see it. Second, even if Phelps was available it might take a little more then just Phelps to secure Lawrie from a division rival.
Still have Warren and Nuno as 5th starter option.
Warren is much more suited for the long relief role and Nuno is far from a given considering he has only 3 MLB starts to his resume.
There are also reports that the Mariners might be looking for some help in the outfield. The Yankees have several OF prospects that are within a year if not sooner of being MLB ready for the outfield. The Yankees could match up pretty well with the Mariners in that case. IF there is interest by both parties.
I wonder would Mason Williams and Phelps/Warren be a fair deal to get Franklin.
Personally I think an even swap of Heathcott for Franklin is a pretty reasonable offer. Remember Franklin has no spot in the Mariners line up and he had a terrible 2nd half of 2013.
Franklin has demand so his value isn’t dependent on where he fits in with seattle. Also Slade doesn’t exactly have a spot on the Yankees either.
He will have an opening next season with Ichiro and Soriano gone. 2014 is his AAA season.
Slade will be competing for the 4th outfielder spot in 2015 and probably be a Sept. call up if not sooner with the Yankees. From the names i’ve heard mentioned that the Mets are offering for Franklin Slade is a better deal for the Mariners.
I would love to move Heathcott but with his knees, no one will touch him….I would think it would have to be Williams and I would be fine with that.
Slade Heathcott, who is older than Nick Franklin, posted a pedestrian .261/.327/.411/.738 line in an injury-shortened season at Double A last year. According to River Ave. Blues, Heathcott “had minor knee surgery earlier this offseason and may not be ready for the start of Spring Training. It has not yet been decided if he will return to Double-A Trenton or move up to Triple-A Scranton this year.” Heathcott’s lefthanded bat would not fit well in a Seattle lineup that already is too lefthanded.
The Mariners could always stash the 22-year-old Franklin at Triple A to extend another year of team control.
Yet Franklin is still being looked at by teams needing middle IF help and produced at every level of MiLB ball.
Williams slid backwards last season at AA. It’s not going to happen trying to get someone in demand (Franklin) for Williams. The mariners can do much better than that with Franklin, a SS with power and still just 22 going for the 1st deal that this thrown at them when they know they can get better.
I think the best option is to try to engage the white sox in a three way trade. Murphy makes a lot of sense for that team, I think they have zero top catching prospects in their top 30. Murphy is good enough to headline a De aza trade, Aza doesn’t really fit on the team and is not a rebuilding piece. Aza would fit in well in SEA.Obviously the other pieces would have to be discussed.
I prefer Saunders in CF for now over De Aza and the M’s have Almonte that would likely give you as good as production in CF as De Aza. No thanks.
Does Darwin Barney for Gary Sanchez get it done? The Cubs can use Bonafacio/Valbuena until one the young guys can step in.
I would never do that trade. Sure Barney has a good glove, but his bat is non-existent. The Yankees already have an all glove infielder in Brendan Ryan, why would they give up a top 50 prospect for another one?
Yankees fans might not like the trade, but I think it helps both teams pretty well.
Trading a top prospect for a defense only 2B makes no sense. Brendan Ryan brings what Barney brings and the Yankees already have him.
Ridiculous trade offer. Bredan Ryan is Darwin Barney.
Darwin Barney brings nothing to the Yankees that Brendan Ryan doesn’t already do. I doubt Barney would even fetch that much either.
Exactly. Barney is already a non tender candidate for 2015 and was talk of him being possibly non tendered this past winter.
It’s hard to carry anything but a pitcher spot in a NL lineup where the slugging % hovers around .300 and the .OBP is well below that. Even a terrific glove can’t make up for that.
Epstein must have figured some team would be willing to give the Cubs something minor in return come the 7/31 deadline this season, otherwise even the 2.5m he is due would seem like way more than a .569 OPS player is worth, even a GG caliber defensive 2b that can’t hit.
yeah, I’m a Cub fan here….and there is zero chance of the Yankees giving up Sanchez for Barney. It would take a much better piece than Barney to get back Gary Sanchez. I think Barney will get traded at some point this year but it’d take more to get Sanchez.
Although there are better options than Barney, Sanchez’s bat regressed last year, and since they signed Brian McCann, Sanchez’s value to the organization is lower. Just an idea.
His value in the organization is low because they signed McCann? How about he isnt ready yet?
yeah, I’d agree that Sanchez has less of a role within the Yankees organization now with McCann being there…but that probably doesn’t change his value to other organizations…who would still see him as a top catching prospect. Also, you might argue that by the time he’s ready for the big leagues, Brian McCann might be ready to DH…Cubs have Welington Castillo, who looks like he is turning into a plus defender and has a good deal of controlled contract years.
A top 50 prospect that is 21 years old who also a catcher for a no hit 2nd baseman..Come on
The worst offensive 2ndbaseman in the majors no less. I wouldn’t trade Murphy for let alone Sanchez.
He still has quite a bit of value around baseball. If the Yankees did decide to trade Sanchez he would be a pretty good start for a much better player than Barney.
Barney is a utility player on almost every other team. The only reason he is starting is because the Cubs are so bad. Not to mention that he is in arbitration, and getting to the point he might even be cut soon. $2.3M in first year, unless he breaks out I have hard time seeing him be kept around for 2016, if his salary up to $5M.
Definitely. Barney’s trade value is non-existent right now. Maybe the Cubs deal him to New York but it won’t be for Sanchez. It’d probably be for some pitcher in A ball
Heard Chase D’Arnaud is available. Might serve as a great pinch runner if a Yankees Old Timer runs to first and gets injured on the play.
Daniel Murphy from the Mets would be an ideal fit. He plays 1B (Teixeira Insurance) 2B, and 3B. The Mets are looking to open up spots for their other players like Wilmer Flores and Eric Young Jr. The Yankees would be smart to see if Murph is on the block.
Yanks have nothing to offer the Mets, who have their catcher.
I was thinking EXACTLY what DJD was, and the Yanks DO have what the Mets need: OF help on the way. The Yanks don’t need it, and the Mets do. I’m guessing the trade would have already happened because it makes too much sense, so I’m left to think that Murphy isn’t available 🙁 I’d rather have Mason Williams than 2 more years of a reasonably priced Daniel Murphy, but I guess Sandy disagrees.
Yanks have nothing to offer the Mets, who have their catcher.
Sanchez & Austin for Utley
Austin may need wrist surgery and Sanchez is still 2 years away from the majors.
I’ve already thrown in the towel down here in Philly.
I think its interesting the Yankees are in such a need for reliable players. I know they have some good ones but they have eroded and I think its wonderful.
Eroded, sounds kind of like your Rangers the past 2 September’s
dude, we have less than a decade of success as an organization. So the misfortunes of the previous 3 Septembers, while horrific to experience, it beats finishing dead last for nearly a decade and for having been the Yankees and others farm system for so long.
So kudos for going back three years and finally cover the gaping hole those times have placed in my life. If anything, its far more than the Yankees have done over the past three Septembers, right? And before you think of it aloud, I can count the titles the Yankees have. Its a beaten drum, nobody is interested. Also, the term eroded, still fits the Yankees current situation.
Edited. I meant 2 not 3
it doesn’t change my opinion. I mean in some cases you could say October was a let down. At least once. I see very few prospects coming up the farm for the Yanks. They are now going to be competing with other markets that can begin affording to sign anyone.
Hello, Brian? Frank here. Could I interest you in a power-hitting second baseman? 30 HR guy, a little suspect in the field, but he’s a real gamer …
Hey, Frank. This is Brian returning your call. So just how big is the briefcase of cash that you’re strapping to his back?
Hey, Frank. This is Brian returning your call. So just how big is the briefcase of cash that you’re strapping to his back?
Drew will sign 2nd week of April to a 1 year deal and reset his value for next season.
If Yankees could go back, would’ve have been wiser to save money on Beltran and use it on Drew plus RP. They had a surplus of OFers and desperately need defensive IF and RPs.
Beltran = 45mil
or
Drew + Balfour + Mujica = 45mil
I know which way I would’ve gone.
If they re-signed Cano, they probably would have not signed Beltran. Drew’s asking price was and probably still is high, and Mujica signed before Cano.
Yankees had interest in Balfour but he choose Tampa.
I do agree the combo of Drew/Balfour/Mujica is better than Beltran, but that doesn’t mean 3 would of cost $45 million back in December.
I wasn’t talking about Cano, why would he play into this? (240mil way too much) Beltran wasn’t going anywhere fast. They would’ve been better served sitting back on that money and letting the market settle. I think Orioles were very smart in their patience. Its not like Yankees didn’t have enough early signings to keep their fan base happy, but now they are maxed out budget-wise and there are holes and real bargains out there.
Because If they re-signed Cano, they’d have no use for Drew. 3rd base in all likelihood would be split between KJ, Nunez, and maybe another player. And if they invested all that $ in Cano, I don’t think they’d invest that much into Beltran (granted Beltran wasn’t paid a TON but I can’t picture them overpaying for Beltran if Cano went back to NY. Beltran was obviously signed because of his bat, not because of his defense). Tanaka on the other hand (I know you didn’t mention him either, I’m just bringing him up), is someone they definitely needed.
I agree with Tanaka, but Yankees had multiple needs that had to be filled. If your adding 240mil for Cano, I think Yankees would’ve had to do a lot more cutting back than just Beltran’s 45mil. It would’ve cost either Ells or Tanaka and both of those were needed more than Cano. $240 from Seattle was a gross overpay, IMO.
Ellsbury was signed before Cano. Yankees could have had the both of them if Cano choose NY’s offer,
I still think they would have gone after Tanaka. The $189 mil would have been out the window already if they had signed Cano (which was also before the A-Rod suspension)
Just hope you get what I”m saying about Drew and Cano. If Cano came back, the IF would have been Tex-Jeter-Cano-platoon of 3B likely with Kelly Johnson (who also signed with NY before Cano signed with Seattle), and Eduardo Nunez. Maybe someone else in the minors too like Dean Anna who’s actually battling for a spot on the roster I think.
“If we need to do improvements, it’s got to be cheap. We’ve spent our money.” (from the article, above)
I was writing my point, assuming there is a budget, and I’ve kept it relatively the same. You’re opinion involves adding another $195mil to their payroll. Would Cano be an improvement over Drew or Beltran? Yes, I get what your saying. I just don’t think Yankees have an unlimited budget, as your saying.
I wasn’t talking about Cano, why would he play into this? (240mil way too much) Beltran wasn’t going anywhere fast. They would’ve been better served sitting back on that money and letting the market settle. I think Orioles were very smart in their patience. Its not like Yankees didn’t have enough early signings to keep their fan base happy, but now they are maxed out budget-wise and there are holes and real bargains out there.
There is only one problem, your math. Beltran signed for $15MM per. Drew is looking for a payday in excess of $10MM per. Balfour signed for $6MM per and Mujica signed for $4.75 per. = $21MM +/- per.
Plus with Robertson the Yankees would have no need for both Balfour and Mujica. Maybe there is a reason Cashman does what he does and we just 2nd guess and speculate what should be done.
1) All three are 2 year deals, not far off of Beltran’s 3 year deal. It would be 42 over 2 years instead of 30, but they’d be free and clear at that point, instead of being on the hook for another 15mil to a 40 year old OFer.
2) “No need for both Balfour and Mujica” What? Mujica’s not closing this year, why would he expect to in NY and Robertson doesn’t have to close. It would make the setup much, much better.
How can you say all 3 are 2 year deals when Drew hasn’t even signed yet and shows no indication that he’s willing to settle for that type of deal. You will have to forgive me but the Yankees have already said Robertson has first dibs on closing. And to be fair he’s earned the opportunity to close.
Again you will have to forgive me but who cares if the Yankees are on the hook for $15mm for Beltran in 2016 the final year of his contract. He’s probably going to be doing most of the DH’ing by then. Not significantly different then what the Sox will be on the hook for with Ortiz next year and possibly the year after that when they give him his extension.
1) All three are 2 year deals, not far off of Beltran’s 3 year deal. It would be 42 over 2 years instead of 30, but they’d be free and clear at that point, instead of being on the hook for another 15mil to a 40 year old OFer.
2) “No need for both Balfour and Mujica” What? Mujica’s not closing this year, why would he expect to in NY and Robertson doesn’t have to close. It would make the setup much, much better.
Yankees hoping something falls into their lap.
Three team deal: Weeks and his $11 million salary traded to White Sox for Jeff Keppinger and his $4 million each of the next two seasons. White Sox then deal Weeks to Yankees for Cervelli. Yankees only pick up $5 million of Weeks’ salary. White Sox pick up remaining $6 million.
Yankees get former All Star at 2nd base on sale price. White Sox get upgrade at catcher for only $2 million more out of pocket in 2014 ($6 million paying weeks less $4 million saved on Keppinger) and save $4 million for 2015. Brewers save $3 million over two seasons and get player more suited to utility role and one who can provide both platoon help at 2B, and better coverage at 3B in case Ramirez has recurrence of knee issues.
Maybe the Brewers trade Weeks for some salary relief, but Keppinger would be a downgrade from what they have. He’s about ready for a coaching job. The roster spot would keep him out of the trade.
Actually I thiunk the best option(s) for the Yankees infield at this point may be to move Johnson to 2nd base more his natural position and have Nunez concentrate on 3rd base. Nunez did play 3rd much better the latter portion of 2013 and offensively he’s pretty good. Certainly as good as any of the options being mentioned here offensively.. Johnson and Roberts platooning should alleviate much of the injury concerns over a 162 game schedule at 2nd base.
Nunez is pretty good offensively? At best, his bat is tolerable for a middle infielder. His glove work makes Ozzie Smith puke. If Nunez gets significant playing time, the Yanks are in serious trouble.
The longer Morales waits the less contract he will get this year but the rumors are trying to heat up and i think the rangers is a really good option but they need to trade moreland first to the buccos for pitching
“If we need to do improvements, it’s got to be cheap. We’ve spent our money.” Did that make anyone else chuckle??
The M’s should trade Franklin to the Yankees for the only thing the Yankees have: money. Maybe they include a nothing prospect so it’s not a straight cash-for-player deal, but I think thirty-five million ought to get the job done. That assumes Franklin will be worth about six WAR which is a conservative estimate taking the risk of failure into account. The M’s can then use that cash to take on the salary of a veteran starting pitcher or outfielder.
Or they just do the above as a three team deal.
Yeah, because everyone can be bought. And Yankees fans wonder why people don’t like their team. Hint: It has nothing to do with the championships.
To be fair I don’t expect that they would do this deal. They’ve become much more frugal(-ish) in recent years.
Compare these minor league slash lines:
Player A 1756 PA, .287/.360/.459/.819
Player B 1874 PA, .288/.351/.422/.773
Player A is Seattle infielder Nick Franklin and Player B is Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera, the last young switch-hitting middle infielder traded by the Seattle Mariners.
In six-plus seasons, Cabrera has been selected for two All Star games and produced 19.6 WAR, according to Baseball Reference, and 13.0 WAR, according to FanGraphs.
If the Mariners trade Franklin, let’s hope the return is more than Eduardo Perez (the return in the Asdrubal Cabrera trade).