Yankees Trade Rumors: New York Looking for Hot Corner Help, but Why?
July 26, 2012 · Andrew Phillips · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
When Alex Rodriguez‘s hand broke after being hit by a pitch during the Yankees’ trip to Seattle, the Yankee faithful collectively panicked. What were the mighty Yankees going to do without A-Rod? Immediately, that question morphed into, “Who are we going to get?”
The real question is, however, do the Yankees need to get anyone at all?
The obvious candidate to replace A-Rod at third base is Eric Chavez. A six-time gold glove winner, Chavez, now 34, figures to get the majority of playing time at the hot corner as the Yankees peruse the open market for help. Granted, he is not where he once was either offensively or defensively, but Chavez still has a very strong upside.
This season, he is hitting .284 at home and .426 during the day. The caveat with Chavez has always been his ability, or lack thereof, to stay healthy. He has already played in more games in 2012 than he has since the 2007 campaign. His defense seems to be fine, as he has made just three errors in 223 innings.
Things could be a lot worse.
Many teams would kill for a six-time gold glove winner to be sitting on their bench “just in case.” The fact of the matter is that Eric Chavez could start on numerous teams, and those teams would be delighted.
So the million dollar question remains.
Do the Yankees need to mortgage a piece of their future to snag a Chase Headley, a Ty Wiggington or a Placido Polanco?
If Headley goes anywhere, it will, or at least should, be to a team that will use his as their starting third baseman for years to come. He’s that good. It is doubtful that will happen in New York.
The Yankees have already grabbed their “rent-a-player” for 2012. They acquired Ichiro Suzuki from the Seattle Mariners; he has one year left on a four-year deal that he signed with the Mariners. It seems somewhat foolish to give up more pieces of their future to add to a team that has the best record in baseball right now, as well as an eight-game lead in the AL East.
How about a fresh bullpen arm for the playoff push?
Nah, that would make too much sense.
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