Corner Infield Options for the Yankees Now That Chase Headley Is Unavailable
July 17, 2013 · Josh Schoch · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are headed back to the drawing board after the San Diego Padres refused to trade star third baseman Chase Headley to the Bronx Bombers.
According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Padres were not impressed by the Yankees’ offer, which is why Headley won’t be heading to the Big Apple.
The Yankees recently called for Padres star third baseman Chase Headley and were told there wasn’t a deal to be made, according to people familiar with the brief discussion.
This is bad news for the Yanks, who desperately need a corner infielder. With Mark Teixeira done for the year and Alex Rodriguez likely to be suspended by MLB, the team needs a corner infielder to replace either Lyle Overbay at first or Luis Cruz at third.
The team is pursuing a few options at the corners, and these are their best bets to improve the lineup and make a postseason run.
3. 1B Justin Morneau, 1B, Minnesota Twins
The Justin Morneau Era in Minnesota is just about over, according to Jim Bowden of ESPN (subscription required).
Bowden reports that the Twins will likely move the man who has played first base for them in each of the last 11 seasons, and the former MVP has drawn the eyes of the New York Yankees.
The Justin Morneau era is about over in Minnesota. The Twins are prepared to trade him, with the Yankees, Pirates and Rays all being rumored as possible destinations.
Morneau might not be able to play third and will leave Luis Cruz at the hot corner. He would also add another lefty bat to an already lefty-based lineup that desperately needs right-handed hitters.
Batting .273 with seven dingers and 52 RBI this season, Morneau hasn’t been his usual self. However, he is still a valued player and has hit over .400 in Yankee Stadium over the last three full seasons.
Morneau is a good option for New York, but he’s not the best.
2. Kendrys Morales, 1B, Seattle Mariners
Kendrys Morales has the highest WAR of any corner infielder on the trading block, but he ranks second among the Yankees’ trade targets.
Morales has been connected to the Yankees in the past, and it makes perfect sense to trade a guy in the final year of his contract like Morales.
Morales is batting .280 with 14 home runs and 54 RBI this season. He has been tearing it up, and those numbers would rank third, second and second on the Yankees this season.
Morales would be a huge boost, but at the same time he doesn’t fill the need at third (which is stronger than the one at first) and is another lefty. However, the Yanks would obviously love to add him.
1. Michael Young, 3B, Philadelphia Phillies
According to Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports, the Yankees have serious interest in Michael Young if the Phillies are willing to deal their starting third baseman in the midst of a postseason push.
Young is the perfect fit for the Yankees, as he is versatile enough to play either corner infielder position, and he adds a right-handed bat to a lineup that needs it.
At 36 years old, Young is batting .288 with six home runs this season. He has been as consistent as anyone in the MLB, and while he doesn’t have the power of Morales, he meets virtually every need the Yankees have.
It remains unclear whether the Phillies will be buyers or sellers at the deadline, but if they decide to sell you can bet that the Yanks will go all-in to get Young.
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