MLB Free Agency 2013: New York Yankees in on Kevin Youkilis and Mark Reynolds
December 5, 2012 · Doug Rush · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees‘ main focus has become third base.
That became a glaring need following news that Alex Rodriguez needs surgery to repair a torn labrum in his hip, which will keep him out anywhere between four and six months.
Yankees GM Brian Cashman has been scouring the free agent market for a third baseman, and two potential options went off the market Wednesday.
Jeff Keppinger signed a three-year, $12 million deal with the Chicago White Sox, and former Yankee Eric Chavez signed a one-year, $3 million deal with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Both were on the Yankees’ radar but were never officially offered a contract, so elsewhere they went.
According to multiple sources, the Yankees are now in on two different free agents for their vacated third base spot.
Andrew Marchand from ESPN reported that the Yankees met with the agent for former Red Sox and White Sox third basemen Kevin Youkilis.
Brian Cashman, New York Yankees general manager, confirms meeting with Kevin Youkilis’ agent dlvr.it/2ZytxL
— ESPN New York (@ESPNNewYork) December 5, 2012
Youkilis made $12.25 million last season, and that could be out of the Yankees’ price range if he’s looking for that kind of salary in 2013.
The 34-year-old hit just .235 with 19 home runs and 60 RBI in 122 games with both Boston and Chicago in 2012.
The other third basemen the Yankees are in on is Mark Reynolds, which was reported earlier in the day by Bryan Hoch of MLB.com.
Yankees met with agent for 3B Mark Reynolds today. Made $7.5M this year, looking for similar deal.
— Bryan Hoch (@BryanHoch) December 5, 2012
Reynolds could be a cheaper option for the Yankees. The 29-year old former Oriole hit .221 with 23 home runs and 69 RBI in 135 games in 2012.
What throws a monkey wrench into the Yankees’ plans is they aren’t the only team interested in both players, as the Cleveland Indians are too in on both players.
Some have felt that the Indians could be a really good fit for the long-time Red Sox infielder because of Terry Francona’s influence and the fact that Ohio is his hometown state.
But, Youkilis has one-year offers on the table, according to WEEI.com, and interested in New York as well.
Reynolds is hard to grasp on because he hasn’t publicly chosen any preferences after the Orioles non-tendered him and made him a free agent.
I think the Yankees will get one third baseman and the Indians will take the other.
From the beginning, I’ve always felt the Indians were getting Youkils, but now, especially with the injury and void left by A-Rod, you can never tell with the Yankees.
This will be a very interesting situation to see how it gets played out in the end.
Stay tuned, Yankees Universe.
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