MLB Rumors: Should the New York Yankees Look to Swing a Deal for Domonic Brown?
January 22, 2013 · Kenny DeJohn · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The Philadelphia Phillies have signed right-handed hitting outfielder Delmon Young to a one-year deal worth $750,000, and Buster Olney opines that this could leave left-handed outfielder Domonic Brown out of the loop in Philly.
Phillies just announced officially that they signed Delmon Young. As a rival exec said earlier today, this is not good for Domonic Brown.
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) January 22, 2013
While the New York Yankees are not currently in the market for a left-handed outfielder, they ARE in the market for some young talent.
Brown was once the top prospect in the Phillies organization. Many compared him to a more athletic Ryan Howard, and he was thought to have all the tools to succeed at the big league level.
He’s yet to reach his full potential in parts of three seasons in the majors.
In 147 career games, he has just 12 home runs and 58 RBI with a line of .236/.315/.396. He has recorded 102 hits and 24 doubles.
He has played pretty well in the outfield, however. Brown has always possessed a strong arm, leading to seven outfield assists in just 101 chances last season.
For 2013, the Yankees outfield projects to be set. Curtis Granderson, Brett Gardner and Ichiro Suzuki will man the three positions.
With all three being left-handed, the Yankees were in the market for a right-handed hitting fourth outfielder. Scott Hairston is still available, but it’s unknown as to whether or not he’ll end up in pinstripes.
The Yankees continue to get older, and really don’t have much young talent to rely on moving forward. While Brown hasn’t exactly been the most productive player in the bigs the past three seasons, he still has the potential to become a very good player.
If he’s indeed on the outs in Philadelphia—something that’s still unknown—the Yankees should look to swoop in and pick him up cheaply.
It wouldn’t require much to get him. A one-for-one swap of pitching prospect Adam Warren for Brown would make sense, as would a one-for-one of second base/third base prospect David Adams for Brown.
Or the Yankees could even deal Joba Chamberlain for the outfielder.
Whatever deal is agreed upon, it would be a low-risk, high-reward move for general manager Brian Cashman.
Brown has the tools to be a 30-home run threat with a very respectable batting average, while playing a strong right field.
At worst, Brown doesn’t pan out and the Yankees didn’t really waste much in the trade.
This is all speculation at this point, but it’s also something that Cashman should look into if Brown is indeed made available. What’s the worst that could happen in acquiring a bat with 30-plus home run potential?
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