New York Yankees’ Trade Deadline Plan if Mark Teixeira is Done for the Season
June 24, 2013 · Chris Stephens · Jump to comments
Article Source: Bleacher Report - New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are clearly not in a good position relating to first baseman Mark Teixeira. But there has to be a plan in place if he’s done for the year…right?
Yankees general manager Brian Cashman told Andy McCullough of the Newark Star-Ledger that Teixeira is still dealing with soreness a week after receiving a cortisone shot.
He’s still sore, even after the shot, Cashman said in a telephone interview on Monday afternoon. So our doctors are obviously working through it, trying to analyze the situation. So it’s clearly not a good situation.
After missing the first two months of the season, Teixeira came back on May 31 and lasted 15 games before taking himself out on June 15 against the Los Angeles Angels.
During the 15 games, Teixeira batted .151 with three home runs and 12 RBI.
While that’s not something that screams out “loss,” the fact remains Teixeira is still one of the best power-hitting first basemen in the game…when he’s healthy.
As long as his wrist remains unresponsive to the cortisone shot, it looks as if Teixeira will be relegated to surgery.
So what do the Yankees do if this is the case? What options do they have?
Lyle Overbay
When the Yankees signed Overbay to a one-year, $1.25-million deal, they thought they were getting a bat for the bench.
Instead, Overbay has been thrust into the starting lineup, where he has found a lot of success.
In 2013, he is batting .243 with eight home runs and 33 RBI. He’s fourth on the team in home runs and second on the team in RBI.
But is it enough for the Yankees to make a run at the division crown or a wild-card spot?
Kevin Youkilis
Youkilis could also be moved over to first base but would need to have a reliable third baseman to take his place.
Alex Rodriguez could be that player to take over. As reported by ESPN, Rodriguez is close to returning to game action.
It’s no secret the Yankees want to void A-Rod’s contract, but it’ going to be a tough sell according to Ira Boudway of Bloomberg Business Week.
If that’s the case, then clearly the best option would be to have Rodriguez playing when he returns.
It may not be what the Yankees brass wants, but it may be their only option.
With Rodriguez returning to the lineup, Youkilis would move to first base, and the Yankees would seemingly have the problem of replacing Teixeira solved.
Trade Market
Another option for New York is to look out on the trade market before the deadline.
There are multiple first and third basemen who will be free agents after this year. Most won’t require a hefty price tag for a half-season rental.
Players like Paul Konerko (Chicago White Sox), Kendrys Morales (Seattle Mariners), Michael Morse (Mariners) or Michael Young (Philadelphia Phillies) could be available to the Yankees.
With each being a free agent after this season, the Yankees wouldn’t have to worry about one of the first three being in the way of Teixeira next year.
Konerko still hasn’t decided if he’s going to return in 2014. Regardless of whether he does or not, the White Sox owe it to him to give him one more shot at a World Series.
The two teams could work out something as compensation, but you know Konerko would love one more shot.
As far as Morales and Morse, it’s a question of whether Seattle wants to let them go or keep them in Seattle to re-sign them in the offseason.
Before any of that happens, a decision has to be made on Teixeira.
Without the surgery, there’s always a chance for the wrist injury to creep back up. With the surgery, he’s gone for the rest of the year, and the Yankees have to look for a temporary solution.
Regardless, no trades or movement of organizational players can happen until that decision is made.
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