Today the news broke of the need for New York Yankees 3B Alex Rodriguez to undergo surgery for a torn labrum in his left hip that will keep him out of action for 4-6 months after he has the operation in early January. Initially, thoughts would involve the Yankees staying in house, perhaps using Eduardo Nunez there until A-Rod is ready. A logical platoon with Nunez could include free agent 3B Eric Chavez, who was done a very good job in his two seasons as a role player with the Yankees. Others have suggested bringing back another recent Yankees infielder, Jayson Nix, who is also a free agent.
Some have brought up names like Jeff Keppinger and even Kevin Youkilis, as the talk has already started in regards to who will play 3B for the Yankees next season. While I will suggest the Yankees bring back Chavez to play some 3B and DH, I think they should also bring in a right handed bat, with some upside to platoon and possibly play every day if they are performing at their best. Out of the 6 players I mention, four have to be traded for and two are free agents. It is safe to say the further the list the player is, the more it will take for the player to be traded for.
6. Juan Uribe, LAD: Juan has done a terrible job since leaving the 2010 World Series Champion Giants to sign a 3 year, $21 million deal with the Dodgers. From the Dodgers perspective, they plan on playing Hanley Ramirez at 3B and Dee Gordon at SS, making Uribe expendable. Uribe (33 yrs old) will not cost much in regards to compensation and the Dodgers may pick up some of the $7 million owe to him. Negatives include his .191, 2, 17 line last season in 66 games and 162 ABs. He hit 24 HR in 2010, so he could be a low cost, high reward type player.
5. Placido Polanco, FA: Polanco (37) has finished his 4 year deal in Philadelphia; the last season not being so great for him. His .257, 2, 19 in 90 games and 303 ABs lost him the 3B job by seasons end. As a free agent, he is expected to command much less than the $6+ million he received last season. He hit .298, 6, 52 for the Phillies in 2010. His impact in the clubhouse has been known to be very good, something any team can use.
4. Brandon Inge, FA: Inge (35) split last season between Detroit and Oakland and had a little bit of a resurgence. He hit .218, 12, 54 in 83 games, 303 AB in 2012, making $5.5 million. As a free agent, like Polanco, would require much less than that. He hit .247, 13, 70 in 2010 with Detroit. Always known as a good defender, he has the ability to provide a little more power than Polanco.
3. Willie Bloomquist, Ari: Bloomquist (35) is on the second year of a two year deal with Arizona that will pay him a combined $3.8 million. He does not have the power potential Inge and Uribe could possess, but Bloomquist could play a very good role as a utility player once Rodriguez returns. He also hit .302, 0, 23 in 80 games and 324 ABs, batting several times as a leadoff or number two hitter for a competitive Diamondbacks team. His acquisition would have to be complimentary to a Chavez re-signing, as Bloomquist is a more complete player than Nix.
2. Alberto Callaspo, LAA: Callaspo may or may not be available, but if he is, the Yankees should be one of the first teams to inquire. Callaspo may be the starting 3B once again in 2013 for the Angels. The Angels could go with Mark Trumbo or make another move for a 3B. Callaspo (29) hit .252, 10, 53 in 138 games, 457 ABs. He made $3.15 million and is 4th year arbitration eligible for the 2013 season. The Yankees would also have to see if they have something of value to convince the Angels to make this trade.
1. Chris Johnson, Ari: Johnson (28) may not be available at all. It the Diamondbacks trade Justin Upton to Texas, they may want top prospects Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar as part of the trade, freeing up Johnson to be moved. Johnson hit .281, 15, 76 for the Diamondbacks and Astros last season. He had a very good run as a rookie in 2010 before taking a step back in 2011. Ideally, he would be the best fit for the Yankees. Of course, it would take more than in a deal for Callaspo, but would be more worth it.
6. Juan Uribe, LAD: Juan has done a terrible job since leaving the 2010 World Series Champion Giants to sign a 3 year, $21 million deal with the Dodgers. From the Dodgers perspective, they plan on playing Hanley Ramirez at 3B and Dee Gordon at SS, making Uribe expendable. Uribe (33 yrs old) will not cost much in regards to compensation and the Dodgers may pick up some of the $7 million owe to him. Negatives include his .191, 2, 17 line last season in 66 games and 162 ABs. He hit 24 HR in 2010, so he could be a low cost, high reward type player.
5. Placido Polanco, FA: Polanco (37) has finished his 4 year deal in Philadelphia; the last season not being so great for him. His .257, 2, 19 in 90 games and 303 ABs lost him the 3B job by seasons end. As a free agent, he is expected to command much less than the $6+ million he received last season. He hit .298, 6, 52 for the Phillies in 2010. His impact in the clubhouse has been known to be very good, something any team can use.
4. Brandon Inge, FA: Inge (35) split last season between Detroit and Oakland and had a little bit of a resurgence. He hit .218, 12, 54 in 83 games, 303 AB in 2012, making $5.5 million. As a free agent, like Polanco, would require much less than that. He hit .247, 13, 70 in 2010 with Detroit. Always known as a good defender, he has the ability to provide a little more power than Polanco.
3. Willie Bloomquist, Ari: Bloomquist (35) is on the second year of a two year deal with Arizona that will pay him a combined $3.8 million. He does not have the power potential Inge and Uribe could possess, but Bloomquist could play a very good role as a utility player once Rodriguez returns. He also hit .302, 0, 23 in 80 games and 324 ABs, batting several times as a leadoff or number two hitter for a competitive Diamondbacks team. His acquisition would have to be complimentary to a Chavez re-signing, as Bloomquist is a more complete player than Nix.
2. Alberto Callaspo, LAA: Callaspo may or may not be available, but if he is, the Yankees should be one of the first teams to inquire. Callaspo may be the starting 3B once again in 2013 for the Angels. The Angels could go with Mark Trumbo or make another move for a 3B. Callaspo (29) hit .252, 10, 53 in 138 games, 457 ABs. He made $3.15 million and is 4th year arbitration eligible for the 2013 season. The Yankees would also have to see if they have something of value to convince the Angels to make this trade.
1. Chris Johnson, Ari: Johnson (28) may not be available at all. It the Diamondbacks trade Justin Upton to Texas, they may want top prospects Mike Olt and Jurickson Profar as part of the trade, freeing up Johnson to be moved. Johnson hit .281, 15, 76 for the Diamondbacks and Astros last season. He had a very good run as a rookie in 2010 before taking a step back in 2011. Ideally, he would be the best fit for the Yankees. Of course, it would take more than in a deal for Callaspo, but would be more worth it.
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