NEW CONCERNS ABOUT POSSIBLE YANKEE TARGET TREVOR STORY

Christmas is coming fast. Yankee fans are making a list and checking it twice and the Yankees have been naughty and not nice. So far Santa Claus a.k.a Brian Cashman has not delivered Yankee fans any presents at all.

Brian Cashman already said that shortstop was an area that must be prioritized, but several shortstops went off the market before the lockout started. The Yankees have done nothing, and now one Yankee interest that is still available may also be passed over, just like the others.

Last season the Yankees tried to acquire Trevor Story at the trade deadline but had no luck. Now that the Yankees can just sign him if they want him there is some troublesome news out in the rumor mill. NJ.com has the scoop HERE and it may be cause for concern:

"Most scouts believe that the 29-year-old Story would benefit from a shift to second base due to diminished arm strength. He’s dealt with elbow strains over the past few seasons and a shift to second base might reduce the overall wear and tear."

Now we have to wonder if Cashman will pass on Story just like other free agent shortstops. Story has had some injury concerns that can't be ignored. At the same time, it is easy to be swayed and take a gamble especially if you look at his impressive numbers from 2018 and 2019. If Story's arm strength really is diminishing and his future is at second base rather than shortstop the Yankees are back to their current log jam.

The Yankees moved Gleyber Torres back to second base and then we can't forget that the Yankees envisioned DJ LeMahieu at second base also, his strongest position. It's another log jam that the Yankees would create.

And a move like Story also means more money that wouldn't be used to keep Aaron Judge around, if that is what they want. So maybe a short stopgap is what Brian Cashman will do because something's gotta give. It wouldn't be too hard to upgrade shortstop from what we had with Torres so not making a move at all just won't be acceptable.

But is Story an acceptable risk? I really don't think so only because we already have too many long term deals on the books. I don't think Story is the answer....but Cashman better move fast when this lockout is finally over. 

--Jeana Bellezza-Ochoa

BYB Senior Managing Editor

Twitter: @nyprincessj