My family and I are big Mark Teixeira fans. We loved him, even though he was slow to rise from his winter slumber, not making dent in his average until early June. We loved him defensively at first base and he was good for the clubhouse too. Now the Yankees have another opportunity to bring a power bat and gold glove to a lineup that really needs an ignition, just like it did when they signed Teixeira. This time it could be Freddie Freeman.
"By adding Freeman, the Yankees would be getting a force in the middle of their lineup for many years to come, as well as a gold glove caliber first baseman on defense. Signing Freeman could potentially be a franchise altering move for a Yankees team that is in desperate need of a facelift after coming up short in the postseason over the past five seasons. Freeman also has a strong reputation for being a clubhouse leader as well," writes SI.com. Ironically, it was five years ago that the Yankees Teixeira said goodbye to baseball and retired. Could the Yankees make good by bringing in the NL MVP to the 2022 team?
Seems like the first base facelift has been a trend for the Yankees. Before bringing in Tex in 2009, the Yankees brought in Jason Giambi to replace Tino Martinez who replaced Don Mattingly. Since Teixeira, it has been a revolving door at the corner and if the Yankees act quickly and think beyond shortstop, they could have themselves a franchise player who could bring in a championship in the next couple of seasons or sooner.
"If long-term money issues are scaring the Braves off from making Freeman a lifelong Braves star, Cashman should swoop in ASAP and make a deal. We’re talking about a left-handed slugger that plays excellent defense, takes walks, hits for power, makes contact and is a leader. It would be the perfect Yankees signing," reported NJ.com.
Many say that the Yankees believe they have their shortstop in the system in either Oswald Peraza and Anthony Volpe or perhaps both. So spending big money on short could be something they bypass and bring in a fixer-upper instead to fill the middle infield.
Would Freeman want to come to the Bronx? "The belief is he wants to stay. But if Atlanta doesn’t go to at least six years at $180 million, would he be receptive to exit? The Yankees and Dodgers, in particular, would be ready to pounce. It would be easier for the Yankees to emphasize defense at short with someone like Andrelton Simmons if they could land Freeman’s lefty bat," reports the NY Post.
It would be a great move for the Yankees to bring in Freeman—a power bat with great defense and terrific chemistry. Freeman could be the next great first baseman to come to the Bronx and with him the possibility for a championship. Freeman could fill the big shoes that Teixeira left behind. Now the Yankees just have to make that a reality.
--Suzie Pinstripe
BYB Senior Managing Editor
Twitter: @suzieprof
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