IN CASE YOU DIDN'T KNOW... THERE ARE INFIELDERS STILL AVAILABLE

If the Yankees were in the market for an infielder—which, based on Aaron Boone’s recent comments, doesn’t seem to be the case—there are still several intriguing options available. While they may not be aggressively pursuing help in this area, it’s worth considering what’s left on the market in case plans change.

Here are some remaining free agent infield options for the Yankees. One name that has surfaced in connection with the Yankees is Brendan Rodgers, the former Colorado Rockies infielder who was non-tendered earlier this offseason. Rodgers primarily plays second base and even has a Gold Glove to his name, but defensive metrics on him are somewhat inconsistent. While he’s a solid option, signing him and keeping Jazz Chisholm at third base doesn’t seem like the kind of move that would significantly improve the roster.

Beyond Rodgers, there are still a handful of infielders available who could provide depth and versatility. José Iglesias, who was a key contributor for the 2024 Mets, remains unsigned. Yoán Moncada is also still on the market, though injuries and inconsistency have limited his appeal. A particularly interesting option is Kiké Hernández, who now finds himself without a clear role in Los Angeles after the Dodgers went on a major spending spree. Hernández offers defensive versatility, postseason experience, and a reliable clubhouse presence, making him an appealing fit for a team like the Yankees. Given the lack of playing time he would probably get in LA, he could be looking for a better opportunity elsewhere. Right now, he seems like one of the better choices still available—especially after the Rays signed Ha-Seong Kim, who would have been my top pick.

Another potential route the Yankees could explore is a trade for Luis Arráez. The rumors surrounding a possible deal for Arráez have been gaining traction in recent weeks. While he may not be the most well-rounded player, his offensive production is undeniable—he’s a three-time batting champion, after all. That said, it’s becoming harder to see a realistic scenario where Arráez ends up in the Bronx, and the Yankees don’t seem poised to make a big push for him.

Ultimately, while there are still options on the market, the Yankees’ infield situation doesn’t seem like an area they’re aggressively looking to upgrade. But if that stance changes, Hernández might be the best fit among the remaining free agents, with Rodgers as a backup option. My opinion of course.

THE YANKEES & WHO MAKES THE CUT

Photo: AP

It's less than two weeks until Opening Day! We're all excited and as we get closer to that day where the games count the roster is finally taking shape. Spring Training will be over soon, but there are still some decisions to be made. Some guys already know their roles....and others are still fighting for a job. The Yankees have some spring cleaning to do. So who stays and who gets tossed out?

SAFE!

Adam Warren: Not a surprise here....Brian Cashman has always said that Warren would have a role on this team but what that role will be is still unknown. The Yankees need to fill two of the five open rotation spots and both Cashman and Joe Girardi gave the same exact statement yesterday, read that HERE. The rotation battle is not going as predicted....so could Warren sneak in and steal a starting gig or does he stay in the bullpen? Maybe he does have more control over his destiny after all.

Greg Bird: If the Yankees had any doubt if Bird could be the new every day starter...he erased it. Before Wednesday's game Girardi officially named Bird the starting first baseman and then he celebrated his new role by hitting two home runs and driving in five runs. His .439 BA proves that he is physically an mentally ready for his new role. He has looked so good that he has even caught the attention of Mr. October himself Reggie Jackson who gave him high praise HERE.

OUT?:

Didi Gregorius and Rob Refsnyder: Didi is not out permanently but, he is out until May. Teams see the empty hole in the Yankees lineup and they have already made some trade proposals to the Yankees HERE but the Yankees aren't biting. Simply stated, Zack Cozart and Jose Iglesias are just too expensive and Cozart is a short term rental. If anything maybe the Yankees pursue cheaper option Nick Ahmed from the Arizona Diamondbacks but even that is unlikely considering all of the in house options they have.

Or, does this give Rob Refsnyder a temporary and small window of opportunity? It would require moving Starlin Castro back to shortstop and he has not been playing there recently. If the Yankees were to make room for Refsnyder would now be the time? The odds certainly don't look good.

Photo: NJ.com

Chris Carter: Bird is the word... and the starting first baseman. Now the ideal platoon idea that the Yankees first envisioned seems unlikely. It's hard to bench Bird with a .439 BA for Carter's .108 BA, one home run, three RBI's and 20 strikeouts. To say that Carter has struggled this spring would be an understatement, so how long do the Yankees find a way to pencil this guy into the lineup if his bt doesn't start to heat up? His 2016 season shows he is capable of more, but if he's not hitting do the Yankees try to dump him later for another piece? A serviceable arm maybe? We'll see what happens....but right now Girardi figures that Bird will get the majority of the at-bats for first base.

Luis Severino: So far 2017 looks just like last season. Severino has no fastball command and hitters like those balls high up in the zone. Severino knows this but still hasn't corrected it, read more HERE. The Yankees have never come out and said this, but with so many other unproven names fighting for a rotation spot this year this was basically his spot to lose.....and so far he is. So do the Yankees send him down to Triple-A to work on his mechanics again or do they just send him to the bullpen after having some success there last year? With quality starters getting harder and harder to find compared to those short inning relievers the Yankees look hesitant to give up on him but are they holding on to him for too long? Is it time to move on? With spring training coming to an end time is running out to convince the Yankees that he can be an effective start again.

--Jeana Bellezza
BYB Managing Editor
Follow me on Twitter: @NYPrincessJ

THE STUD

Everyone loves James Kaprielian.

Quick note and a great piece from Newsday's Erik Boland today about the young Yankee hurler we call "Stud".  Kap is impressing people:

"'A stud,' one opposing team talent evaluator said. 'That [a call-up in 2016] wouldn’t surprise me at all.'

Kaprielian, in his spring training debut Friday against the Tigers at Joker Marchant Stadium, showed flashes of why so much hype has accompanied him.

The 6-4, 200-pound righthander, who turned 22 on Wednesday, threw two perfect innings, striking out two. His most impressive inning was his first. He struck out Jose Iglesias swinging after falling behind 2-and-0 and fanned Ian Kinsler swinging after falling behind 3-and-1.

Kaprielian, who featured a fastball sitting at 94 to 96 mph, according to scouts in the stands, admitted to being 'anxious' on his way to the mound to start the fifth inning and experiencing “some jitters” as he took the ball.

After the two quick balls to Iglesias, that feeling apparently subsided..."

I would love to see this guy play in the Bigs this year, and yes, it's wishful thinking, because the Yankees don't typically do that. But the reality is, he's got a fast track and it would be refreshing to see.

Anyway, be sure to read Boland's full article.  It's very well done and gives all Yankee fans alot of hope about the youth movement in Yankeeland.



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IT'S THAT STEPHEN DREW UPDATE YOU'VE BEEN CRAVING...

You know the drill with Stephen Drew, Yankee fans are mixed when it comes to the dude.  I mean, defensively, he's outstanding and everyone knows that. With the bat though, not so much.  That doesn't mean it's not a good idea to try and sign the guy! To be honest, it's amazing to me that he's still out there on the free agent market.  I mean, the Mets, the Yankees, the Red Sox all have had some type of dialog or connection with the guy.  In fact, it was revealed recently that the Yankees had offered Drew a deal, and he turned it down.  That came from Joel Sherman of the New York Post who wrote:

"Early in the offseason, the Yankees – with so many holes to fill – used a strategy of making many offers at one time, letting agents know that with each signing, they would re-assess and pull some bids. The Yankees actually made Drew an offer at that time, believed to be for two or three years, when the shortstop was still looking to do considerably better – four or five years."

Now comes the question, are the Yanks done with the idea of Drew in pinstripes, and will a team like the Tigers pursue Drew hard now? Why, you ask? Because apparently Jose Iglesias is hurt, read HERE... Oh yeah, and Peter Gammons said so:

I would not bet against rumor sending Stephen Drew to Tigers
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) March 15, 2014

Look, who knows what will happen to Drew, and I often and always disagree with Peter Gammons, but I agree on this idea, the Tigers should make a run.

More Drew updates soon... I know you love them.

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ROOKIE OF THE YEAR AWARDS REVEALED...

and Yasiel Puig didn't win.

I believe attitude is everything.  I believe that when the voting went down for the American and National League Rookie of the Year awards, attitude entered the minds of the voters and Puig was just too immature to win anything.   That's my opinion... now here are the winners...

For the National League, the winner was Miami Marlins pitcher Jose Fernandez.  Fernandez got 26 of the 30 first place votes. Puig finished 2nd and got the other first place votes.

For the American League, Wil Myers won, just ahead of Jose Iglesias. Myers deserved it, he did well for the Rays this season.

Congrats to the winners from Bleeding Yankee Blue.

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CALLASPO & PEAVY OFF THE MARKET

Moments after BYB reported that the Yankees were looking at Angels 3rd baseman Alberto Callaspo, the Athletics moved in an traded for him in exchange for Grant Green. Danny Knobler of CBS Sports has that information:

Callaspo going to A's for Grant Green
— Danny Knobler (@DannyKnoblerCBS) July 31, 2013

Oh well... maybe the idea of Michael Young in pinstripes is now growing.

Meanwhile, Jake Peavy was just acquired by the Red Sox in a 3 team deal between the Tigers and White Sox.  Jon Heyman of CBS Sports had that Tweet:

red sox and white sox have a peavy deal.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 31, 2013

 Jose Iglesias is going to the Tigers. The deal is not "official" but there is no reason the think that it won't be.

The Yankees better get on the stick if they have any shot of trying to beat the Red Sox in the AL East this year.  They have a long way to go from 4th place...just sayin'.

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