Heyman: Free-Agent Third Baseman Headley Still In Play For Yankees
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- It looks like someone was pulling the baseball world's leg.
When word came down late last week that free agent Chase Headley had received what was believed to be a four-year, $65 million offer, the immediate reaction was the veteran third baseman is a nice player, but in no way, shape or form worthy of that kind of contract.
The offer, which could have been just a figment of someone's imagination according to CBSSports.com and WFAN baseball insider Jon Heyman, did, however, scare off some of Headley's reported suitors, namely the Miami Marlins and possibly the Houston Astros.
The Yankees seem determined to not play recently reinstated and soon-to-be 40-year-old Alex Rodriguez exclusively at third base. Hence the continued interest in Headley, who flashed a great glove and a decent bat (.262, 6 home runs, 17 RBI) after joining the Bombers via a trade from the San Diego Padres prior to last season's deadline.
According to Heyman, the numbers the Yankees are considering for the 30-year-old third baseman are three years and around $39 million, though they would be amenable to going to a fourth year under the right circumstances.
The Yankees' main competition for Headley right now could be defending champion San Francisco, though Heyman reported the Giants -- as of Tuesday -- were totally invested in landing free-agent left-hander Jon Lester.
If the Yankees do not sign Headley they will likely play versatile Martin Prado at third and give prospects Robert Refsnyder and Jose Pirela a chance to win the second-base job. Either way, including the trade late last week for shortstop Didi Gregorius, the Bombers' infield is going to look quite different in 2015.
Overall, Headley hit .243 with 13 homers and 49 RBI for the Padres and Yankees last season and is a career .265 hitter with 93 homers and 418 RBI in eight major-league seasons.
You May Also Be Interested In These Stories
