New York Yankees Should Target Tyler Colvin In Free Agency

June 11, 2013; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies right fielder

(21) reacts after his home run in the dugout against the Washington Nationals at Coors Field. The Rockies defeated the Nationals 8-3. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

I was online yesterday and came across a note about players electing free agency after being removed from the 40 man roster. (Yes those transactions can occur during the postseason) One interesting name I saw was that of Tyler Colvin. Colvin was removed from the Rockies 40 man roster and went unclaimed and elected free agency. Colvin can help the Yankees in a few ways.

Instead of taking a chance on older guys like Travis Hafner, they should look to try to add Colvin. He can play all three outfield positions as well as first base, so he can back up at those positions or even DH.  He’s just two years removed from a season in which he hit .290 with 18 home runs and 72 RBI with an OPS of .858. Yes, he struck out 117 times, but you got to overlook that. With his left-handed bat with pop at Yankee Stadium, he could put up some nice numbers, strictly in a platoon role facing right handed pitching.

He’s coming off a back injury last year, where he only hit .160 in 27 games. He put up respectable AAA numbers last season, so it is possible he could be getting healthy. He is also just 28 years of age, and the Yankees don’t have a ton of players on their major league roster whose ages begin with the number two.

If they are going to stick to the $189 million plan, they are going to have to buy low on some guys. They will have some competition for him, however, Colvin should be one of those guys the Yankees target this off-season.