Despite Availability, Yankees Should Avoid Alex Rios

Alex Rios has seen both the ups and downs that a big league career can provide. The highs came early, and his effort rewarded by his original team, the Toronto Blue Jays, who signed him to a 7-year, almost $70 million dollar contract back in 2007. Much like their contract with former Yankees’ outfielder Vernon Wells, Toronto failed to get much reward for the high risk of spending that kind of cheddar. Instead, Rios bounced from the White Sox, who claimed him off waivers when the Blue Jays had seen enough, and finally on to Texas, where he made an impact early, but not enough to warrant his salary.

Fast forward to 2014, where not only Rios, but his fellow Rangers fell flat on their face. A once-powerful Texas franchise were the punching bag of the AL this past season, and Rios was trending the wrong way in more than once instance. While his K rate was almost 18 percent, his power was non-existent. In an effort to wipe the slate clean, and prepare for 2015, CBS Sports’ and MLB Insider Jon Heyman reported that the Rangers cut Rios loose with a $2 million dollar buy out rather than pay him $14 million next season. Now that he is a free agent, do the Yankees kick the tires? 

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It’s known that the Yankees have had previous interest in Rios as a right-handed power bat who could play the corner outfield. With Carlos Beltran returning from off-season surgery to remove bone spurs, and the impending departure of Ichiro Suzuki, some may think Rios could be an affordable option in case Beltran isn’t ready or is incapable of playing right field next season.

The Yankees, while looking for offense, could’ve claimed Rios off of waivers when he cleared them back in August, and they had no interest, instead signing Chris Young to a minor league deal, and watching him have a solid September. Unlike Young, Rios has been plagued by injuries over the the past couple of years, and it appears that other than gap-to-gap power, he simply wouldn’t be a good fit in the Bronx. The Bombers would be better off bringing back Young on a one-year deal.