Bomber Bites With Jumping Joe–Yankees Still Have Options at Third if Chase Headley Walks

The Boston Red Sox changed the free agent landscape with their high priced $180 million spending spree late Sunday night.  The ripple effect will be felt throughout baseball, perhaps none more forcefully than in the Bronx.  Whenever the Red Sox make a big moves there is an urge for the Yankees to respond quickly and retake control in the rivalry.

Hanley Ramirez and Pablo Sandoval’s signing in Boston took the best free agent shortstop and third baseman off the board.  There were ranked as the best overall hitters available in a weak free agent class for position players.  In terms of possible knee jerk reactions available to the Yankees, the most obvious is to overpay to resign Chase Headley. 

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The price to resign Headley jumped as soon as Ramirez and Sandoval signed with the Red Sox.  It was once that Headley might accept a one year deal to true and reestablish his value as free agent before hitting the market.  However, as the best third baseman and one of the top hitters left on the market with many teams looking for offense he will likely seek a big multiyear deal.  Insiders estimate that it may take up to 5 years and $75 million to sign him now.

Mandatory Credit: Chad R. MacDonald.

The fifth year is the most troubling part of the proposed deal.  The Yankees have repeatedly gotten themselves into trouble with lengthy long-term contracts.  Headley’s career arc has shown that while he is certainly a good player, he is not a great or star one.  His 2012 season has been by far the outlier season in an 8 year career.  Paying a non-star player like a star is generally a poor plan.

Headley may be the Yankees first choice to play third in the Bronx in 2015 but he is not the only choice.  They do not need to sign him at all costs.  While it is unlikely that Alex Rodriguez is capable at age 39, coming off a year long PED suspension, to be an everyday third baseman, it is certainly likely that he can man the hot corner a few times a week.  Martin Prado meanwhile is certainly capable to play third effectively for the Yankees next season.

Prado was originally expected to be the starting second baseman next season, but has experience at third.  This would open up second base for either Jose Pirela or Rob Refsnyder.  Giving these baby Bombers a chance would benefit the Yankees both financially as they would be very inexpensive and show that the Yankee farm system is not a barren as once thought.

The Yankees would be a better team if they sign Headley.  Headley has power potential, especially at Yankee Stadium that the other options don’t have.  He is a switch hitter than can help balance the lineup.  However, if he signs elsewhere, the Yankees would not be significantly worse off.  It would allow them to see what they have with Refsnyder and Pirela, which could ultimately put them in a better position long term.