Why the Yankees Need Gordon Beckham

In the 2014 season the Yankees played…wait for it… 8 players at second base. The decision to let the next Yankee captain, Robinson Cano, walk in free agency and sign with the Seattle Mariners on a 10-year, $240 million deal proved to be a problem. I agree with the decision to let him walk strictly from the stand point of the desired years. We learned the hard way that long term deals are a terrible commitment. *Cough, A-rod*. However, the scramble to plug the hole left vacant was done poorly. We fielded a Triple-A team at one position in 2014! The revolving door on the right side of the infield saw: Dean Anna, Brian Roberts, Kelly Johnson, Martin Prado, Jose Pirela, Stephen Drew, Yangervis Solarte, and Brendan Ryan. A year later, heading into the 2015 season, the Yankees still have not filled that hole. 

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The available players on the 40-man roster that can possibly be plugged in at second are Jose Pirela, Martin Prado, and Brendan Ryan. Prado showed his capability in his time with the Atlanta Braves, but flared out with the Arizona Diamondbacks. His quick bat showed flashes last season and his versatility does secure him a spot on the team for the time being. There are also talks, and chants, of Robert Refsnyder. He tore up the farms last year and is slowly becoming a fan favorite for the job. However, the search for a reliable second baseman continues. My argument: sign the 28-year-old Gordon Beckham.

Beckham debuted in 2009 with the Chicago White Sox and came into the league surrounded by overwhelming talk of how good of a player he could be. He was one of their top prospects to arrive to the show. He was drafted 8th overall in the 2008 draft after posting an amazing slash line of .411/.519/.804 and belting 28 home runs at the University of Georgia. He displayed his abilities with the bat, hitting for average and power in the farms. He was eventually called up and played third base for the 2009 season. Beckham did not do much with his opportunity and did not live up to his scouting report. In his 6 seasons, his WAR (wins above replacement) went from a 2.1 in 2009 to a 0.0 in 2014. His disappointment and inability to reach the next level (posting a career .245 batting average) led to the White Sox shipping him to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim last season.

The Yankees are in desperate need of a second basemen and the 28-year-old Beckham can be an ideal sign. He demonstrated coming up that he has the raw skills to be successful, but has failed to put them all together. Scouts attribute his problems at the plate to his flawed load in his swing. His inconsistency with his hands and timing create a hitch in his load. The Yankees have had success in the past in helping players find their swings; however, long time hitting coach Kevin Long has moved on and the Yanks are in search of a new hitting coach.

In the worst case scenario if the Yankees sign him, they get a cheap player who, like Prado, is versatile and can give A-Rod a break at third base. He is a solid defensive player who can stay on the field unlike the failed aspirations for Brian Roberts in 2014. Gordon has played over 100 games in each of his 6 seasons and played in 150 games twice. Also, he has never finished under a .930 fielding percentage and only compiled 66 errors in his service. A cheap, young, versatile, player who stays healthy, is solid defensively, and has high upside with his bat can be a key addition in 2015.