Instant Reaction: What Does Resigning Chase Headley Mean For The Yankees?

Brian Cashman wasted very little time after the Baseball Winter Meetings in San Diego before striking to improve the New York Yankees. It was announced earlier today that the team and Headley, who was also being pursued by both the San Francisco Giants and Miami Marlins, agreed to a four-year, $50 million dollar pact to keep him in the Bronx. Personally, I see both pluses and minuses to this deal, the money being the least of my concerns.

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No, to be able to sign both Andrew Miller and Headley for a combined $96 million only makes the Yankees deeper and more dangerous. Sure, as I’ve discussed before on the Yanks Go Yard Radio Show with host and senior writer Ricky Keeler, I would’ve been just fine with the Yankees moving forward without Headley, and starting Martin Prado at third base, and giving the two kids a chance to battle in spring training. Now, with Headley back in the fold, and Prado firmly planted at second, the Yankees can use one or both of the second base prospects–Rob Refsnyder and Jose Pirela as trade bait. Coming into the season, I liked Pirela better, as he has more experience at second base, more pop in his bat, and played the entire season at Triple-A. Given the current situation however, I’d prefer to keep Refsnyder because of his ability to play right field–his original position in college, to add further depth in case Carlos Beltran gets injured again and Chris Young flops.

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But back to Headley. This was a smart, savvy move by Cashman. I know that Headley says he wants to play every day. The fact that he has difficulty staying healthy, suffering back and leg injuries during his career, makes the return of Alex Rodriguez even more important. Headley will man the hot corner most of the time, but can also slide over to relieve an unreliable Mark Teixeira at first base, giving A-Rod, Beltran, Tex, and McCann all chances to DH, giving their aging legs rest, and keeping their bat in the lineup.

The resigning of Chase Headley could also prove to be a detriment to the Yankees’ rebuilding of their farm system. We’ve already discussed what this does for Refsnyder and Pirela, but the one person whose development could get set back is the highly-regarded third base prospect, Eric Jagielo. This past season, over two levels (Florida State League and Gulf Coast League), the 22-year-old proved why he could be a fixture in the Yankees’ future. He hit 18 home runs and drove in 58, while only hitting .256. Jagielo has plenty of time to develop, and could be ready to see his debut in the Bronx long before Headley’s new deal is up. At that point, Tex could be the full time DH, and Headley could be manning first base. Then again, we can’t forget about the impending arrival of Gregory Bird.

The only issue I have with this new contract for Chase Headley is the length. I was hoping the Yankees would stick to their guns and hold tight at three years. A fourth year is risky, and sets the farm system back a touch. Plus, if Headley gets hurt, and A-Rod can’t stay healthy, you have a MASH unit of injured infielders, because you know Tex won’t stay healthy, and is now unreliable as a contributor.

The move makes the Yankees better right now. The team still needs to address their starting rotation woes. The bench is solid, the other positions are taken care of, and now third base has been settled. Add in a lock down bullpen, and the Yankees could be on the fringe of a Wild Card berth. If, and only if, they can remain healthy. Welcome back to the Bronx Mr. Headley.