Yankees Rumors: Yankees Were Interested in Jason Heyward

This just fresh off the rumor mill, according to Andy Martino the New York Daily News, the New York Yankees engaged the Atlanta Braves this offseason in trade talks that focused on star-outfielder  Jason Heyward. In the long run, Atlanta ultimately dealt Heyward to the Cardinals in exchange for Shelby Miller.

While the report doesn’t quite indicate how serious Brian Cashman’s interest was or whether or not any trade packages were actually offered, it does hint at the Yankees being a prime candidate to land Jason Heyward if he were to hit free agency at the culmination of this season. The Yankees do have the trio of Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury and Carlos Beltran under contract through the 2016 season, and prospects like Tyler Austin, Mason Williams and Aaron Judge coming up in the foreseeable future. But, according to Martino, the Yankees ultimate plan was to shift Beltran to an every-day DH role if they acquired Heyward this winter, and could certainly utilize that plan next season should they sign him as a free-agent.

I like where Brian Cashman is going with all of this. Unlike the Yankees of recent past, there is increasing evidence that supports the Yankees new plan of targeting players that are young with a high ceiling and superb defensive skill. Martino also noted that the Yankees checked-in on the availability of Braves SS Andrelton Simmons as well, but New York ultimately elected to pull the trigger on Didi Gregorius.

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