Rumors: Yankees Early Frontrunners to sign Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist?

We are just over one full business day into the free agent signing period, and though no domino has yet to fall, MLB Trade Rumors is predicting the New York Yankees as the early favorites to sign Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist and Chris Young.

It’s important to note that predicting free agent signings is based on sheer speculation, even if it’s from the guys over at MLB Trade Rumors, so take this all tentatively and know that it’s probably way to early to shape the open market. For example, MLBTR predicted the Yankees to sign Max Scherzer, Hanley Ramirez and Jason Grilli in 2014, none of which obviously happened, but they did successfully predict Jon Lester to the Cubs, so you never know.

Anyway, in their 2015 rendition, MLBTR predicted the Yankees to sign the following players;

1. OF – Jason Heyward – 10 years, $200 MM

"“Since his 2010 rookie season, Heyward has quietly been one of the game’s best outfielders. He’s an excellent defender and baserunner with a solid on-base percentage and some pop. Heyward hit a career-high 27 home runs in 2012, but only 38 in the three seasons since. He doesn’t have the typical power output of a $200MM player, but his all-around game makes him a sabermetric darling with six wins above replacement this year. A very long term and an opt-out clause are on the table for Heyward because he broke into the Majors at age 20, and is now just 26. The Cardinals will try to convince Heyward to stay, but teams like the Angels, Yankees, White Sox, and Astros could make a play”"

Now, Brian Cashman has remained adamant that he’s not interested in adding players to long-term deals under the Yankees new business model, and any potential 10-year deal for Jason Heyward won’t expire until he’s 36 years old, but as MLBTR noted above, he’s a sabermetric dream – something we know Brian Cashman is very high on. At just 26, Jason Heyward does fit the Yankees mold of going young, and we know Brian Cashman inquired on him last off-season when he was still a member of the Atlanta Braves before he was traded to St. Louis. Best case scenario, the Yankees sign Heyward and play him through his prime until he opts-out sometime in the range of five-to-seven years down the line. Any addition of Jason Heyward or any other outfielder would likely spell the end of Brett Gardner in pinstripes, so stay tuned.

2. UT – Ben Zobrist – Three Years/ $51 MM

"“Baseball’s Swiss Army knife would fit with more than a dozen teams, as he can handle second base and the outfield corners and even back up at shortstop. Offensively, Zobrist contributes a strong OBP and good pop, plus he’s ineligible for a qualifying offer because he was traded to the Royals. He’ll be vying for a fourth year, and Victor Martinez did get that, but with Zobrist turning 35 in May it’s still a tough sell. He remains a good fit for the Royals, while the Yankees, Orioles, Padres, Astros, and White Sox could also make sense.”"

Zobrist, though he’s already 34-years old, would be a great addition to the Yankees. He can slot in primarily at second base and move to other positions when Rob Refsnyder need’s to get some at-bat’s. Zobrist is an underrated, but winning ball player – and he certainly has the ability to transform an offense, which we saw during his three months in Kansas City. The early indication is that the Yankees will go with a platoon of Dustin Ackley and Refsnyder at second base, so I wouldn’t expect a Zobrist signing unless Refsnyder is packaged in a trade, which would give Zobrist the every-day role while Jorge Mateo is groomed down in the minors.

3. OF/DH – Chris Young – Two years/ $12 MM

"“Young is a lefty-masher who can play all three outfield positions. If the Yankees don’t bring him back, the Rangers could be a fit.”"

I would be shocked if the Yankees don’t bring Young back as their fourth outfielder. Not only has he proved to be a left-handed specialist who can rake in Yankee Stadium, but he’s also proved to be a better fourth-option than Slade Heathcott and the oft-injured Mason Williams. With Aaron Judge still a ways away, the Yankees will need as much depth as possible in the outfield..so go Young.

What do you think about these early predictions Yankee fans? Let us know in the comments below!

Rumors: Yankees Early Frontrunners to sign Jason Heyward, Ben Zobrist?

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