Does Alexei Bell Make Sense for the Yankees?

According to FOX reporter Ken Rosenthal,the Yankees were one of 13 teams attend Cuban outfielder Alexei Bell’s recent showcase in Mexicali. 

The Yankees were the only team in Major League Baseball to not sign a major league player to a contract this off season, but that hasn’t stopped them from checking in on free-agents that could make a positive impact on the team.

Alexei Bell is a speedy outfielder who’s 32-years of age and has played in ten seasons with the Cuban National Series. The reason for the wait: he didn’t want to defect from Cuba and chose to wait to leave the country legally. He waited a long time, but Bell left Cuba with the permission of the government, and he has filled an application for MLB free agency.

While in Cuba, Bell had a slash line of .319/.417/.547 and hit more than 130 home runs over his 10-year tenure. The most remarkable statistic, however, is his walk and strikeout numbers (445 BB, 463 K). Defensively, Bell can play anywhere in the outfield and scouts have noted that he has a plus arm.

However, the Yankee outfield is full. Brett Gardner, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Carlos Beltran will be the starters with Aaron Hicks likely being the fourth outfielder, while several promising youngsters are opening some eyes.

Without any room in the outfield, does it make sense for the Yankees to pursue Bell?

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There is a spot remaining on the 25-man roster, and Bell could be a good backup plan due to injury concerns regarding all three of the starting outfielders. In 2015, Ellsbury found his way onto the disabled list with a knee sprain then struggled mightily when he returned. After an All-Star first half, Gardner seemed like a shadow of himself during the last few months of the season and Beltran put together a strong season at the plate, but the 38-year-old also had a DL stint after an oblique strain.

Due to the fact that Bell is 32 years of age, he isn’t considered a “bonus pool” player and will be listed as a free agent. For the Yankees, he shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg and would provide the much needed depth that you require with an outfield with questions.

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Bell’s best season was in 2007, when he hit 31 home runs with 111 RBIs is in just 90 games. The 5-7, 187-pound outfielder has yet to be declared a free agent by MLB.