Evaluating the Yankees Options at DH If They Trade Brian McCann

If the New York Yankees trade Brian McCann this winter as many expect, they may be in the market for a veteran bat to take his place in the lineup next year. Yanks Go Yard breaks down some of the team’s options at DH.

While New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman has been vocal about his desire to keep veteran catcher Brian McCann with the club even after he lost his starting job to rookie Gary Sanchez this year, he admitted recently that there had been a lot of interest in acquiring McCann because of the lack of quality backstops available on the market.

If the return gets high enough, Cashman will certainly make the move. And It’s hard to believe McCann would turn down a chance to be a starting catcher again. The Yankees general manager revealed to Ken Davidoff and Joel Sherman of the New York Post that he had already discussed the possibility of a trade with McCann’s agent B.B. Abbott.

Cashman told reporters that if McCann is on the roster next spring, he will be the club’s primary designated hitter. However, if he was to be dealt, the team would consider bringing someone else in.

"I will not be looking at any DHs if I have Brian McCann still here. If [McCann approves a trade], then maybe I’ll look at, ‘All right, what am I going to do here in the DH spot? Is there something in the marketplace? Do I just want to stay internal?"

The team does have plenty of internal options they could try at DH. If Tyler Austin loses the spring first base competition to Greg Bird, it would be nice to see him get a shot there. The losers of the battle for right field could also be possibilities, although Rob Refsnyder, Mason Williams, and Aaron Hicks probably wouldn’t produce enough to be viable long-term candidates for the role. Keeping the spot open to rotate veterans through is always a possibility.

If the Yankees do look to bring someone new on board this winter, there are plenty of appealing options on the free agent market. Lets run through a few of the guys who could make sense for New York.