Three Undervalued Free Agents the Yankees Should Consider

Oct 19, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Edwin Encarnacion (10) reacts to striking out during the ninth inning against the Cleveland Indians in game five of the 2016 ALCS playoff baseball series at Rogers Centre. Yankees. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports

The 2016-2017 free agent class may be lacking in big name superstars, but there are plenty of undervalued options for the New York Yankees to consider this winter to fill the holes on their roster.

While many analysts are expecting the New York Yankees to go hard after the biggest names on the free-agent market this offseason now that they’ve freed up considerable money by trading catcher Brian McCann, I have a hard time envisioning this frugal ownership group being the high-bidder on guys like Yoenis Cespedes, Edwin Encarnacion, and Rich Hill in the coming months, especially if they are already going to be shelling out $90-100 million to bring back closer Aroldis Chapman as everyone expects.

Christian Red of The New York Daily News recently reported that the Yankees top three priorities this winter are re-signing Chapman, bringing in a starting pitcher, and finding a DH to replace McCann. If money was no object, signing Chapman, Encarnacion, and Hill would be the optimal way to fill those needs, but that seems extremely unlikely given the club’s desire to get under the luxury tax threshold.

Instead, fans should expect Yankees general manager Brian Cashman to continue his recent strategy of making incremental upgrades to the roster, avoiding long-term financial commitments, and looking for players who may be undervalued by other clubs for whatever reason. Here are three free agents who fit that mold the team could consider.

The 2016-2017 free agent class may be lacking in big name superstars, but there are plenty of undervalued options for the New York Yankees to consider this winter to fill the holes on their roster.

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