4 former Yankees fan favorites still without a job heading toward Spring Training

Unsurprisingly, there are a few semi-beloved former Yankees still hanging out in the free agent pool as February approaches and teams (theoretically) begin to prepare for the 2024 season.

Why is it surprising that some ex-Yanks have been left in the lurch? Oddly enough, this isn't an indictment on Brian Cashman's roster building or Hal Steinbrenner's budget. Simply put, nearly everyone is still available. If your name isn't Shohei Ohtani and you're somewhere in between the top of the market and the lowest rung, you might be in danger of missing the start of next month (or even Opening Day).

This list is for all those current players who weren't wrongfully reported to be on planes to Toronto. All those guys who didn't take No. 18 Yankees jerseys home with them before Skip Bayless-ing them directly into the trash can. All the dudes who weren't spotted in the airport asking the Yankees to call (although he's technically still available, too).

The Yankees are rumored to be exploring a potential reunion with one of these guys, but we can spot a second name that feels like a potential fit, too, especially if Hector Neris wants $50 million.

4 Yankees fan favorites who are still MLB free agents as spring training approaches

David Robertson, RHP

D-Rob doesn't seem ready to go quietly into that good night just yet at age 38 (nearly 39), and was still highly effective for the New York Mets in the first half of 2023. Then, he was blindsided and dealt to the Marlins, a competitive surrender that no one saw coming in Flushing, considering the expectations they began the season with. Your ERA might balloon from 2.05 to 5.06, too, if that happened to you -- and, besides, Robertson's FIP indicates there might've been a great deal of bad luck and overcorrection down the stretch. It was 3.57 in New York and an actually improved 3.49 in Miami.

While the ageless Robertson will likely face regression head-on someday -- and hey, maybe that's what the back half of 2023 turns out to be -- he's been everything from rock-solid reliever to All-Star closer, and never anything less than competent. The Yankees let him go once before welcoming him back again. Could this offseason bring fans another reunion, as well as an opportunity for Robertson to be a luxury rather than a necessity?

Gio Urshela, 3B

The Urshela reunion is the only one the Yankees actually have registered interest in, and a partnership was hinted at again this week with dueling Gleyber Torres/Urshela Instagram story posts/reposts. Yup. It's that kind of offseason. The kind where "putting up a picture with your friend" qualifies as ironclad news, and a reason to start speculating about Oswald Peraza trade fits.

The Yankees seem unlikely to acquire Urshela as a stopgap/utility infield option unless they can find a taker for Peraza dangling a pitcher (or they can somehow get off DJ LeMahieu's contract). Still, with New York lying in wait, someone has a chance to pounce on a still-productive player.

Urshela is coming back from a devastating pelvic fracture last season, but hit .299 with limited pop (two homers/91 OPS+) in just over 200 at-bats. After being shipped to Minnesota in exchange for Josh Donaldson/Isiah Kiner-Falefa the previous season, though, it's very safe to say he outplayed his new counterparts, posting a 119 OPS+ and being the same clutch line drive artist he'd been in the Bronx.

Urshela fits in the clubhouse and in the depth chart. All the Yankees need to do is find a corresponding move to make it work.

Mike Ford, 1B

Will the Yankees reunite with Mike Ford as a lefty-swingin' backup option for Anthony Rizzo this season? Not likely, unless they can -- again -- find a way to get LeMahieu out of town, as well as manufacture a desire to do so. The modern Yankees aren't exactly built on a distinct lack of versatility, and Ford would represent exactly that.

But he did post a 122 OPS+ with the Mariners last season and he did slug 16 homers in 219 at-bats and ascend fairly close to the folk hero status he had in the Bronx in 2019. It's at least worth noting that he could be valuable in the right circumstances, as well as point out that his trainer/hitting coach might've been onto something when he flamed New York on the way out. People just ... love to flame this regime. Probably their problem, not the Yankees' issue.

Still turning just 32 this summer, Ford could provide bench pop for a team that needs a backup. He could also provide shushing if the Yankees' bench gets too chirpy. Sounds like a Blue Jay -- first baseman or manager, take your pick.