Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
The New York Yankees need offense. Badly.
They rank near the cellar in numerous offensive categories: 20th in runs scored, 24th in batting average, 24th in team on-base percentage and 26th in team slugging percentage. They need someone to protect star second baseman Robinson Cano in the lineup. San Diego Padres third baseman Chase Headley might be the man to do it.
Headley was a big-time prospect for a long while in the Padres organization, but he didn’t really have any good years — that is, until last year. Headley erupted for 31 home runs and 115 RBI’s, 17 steals, a .286 batting average, 173 hits, 31 doubles, and 95 runs scored, all while missing only one game. 2012 was his coming out party, and I think that the Yankees need to do whatever they need to in order to get him.
Headley would give the Yankees that bat they’ve been missing to complement Cano, and he would also give them a replacement for Alex Rodriguez, who could be either released or traded in the near future. Best of all, Headley is only 29, giving New York a piece to build around for the future.
The question is whether or not they have the assets to make the trade. Joba Chamberlain and Phil Hughes seem likely to be moved, but their value is currently quite low. Perhaps losing some minor league prospects would be the way to go. Ultimately, I think Headley would be worth the sacrifice.
Kyle Massa is a New York Yankees writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @kylemassa, “Like” him on Facebook, or add him to your network on Google.
