Chris Johnson Would Be Perfect Addition To New York Yankees' Bench

The New York Yankees already have a fairly strong bench heading into the 2016 season. However, there is one open spot, and Chris Johnson would fit perfectly into that last spot as a right-handed bat and backup to Chase Headley.

Most of the Yankees’ bench is settled already. Aaron Hicks, Dustin Ackley and either Austin Romine or Gary Sanchez should give Joe Girardi a young, athletic and versatile bench. They also have Starlin Castro at second base who can play shortstop and possibly third base in a pinch. However, Castro hasn’t played third base since the minor leagues, and the Yankees could use someone who hits lefties and has played third base at the MLB level. No, Alex Rodriguez is not an option in this instance. That is where Johnson comes in.

Johnson split last season between the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Indians, slashing .255/.286/.337 with three home runs, 11 doubles and 18 RBIs in 27 games. Against lefties last season he slashed .326/.354/.391, a considerably better line than his overall numbers.

Headley was better against left-handed pitching last season than he was right-handers, but he played in 156 games and faded down the stretch. He began the month of September with a .276/.340/.401 slash line and ended the year at .259/.324/.369. Having someone like Johnson around would allow Headley to stay a little fresher down the stretch.

The Yankees have no depth in the minors at third base, especially after shipping Eric Jagielo out to get Aroldis Chapman. If Headley were to get injured they would have no insurance at third base. While Johnson isn’t exactly smooth at the hot corner, he can fake it well enough to at least be passable at third base when Headley needs a rest. He can also spell Mark Teixeira at first, especially against left-handed pitching.

So far the Yankees haven’t signed a single free agent and have instead used trades to fill needs. Johnson won’t cost much in free agency and therefore shouldn’t be off of the Yankees’ radar. He would be a fairly versatile player filling the last spot on the bench. Johnson could probably be had for around what the team paid Stephen Drew and Chris Capuano last season, $5 million, or could come at a reduced price given the fact he hasn’t had much movement.

Adding Johnson, or a player like him, would give the Yankees one of their best benches in a decade. There should be nothing stopping GM Brian Cashman from picking up the phone and making this happen.