As usual, there have been a lot of rumors that continue to swirl around the Yankees as the trade deadline approaches in July.
However, the Yankees might not have to trade anything to add depth to their bench because there are some very talented free agents available that could get the job done just as easily as somebody the Yankees could trade for.
This is also a better option, due to the fact that the Yankees wouldn’t have to give up any prospects, and some of the players out there might be cheaper than picking up the contract of a traded player.
Mark Grudzielanek is a hard-nosed veteran player who has had a very solid 15-year career in the big leagues.
He has over 2,000 career hits and a career batting average of .289, along with a .986 fielding percentage. He was an All-Star way back in ’96 and won a Gold Glove in 2006.
Grudzielanek started this season with the Cleveland Indians, and hit .279 with 11 RBI and 10 runs scored, but was released because the Indians wanted to give their younger players a shot, realizing their season was over.
He would give the Yankees a much needed veteran presence on the bench, while providing solid defense in the middle infield and an average bat, for a cheap price too.
An option for the corner infield spots and occasional DH is Joe Crede, who has dealt with some back issues over his career, but may be worth the risk to the Yankees.
He hit 15 home runs in a injury interupted season with the Twins a year ago, and has hit 140 homers over his career.
The Yankees could use some of that power off the bench right about now, considering the four players warming the bench right now have a grand total of zero home runs, at least not until Marcus Thames returns. A power outage indeed.
Crede would be a big risk, considering his injury history, and he probably wouldn’t come cheaply (not with Scott Boris as his agent), but the Yankees do need some pop from the bench.
Another veteran, and former teammate of Joe Crede, Jermaine Dye is also still available, which simply amazes me that a player of his caliber can’t find a job.
He too would get the job done for the Yankees in the power department, he hit 27 home runs and had 87 RBI for the White Sox last year.
Dye would be a major upgrade over any of the outfielders currently on the bench or Thames, he is 35 but still has a cannon of an arm in the outfield.
These guys could all help the Yankees with their very young and inexperienced bench.
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