One possible acquisition to improve the infield could be St. Louis Cardinals star David Freese. According to Mark Feinsand of the New York Daily News, the two clubs are reportedly discussing a trade involving the four-year veteran.
“According to a source, the Yankees have discussed a potential trade for Cardinals third baseman David Freese,” writes Feinsand. “It’s unclear what St. Louis would want back for the 2011 World Series MVP, but given his down year in 2013 — he hit .262/.340/.381 in 138 games — and injury history, it might not be much.”
Regardless of what happens with Alex Rodriguez‘s appeal of his 211-game suspension from Major League Baseball, the Bronx Bombers would be smart to add more hitting and depth to the corner infield spots, where injuries plagued the team in 2013. New York’s offense ranked 16th in runs scored, 24th in batting average and 27th in slugging percentage last year. Acquiring Freese would address the lack of power and depth in the Yankee lineup. He will turn 31 years old in April and is still in the prime of his career.
New York missed the playoffs in 2013 with a record of 85-77. Injuries to key players, including Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter, as well as some veterans not meeting expectations were among the primary reasons for what was a failed season by the Yankees’ lofty standards.
Freese could be an inexpensive way for the Yankees to add some valuable offense and postseason experience to their 2014 roster.
