MLB Trade Rumors: New York Yankees interested in Logan Forsythe?
By Hayden Kane
The New York Yankees have a glaring hole at third base. They at least know now that they need to seek other options with the news that Alex Rodriguez is suspended for the entire 2014 season.
As it stands now the Yankees are committed to low-risk, part-time options such as Kelly Johnson and Scott Sizemore. They have also had waning interest in veteran free agents such as Mark Reynolds and Michael Young, though those talks appear to be dead at this point.
Tonight Jon Morosi of Fox Sports reports that the Yankees have explored a different route for third base help, engaging the San Diego Padres in trade talks:
Sources: Yankees have made trade inquiry to Padres about infield depth; Logan Forsythe is the most realistic target, not Chase Headley.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 14, 2014
Yankees farm system is not strong enough to acquire Chase Headley now; Logan Forsythe could be a RH complement to Kelly Johnson at 3B.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) January 14, 2014
Headley would likely cost much too much in terms of his contract as well. The Yankees already indicated that they do not plan to sign another infielder to a big league deal, so that presumably means they are not willing to pay what it would take to add Headley, at least not until they know Masahiro Tanaka‘s decision.
As for Forsythe, he struggled mightily in 2013. In 75 games with the Padres he batted .214/.281/.332 with six home runs and a woeful 73 wRC+. As for the proposed plan to platoon him at third base, that would be a bit of an adjustment as Forsythe has only played 41 career games at the hot corner in three seasons. He has primarily played second base (138 games).
Forsythe’s best season came in 2012 when he batted .273/.343/.390 and stole eight bases in 91 games.
The Yankees presumably see Forsythe as a low-risk, versatile option to throw into their infield competition as they would hope to see him regain his form in a new setting.