10 Available Free Agents that Fit the Yankees

Pitchers and catchers will report to spring training in less than three week meaning that the offseason is nearly over. From our look at the Yankees potential 25 man roster yesterday we know that they are almost entirely set too.

There are free agents still available though and there are no nails in this offseason’s coffin just yet. Let’s take a look at the remaining free agents that could potentially fit on the Yankees roster.

1. Jeremy Bonderman – The Yankees biggest need remaining is for another starting pitcher and Bonderman is still out there looking for a job. Last season he threw 171 inninngs to the tune of a 76 ERA+. I can’t see the Yankees signing him for much more than a minor league contract.
2. Justin Duchscherer – The Duke is still out there looking for a job because he’s a wreck physically. He’s been a starter since 2008, but has never managed to pitch even 150 innings. When healthy though he’s a pretty good pitcher with a career ERA+ of 139. It’s possible the Yankees could still sign him to an incentive laden deal.
3. Freddy Garcia – Garcia was once a work horse type of pitcher, but today he is not nearly as reliable. He hasn’t pitched a full effective season since 2006, but last year he showed he might be on his way back when he tossed 157 innings with a not terrible 94 ERA+. The Yankees could sign him to a team favorable deal.
4. Kevin Millwood – Millwood is easily the best bet on this list to stay healthy for a full season in 2011. The problem is that he’s has put up ERA’s north of 5.00 in three of the last four years. If or when Andy Pettitte finally announces his retirement it is likely that the Yankees will try to work out a deal for him.
5. Bartolo Colon – Colon is barely an option. He is trying to make a comeback and has pitched in the Domincan Winter League this offseason, but he hasn’t pitched a full season in the majors since 2005. It would be a shocker to see the Yankees sign him to anything more than a minor league deal.
6. Alfredo Aceves – It was a little bit of a surprise that the Yankees non-tendered Aceves, but the Mexican Gangster has dealt with injury problems. He missed almost the entire 2010 season with a back injury and then the Yankees DFA’d him after he broke his clavicle in a bike accident that could cause him to miss spring training. The Yankees couuld sign him once he’s closer to a return.
7. Willy Aybar – Aybar hasn’t been connected to the Yankees this offseason, but he seems like a great fit to me. He has about a league average bat and glove and can play both first and third. As it stands right now the Yankees have two backup infielders, Eduardo Nunez and Ramiro Pena, but neither can play first. Seems to me like Aybar is a great upgrade over Pena.
8. Felipe Lopez – Lopez can play all four infield positions and the corner outfield positions. He would also be a major offensive upgrade over Pena. Like Aybar he hasn’t been connected to the Yankees this offseason, but seems to fit perfectly.
9. Joe Inglett – Inglett doesn’t quite have the offensive potential as Aybar or Lopez, but his OPS+ of 97 throughout his career is nothing to laugh at and he plays a ton of positions.
10. Joe Beimel – A decent left handed pitching option still on the market. The Yankees already have two lefty relievers, but I’m not sold on Boone Logan as a solid option after just one good season. Personally I would like the Yankees to add him so they would be sure to avoid rushing Manuel Banuelos to the major leagues if they need a lefty reliever later on.

There you have it. Let me know what you think of these guys as potential fits on the Yankees. Also, let me know if there is anybody I have overlooked.

Related Stories

• January 6, 2011 — Rumors: Yankees Have Slight Interest in Millwood and Garcia
• December 20, 2010 — Yankees May Reluctantly Stand Pat with Current Rotation
• October 31, 2010 — 10 Starters the Yankees Can Sign if They Fail to Get Cliff Lee
• January 20, 2011 — Rumors: Yankees Definitely Interested in Millwood if Pettitte Retires