HEAD GAME$
YANKS DUMP CHASE’S $13M ON PODS, FREE UP MONEY TO LAND PITCHING
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. — The Yankees on Tuesday took advantage of the Padres wanting Bryan Mitchell’s live but erratic right arm to package third baseman Chase Headley and his $13 million salary in a deal.
The move, which brought back outfielder Jabari Blash and sent Mitchell and Headley to San Diego, enables the Yankees to have more cash to spend on a starting pitcher or two and still stay under the luxury-tax threshold of $197 million.
However, it creates a second hole in the infield after second baseman Starlin Castro was sent to the Marlins in the trade that brought Giancarlo Stanton to The Bronx.
According to a report, the Yankees checked in with the Orioles about third baseman Manny Machado, who will be a free agent after the 2018 season, but the $13 million in savings isn’t likely to be used to acquire Machado.
“Peter [Angelos] wouldn’t let that happen,’’ an MLB team executive said of the Orioles owner.
Tuesday’s deal was the result of multiple talks between the Yankees and Padres.
“A.J. [Preller] and I have talked about a lot of concepts over time and it eventually led to a discussion involving an opportunity for us to clear some money,’’ general manager Brian Cashman said of his Padres counterpart.
That money will be used to bolster a rotation via free agency or trading for an arm that won’t cost what free agents Yu Darvish and Jake Arrieta are expected to land.
As for how the Yankees plan to fill the vacancies at second and third, Cashman said there are various avenues.
“We have some kids pushing up from the bottom so now it creates a lane, if we stay on line, it creates a lane at third for some competition for some of our young guys and young guys at second,’’ Cashman said. “More importantly, and the biggest moti- vation from our end, it creates a lot more financial flexibility as we are going to reset that tax clock. This creates more payroll flexibility as I pursue other alternatives.’’
While the Yankees are high on stud prospect Gleyber Torres, who they expect to be ready for the start of spring training after having Tommy John surgery last season on his left (non-throwing) elbow, Miguel Andujar, Thairo Estrada and Tyler Wade from the minor league system, Cashman didn’t rule out looking outside for infield replacements.
“I am not closing out potential interest outside organizational assistance whether it’s free agency or trades that can play second or third,’’ said Cashman, who has engaged Todd Frazier’s representative about possibly bringing back the free-agent third baseman. “We all know we have a stated desire to upgrade our starting pitching. We have more flexibility today than prior to this trade. We did it with knowledge that we have some hungry, talented and inexperienced kids ready to prove they can take that next step. But at the same time there might be some opportunities that might exist via free agency or trade.’’
Cashman wouldn’t say if he was inclined to go outside but only for a one-year deal. He did state that conversations with Frazier’s agent have taken place. The Rutgers product might be looking for a multi-year deal for more money than the Yankees want to spend.
Beyond Darvish and Arrieta, fellow free agents Alex Cobb and Lance Lynn might be too rich for the Yankees’ blood. However, a deal for Pirates right-hander Gerrit Cole is possible. A first-round pick of the Yankees in 2008 who went to UCLA, Cole is arbitration eligible for the second time and made $3.75 million so he would easily fit into the Yankees’ financial plans.
However, Yankee Stadium might not be a solid fit for the 27-year-old.
“Mentally he would be fine but he gives up a lot of home runs,’’ an NL scout said of Cole, who allowed 31 homers this past season when he went 12-12 with a 4.26 ERA in 33 starts. He is 59-42 with a 3.50 ERA in 127 big league starts.