The New York Yankees are continuing their cheap spending and sticking to their plan signing the most inexpensive guys on the market. Travis Hafner is the latest player on the Yankees' radar this offseason.
Sources told ESPN that the Yankees were talking to Hafner in attempt to make a deal with the 35-year-old who has 11 years in the majors.
Hafner's would be limited to a designated hitter role and could display some of the power he has left over hitting from the left side of the plate. It doesn't take much to poke one out of Yankee Stadium, so Hafner could have a good time in New York.
However, the Yankees seem to be forgetting one fact, Hafner hasn't played 100 games in a season since 2010 and even then he almost missed 50 games. In the two seasons prior, Hafner played 151 games combined. He played 57 in 2008 and 94 in 2009. So Yankee fans, your team is signing a guy who will be out at some point during the season.
In 2012, Hafner hit 12 home runs and drove in 34 RBI. He displayed power from 2004-2007 as one of the most feared hitters in baseball. In that span, he averaged 32 home runs and 108 RBI per season with a .296 batting average.
The Yankees aren't the team they were in years prior. They are going after guys who could be risks down the road and aren't guys who can help them win. The Yankees from before were all about winning. This year's team is more about saving.
Some say the Yankees are prepping their payroll to get the big guns like Bryce Harper and Mike Trout when they become free agents. If true, Yankee fans will have to prep themselves for a losing season. The Boston Red Sox have improved and the Toronto Blue Jays have to be the most improved team in baseball, at least on paper. You also can't forget about the Baltimore Orioles and the Tampa Bay Rays.
Yankees are currently battling through another Alex Rodriguez steroid allegation. They won't have him back in the lineup until after June. Derek Jeter might be ready by the beginning of the season, and no, he's not fat.
From the looks of it, the Yankees have a tough season ahead of them. It will be an interesting year to say the least.
