If the Miami Marlins are still in a selling mood after giving away ALMOST the entire store to the Toronto Blue Jays, the biggest fish they have left is slugging young outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. The New York Yankees have reportedly inquired about Stanton's availability.
River Avenue Blues says this is a move the Yankees should make -- if Stanton really does become available.
Stanton, who just turned 23 earlier this month, is a career .270/.350/.533 (140 wRC+) hitter with 93 homers in 373 games. He hit .290/.361/.608 (153 wRC+) with 37 homers in 501 plate appearances this season while battling right knee (surgery to remove loose bodies) and oblique problems. Stanton is under team control through 2016 and is a true franchise player, the kind of guy the Yankees should go all out to acquire if he’s actually available.
Valentine's View: I have to agree with RAB. If Stanton is available, the Yankees need to go to the wall to try to make this happen. The Bronx Bombers have no one like this -- a young star just coming into his own -- and acquiring one would be a huge get for general manager Brian Cashman. The Yankees have a past -- a player like Stanton could help them have a future.
Russell Martin waiting on New York Yankees offer before he decides whether to stay in Bronx or test free-agent market - NYPOST.com
Just like Ichiro Suzuki, Russell Martin is willing to wait on the Yankees.
With several teams looking for catching, Martin having proven he can catch regularly and not being in position to command megabucks or a long-term deal, baseball’s decisions makers believe Martin, 30 in February, wants to hear what the Yankees will offer him to stay before he gets serious about leaving.
"They've been dragging their feet,’’ an industry source said of Martin’s camp in dealing with teams. "People believe he really wants to stay with the Yankees and the Yankees don’t have anybody in-house to replace him.’’
Valentine's View: I still believe Martin winds up back with the Yankees, although I don't think the Yankees will give him a rich deal or a long-term one. One thing I know -- if he returns to the Yankees there is no chance Martin gets to play shortstop for Canada in the World Baseball Classic. I actually can't imagine any teams that would let him do that.
Yankees interested in free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger | HardballTalk
According to Ken Rosenthal of FOXSports.com, the Yankees have renewed their "longstanding interest" in free agent infielder Jeff Keppinger. The Yankees have Eduardo Nunez and Jayson Nix on their roster, but they are currently seeking a veteran infielder who can play third base and fill in at shortstop with Derek Jeter coming off ankle surgery.