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Vernon Wells to the Yankees? Please, don't let that be true

Reports indicate that the New York Yankees have spoken to the Anaheim Angels about the possibility of acquiring veteran outfielder Vernon Wells.

Vernon Wells
Vernon Wells
Victor Decolongon

Vernon Wells? Please don't tell me the New York Yankees are interested in Vernon Wells of the Anaheim Angels, as recent reports suggest.

Vernone Wells? Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh! You must be kidding me! Yankees' fans have to hope that any discussion about Wells is just the Yankees doing due diligence as they search for a right-handed hitting outfielder to complement their starting group on Brett Gardner, Curtis Granderson and Ichiro Suzuki.

I mean, there have to be better options that Vernon Wells. Don't there?

The Yankees just got rid of a pudgy, aging, right-handed hitting outfielder who used to hit with power and play an outstanding center field. After watching 35-year-old Andruw Jones hit .197 in 233 at-bats and struggle to play the outfield the Yankees let him go, and he ended up signing to play in Japan.

Now there is talk about a possible trade for the 34-year-old Wells. Please, let it be just talk. Wells used to a terrific player for the Toronto Blue Jays, but he has had one good year in his last four seasons. He hit .218/.248/.412 in 2011 and followed that up with a .230/.279/.403 2012 season.

If you want a guy to play against left-handed pitching Wells isn't that guy. In 2012 the fading former slugger hit .227 with two home runs and eight RBI in 77 at-bats with a slugging percentage of just .383. There have to be better options for a fourth outfielder.

How about Peter Bourjos, also of the Angels? He hit only .220 in part-duty last season, but hit .271/.327/.438 the season before with 22 stolen bases. He can play center field and will be 26 next season.

How about Scott Hairston, the former New York Met? He hit .263/.299/.504 last season with 20 homers in 377 at-bats.

I really don't care who it is. I just know that it can't be Wells, even if the Angels pay most of the $42 million he is owed for the next two seasons.