The Yankees added another player to the revolving door of outfield options on Sunday when they agreed to acquire Vernon Wells from the Angels. The deal itself is still being worked out, but early reports indicate New York will pay less than $10 million dollars of the $42 million remaining on Wells’ contract, which runs through 2014. Thus far, Wells has agreed to waive his no-trade clause but it’s unclear the exact amount the Yankees are on the hook for or who (if anyone) the Angels get in return.
Making an assumption the Angels pay 34 million or so on the deal, it makes sense for both teams. Wells has no spot in the Angels present or future (particularly with Mike Trout, Peter Bourjos, Josh Hamilton and Mark Trumbo already in the mix in Los Angeles) and the Yankees can have a stopgap outfielder at a cheap rate in 2013 and 2014 as they wait for their top prospects to develop.
Los Angeles gets pitching depth it sorely needs, the Yankees don’t give up any piece of the future and at the same time get a MLB ready bat to compete with numerous options in the outfield and infield at a discounted rate.
Wells will not play first base in the event Mark Teixeira misses the season, but his presence adds more flexibility in whatever Joe Girardi and Brian Cashman decide.
The Yankees have two options at first base:
1. Move Kevin Youkilis over to first base (his better and less injury prone position) and have Ronnier Mustelier get a chance to stick at third.
2. Have Juan Rivera play first and see what happens (or long enough to acquire an actual first baseman) and keep Youkilis at third with Mustelier as a backup corner infielder ala Eric Chavez.
How does this impact Vernon Wells‘ presence?
Being able to keep Mustelier and Rivera exclusively in the infield provides more of a long-term plan in the event Teixeira misses the season. Using a combination of Youkilis, Mustelier, Rivera and possibly, Alex Rodriguez, (Dan Johnson may not make the team in any capacity with a horrible spring) to get through 2013 could provide enough impact and production to keep the Yankees’ afloat.
Meanwhile, with those players locked in to the infield competition, it means Ben Francisco, Thomas Neal, Brennan Boesch and Melky Mesa become the primary outfield audition for the backup out fielder roles while Zoilo Almonte provides depth in the minor leagues. Francisco has torn the cover off the ball this spring and is likely to be the starting left fielder on Opening Day with Brett Gardner in center and Ichiro Suzuki in right. Granderson’s return in May means Francisco would be the backup against lefties and Boesch, if he is still with the team, will be the backup against righties.
Neal is in the mix but a longshot to be part of the MLB team and Mesa it would appear will head back to AAA for more seasoning (he is batting under .200 this spring), but with that kind of depth, the Yankees have plenty of options the next couple of years before players like: Tyler Austin, Slade Heathcott and Mason Williams are healthy and MLB ready.
With the Yankees trying to stay under the $189 million dollar mark for its 2014 payroll, New York now has Ichiro, Wells and Gardner under contract in 2014. Heathcott, Mesa and Almonte will provide outfield depth and depending on how this season works out, Mustelier could provide 2014 corner infield depth for A-Rod and Teixeira, beginning the transition to younger cost-effective players.
