The Free Agency Royal Rumble Returns – Outfielders

The New York Yankees earned the ultimate gift and the ultimate curse all wrapped up in one player in 2015 and his name was Alex Rodriguez. This isn’t meant to be negative or condescending by any means, I was defending and asking for forgiveness for Alex before Bald Vinny made money off of it made it cool, but him being effective and a huge part of the offense makes the team’s options rather limited. At this point in his career Carlos Beltran should be at least a part-time DH, if not a full-time DH, but is forced to play the field due to Rodriguez being on the roster. With Rodriguez at DH, Jacoby Ellsbury and Brett Gardner patrolling center field and left field respectively and Chris Young hitting free agency it looks like the Free Agency Royal Rumble will be a free-for-all for the final roster spot on the Yankees bench in 2016.

Entering the ring for the rumble are a few competitors that I think will at least be in the running for the position. The up and coming superstar Aaron Judge, former Yankees player and current Baltimore Orioles first baseman and outfielder Steve Pearce, Marlon Byrd of the Cincinnati Reds and the San Francisco Giants in 2015, Drew Stubbs and another former Yankees farm hand and current Chicago Cub, Austin Jackson.

Before the match begins Marlon Byrd asks for a microphone and was quoted as saying the following:

“Now I know that if I win this Royal Rumble and I come to New York my playing time will be limited and dictated by injuries, I’m not okay with that. Also I have read numerous times that a fake Jon Heyman Twitter account faked out Daniel Burch at the trading deadline in 2014 forcing Mr. Burch to write over 2,000 words about me and welcoming me to the team only for me to go elsewhere. With all that said I think I’m going to forfeit, just not feeling it today. Thanks though. “

With Byrd out the group of remaining competitors, like they often do in these Royal Rumble’s, gang up on the biggest man in the ring, Aaron Judge. Judge is quickly disposed of and thrown over the top rope to the mat leaving Pearce, Stubbs and Jackson. Pearce, being the multi-faceted player that he is, reminds everyone that he is pennant chase, playoff and American League East tested not only in the outfield but at first base (hello Mark Teixeira insurance policy) and uses that to throw both Jackson and Stubbs over the top rope and to the floor. Stubbs would have been nice, he kills lefties but his right-handed splits aren’t much to write home about, and so would Jackson, another outfielder with the ability to play center field allowing a constant rotation to keep everyone fresh and healthy, but Pearce makes too much sense for the Yankees NOT to sign in my opinion. 

Quick Hit: Replacing Chris Young on the Yankees Bench

The New York Yankees will have three major, for lack of a better word, free agents at the end of the 2015 World Series. Chris Capuano, who will unlikely be back with the team in 2016, Stephen Drew, who if he came back it would likely be as a bench piece to replace or complement Brendan Ryan, and Chris Young, who may be the toughest of the three to replace. The Yankees need right-handed power in their outfield with Jacoby Ellsbury, Brett Gardner and Carlos Beltran, who is a switch hitter but who hits much better left-handed, and may have more than a few names to choose from assuming they don't hand the job to Aaron Judge or bring Young back for a third season.

Steve Pearce is no stranger to a Yankees uniform and no stranger to playing the outfield in the American League East. Taking away from the Baltimore Orioles is one thing, adding his potent bat to the team (who can also play first base) would be ideal if Young decides to walk.

Austin Jackson is another player that is no stranger to Yankees pinstripes, New York drafted him and traded him to the Detroit Tigers in the Curtis Granderson deal. Jackson can play all three center field positions, which Joe Girardi and the Yankees like, and possibly has enough pop to justify a cheap contract on a one-year deal.

Marlon Byrd likely wants a starting job but if he can be talked into "chasing a ring" then why not, right?

Drew Stubbs is terrible... unless he faces left-handed pitching. The 2016 version of Chris Young?

If Jonny Gomes didn't work out as an outfielder he may be a halfway decent right-handed relief pitcher?