Would Emilio Bonifacio Be Better Than Ronald Torreyes?

The New York Yankees made the very unpopular decision to send Robert Refsnyder back down to minor league camp this spring in order to give Ronald Torreyes the final bench spot on the club. The fans for the most part were not happy about the demotion but at this point it's all under the bridge, Refsnyder will spend Opening Day in Scranton while Torreyes spent Opening Day in the Bronx. How long will Torreyes be in the Bronx though? Brian Cashman has already said he plans on using the last bench spot as a revolving door much like he used the last bullpen slot as a similar door last season and a new option may have hit the free agency market recently. The Atlanta Braves released Emilio Bonifacio, should the Yankees be paying attention?

Bonifacio signed a one-year deal with the Braves this winter for $1.25 million and despite the contract Bonifacio could not break camp with Atlanta. Bonifacio is a useful piece, even with a declining bat, because he played second base, third base, shortstop and all three outfield positions as recently as the 2015 season. Would he be an upgrade over Torreyes?

Torreyes seems like he could hit .280 in a small sample size and has nice defense and speed while Bonifacio, in a much larger sample size with the Chicago White Sox over the last three seasons, has slashed .243/.291/.325 in 969 plate appearances. This is very much the case of what could be vs. what used to be. Torreyes is still young, 23-years old to be exact, while Bonifacio is in obvious decline at just 30-years old. Bonifacio would be nice to have on the defensive side of things but if you're looking for the total package the Yankees may have gotten it right this time, keep Torreyes.

Now if Bonifacio wants a minor league deal then that's an entirely different story altogether.

Emilio Bonifacio Comes Off The Yankees Board

Emilio Bonifacio has come off the board for the New York Yankees today after signing a deal with the Chicago Cubs. Bonifacio signed a minor league deal with Chicago and will head to Spring Training with the club next week. Word is Bonifacio turned down a few major league deals because Chicago offered him the best opportunity, which means the most playing time. The Yankees were never said to be publicly interested in Bonifacio, probably because he made too much sense for the last spot. I am not upset though I would rather see that spot go to Dean Anna than to another overpaid, overrated veteran that will flame out by June.

Should The Yankees Go After Emilio Bonifacio

EDIT: Bonifacio has cleared release waivers. Emilio is now free to sign with any team he chooses.

Remember way back when, back in the day where all Yankees fans thought for sure that Omar Infante was the next Yankees second basemen? Nobody believed the reports that Kansas City would go after Infante because they had Emilio Bonifacio already in the fold? Well the Royals brought Bruce Chen back and have designated Bonifacio for assignment, which will make him a free agent or have him traded to another team in the next week. Should the Yankees be interested?

The Yankees are expecting to give the likes of Dean Anna, Eduardo Nunez, and about 20 other guys a shot at the utility job and a bench job in spring training so why not add Bonifacio to the mix? Bonifacio is only 28 years old and hits lefties and righties the same, although he doesn't hit either very well unfortunately. What makes Bonifacio attractive is he is a second basemen by trade but also has tons of experience in left field, center field, third base, short stop, and right field. Also Bonifacio is a switch hitter which is always nice when you have a manager that likes to mix and match.

Bonifacio is owed $3.5 million which would be a ton for a bench option unless the Royals flat out release him and are on the hook for 1/6 of his salary. The Yankees will have to make a trade, likely for a nobody or fringe prospects (Derek Toadvine for instance), unless they wait to see if he falls to them in the waiver wire. The Yankees are over the luxury tax anyway so I say why not, if it doesn't work out then you release him, easy as that.