Xavier Nady and Jerry Hariston, Jr

by djoep2000 on Jan 8, 2010 6:39 PM EST

Yankees are looking for a right handed bat for the outfield. They also seem to be in the market for a good muti-purpose player. Rumors abound over Reed Johnston. But is he really the best option?

Hard to argue the production that Johnny Damon gave the Yankees. He still wants $20 million for two years (Yankees reportedly offered $14 million for two years). Does not seem to be many suitors for Damon's services at this time. Specially, since he has become a liability in the outfield.

Last year Xavier Nady made $6.55 million and ended up on the disable list with his second Tommy John surgery. By most reports, Nady will be ready by spring training to resume his career. He can play either corner outfield position or first base. He performed admiringly well when he arrive from Pittsburgh. Has good pop and hits for average. He has always been considered an above average defender.

Jerry Hairston, Jr., is probable one of the best utility players in baseball. He can play third base, short-stop, second base, first base and all three outfield positions. He does this with above average defense at all these positions (except short where he is average). Last year he made $2 million. He has speed and patience at the plate.

Seems, both players could be had for the about the same money that was offered to Damon. With, Xavier Nady need to play the outfield, minimized by a rotation with Brett Gardner. He could be used at first base , DH and give days off to all of our outfielders. The thing to remember here is that he was the starting right fielder for the Yankees on opening day. Not much of a risk if he is used sparingly till warm weather hits. He could become our every day left fielder. This would allow his arm to total heal. A very high reward player who has proven he can play in New York. He could be gotten for about $3.5 to $5 million a year with incentives.

Jerry Hairston, Jr., fills a lot of the needs the Yankees have. He could easily be out platoon guy for Brett Gardner and spell many players on their day of rest. This allows many more options for our manger. (Even more intriguing if Xavier Nady is signed.) Jerry is an ideal bench player because of his ability to play multiple position and can steal a base for you. His salary is probable going to be between $1.5 to $3 million a year.

Do the math and this amount to a maximum of around $8 million or less a year for two players. That will fill more needs than Johnny Damon ever could. We need these guys to return to New York and help the Yankees repeat as World Champions. Is there 8 million or less in the Yankees coffers for these two guys? Can Brian Cashman get this done?

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Not too hot on Nady

Here’s a guy that hasn’t played for almost a full year and has had TWO T.J. surgeries. If that same elbow once again blows out or acts up, Nady will go back on the shelf indefinitely or, worst, be forced into retirement.

Will Scott Boras allow Nady to take a non-guaranteed contract for next season from the Yankees? Probably not.

If Nady proves to be healthy, Boras will want his client to have every chance to play daily and compile stats to land a big payday for 2011 and beyond. There are no assurances of at-bats for Nady when he’ll be eased back into the lineup to start the season. If GGBG gets off to a fast start, FireGirardi! will play the hot hand. Guess who rides the pine? That is not a scenario Boras wants.

Jerry Hairston, Jr. is cool tho.

by Scooby Snacks on Jan 8, 2010 7:31 PM EST reply actions

Nady & Hairston... YES!!!

X-man, if medicals ok, 1 year/ $4mill incentivized contract to $5mill total

JHJ one year $2 mill contract , no incentives.

Better and more cost effective than Damon at 1year/7+ mill

by YANKEES FOREVER on Jan 9, 2010 10:15 AM EST reply actions

On Nady

I keep hearing that he wants a ridiculous amount of money for a guy coming off reconstructive shoulder surgery, which is why there hasn’t been much interest in him so far. If he’d sign for 1 year and 3-4 mil I’d want him back.

Jerry Hairston’s fine as a utility player, but I’d rather just let one of the guys from our system win that role. As a hitter, Hairston makes Brett Gardner look like Rickey Henderson so he shouldn’t be part of any left field platoon situation.

by Let's Talk About Tex Baby on Jan 9, 2010 1:21 PM EST reply actions

Agree on Nady & Hairston

Nady one year 3-4mill incentivized contract like Nick Johnson

Hairston one year 2mill bench /utility player role

Forget Damon; Forget Reed Johnson

by YANKEES FOREVER on Jan 9, 2010 3:28 PM EST up reply actions

I totally agree

I would love to see both of these guys on the team this year. Nady filling the role that Hinske filled at the end of last year.

by Mr. h on Jan 9, 2010 8:17 PM EST reply actions

I like nady, for incentive based deal,

Even though Hairston is a solid utillity guy, He is very similar to what a Ramiro Pena can provide us with. For the few at bats that hariston will get, he’s not worth it. I like pena’s glove, bat, and age and we should reward guys like him he excel in the minors with this sort of position. Therefore Yankees should save the 2 million and put it towards a left fielder. …. I like nady, for an incentive based deal 3-4 million

by jaja on Jan 9, 2010 8:44 PM EST reply actions

Excellent Point...

A Nady/Gardner platoon until mid-season. Evaluate performance of both in LF role and make change if necessary at mid-season.

Hoffman & Pena for utility/bench purposes for OF & IF respectively.

by YANKEES FOREVER on Jan 10, 2010 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

Jerry Hairson,Jr. first, then Nady?

Looks like Jerry Hairson, Jr. is in serious negotiation with Yankees. Maybe resigned early next week. Reportedly, is considering an offer between $2 – $3 million (no mention years so far). That would only leave Xavier Nady to get. Does anyone know what Nady’s agent wants for his services??? Hard to believe he would not accept a $3 or $4 million offer with incentives. Specially if looked at as a two year deal with options.

by djoep2000 on Jan 10, 2010 2:24 PM EST reply actions

Nady's Agent,

unfortunately is some guy named Boras.

I expect Nady will eventually take a 4-5M offer with incentives, but it’ll take a while. Boras is known to drag out negotiations, and this one won’t get done any time soon.

by Vancouverguy on Jan 10, 2010 6:31 PM EST up reply actions

Not convinced

What’s the all- time career record for reconstructive arm surgeries? Nady seems to have a legitimate shot at it. They could cover it the same way they covered Jeter’s march towards the shortstop hits record, only slower. Seriously, he comes with tremendous risk. Either he’s the every day 550 AB left fielder, or he’s nothing.

I’m not sure how much of an upgrade Hairston is over Pena in the infield, which is where Hairston plays if Nady is signed and stays healthy. I can’t see signing both Nady and Hairston.

by designatedquitter on Jan 11, 2010 12:55 PM EST reply actions

The 2 muskateers

I would definately invite Nady to spring training. If his arm is good, sign him to an incentive latent contract with 4 million guaranteed. Because, you can’t argue with his bat. He hit well at the old Yankee Stadium. He’d kill the new one. Hairston did well. I’d offer him 2.5 million with incentives. C’mon Cashman. Give the guys another go.

by Bigman5 on Jan 12, 2010 5:58 AM EST reply actions

Resign Nady, look to deal Gardiner. Granderson adds speed as an everyday player, and
Gardiner as fast as he is, is still often overmatched at the plate, and isnt Ricky Henderson
leading off first base, when everyone knows its a steal attempt is about to happen. Deal Gardiner at the right time, when his value is high (and who know what is high for him) for a arm, and package him with a Mitre, Ian Kennedy was tradeable as was Melky, so is Gardiner who has no future as an everyday outfielder and bat in the lineup. He can be an
everyday player on a small market team, and even he does put up decent numbers, will not be missed, nor will Melky in the Yankee scheme of things. There are plenty of players
out there in the next year or two for Cashman to sign or bring up.

by sudden death overtime on Jan 12, 2010 11:08 AM EST reply actions

Total Disagree

The Yankees don’t need Nady or Hairston. They have strong prospects who have already proven to be as competitive in the majors in Pena and others. What the Yankees need is a deal with Damon at the $7 million level that offers him incentives to make $9 or $10 million.

If Damon returns with an incentive deal he should wind up having a season equal to that of 2009.

by JamesD59 on Jan 13, 2010 11:20 AM EST reply actions