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Yankees trade rumors: Chase Headley a target in search for bats; deal unlikely

Gary A. Vasquez-US PRESSWIRE

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Yankees have called the Padres about third baseman Chase Headley. San Diego, who is currently last in the NL West and 8.5 games back in the division, is willing to listen on potential trades for any of their players, but Headley is said to be pretty untouchable in their minds. If they were blown away with an offer for a top prospect, the Padres would likely move Headley, as anyone on their team seems to be available for the right price. The Yankees don't have that kind of prospect in their system, so a deal between the two teams is unlikely.

In 82 games for the Friars so far this season, Headley has a 97 wRC+ with seven home runs. His production is a pretty far cry from what he managed to put up a year ago when he hit .286/.376/.498 with 31 homers and a 145 wRC+ in 161 games. The Padres were interested in a contract extension with Headley, and his resistance to do so may have cost him millions now that he's fallen back down to Earth a bit. The Yankees are desperate enough for offensive production that even a diminished Headley would be a huge upgrade over their current options. Despite that, the Padres would be selling much lower on him than they are probably ready to concede to, making it likely that Headley stays in San Diego past this year's deadline.

With that being the case, Heyman says that the Yankees will continue their pursuit of right-handed offense elsewhere. Alfonso Soriano is one player having a good season that is available, but his defensive position makes him less attractive to the Yankees than Headley would have been. A rental first baseman or even a long-term option at third baseman that would allow Alex Rodriguez to transition into more of a DH would be the ideal fit for the Yankees. Teams know that the Yankees are desperate and any deal is unlikely to come cheap.

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