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Now that Alex Rodriguez has been suspended for the entire 2014 season, the Yankees have $27 million in payroll space to play around with. They still need a third baseman for the year and, according to sources, the team has interest in signing Michael Young. They remain interested in Mark Reynolds, though he might be more of a part-time player that could have been used to compliment A-Rod at third and backup Mark Teixeira at first. If they need someone to play regularly at third base, Young might be who they prefer.
Young, 37, would be able to play all around the infield, like he did for the Dodgers and Phillies in 2013. Still, he wasn't very good at any of them. He has a collective -158 DRS between all four infield positions inhiscareer, so he'll be a downgrade from Rodriguez in the field. He'll be a downgrade with the bat, too. Last season he hit .279/.335/.395 with a 102 wRC+, making him a league-average hitter in the National League. In 2012 he had a 79 wRC+ while still in the American League with the Rangers.
About the only thing Young has going for him is health. He played in 147 games last year and reached over 150 games in each of the previous three seasons. The Yankees have a lot of injury concerns, but Young, despite his advanced age, might not be another one to worry about.
No matter who they go with at third base, it's likely they end up in a platoon with Kelly Johnson. As right-handed hitters, both Young and Reynolds would handle the at-bats against lefties, while Johnson hits against righties. The Yankees would then have two platoons, one at third, and one at second, though they could make Brian Roberts the everyday second baseman and wait for him to break. However, It's possible that Both Reynolds and Young have a place on this team.
