The Yankees face a tough choice to fill their center field hole this winter. The market has shrunk fast after Jacob Young signed a deal with the Nationals. Trent Grisham is also leaving, which means the team cannot count on him to return. This leaves the organization with very few outside options to choose from right now.
According to the New York Post, the Nationals agreed to a four-year extension with Young on Friday. The four-year extension with Young buys out his arbitration years and his first year of free agency. With Young off the board, the list of available center fielders for New York has gotten much smaller. The team now looks at Spencer Jones as their only true internal hope at the moment.
The Internal Option Has Flaws
Spencer Jones showed promise last season, but his bat emerged more than his glove. The New York Post reported that Jones often looked tentative and raw when playing center and right field. He needs to improve his defense if he is to stay in the lineup long term. The team cannot rely on a player who is still learning the ropes in the most important defensive spot.
Young’s departure removes a key name from the board. Now the Yankees must look at the few remaining free agents. The front office has to decide if they will trust a rookie or spend money on a veteran.
A Small Free Agent Pool
Sports Illustrated noted that this list yielded just four center fielders. Most of the top names are already locked up or playing elsewhere.
Mauricio Dubon is one of the few names left on the board. He has played 214 career games in center field, according to Sports Illustrated. Dubon is a right-handed hitter with a career slash line of .261/.301/.379. He has hit 51 home runs and driven in 273 runs over his career. His speed and versatility make him a viable option for a team in need.
The Cost of a Solution
According to reports, Dubon might secure a two-year deal valued at $16 million. This price tag seems reasonable for a player with his Gold Glove awards. His defensive worth is evident since he has claimed two Gold Glove awards while playing as a utility player. The Yankees might see this as a low-risk way to plug a hole.
The team has 27 rings and high standards for every position. They cannot afford to start a season with a weak spot in center field. Dubon offers a chance to get a proven defender without breaking the bank.
- 4-year extension for Jacob Young (New York Post)
- 214 career games played in center by Mauricio Dubon (Sports Illustrated)
- 2 Gold Glove awards won by Dubon (Sports Illustrated)
- Projected 2-year, $16 million deal for Dubon (Sports Illustrated/ESPN)
The New York Post noted that Spencer Jones remains the primary internal option despite his raw profile. The team has to weigh the risk of a rookie against the cost of a free agent.
