NY Yankees could find an overlooked fix in Kansas City

I’d make the call on Michael Massey if the Yankees decide to look outside the organization for a second baseman. I’d be calling for the defense and a possible regular role, though, not because his left-handed bat automatically creates the perfect platoon. Joel Sherman raised the Kansas City infielder during Wednesday’s Pinstripe Post episode , suggesting a possible complement to Anthony Volpe. He introduced this section as ideas rather than reporting that talks were happening. The argument below is also a trade concept, not news that New York is pursuing a deal. Massey’s glove gives the Yankees a real reason to ask Massey received his first major-league Gold Glove finalist nomination Wednesday. His 11 Outs Above Average ranked second among American League second basemen, behind Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s 15. There is a meaningful defensive credential here, separate from whether voters eventually give him the award. He made 114 starts at second base and played 994 1/3 innings there. The Yankees would be evaluating somebody with a substantial current workload at the position, rather than assuming a player from elsewhere on the diamond can handle it. At the plate, Massey hit .274/.305/.430 with 13 home runs in 131 games. His production can fit a lineup that needs another competent hitter, although the .305 on-base percentage places a clear limit on selling him as the cure for every offensive frustration. The current splits don’t match the easiest sales pitch A left-handed hitter isn’t automatically the right answer against right-handed pitching. Massey had a .300 on-base percentage and .721 OPS against righties in 351 plate appearances. Against lefties, the smaller 101-plate-appearance sample produced a .323 on-base percentage and .786 OPS. Those reverse splits don’t prove he should become a specialist against left-handers. They do mean New York shouldn’t pay for an assumed platoon advantage without investigating the longer record and the reasons behind the current results. His 21 walks in 452 total plate appearances also suggest that improving on-base production would require more than simply changing uniforms. 0 What do you think? Post a comment. A useful target still needs a sensible price I’d explore Massey if the Yankees value his second-base defense, have regular work available and can make the rest of the offensive arrangement function. The cost should reflect a player who solves a specific problem rather than a complete leadoff or platoon solution. Sherman mentioned outfield names while discussing what might interest Kansas City. That doesn’t establish an asking price, an available package or a willingness by the Royals to move Massey. New York shouldn’t volunteer a valuable player merely because a hypothetical exchange is easy to describe. Keeping an internal competition is a reasonable alternative. So is spending more on somebody with a stronger on-base record if that is the priority. Massey’s nomination makes his defensive case timely; it doesn’t tell us what Kansas City would demand or how the Yankees rank their alternatives. The proposal is worth investigating because there is an actual everyday skill to acquire. It becomes much less appealing if New York pays as though the same player will also solve problems his current numbers don’t support. Related Headlines NY Yankees should think twice before trading their next rotation bet Yankees would be wasting Cody Bellinger at first base Yankees could find their next leadoff answer in Miami Read more at Empire Sports Media