Report: Yankees Checked In On Headley

post from Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog on 29 July 2012 04:01:10 AM. © Sliding Into Home: A Yankees Blog

Have the Yankees changed their ?fix-from-within? philosophy on third base?

They have talked to the Padres about San Diego third baseman Chase Headley, according to a major-league source. But the source characterized the discussion as the Yankees merely checking in on Headley?s market.

?Names have not been exchanged,? the source said Saturday, although it?s always possible that talks could move forward.

Fox Sports first reported that Headley was ?not out of the question? for the Yankees as a possible stopgap at third base as the broken bone in Alex Rodriguez?s left hand heals and as a potential replacement in the outfield in 2013 for Nick Swisher, who is a free agent after the season. Oakland, Philadelphia and Baltimore have also been mentioned in various media reports as possible suitors for Headley.

Headley, 28, has a current slash line of .265/.359/.422 with 12 homers and 51 RBI. He also has 192 games of experience in the majors in left field. The Denver Post reported that the Yankees have also expressed interest in Rockies right-handed reliever Rafael Betancourt, who has a 3.00 ERA and 1.11 WHIP.

Interesting. Sounds like Cashman might be pulling another "Bubba Crosby is our centerfielder" here... Stay tuned.