Hafner or Thome?

[Stark]

Sources: Yankees sign Travis Hafner

The New York Yankees have signed designated hitter Travis Hafner, sources told ESPNNewYork.com Thursday.

An official announcement is expected later in the day.

Hafner, 35, will be the Yankees' left-handed designated hitter, a spot that opened when Raul Ibanez signed with the Seattle Mariners earlier this offseason.

Sources said Hafner, who also can play first base, will receive a one-year, incentive-laden deal.

Hafner's career has been derailed by injuries. For four seasons (2004-07) as a member of the Cleveland Indians, he was one of the best hitters in the majors, finishing in the top eight in American League MVP voting each of those years.

In each of the past five seasons, however, Hafner has played in more than 100 games only once. He batted .228 last season with 12 homers and 34 RBIs in 66 games.

From the right side, the Yankees could use a rotation of players to DH, much as they did in 2012.

Eduardo Nunez, if he makes the team, could be one bat, while the Yankees also could use it as a resting stop for older players such as Derek Jeter, Kevin Youkilis and -- if he returns -- Alex Rodriguez.

The Yankees also have picked up right-handed hitting outfielders Matt Diaz, Russ Canzler and Juan Rivera this offseason.

Hafner was probably my favorite Indian of all time. He was also the last remaining player from our 2007 playoff run if I remember correctly (not counting Sizemore's corpse). He had a rough final few years here, but I wish him all the best for the last few years of his career.

[video=youtube;dD7LreZ96sA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD7LreZ96sA[/video]

 

[TheRealKTRAIN]

With Hafner now off the board.... Looks like the Tribe are looking for someone in the farm to step up and take control of DH

 

[shoes22]

Hafner was probably my favorite Indian of all time. He was also the last remaining player from our 2007 playoff run if I remember correctly (not counting Sizemore's corpse).

Asdrubal was also on the team.

Got to get someone that has power... My opinion I think the rotation of players at DH will just be a huge cluster f@ck

It's not so much the rotation of players at DH that bothers me, it's that I don't think Aviles is good enough to warrant being in the lineup every day. And what happens if one of our key guys gets injured? It's very apparent that the Indians still need to add another bat, whether it's Thome or someone else, just so our lineup can have some protection.

 

[Stark]

Request name change to "DH Discussion" or something along those lines. I don't think we should restrict converstation to well... just Thome.

Anyways, here are some remaining free agents that we could look at for the DH spot if we are intent on filling it. This list really isn't very pretty.

Grady Sizemore (Age: 30) - Could still be worth a look, but I'm going to assume that Grady's days in Cleveland are over. (Out until All-Star Break)
Freddy Sanchez (Age: 34) - Solid slap hitter. Almost no power. Probably could bat around .270 and play second once or twice a week.
Scott Rolen (Age: 37) - Eh. He really can't hit like he did back in his St. Louis days. We'd look pretty desperate with him as our regular DH.
Jim Thome (Age: 42) - Probably one of the few to actually look at. Still has above-average power and is capable of 18-23 home runs over a full season.
Brandon Inge (Age: 35) - Another desperation grab. Bad average, but he did smack a dozen homers last year in Oakland.
Casey Kotchman (Age: 29) - Still hasn't been signed. He batted .229 with 12 homers last year.
Jason Giambi (Age: 41) - Eh. Don't know what to think of this guy anymore. He batted .225 with a homer in a few dozen pinch-hit at-bats last year.
Carlos Lee (Age: 36) - He's getting up there a bit, but I'd love to see what he could do with a full season's worth of DH at-bats. A .275 and 20 HR season wouldn't be out of question.
Bobby Abreu (Age: 38) - He's getting really old, but he can still hit for a solid average and run a bit. Probably should stay away from him though.

 

[AZ_]

Kearns (MIA), Ankiel (HOU) and AJones (Japan) have signed from that list.

Sizemore is out until at least the All Star break.

Thome and Rolen look like the best options from that list along with Carlos Lee.

 

[Stark]

Well CBSSports is officially unreliable to me then. I'm honestly surprised Kearns is signed anywhere. I just put him on for a laugh.

 

[BMAN]

You guys do realize if we sign one of these guys to DH they are probably only going to get 300 PA or so?

 

[cleveman]

With how much power we have in the lineup right now with Reynolds, Santana and Swisher, not to mention Kipnis and Cabrera can hit a decent amount of homers, I think we should get someone who isnt just known for power. They should be someone who is going to get on base and score runs and have a good batting average. Scott Rolen would be a decent pickup if he stays healthy. He still has a little pop left and if he just DH's then he might stay healthier longer.

 

[TheRealKTRAIN]

With really no options left at DH beside Thome and Carlos Lee, I feel the Tribe is hoping for someone to step up and take DH in spring training but if they do not then they will sign one of these guys

 

[macbdog]

Rolen looks intriguing, didn't even realize he was still out there. Wouldn't be expecting greatness, but he would be able to play in the field every once in awhile at least.

Shoes, Aviles wouldn't be playing every day if he was DH. Gomes or whoever is that other extra will get a fair amount of time there, too.

 

[BMAN]

You guys do realize if we sign one of these guys to DH they are probably only going to get 300 PA or so?

Guess not.