Yankees Rumors: New York, Hiroyuki Nakajima “Far Apart” in Talks
By Editorial Staff
Jon Heyman of CBSSports.com is reporting that the Yankees and Japanese infielder Hiroyuki Nakajima remain “far apart” in contract negotiations. The Yankees were the surprise winners of the Nakajima bidding earlier this month, and the club has until Tuesday to reach an agreement with the 29-year-old.
Submitting an offer of $2.5 million, the Yankees won the bidding for Nakajima early in December. The move confused many around baseball, as Nakajima is believed to be able to start at the major league level and the Yankees are set at second, short and third for years to come.
This caused rumors to swirl that the Yankees and Nakajima’s representation may pursue a sign-and-trade. This would see the Yankees reach an agreement with Nakajima only to send him to another club that would be able to use him as a starter. By completing such a move, Nakajima would be able to play for a team other than the Yankees this season rather than return to Japan for another year.
However, even though they didn’t view him as a starter, the Yankees are said to be very high on Nakajima. New York would use Nakajima as a reserve for Robinson Cano, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.
Scouts see Nakajima as a .270-.280 hitter “who will drive in runs and use his instincts to steal bases”. Though he “lacks arms strength”, Nakajima is said to possess “great hands” and has “very good range to his left”. The Yankees also are said to like Nakajima’s makeup.
If the Yankees and Nakajima are unable to reach an agreement by Tuesday, New York would receive back its bidding fee and Nakajima would return to Japan. The 29-year-old would be eligible to hit the market next offseason as an unrestricted international free agent.
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