MLB free agency: Four teams match selective Michael Brantley market
By Travis Koch
MLB free agency: New York Yankees a fit for Michael Brantley
ESPN’s Buster Olney reported last December that the New York Yankees had contacted Michael Brantley. Whether they reached out to him about potentially signing or obtaining his secrets to successful hitting, we can’t know for sure. What we do know is that New York would have to do some rearranging to make room for Brantley in their starting lineup.
Left field has been his primary position in recent years, though he did DH for the Astros on occasion in 2020. The Yankees’ current outfield aligns with Clint Frazier in left field, Aaron Hicks in center field and Aaron Judge in right field. Giancarlo Stanton expects to be the default designated hitter.
If the Bronx Bombers were to sign Brantley, they would have to trade away Frazier, who, at 26 years old, slugged .511 with a .905 OPS and was a Gold Glove finalist last season.
They’re not afraid to shake things up for the sake of winning a title, however. If the Yankees feel that Brantley will play a larger part in their championship pursuits than Frazier, they won’t hesitate to sign him.
Brantley certainly fits the Yankees offense. Were they to acquire him, he would be one of just two left-handed hitters in their go-to lineup. He would likely join DJ LeMahieu at the top of the batting order, creating an on-base tandem that would exhilarate Judge, Stanton and Luke Voit in the middle.
New York gave 32-year-old LeMahieu a six-year contract, but at a team-friendly price. Brantley could snag a three-year offer from the Yankees, perhaps, but it would have to be at a discounted rate as well. The reasons being (a) the Yanks intend to stay under the luxury tax threshold and (b) they’re still on the hunt for starting pitching.