Forget Manny Machado. According to report, the New York Yankees are expressing interest in another AL East third baseman.
The Hot Stove is still red-hot when it comes to the New York Yankees.
According to Rays beat writer Marc Topkin, the Yankees are one of the many teams interested in third baseman Evan Longoria. This revelation was discussed in his most recent article for the Tampa Bay Times.
#Cardinals still seem like best team for #Rays to make a deal with, but other factors are in play. Plus minor-league changes and rumblings https://t.co/TjxWvoQ6P9
— Marc Topkin (@TBTimes_Rays) December 16, 2017
Other suitors for the three-time Gold Glove winner include the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets.
Longoria has played quite well in his 10-year career in Tampa Bay. He has a lifetime .270 batting average and hit a career-high 36 home runs just two years ago. He also earned the coveted AL Rookie of the Year award in 2008.
Better yet, he’s a durable player. He played in 156 games last season and managed a .261 BA with 20 home runs and 86 RBIs.
Longoria is also a lifetime .273 hitter against the Yankees, clubbing 35 home runs against them in 10 years. For a long time he’s been a pain in the Yankees’ side, so why not get him on their own team? After all, if you can’t beat ’em, sign ’em.
On the defensive end, Longoria has a highlight reel that stands out above the rest. The 32-year-old has still shown he has range at third and a strong arm to fire across the diamond.
Plus, Longoria is the heart of that Rays team. He is a great leader and an excellent presence in the clubhouse. If the Yankees decide not to bring back Todd Frazier, adding Longoria would bring a nice veteran to the mix.
The offseason is still young and there’s still some time for the Yankees to put together a solid package to bring a solid third baseman to the Bronx.
Then again, it’s just a rumor. Even so, it could fit the bill for the New York Yankees. Now, we wait.
