As we have known for some
time, the Yankees don’t have a legitimate backup for Chase Headley at third
base. Not only is there no backup, there is no legitimate candidate for the
starting third base job in AAA. The White Sox just recently released former first
round pick Mike Olt and here is why the Yankees should pick him up.
More
Minor League Depth and a AAA Third Baseman
The Yankees AAA infield
is quite thin so they obviously need quality players to fill those roles. Olt
could fill in at third and first base when needed and can provide some pop as
he hit nine home runs in 59 games for the Cubs AAA team last year. Having depth
never hurts and Olt could fill that role.
Backup
Third If Rob Refsnyder Can’t Stick
Refsnyder hasn’t gotten
many compliments on his second base defense so it’s very possible that Refsnyder’s
defense at third will not be glamorous as well. Refsnyder could end up
banishing third all together or going to the minors to get more reps at third.
I’m a huge Refsnyder fan and I believe from what I’ve seen that he could handle
the backup third base job, but if for some reason he can’t, Olt could step into
that role just fine.
An
Injury Occurs
Because it’s baseball,
injuries occur all the time and if Headley went down with a long term injury we
would be left with no one with a lot of third base experience who could step
into the everyday role for the time being. Olt currently has 611 MLB innings at
third base so he has experience. While I would prefer a better option to start
at third base if such an injury did occur, the Yankees could stick the 27-year-old
into the position until they could find a better option.
While Olt has really
struggled in the Major Leagues (.168 AVG 16 HR in 352 career at bats), but Olt
never the less does have MLB experience. While Olt isn’t the best option for a
team, he could still provide solid depth and fill in holes down in the minor
leagues.
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